Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FOR CHILE
You will depart the UK for the trip of a lifetime! If you have booked flights with us (option available for Bucket Lister + trips only), we’ll provide all the information you’ll need to meet your guide. If you are arranging your own flights, have a safe journey!
DAY 2: ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO
On arrival in Santiago you’ll make your way to the accommodation. If you have booked transfers through us, we’ll send you the details before your trip.
In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a detailed tour of downtown Santiago and find out what this place is all about!
DAY 3: TRANSFER FROM SANTIAGO TO PUNTA ARENAS
We’re heading back into the skies with a 3.5 hour flight from Santiago Airport to Punta Arenas. Our guide will pick us up and take us to our hotel where you can spend the afternoon relaxing if that’s what floats your boat. Otherwise, head into the city to explore, or join us on a paid optional bike tour!
DAY 4: PUNTA ARENAS TO PUERTO NATALES
The morning is yours to explore Punta Arenas. We’ll dole out printed guides to make sure you find all the city’s hidden gems and point you in the direction of the best local restaurants. There’s an optional boat trip extra this morning too, to see colonies of Magellan penguins nesting on Magdalena Island! Then, in the afternoon, we’ll take a 3-hour transfer to Puerto Natales.
DAY 5: PUERTO NATALES TO MYLODON CAVE AND TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
The day starts with an 8 am transfer to the Mylodon Cave Park. We’ll take in some incredible views from the top of the Devil’s Chair and learn about the giant sloth that used to live here. After the caves, we’ll take a 2-hour transfer to our camp in Torres del Paine National Park. We’ll see beautiful lakes and waterfalls along the way.
In the evening, at our camp, we will have a briefing by our guides on essential packing for the trekking days ahead.
DAY 6: HIKE TO MIRADOR BASE TORRES
We’ll spend the day hiking to the most iconic spot in the park: the Mirador Base Torres. You’ll walk through vast plains, crossing the Ascencio River and enjoying incredible views over valleys, lakes, and glaciers on this round trek. An ancient oak forest plus an arduous, rocky uphill climb later, and you’ll enjoy the majesty of some of the best views in Patagonia, before heading back to camp for dinner.
DAY 7: HIKE TO FRENCH CAMP
We’ll set out towards the French sector with the spectacular Cuernos del Paine on our right and the colourful Lake Nordenskjold on our left. No slopes today and the route is much gentler, meaning you’ll be able to spend the day in quiet awe of your surroundings. If you’re not busy chatting to your new group friends, that is! We’ll hike along the foothills of Mount Almirante Nieto before reaching French Camp for a welcome dinner.
DAY 8: HIKE TO PAINE GRANDE
Get your walking boots back on to enjoy the most magical parts of the park today. The trekking will start with a gentle walk through the valley towards Italian Camp. After an hour and a half’s ascent, we’ll see the hanging glaciers of Cerro Paine Grande at French Viewpoint. The magnificent valleys that follow won’t disappoint either, as you surround yourself with colossal mountains and colourful granite walls on your way to Paine Grande Camp.
DAY 9: HIKE TO GREY CAMP
You’ll enjoy a medley of ascents and descents today, crossing through forests of nirres, cohigues, and notros (three types of Patagonian oak). With mountains towering above you on one side and glaciers hanging over on the other, you’ll never forget your trek to Grey Camp and the fabulous Grey Glacier viewpoint. We’ll get a glimpse of the Patagonian icefield too.
DAY 10: HIKE TO LAKE PEHUE AND RETURN TO PUERTO NATALES
After a three-hour hike back towards Paine Grande Camp, we’ll take a catamaran across Lake Pehue to arrive at Pudeto. From there, we’ll take a 3-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales and head to our hotel for the night. If you fancy adding in a kayak excursion to the Grey Glacier before the hiking starts on Day 10, just say the word!
DAY 11: HORSEBACK RIDING IN CERRO DOROTEA
The morning will be devoted to discovering the unrivalled panoramic view of the fjords from the summit of Cerro Dorotea – but we won’t be walking to get there! We’ll be heading up on horseback, so saddle up, sit tight, and enjoy the ride. Once we’ve dismounted, you’ll enjoy a free afternoon to explore the town of Puerto Natales and shop for souvenirs.
DAY 12: PUERTO NATALES TO SANTIAGO DE CHILE
After breakfast, we’ll take a private transfer from the hotel to Punta Arenas airport (or to Puerto Natales if we’ve been able to book elusive flights from the closer airport). Once we’ve arrived back in Santiago, we’ll be transferred to our hotel. If there’s time, feel free to head into the city to explore some more before heading home tomorrow.
DAY 13: FLIGHT HOME
This marks the end of our Patagonian adventure.
Food & Accommodation
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Day 1 FlightBreakfast
Lunch Dinner -
Day 2 4* Hotel - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 3 3* Hotel - Twin roomBreakfast
Lunch Dinner -
Day 4 3* Hotel - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 5 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 6 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 7 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 8 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 9 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 10 3* Hotel - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 11 3* Hotel - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 12 4* Hotel - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
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Day 13 FlightBreakfast Lunch Dinner
What’s the Food Like on the Patagonia Trekking Tour?
Food on the Patagonia Trek is all about fuel, comfort and warming flavours, designed to keep you energised through long trekking days in a remote environment.
While trekking, you’ll enjoy hearty, freshly prepared meals that focus on simple, nutritious ingredients — think hot soups, pasta dishes, rice, stews and vegetables, alongside snacks to keep energy levels up on the trail. Breakfasts are filling and practical, with options like porridge, bread, spreads and hot drinks to set you up for the day.
