Chilean Patagonia in 10 days, the best itineraries [Go Patagonic ]

We detail four options for touring Chilean Patagonia in 10 days, with day-by-day itinerary, things to do, excursions and recommended accommodation.

Chilean Patagonia is surely the dream of any traveller in search of nature in its purest form. With two large ice masses in the south and north of Patagonia, encompassing countless glaciers, this region of the country is home to hanging glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, rushing rivers, snow-capped volcanoes and much more.

If you are planning to visit Chilean Patagonia in 10 days, we recommend you to read these recommended itineraries based on our experience travelling on your own.

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Can you see the must-see sites of Chilean Patagonia in 10 days?

Although it is not a long time to visit many places in Chilean Patagonia, in 10 days you can do Torres del Paine and its surroundings, plus a stretch of the Carretera Austral, two of the most emblematic sites in this region of the country.

Alternatively, another alternative is to focus only on the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia (Torres del Paine and Punta Arenas) and cross to El Cafalate in Argentine Patagonia.

Here are four options that consider only the southern tip of the country, Puerto Montt and Carretera Austral, or a combination of both.

🔎 Check out our guide to travel to Chilean Patagonia with the best time of year, what to wear, how to get there and recommendations.

Option 1 – Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine with trekking

To choose this option you must fly from Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas, and after finishing the itinerary fly from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas to Santiago de Chile. The airlines that offer this route are JetSmart, Sky and Latam.

Day 1: visit to Fuerte Bulnes, walk along the waterfront and the city centre of Punta Arenas. More information and possible excursions in our article Punta Arenas in 2 days.
Day 2: one of the best excursions from Punta Arenas, to see the penguins on Magdalena and Marta Islands. After the excursion visit the cemetery and the regional museum of Magallanes. More information in our article Punta Arenas in 2 days.
Day 3: Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. From the centre of Punta Arenas there are frequent daily buses that make the 3-hour journey to the Puerto Natales bus terminal and private transfers. If you have time, we recommend a walk along the Puerto Natales waterfront. It is also a good time to rent clothes and equipment for the multi-day trekking in Torres del Paine.
Day 4 to 8: do the complete trekking along the W circuit. More information in our article on guide to visit Torres del Paine on your own or with an all-inclusive option.
Day 9: Navigation of the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, with an easy hike. More information in our article about the Balmaceda and Serrano glacier excursion.
Day 10: Milodon Cave and visit to The Singular Hotel, both from Puerto Natales.

Where to stay in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is an expensive place to stay. Depending on your budget, we recommend three options:

If you have a low budget we recommend Hostel Entre Vientos.
If you have an average budget, we recommend Hotel Ilaia.
If you have a high budget we recommend Hotel José Nogueira.

In Puerto Natales there are also many options for all budgets. See our article on where to stay in Puerto Natales with recommendations.

The turquoise water of the lake and in the background the horns of Torres del Paine.

Option 2 – Torres del Paine without trekking, Puerto Montt, Chiloe & Carretera Austral

In this alternative you must fly from Santiago de Chile to Puerto Natales, then fly from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt, and then fly from Puerto Montt or Balmaceda airport to Santiago de Chile. The airlines that offer this route are JetSmart, Sky and Latam.

Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Natales from Santiago de Chile plus a walk along the city’s waterfront. You can also arrive at Punta Arenas airport and transfer to Puerto Natales.
Day 2: visit Torres del Paine in one day but without doing any of the circuits, but only reaching the viewpoints. There is the option of hiring a minibus excursion from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, or renting a car. Another option is an excursion that combines a tour of Torres del Paine and sailing on Lake Grey.
Day 3: Transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas plus visit to the cemetery, regional museum of Magallanes and waterfront.
Día 4: vuelo desde Punta Arenas a Puerto Montt más visita del centro y caleta Angelmó.
Day 5: Visit another of the emblems of Chilean Patagonia, the Osorno volcano and the Petrohué waterfalls. More information and excursions in our article on Puerto Montt in 3 days.
Day 6: Take a day trip to the island of Chiloé to see the wooden churches, the palafitte construction and the gastronomy. More information and excursions can be found in our article about Puerto Montt in 3 days.
Day 7 to 10: Drive a section of the Carretera Austral. You can do the first section to Puyuhuapi and then return to Puerto Montt, stopping at the attractions. Another option is to go as far as the Marmol chapels in Puerto Rio Tranquilo, and then fly back from Balmaceda airport to Santiago de Chile. More information in our article on things to do in Carretera Austral.

