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Updated 18 October 2026
TLDR: A luxury Patagonia trip often crosses the border. Argentina brings the Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén and Ushuaia, and Chile brings Torres del Paine and the fjords. Ada Tours plans both sides as one route, with transfers, flights and guides arranged, and can work under your agency’s own brand.
Allow yourself to be immersed in exquisite nature whilst treating yourself to the ultimate calm and relaxation. If you want to experience Patagonia in full, Chile and Argentina will be part of your itinerary.
The two countries share one wilderness but run it differently. Each has its own gateway towns, park rules and flight connections, so it helps to know what each side offers before the route is fixed.
From Buenos Aires, a luxury route often flies south to El Calafate for the glacier, crosses the border by road to Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine, and ends in Santiago. It can also run the other way round, and it can add Ushuaia at the southern tip.
Beginning in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of South America”, this vibrant capital city is where travellers will embark on their unforgettable journey through Argentina’s diverse regions.
| What to compare | Argentine side | Chilean side |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway town | El Calafate for the glacier, El Chaltén for the mountains | Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine |
| Headline sights | Perito Moreno Glacier, Mount Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego | The Torres and Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine, and the Chilean fjords |
| Protected status | Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 | Torres del Paine, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1978 |
| Book ahead | Boat rides at the glacier and other journeys we arrange | Park entry tickets, and refuge places for multi-day treks |
In our Chile and Argentina Deluxe programme, the border crossing is a road transfer from Puerto Natales to El Calafate, with a guide and driver arranged on each side.
One of the top destinations in Argentina is Los Glaciares National Park, home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Located in the southern Patagonian region, this national park is a world-class site, attracting visitors from around the globe. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1981.
The Perito Moreno Glacier, with its massive ice formations, stretches miles wide and was long one of the few glaciers in the world that held its ground. Researchers tracking it by satellite and radar now report that it is retreating: the surface at its front lowered by 0.34 metres a year from 2000 to 2019 and by 5.5 metres a year from 2019 to 2024.
Enjoy the glacier up close during a private boat ride which takes you just metres away from this ice giant. The glacier lies about 80 kilometres by road from El Calafate, roughly 1.5 hours by private vehicle, so we plan the day around that drive.
Just a few hours away, El Chaltén in Los Glaciares National Park is a must for any tour of Patagonia. This small town is the trekking capital of Argentina and is the starting point for hikes, including the Laguna de los Tres trek for breathtaking, and up close views of the majestic Mount Fitz Roy. The trails offer stunning views of glaciers, lakes, and the rugged Patagonian landscape and must not be missed.
The Laguna de los Tres trek is a long walk, so we agree the walking level with each client and build the days around it.
Next stop on the list is Torres del Paine National Park where you can spend several days exploring the ‘Torres,’ ‘Grey Glacier’ and if you are up for it, a hike to the spectacular viewpoint of the ‘Paine Massif’ offering exceptional views of the granite rock formations which make this National Park so popular. Other activities include horseback riding, wildlife spotting and kayaking but if comfort is more your style then there are several luxury spa hotels set in the dramatic landscape of the park itself so you can easily treat yourself amidst the beautiful scenery.
Torres del Paine is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1978. Entry tickets must be bought on the official ticket site at least 24 hours before arrival. Multi-day treks such as the W need confirmed refuge or campsite places, while day hikes such as Base Torres do not.
Puerto Natales is the base for the park. In our Chile and Argentina Deluxe programme, we fly from Santiago to Puerto Natales, spend a day in the park with an English-speaking guide, and continue by road to El Calafate. Planning more of Chile? Our guide to whether Chile is expensive to visit covers the wider trip.
And why stop there! Further south, adventurers can explore Tierra del Fuego, known as the “Land of Fire.” This remote and rugged region, located at the far southern tip of South America, is perfect for those looking to get away from it all and immerse themselves in the wild beauty of the southern wilds.
Tierra del Fuego is also home to Ushuaia, long called the southernmost city in the world, where visitors can explore national parks, hike in the Andes, and witness the unique wildlife of the region. In 2019 Chile gave city status to Puerto Williams, across the Beagle Channel, and Reuters called it the world’s southernmost city, so the title is now disputed.
There is a Chilean way south too. Our Patagonia and Chilean Fjords programme sails for nine days and eight nights from Puerto Montt to Ushuaia, with a Zodiac excursion among the glaciers of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.
If Patagonia wasn’t enough, hiking and mountaineering in Argentina’s Lake District can be just as rewarding, with its shimmering lakes and lush forests. The region, centred around Nahuel Huapi National Park, offers a mix of outdoor activities and picturesque scenery, making it a popular destination for nature lovers.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Puerto Madryn on the Atlantic coast offers the chance to see sea lions, penguins, and whales in their natural habitat. This area is also close to the Valdés Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its incredible marine life.
And finally, no visit to Argentina is complete without a visit to its famous wine country, particularly the Mendoza region. Finishing your journey here allows you to enjoy world-class wines while taking in the stunning views of the Andes mountains. Whether you’re exploring the massive glaciers of Patagonia, the vibrant capital city of Buenos Aires, or the wine regions of Mendoza, Argentina offers something for every traveller. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife, a trip to Argentina is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
A Patagonia route works when the handoffs between the two countries are clear before anyone books. These are the points we settle with an adviser first.
This route suits clients who want space, private transfers and unhurried days in remote landscapes. We can suggest another route if a client wants beaches, city breaks or a fast-moving itinerary.
These programmes are on our website. Each one can be reshaped to a client’s brief, and none promises availability for new dates.
We offer extraordinary adventures, including private car transfers, luxury accommodation and fine dining options. We can organise boat, helicopter and kayak journeys, to ensure you can fully immerse yourself in Patagonia so you experience the best it has to offer. Contact Ada Tours for more information.
Send Ada Tours your Patagonia brief with the dates, the group and the stops you want.
Yes, Ada Tours plans Patagonia routes that cross between Argentina and Chile, linking gateway towns such as El Calafate and Puerto Natales in one itinerary. We set the order of stops, the transfers and the flights for each enquiry instead of reusing one fixed template.
The Ada Tours programmes on our website that include Patagonia run from 9 days and 8 nights to 14 days and 13 nights, and we change the length to match the stops a client wants. Adding Tierra del Fuego or Bariloche means another flight, so those stops need extra days.
Ada Tours arranges the transfer from El Calafate and the visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, and we can add a private boat ride that takes you metres from the ice. The glacier lies about 80 kilometres by road from El Calafate, so we plan the day around that drive.
Yes, Ada Tours includes a day in Torres del Paine National Park with an English-speaking guide in our Chile and Argentina Deluxe programme, based in Puerto Natales. Park entry tickets must be bought at least 24 hours before arrival, so they go into the plan from the start.
Yes, Ada Tours can operate under an agency's or tour operator's own brand, or as Ada Tours, whichever the partner prefers. We agree the itinerary, the handoffs and the point of contact before the group travels.
No, Ada Tours does not promise availability for the programmes on its website, which show the route, the order of stops and the trip length. We check hotels, dates and supplier terms against the client's brief before we send a proposal.
