The flight should take about 3.5 hours and cost around 66 USD. If you can not book these huts in time, you can hike to Cordillera Paine independently and see the best of Torres del Paine without staying overnight. The crossing is an experience on its own with breath-taking views. To get from El Chalten to El Calafate, you can get the same shuttle bus that you took from the airport. Does this mean we can’t visit the park..? In other words, you will be as close to Antarctica as it is possible to get without actually going there yourself (which you can do from Ushuaia! It also plays host to one of South America’s biggest music festivals each February. Since our trip, the bus prices have increased significantly and you can expect to pay around 90 pounds for a round trip from Buenos Aires to Iguazu on a cama seat. Canadians and Australians can also enter with no visa and no longer need to pay reciprocity fees. By Fran Zarnitzky | On 19 Jun, 2014. Lovers of the arts will enjoy Valpo. There are around 2 buses leaving from San Pedro de Atacama to Antofagasta starting around 4 PM - 6 PM from Atacama Bus Station. The tour operator will provide you all the necessary gear to traverse the snow capped volcano so you do not have to prepare your equipment before hand. One of the stops is Esquel so you can hop off and hop on the bus at Esquel where you can spend a few days. The situation is very similar in Chile with all EU members and US citizens getting visa-free entry for 90 days. Overnight buses, though not very punctual, are very comfortable covers most of the popular tourist location. The long trip here will soon be worth it when you start exploring the beautiful Argentine lakes and mountains in the area. There are also flights but these are much more expensive and miss out on some of the dramatic scenery. Check out our other Latin America routes! Cruceandino are one company that offers this trip although it’s not really within the budget of most shoestring travellers. Even though the internet package has unlimited data, they capped the data each day to 50MB and you have to pay extra to get the speed back, with another 50MB capped. Valparaiso, a really colourful harbour city and one of the most popular backpacking destinations in Chile, detailed 80 mile Torres del Paine hiking route. There are many other adventures you can participate here from fishing to hiking in the Huerquehue National Park so if you are looking for an adventure, you will find them here. My plan is to do your whole south america route + patagonia backwards so I can do the south at the end of summer and make it to machu picchu in time for end of may! That is bullsh*t if you asked me but there were not many options available. Don't worry, I'm not gonna make you go through the bus ride through Patagonia again. It can be quite humid during this time but you will cool off immediately once you get close to the falls. Check out this detailed 80 mile Torres del Paine hiking route if you fancy a longer stay in the area. This post suggests there are free places to camp once you’ve paid the entrance fee: As you know, I am a light traveler and packing light for a trip like this is an art in and of itself. There are loads of campsites and getting a cheap tent is worth considering for anyone on a tight budget and particularly people travelling in Patagonia during the warmer, peak summer months. Again, Pullman Bus also operates this route as well and you can get from Valparaiso to Santiago via one of their daily buses from 5:50 AM to 4:45 PM. That is it for a 2-months itinerary for Chile and Argentina. Punto Arenas is the most southerly city on mainland South America. - 14.52 USD/Night. It has a big bohemian feel to it and as you roam around the hilly streets you’ll never be far from something quirky. Europe – The most affordable direct flights are from Madrid and Barcelona. Typically the cruises are 7-10 days including various stops. The town itself is small and growing but has nowhere near as much going for it as Bariloche. You can book your ticket with Skyscanner or Expedia via the link below: Book A Flight From Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. As impressive as the Laguna de los Tres trail. Be sure to get the Cama seat for your overnight buses. Did I miss anything from the list? This article was last updated in February 2019. In the summer it can be nice to stay in Pucon, a small beach town on the banks of Lake Villarrica. Also, you will have the chance to slide down the volcano with a slate! Be prepared for the cold since you will be going up to 4,200m above sea level. However there is always a steady stream of travellers backpacking through Argentina and Chile. The internet by Claro works well in big cities like Buenos Aires but in Patagonia, it didn't work 60% of the time and in El Chalten, no signal anywhere. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of short or long trekking tours in Argentina, but I would like to point to one in particular. Once you get back from Easter Island, you can then take a bus from Terminal Alameda Santiago Bus Terminal to Pucon. There are several overnight buses from 11 AM - 11 PM operated by companies like Pullman Bus which I recommend. To get from Pucon, Chile to San Carlos de Bariloche, you can get a direct bus operated by Andesmar that will take you to Osorno, cross the border, and drop you off at San Carlos De Bariloche Bus Terminal. To book a flight, be sure to check out on Skyscanner or Expedia with the link below: Book A Flight From Bariloche to El Calafate. Here are some resources to help you get your trip going: Are you planning to travel to Chile and Argentina independently? The town itself is also one of the liveliest in Patagonia, with a swanky Swiss-like vibe and some banging bars and clubs that party on past dawn. Like starting by flying to ushuaia and travelling up northwards? My post is here: https://backpackersreview.wordpress.com/trip-reports/torres-del-paine-circuit/. Hiking, rock-climbing, ridiculous valleys and cliffs as well as some rather wonderful natural water-slides are all the rage here. The two southernmost cities in the world are linked by frequent bus services that take around 10 hours including a short ferry ride from mainland South America onto the island of Tierra del Fuego. Here is, Easter Island is one of the best experience you can have in Chile. Oceania – You can fly direct from Auckland, Sydney or Melbourne. In other words, you will be as close to Antarctica as it is possible to get without actually going there yourself (which you can do from Ushuaia!). Backpacking Patagonia is quite simply a nature lover’s dream. You probably want to consider the climate/weather at the time of year of your intended visit and then think about which way around would be better. . They provide plenty of great trekking opportunities and you can even go skiing during the colder months. Backpacking Chile and Argentina : A Bradt Hiking Guide by Tim Burford. For Patagonia (South of Chile and Argentina), November to March is high season and even though it is not a bad idea to come during this time to maximize the chance of getting good weather, you will also have to deal with the crowds and the overbooked buses and tours. Chiloe is the largest island in Chile with more incredible scenery and treks as well as some lovely little villages and plenty of intriguing ancient myths. Invariably this involves getting to Buenos Aires from where you can fly to pretty much anywhere in the world or continue your travels in South America. Backpacking in Chile & Argentina Some articles may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. They run both ways so the shuttle will stop at the airport and you can continue on with them to El Calafate. There is also the possibility of flying via Tahiti and the Chilean owned Easter Island which is popular with backpackers and a very decent plan if you’re heading across the Pacific. Alternatively there are some companies that offer ridiculously named but much more direct bus-boat-bus-boat-bus-boat-bus crossings (or something like that). From El Calafate, you will have to take the bus from El Calafate Bus Terminal to get across the border and back into Chile to reach Puerto Natales. The final day, go on a day tour to Lagunas Altiplanicas, the Chilean version of the salt flat. The entire journey will take around 8 hours and cost about 18 - 40 USD per person. You can watch my Chile travel video here: You can also watch my Argentina travel video here: To see all articles about Chile and Argentina, visit, Looking for a place to go after Argentina and Chile? You can fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt for less than $40 excluding baggage costs for example (far less than the equivalent bus). Surrounded by lakes, volcanoes, caves and hot springs, Villarrica is a hugely popular hiking destination. As of 2019, domestic flights in Chile are much cheaper than they used to be so it’s worth checking out the prices on a flight comparison site. This is a 2 weeks backpacking itinerary covering all the highlights you shouldn't miss when are you in Patagonia, plus a few days for you to explore the capital cities of Argentina and Chile. The highlight is Glacier National Park in the south near the border with Chile, which, as the name suggests, has a really big glacier. I included a ton of pictures, several detailed maps, and lots of logistical information. Stunning landscape all around with a chance of spotting flamingos in their habitats. It’s by no means cheap to do this so you need some pretty serious dosh saved up. Budget airlines are really growing in Chile in particular. Go on a day tour to see the famous Perito Moreno glacier and spend a day walking around the park. From Santiago, in central Chile, cross the spectacular 3,200m Cristo de Redentor pass by international bus with views of Aconcagua (in Argentina), the highest mountain outside the Himalayas. Prices vary but expect to pay around US$5 for every hour of travel. For Argentina, Andesmar or ViaBariloche are great options for long distance trips whereas for domestic flight, I would recommend Aerolineas Argentinas for their price and coverage. Hiking and Trekking in Argentina. Therefore it’s the best place to buy anything you might need for your trip South. Do you have any suggestions on what time of year this route should be done? 6 Months Backpacking Itinerary for South America. Well that's what we did - and we filmed it all! There are many beautiful graffitis scattered all over the hills of Valparaiso and in between are small cozy cafes where you can indulge yourself in the finest coffee overlooking the the colorful streets of Valparaiso. Ambitious trekkers regularly take on the challenge of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres, two of the biggest peaks in Patagonia. Then just head out with a tent and what you need for the trip. Backpacking South America can be an epic adventure and this route is the longest of all our travel itineraries. Keep in mind that this is just a suggested daily budget based on my style of