Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
Three weeks just isn't enough time. Add another one to two weeks, or scale back your plans.
Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then take a bus back up to Bariloche
That’s about 3 to 4 days.
FYI, there’s a flight from Calafate to Bariloche 3 times a week that could save you time if you reversed your route in the far south. However, there are no direct flights between Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, or Río Gallegos and Bariloche.
Ancud on Chiloé
Border on the road between Porvenir and Río Grande
Cerro Fitzroy
Lighthouse on the Beagle Channel (departing from Ushuaia)
I agree with the reply about your Chile/Argentina travel plans. It seems a bit tight time-wise to really enjoy the countries and the stunning landscapes in those regions. We did roughly the same route using buses—Bariloche, El Calafate, El Chaltén—a long ride, then Ushuaia. If you can spare more time, it’s worth it.
Happy trails
Okay, thanks. I might be able to add 3 more days, which would make it 24 days total on site.
So I’ll fly directly from Santiago to the south and from Calafate to Bariloche.
The far south is the part that’s giving me trouble—it seems complicated to organize, right?
If we don’t have enough time, maybe we could skip Tierra del Fuego.
Thanks.
Hi there!
We did Bariloche to El Calafate by bus, taking a mostly "west" route—basically Route 40. That’s about 27 hours of bus time, with quite a few stops—90% of passengers get off at El Chaltén for Fitz Roy. We went there after El Calafate. Really beautiful ride.
Happy trails.
PS: The farther south you go, the trickier it gets to leave Ushuaia. Personal experience.
It’s the far south that’s giving me trouble; it seems complicated to organize, right?
It’s no more complicated to organize than the rest: from the port of Punta Arenas, ferry + bus to Río Grande + bus to Ushuaia. I even think there are now buses that do the full Porvenir–Ushuaia route (still via Río Grande, at least ten hours of bus total). Same route for the return, or you could take a daily Ushuaia–El Calafate flight if you’ve already visited Torres del Paine National Park.
If we don’t have enough time, maybe we should skip Tierra del Fuego.
If by Tierra del Fuego you mean Ushuaia, you’d miss out on sailing those “mythic” names (in my opinion)—the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel.
Chiloé is a really nice island (I’ve been there once on each of my two trips), but it’s the one I’d “sacrifice” in your itinerary. You could save it for a future trip that also includes the beautiful Chilean Lake District.
If you skip Chiloé: travel from Bariloche to Puerto Varas, then take an overnight bus to Santiago (check if there are direct ones to Valparaíso) or a Bariloche–Santiago flight 3 times a week.
Thanks Thierry for all this great info.
I just need to put together a rough itinerary now.
I’ll take your experience into account and send it to you for approval.
I also saw on a blog that you can fly into Ushuaia and out of Santiago.
Of course, it’s more expensive and a bit of a hassle, but otherwise, you’d have to take a Santiago-Ushuaia flight anyway.
I also saw on a blog that you can take a one-way to Ushuaia and return from Santiago.
If you're talking about flights, this is called an "open jaw" ticket (arriving in one city and returning from another). It’s possible for almost any destination on the planet, as long as the two flights are with the same airline or with different airlines that have a commercial partnership.
Generally, the price isn’t the cost of a one-way plus a return ticket but rather the price of a round-trip to the arrival city plus the price of a round-trip to the return city, all divided by two. You shouldn’t book the segments separately.
Few flight search engines offer the open jaw option.
I could see Aerolíneas Argentinas offering you an open jaw like Paris/Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/surface/Santiago/Buenos Aires/Paris. The layovers in B.A. would just be a few hours on the same day. For the "surface" part, you’d be free to buy additional flights if you want.
If Iberia has a partnership with Aerolíneas Argentinas, you might be able to replace Paris with Bordeaux or Toulouse (but that’d mean two layovers instead of one, and Iberia doesn’t have the best reputation for baggage handling...).
In B.A., not all domestic flights leave from the international airport.
Actually, I know what an open jaw is—it’s basically a multi-destination ticket.
Well, I looked into it, and it’s not worth it.