Where to stay in Puerto Montt

If you have a low budget we recommend Islanet Hostel & Bar.
If you have a low budget we recommend Hotel Gran Pacifico.
If you have a high budget we recommend Casona Alemana.

Petrohue waterfalls and the snow-capped Osorno Volcano

Option 3 – Puerto Montt, Chiloe & Carretera Austral

If you only want to focus on touring Puerto Montt and its surroundings, plus a first stretch of the Carretera Austral, then this is the best option for a 10-day itinerary in Chilean Patagonia.

You have to take a flight from Santiago de Chile to Puerto Montt and back.

Day 1: Puerto Montt waterfront and Angelmó creek. More information and excursions in our article about Puerto Montt in 3 days.
Day 2: Excursion from Puerto Montt to the Osorno volcano and the Petrohué waterfalls. More information and excursions in our article about Puerto Montt in 3 days.
Day 3: Visit Frutillar, Puerto Varas and the villages of Lake Llanquihue.
Day 4: First day on the island of Chiloé to visit the palafitos of Castro, the church and the kitchens in Dalcahue. More information in our article Chiloé in 3 days.
Day 5: Second day on the island of Chiloé to visit the Chiloé National Park and the Almas pier. More information in our article Chiloé in 3 days.
Day 6: Third day on the island of Chiloé to sail and make a route of the churches in other archipelagos. More information in our article Chiloé in 3 days.
Day 7 to 10: do the first section to Puyuhuapi and then return to Puerto Montt, or go to the Marmol chapels in Puerto Rio Tranquilo, and then fly back from Balmaceda airport. More information in our article on things to do in Carretera Austral.

Section of the Carretera Austral with lake and mountain views

Option 4 – Only Carretera Austral in 10 days

In this case, you should arrive at Puerto Montt airport from Santiago de Chile and then return to the country’s capital from Balmaceda airport, which is the easiest way.

If you want to do the Carretera Austral all the way to Villa O’Higgins, you will have to return several kilometres to Balmaceda to take the flight to Santiago de Chile. It is possible to do the Carretera Austral by public transport, but frequencies are very limited and it will take you longer.

If you are doing the Carretera Austral by car, the costs of returning the vehicle to a different location than the one of origin are high. More information in our article on how to do the Carretera Austral by car.

Day 1 – Journey from Puerto Montt to Chaiten (includes a ferry transfer). Overnight in Chaiten.
Day 2 – Do some of the trails in Pumalín National Park such as the Chaitén volcano trail (more difficult), or the Los Alerces and Escondidas waterfalls trail. Night in Chaiten.
Day 3 – Drive from Chaiten to Puyuhuapi with a stop in Puerto Cardenas and a visit to the hot springs of Puyuhuapi. Overnight in Puyuhuapi.
Day 4 – Visit Queulat National Park. More information in our article on things to do in Queulat National Park. Night in Puyuhuapi.
Day 5 – Drive from Puyuhuapi to Coyhaique plus hike through the Coyhaique National Reserve or visit viewpoints and the town centre. More information in our article on things to do in Coyhaique. Night in Coyhaique.
Day 6 – Drive from Coyhaique to Puerto Rio Tranquilo plus excursion to the Marble Chapels. More information in our article on how to visit the Marble Chapels. Night in Puerto Rio Tranquilo.
Day 7 – Journey from Puerto Rio Tranquilo to Cochrane. One of the most beautiful stretches of the Carretera Austral to make several stops, as the route skirts Lake Bertrand and the Baker and Cochrane rivers. If you have time, you can visit the Tamango National Reserve or Lake Esmeralda. Overnight in Cochrane.
Day 8 – Journey from Cochrane to Villa O’Higgins with a stop on the way in Caleta Tortel. More information in our article on things to do in Caleta Tortel. Night in Villa O’Higgins.
Day 9 – Villa O’Higgins to do some of the trekking to the viewpoints. More information in our article on things to do in Villa O’Higgins. Night in Villa O’Higgins.
Day 10 – Drive from Villa O’Higgins to Balmaceda for the flight. You should leave early, as it is a 10 hour drive.

Chilean Patagonia in 10 days, the best itineraries