When staying in towns or refugios, meals typically reflect Patagonian and Chilean cuisine, with dishes often centred around meat, potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Vegetarian options are available, and dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice.
After a day battling the elements, there’s nothing better than sitting down to a hot, satisfying meal — and in Patagonia, those simple comforts taste even better surrounded by some of the world’s wildest landscapes.
How Difficult Is It?
How Difficult Is The Patagonia Trekking Tour?
The Patagonia Trek is graded as Challenge Rating 3, making it a moderately challenging adventure suited to people with a good level of fitness and a love for the outdoors.
You’ll be trekking for multiple days, carrying your own rucksack, over varied and sometimes uneven terrain, with daily walks typically lasting several hours. While there’s no technical climbing involved, expect long walking days, rocky paths, and sustained ascents and descents.
Patagonia’s unpredictable weather adds an extra layer of challenge. Strong winds, sudden rain and colder temperatures are common, and being comfortable trekking in changing conditions is essential.
That said, the pace is steady and well-managed, with plenty of breaks, and your experienced guides are there to support you throughout. With regular hiking beforehand and some endurance training, most people with a decent fitness base will find this challenge tough but hugely rewarding.
If you’re looking for a trek that pushes you without being extreme — and rewards every step with jaw-dropping scenery — Patagonia is an unforgettable choice.
What's Included?
What’s Included on the Patagonia Trekking Tour
Your Patagonia Trek includes everything you need for a fully supported adventure through one of the world’s most remote and spectacular landscapes. Here’s exactly what’s covered:
All accommodation throughout the trip, including hotels and fully serviced camping during the trek
All transport within Patagonia as outlined in the itinerary (this excludes international airport arrival & departure transfers – unless added to your booking, or if you have added Group Flights to a BL+ trips)
- Internal (return) flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas
Experienced local trekking guides throughout the trip
All included activities and excursions listed in the itinerary
All meals during the trekking days, freshly prepared by the support team
Porters or pack animals to carry group equipment, food and camping gear
All group camping and cooking equipment for the trek
Entrance fees to national parks and trekking areas included in the itinerary
A fully planned itinerary
Support from The Bucket List Company team before and during your trip
- Access to the Vamoos app with full itinerary, packing lists and key trip info
- UK Bucket List Company Leader on all BL+ departures
- Welcome kit at the beginning of the trek, including a liner for sleeping bags, a towel and an aluminium refillable water bottle.
What's Not Included?
What’s not Included on the Patagonia Trekking Tour
International flights
Flights to and from Patagonia are not included in the base trip cost. These can be added on Bucket Lister Plus trips if you’d like us to arrange everything for you.
Airport Arrival & Departure transfersThese are excluded from the base cost of your trip but can be added to your booking. If you are booking Group Flights with us on a BL+ trip, then these transfers are included automatically.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and must cover trekking and adventure travel. You’ll need to provide your policy details before departure.
Visa
Visa fees (if applicable) are not included.
Meals not listed
Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
UK Leader on BL Trips
BL trips will not have a UK Bucket List Company Leader present.
Personal expenses
Please budget for personal spending such as snacks, drinks, souvenirs, optional activities and any additional items you wish to purchase.
Tips
Tips are not included – trip-specific guidance will be provided.
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Chile?
Because entry requirements can and do change, and because we have clients of many nationalities, we always recommend checking this with your own government’s website. Be sure to allow enough time to apply for any visas or permits required; don’t leave your checks until the day before!
What vaccinations do I need?
These change, so it is important that you check with either a travel health clinic or your doctor’s surgery. You should allow plenty of time for this process, as some vaccines need multiple doses. The TravelHealthPro website is another useful source of information – https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
How can I avoid roaming charges but still use my phone?
Your mobile provider might have reasonably-priced roaming add-ons, so it is worth exploring these. Or you could buy an eSim; these are often much cheaper than add-ons and are easy to activate and use. See our article for more information – https://thebucketlistcompany.co.uk/unlock-seamless-connectivity-with-esims-the-ultimate-travel-companion/
Will there be an internal flight on this trip?
There will be an internal flight (included in the trip cost). The luggage allowance for this will be slightly lower than for international flights, but will be confirmed once the flight is booked.
Do I carry my own luggage on the trek?
Anything you don’t need on the trek can be left at the hotel in Puerto Natales; there are no porters on this trek. As you will have to carry everything you are going to need for five days hiking, think about ways to minimise the weight when packing and make sure you train carrying your rucksack.
How do the monthly payments work?
If you choose to pay for your trip monthly your payment plan will start the month after your booking is made, and will end a minimum of 28 days prior to departure. After deposit, the outstanding balance will be divided by the number of months available and we’ll charge this amount each month to the card of your choice. If you have a preferred date of the month for payments to be taken just let us know. If at a later date you wish to add an extra experience to your trip we can modifiy your payment plan to accommodate this.
Can you cater for different diets?
When you book you will receive a link to your portal, where you can fill in your passenger information, including dietary and medical requirements. These will be shared with our guides and providers (including airlines if you have also booked flights). Please provide this information as quickly as possible, so we can make any necessary arrangements for you.
Whilst we do our utmost to ensure your needs are met, in some locations options for very specific diets may be extremely limited; we therefore suggest bringing some suitable snacks.
If you have a severe food allergy please ensure you carry your medication at all times, and that we are made aware. We will pass this information on, but a conversation with your in-country guide on arrival will help them give you the best possible guidance regarding suitability or otherwise of foods.
If you have specific concerns we always suggest contacting us to discuss before booking.