After a lot of research, the best option turns out to be: round-trip Toulouse - Santiago
+ Santiago - Punta Arenas + Calafate - Bariloche.
And with 24 days on the ground, it’s doable.
The SCL-Pta. Arenas flight was already planned, and the one from Calafate to Bariloche will only save you one night.
Even with 24 days and skipping Chiloé, it'll be a marathon.
Okay, got it.
The transportation really eats up a lot of time, otherwise it’s totally doable.
10 days in the south, 4-5 days around Bariloche, 3-4 days on Chiloé, and 2 days in Valparaíso.
It all depends on what you're looking for in the trip.
For us, no museum visits or city tours (except Valparaíso, but just a quick look).
What we’re into is landscapes.
So priorities are: Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy, and around Ushuaia.
That said, we’re not planning to do every trek.
Same in Bariloche—2 or 3 treks will be enough for us.
For comparison, we just got back from South Africa. A lot of people said you need at least 3 days to visit Kruger Park.
After a day and a half, we’d pretty much seen all the animals, so we left.
Same with the other parks.
So we’ll focus on the main spots, since we can’t stay any longer anyway.
What we need is to figure out how to structure our route in the south in the most logical way.
And that’s what’s worrying me, because the places to visit are split between the two countries, and I’ll admit it seems complicated to find the best flow.
Anyway, thanks for your valuable advice—it’s been really helpful.
10 days in the south
(...)
Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy, and around Ushuaia.
No way we’re doing all the treks, though.
No matter how I twist and turn the problem, I can’t get it under 12 nights—even if I rush (only 2 full days in Ushuaia, for example).
I also tried including a flight from Ushuaia to El Calafate, but in the end, that doesn’t solve the issue. We’re still looking at a minimum of 12 nights.
For us, no city visits (...)
Visit or no visit, there are still some places where you’ll have to spend one or more transit nights because you have no choice. The best example in the south is Punta Arenas, and further north, Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt before heading down to Chiloé...
Okay, so I'm trying to figure out a solution for Tierra del Fuego, which is pretty energy-intensive:
Day 1 = Santiago
Day 2 = Santiago - Punta Arenas
Day 3 = Punta Arenas - Ushuaia by rental car (about 12 hours including the ferry)
Days 4 and 5 = Ushuaia
Day 6 = Ushuaia - Río Grande - Puerto Espora
Day 7 = Puerto Espora - Puerto Natales
Days 8 and 9 = Torres del Paine
Day 10 = Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
Return the rental car
Day 11 = Puerto Natales - El Calafate
Day 12 = Perito Moreno - El Calafate
Day 13 = El Calafate - El Chaltén
Day 14 = Fitz Roy - El Chaltén
Day 14 = El Chaltén - Bariloche
Days 15, 16, 17 = Bariloche
Day 18 = Bariloche - Puerto Montt
Day 19 = Puerto Montt - Chiloé
Days 20 and 21 = Chiloé
Day 22 = Chiloé - Santiago
Day 23 = Santiago - Valparaíso
Day 24 = Valparaíso - Santiago
Day 25 = Santiago - France
There you go—with a rental car in Tierra del Fuego, you save a ton of time.
As long as you can cross borders with a rental car, that is.
And maybe cut a day in Bariloche to add more time in Valparaíso.
Day 6 = Ushuaia - Rio Grande - Puerto Espora
Day 7 = Puerto Espora - Puerto Natales
Beyond Rio Grande, I don’t know this route. Is Puerto Espora the port north of Tierra del Fuego that allows crossing the strait to reach, among other places, Rio Gallegos?
Could you give me more details about the planned itinerary between Rio Grande and Puerto Natales, please?
Day 14 = Fitz Roy - El Chalten
Day 14 = El Chalten - Bariloche
That’s twice on D14...