traveling, which is leaning more toward the budget side of things. Without further ado, here is everything you need to know to travel around Patagonia in 2 weeks. To get from La Serena to Valparaiso, you can catch another overnight bus from La Serena Bus Terminal that leaves at 11:30 PM and arrives in Valparaiso at 6:30 AM the next day. Spend a few days learning the history of Chile in the museum and explore the nightlife the city has to offer. south america | brazil | patagonia | central america | mexico. Getting from El Calafate to Torres del Paine: There are buses that take around 5-6 hours to get from El Calafate to Puerto Natales in Chile. The highlight of hiking in Argentina and a serious rival to Chile’s Torres del Paine, Mount Fitz Roy is the place to go if you can only do one trek in the country.Hikes begin in the town of El Chaltén, the country’s premier hiking destination, and venture into the wondrous Los Glaciers National Park, with trips ranging from easygoing day hikes to lengthy five day slogs. It's my first time, and I will be on a low budget of around 2000 canadian dollars. You can also camp at the base of the trail for a night and hike to the lake to see Fitz Roy at your own time. For multi-day hikes or trips to more rural areas, consider leaving your belongings in storage in a hostel in one of the larger towns. When is the weather best? You will find plenty more under our Chile Travel Guide section where you will find suggested itineraries, things to do, and everything you need to plan your Chile trip. Flying via Miami may be more cost-effective though in both cases. Due to its proximity and the length requires to traverse from north to south, it is most efficient to zig-zag your way through the two countries. For Easter Island, Late January to mid-February is the best time as the annual Tapati festival is taking place with concerts and events all over the island. You can book this bus with the link below: Book A Bus From Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. I'm excited to announce that I will be going backpacking in Patagonia on March 3, 2012, in partnership with G Adventures! If you want to stick to this budget, expect to sleep in dorms, eat out only a few times, and be comfortable using the cheapest and most convenient way of transportation, which often times involves walking. From its hiking trails in Patagonia to its one of a kind marble caves, human carvings and high altitude deserts. The journey should take around 4 - 5 hours and cost about 23 USD. After that, you can drive down a little further and visit the Very Large Telescope, a telescope facility operated by the European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal. As the crow flies there is little more than 100km between Puerto Varas in Chile and Bariloche in Argentina. Personally, I think it was every penny. Please refer to the following table for a more detailed look at Argentina’s many border crossings. Just 120 km or so west of Santiago you reach the Pacific Ocean and Valparaiso, a really colourful harbour city and one of the most popular backpacking destinations in Chile. On you first day, spend some time to absorb the unique old town of La Serena, follows by a rest day at the beach, and then the last day you can go on a day tour to explore the beautiful nature around the Elqui valley. The city itself is enormous and by far the biggest on this route. Argentina, on the other hand, is quite a mixed bag. Argentina and Chile are not cheap countries, so you should expect to be spending around 50 pounds per day per person including accommodation and transportation. The cruises are often advertised at around US$10,000 but can be found in town for much less (from around $3500) and there are boats leaving every day from November onwards. The next day you can rest from all the hiking by taking a boat tour to the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and spend a day enjoying fresh food in Ushuaia city. There are quite a few must-see places in Santiago such as the view from San Cristóbal Hill, Museum of Memory and Human Rights, Santiago Metropolitan Cathedra and the Huerfanos street in down town Santiago. I am Pete, a travel filmmaker, photographer, design freelancer and This is based on February 2019 prices and exchange rates. Backpacking in Chile & Argentina [Dixon, Andrew, Bradt, Hilary] on Amazon.com. From Bariloche, the fastest way to get to El Chalten is to fly or you can go with the bus which takes around 20 hours. Keep your eyes peeled for bargain flights as they can sometimes work out cheaper than the buses. For more info, read here. You can get to Cochamo by taking a bus from Villarrica to either Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt and then transferring onto a bus into the isolated Cochamo Valley which has limited lodging options but camping is also possible for those who like it wild. It’s highly advisable to get travel insurance before any form of overseas travel. It doesn’t really matter whether you head to Cochamo or Chiloe first as to access either you need to pass through Puerto Varas or the larger Puerto Montt. 1) Why Argentina? Latin America – LATAM has a large network linking the Chilean capital to almost all the main cities in Latin America and all the major national airlines fly here. From Bariloche Airport, you will have to fly into El Calafate Airport where you can get the shuttle that connects El Calafate with El Chalten from the airport and they will take you to El Chalten.

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