Patagonia Itinerary

Hi there,

I’m about to fulfill a dream that includes a trip to Patagonia between October and December 2026. I’ll be traveling solo.

My plan: - Take a boat from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (4-5 days) - Torres del Paine National Park (2-3 days) - Bus from Puerto Natales to Ushuaïa (1-2 days) - Exploring around Ushuaïa (3-4 days) - Cruise from Ushuaïa to Punta Arenas (Oct 31 - Nov 4) - Rent a vehicle and head back up to Puerto Montt by around December 10, which is about 35 days total, via Los Glaciares, El Chaltén, Patagonia NP, Caleta Tortel, Villa O’Higgins, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Bahía Exploradores, Cerro Castillo NP, Coyhaique, Queulat NP, Chaitén, Pumalín NP, and Hornopirén NP.

My goal is to enjoy nature and do some hiking.

I’ll be in Torres del Paine around October 20—is the weather manageable for day hikes at that time?

30-35 days from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt? That’s about 3,600 km. Is this timeframe doable to enjoy the scenery without rushing? If I arrive in the north earlier, it’s no big deal—I’ll just explore more spots above Puerto Montt.

Now, about the vehicle... I’m torn between a car + tent (regular car with a tent on top) and a small van. Is this enough for the Carretera Austral or unpaved roads? Or would a 4x4 be better? I’m not an experienced 4x4 driver—I’ve only driven occasionally to give the main driver a break on easy sections. A van is tempting for the comfort. Are there any rental options for slightly modified cars or ones where you can sleep, like a Kangoo?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on my itinerary and advice on the vehicle!

My itinerary on a map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8kFCwNsL2HHhNkzq8

Good evening,

All of that sounds good to me. Yes, 30 to 35 days to travel from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt gives you plenty of time to explore. Ideally, you should aim for the boat crossing between Puerto Natales and Caleta Tortel. Plan it well, as it only leaves once a week and is sometimes delayed or canceled. But it would save you from going through Argentina, even though the Perito Moreno Glacier and Fitz Roy are worth the detour. You can make a side trip to see them as a round trip from Puerto Natales.

For the vehicle, I know it’s fairly easy to rent a van in Punta Arenas and return it in Pucón, just north of Puerto Montt. Casatorrante or Chile Campers are popular among travelers. Needless to say, the cost is pretty steep... Otherwise, you could skip the Puerto Montt/Puerto Natales ferry crossing and do a road trip loop, going down through Argentina and back up through Chile (or the other way around!). I did this crossing myself—I didn’t go "Wow," but I don’t regret it!

As for the car, it’s less straightforward to find one. There are indeed some tough sections on the Carretera Austral, and rental companies will tell you what type of vehicle is needed—not necessarily a 4x4, I think.

Thanks for your reply! The rental companies tell me it’ll go anywhere, even though I haven’t gotten a clear answer about the specific off-road routes in the Australian Outback I asked them about. So I’m leaning more toward a van—it’s easier to handle. I’ve got quotes that are pretty much the same from Casa Torrante and Chile Campers, so now I’m torn between the two...

I plan to take the ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (without the vehicle), use public transport to get to Ushuaïa, with stops along the way. Then I’ll head back to Punta Arenas and rent the van to drive back up to Puerto Montt/Pucon (making a detour via Caleta Tortel). So it’s tricky to fit in the boat between Puerto Natales and Caleta Tortel too.

Hi Pascale,

To maybe help you plan your itinerary, here are a few links below that illustrate our trip through the southern cone of South America, related to your program.

Trip reports from my blog (free access, no ads)

"traveling by boat from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (4-5 days)"

We did the reverse route:

38, Chile, Four days aboard "L'Evangelistas" - Le Ranquet en vadrouille

Los Glaciares, El Chalten,

30, Argentina, The blue of the glaciers and... Perito Moreno! - Le Ranquet en vadrouille

36, Argentina, El Chalten, "You said hikes?" - Le Ranquet en vadrouille

I’ll be at Torres del Paine

We skipped this very famous park for budget reasons (personal opinion, access prices way too high)

Sharing sheepie’s point of view:

"even if the Perito Moreno glacier and Fitz Roy are worth the detour" more affordable rates.

Freely accessible on the blog, 50 articles sharing our feelings about this six-month trip between these two countries (October 2019 to March 2020)

Traveling as a couple, backpacking style.

Best regards, Alain and Marie

Season 5, The Deep South toward the ultimate frontier, Argentina and Chile (Patagonia, October 2019 to March 2020) - Le Ranquet en vadrouille

Thanks, I’ll read your story carefully! And that’s it—I’ve booked the van, south to north.

Hi there, We’re also leaving mid-Nov to mid-Dec and looking for a camper van or other converted vehicle. Could you let me know what rate you got for renting that van and which rental company you used? Thanks in advance and happy trip planning! Céline

Which direction? I got three quotes that are pretty much the same from Chile Campers, Casa Torrante, and Rolling Patagonia. For 35 days, it’s around 100 € per day. That includes the crossing into Argentina and the one-way fee.

we’ll be going from north to south—is the price okay for a month? Thanks for the info