Here’s how I did Fitz Roy—maybe it’ll inspire you to save a night:
The bus from Calafate arrived around 1 PM, so I immediately started the hike toward base camp with the plan to sleep there. Unfortunately, I set off without a map and never found it, so I ended up camping in the wild, aiming to spend the night near a small stream. A park ranger walking the trail stopped for a quick chat, told me that with just a sleeping bag and no tent, I’d be freezing my butt off, but since sleeping in the wild wasn’t forbidden, he didn’t mind as long as I didn’t make a fire (which was a no-go). So I spent the night there, lulled by the sound of the stream, but the cold kept me from sleeping a wink. At dawn, I was treated to a view of Fitz Roy, which luckily wasn’t shrouded in clouds, and I posted the photo earlier. I figured the sight and the landscapes I’d crossed had already exceeded my expectations, so I just headed back down. That same afternoon, I caught the bus back to Calafate.
Day 14 = El Chalten - Bariloche
You’re taking the bus for that, then? No overnight stay planned on the bus?
Day 18 = Bariloche - Puerto Montt
Day 19 = Puerto Montt - Chiloe
Bariloche to Puerto Varas is already a pretty long leg. I’d spend the night in Puerto Varas and then head to Chiloé the next day.
In addition to the info and tips you’ve already gotten, if you’d like, you can check out some posts on my blog (free access, no ads) that cover 6 months of traveling between Argentina and Chile.
You might find a few details (information) there that could help you plan your itinerary. The main destinations you mentioned are all in my posts except for "Torres del Paine," a park we skipped for budget reasons (too expensive for our taste—just our personal take!).
Traveling as a couple, backpacking style.
October 2019 to April 2020.
Happy trip planning!
Alain and Marie, see Season 5 on the blog: "The Deep South Toward the Final Frontier..."
Hi everyone!
My friend and I are planning a trip to Paris, and we're looking for a cheap place to stay. If you have any recommendations for a budget-friendly accomodation, we'd really appreciate them.
Also if you know any reliable car rental companies that aren't too expensive, please share your suggestions in the comments.
Thanks for your help ;))
Hi there, I’m planning a 16-day itinerary: Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura, Valley of the Roses, Dades Valley and Gorges, Todra Gorges, Tinghir, Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga, Tamegroute, Draa Valley, Nkob, Djebel Saghro, Boulmane Dades, and back to Ouarzazate.
I’m debating whether to add the Ziz Gorges and then Telouet.
Are the Ziz Gorges really worth the trip?
Is the Telouet site (which is in ruins) really worth the detour?
Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
we have a 4x4 vehicle traveling from Diego to Ankify on October 31st. If anyone needs a transfer on the same date, please contact us privately or via WhatsApp: +261333409778.
Thanks
Hey everyone!
I’m heading back to India after more than 15 years and I’d love to know what the cost of living is like these days.
I’m planning a trip for just under a month—Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Kolkata—mostly by train and taking it slow.
We’re traveling as a couple, so we’ll be splitting accommodation costs.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Small travel note: trip planned for early 2027.
Hello Voyage Forum members.
For my wife’s birthday and her 64th year, I’d love to plan a two-week road trip with her—using our own car—preferably avoiding overly touristy spots, so off the beaten path where possible. That said, we wouldn’t mind stopping at must-see places along the way. The trip would cover Emilia-Romagna and/or Tuscany if combining both regions is doable in that timeframe, with the option for some hikes during the period. We’re looking at late November 2026. I’d prioritize the most authentic accommodations, ideally with breakfast included, without exceeding 100 € per night if that’s possible. So, stays like private rooms in hostels or homestays would be perfect.
Based on these details, I’d really appreciate any recent tips or insights from Voyage Forum members to help me plan this surprise anniversary trip.
Hello everyone,
This is my first time traveling to Italy
For a short cultural trip
From October 8th to 17th
Solo as a senior woman
I booked my one-way ticket with FlixBus
From Lille Europe
On October 8th at 11:55 PM
I arrive at Porte de Maillot (Paris Pershing)
At 3:05 AM
And I’d like to get to Palermo, Italy
Starting October 9th
I’ve checked tickets—prices are sky-high everywhere, and there are even scams
Can you advise me on how to get to this city
Affordably
By train, plane, or bus
I need to arrive by October 9th
For my hostel room
Which is located at
Address provided
5.4K followers • 426 following
Travel, meet, be surprised, and fall in love with Palermo
Book at: www.acasadiamici.com
Via Dante 57, Palermo | +39 091 7654650
Palermo
acasadiamicihostel
+39 328 317 2205
A Casa di Amici, a place to live!
And from Palermo, how do I get to the hostel where I’ve booked?
I’m counting on your support and understanding
To make things easier before I arrive
And to recommend the best ways to get there
Safely
Can I count on you?
Thanks for your trust.
Looking forward to your advice, best regards.
Hi,
My trip to the Algarve, which was postponed, is now taking shape.
On October 13th, I’m leaving for 2 weeks. When I arrive, I’ll be staying in Lisbon for 3 nights. So, I’d love to find somewhere affordable and well-located to stay—any suggestions would be great!
After that, I’ll head to Faro, where I plan to rent a car. Would it be best to rent directly from the airport? I can’t seem to find any agencies in Faro city where I could pick up the car and drop it off at the airport at the end of my stay. Is it possible to return a car at 6 AM at the airport?
Can I get the Portuguese motorway pass in France?
Thanks so much for your help!
Jofra
Hello,
Does anyone know a good local French-speaking agency for a discovery/trekking trip in Maharashtra? For about 3 weeks, a custom trip, but not too expensive!
Thanks in advance,
Laura
Hi,
I’m looking for recent opinions on where to stay: Ella or Haputale.
Doesn’t Haputale also have the added advantage of the train?
Thanks for your input!
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
Hello,
I’d like to travel from Lille in the North of France to Italy safely and on a budget.
Preferably by bus.
If you have other ideas, I’m all ears!
I’m interested in any suggestions.
How can I get to Italy?
Which city is the cheapest?
The most visited?
Is it safe, please?
Thanks for your replies.
Best regards,
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to spend 8 days or more in Georgia, and I love multi-day hikes at a moderate level.
Any tips?
Is it easy to exchange money in Tbilisi?
Is Kutaisi worth a visit?
I’ve heard the Black Sea is meh.
And apparently, the food and drink are amazing everywhere in Georgia.
So, is it worth checking out a wine region?
Thanks a lot!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
After more than ten solo trips to India, I’ve decided to explore a new country: South Korea.
In October, I’ll be flying Lyon-Delhi, then in November Delhi-Seoul. I’ll be staying in this new (for me) country for over a month.
My main motivation when traveling is discovering a country through the people (locals) I meet. In India, I made friends through Couchsurfing that way.
I’m currently getting in touch with host families (via Servas), but if you have any ideas for authentic and budget-friendly accommodations, I’d love to hear them.
I’ll plan my route based on my hosts, and I’m also thinking of spending a few days in Seoul and Jeju.
Hi there,
I’m heading to the Greek island of Ikaria for two months and I’m looking for any tips or advice—especially on budget-friendly accommodation options like a room to rent or staying with locals. Thanks!
Hi everyone, I'm traveling solo in Spain for 8 days without a car, on a tight budget. What train/bus route do you recommend between cities, and where can I find the best prices? Looking forward to your tips! Thanks
Hello! 👋
I’m new to this site and feeling a little desperate. 😢 My boyfriend’s birthday is in 4 days, and I wanted to surprise him with a New Year’s trip to London... except I just found out he’s already been there as a kid. Well, there goes my surprise! 😅
Since we both love Christmas and winter, I’m looking for a destination where we can really feel the holiday magic—with a budget of around 500 € for transport + accommodation for two (yes, I know, I might be asking for a Christmas miracle here 😇).
We’ve already been to Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, so I’d love to find something a little more offbeat, not too expensive, and with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
Please help me! 🙏 On social media, it’s always the same ultra-touristy cities... I’m sure there are hidden gems I haven’t discovered yet!
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
Hi there,
I'm heading to Morocco for 10 days as a backpacker, with my car and a tent canvas if needed. Does anyone have great experiences in this country around the Tétouan and Tangier areas?
I'd love to spend time with locals, rent a small room, and take part in daily life.
If you've got any addresses to share, that'd be awesome!
Thanks a million for your replies!!!😉
Christine
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Hi,
I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals?
Thanks
