If you only have a few days to visit this area, we recommend this itinerary through Patagonia Argentina in 5 days with excursions, hotels and activities to do.
This region of southern Argentina attracts thousands of tourists per year thanks to the extreme beauty of nature, with glaciers, lakes, mountains and forests.
Having as two of the most important symbols the Perito Moreno glacier and the town of Ushuaia with its marine fauna, in this article about what to see in Patagonia Argentina in 5 days we recommend you to choose as a base the towns of Ushuaia and El Calafate, to make the excursions and visit the tourist destinations.
🔎 Check out our guide to travel to Patagonia Argentina to find out how to get there, what is the best season, what to wear and tips.
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Is 5 days in Patagonia Argentina enough?
The reality is that no, because there are many attractions to visit in the extreme south of the country. Of course, if you only have a few days, it is the minimum you have to consider to visit the main beauties such as the Perito Moreno glacier, Ushuaia and El Chaltén.
If you are considering visiting Patagonia Argentina for more days, see our article on 7, 10 and 14 day itineraries in Patagonia Argentina.
Itinerary Patagonia Argentina in 5 days – summary:
- Day 1: Perito Moreno glacier plus boat ride, or mini trekking to walk on top of the glacier.
- Day 2: navigation to see other glaciers such as Spegazzini or Upsala.
- Day 3: Round trip excursion to El Chaltén from El Calafate
- Day 4: Flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia plus downtown Ushuaia tour
- Day 5: Day trip to visit the End of the World Train, Tierra del Fuego National Park and Beagle Channel navigation.
🔎 Looking for a 5-day organised tour of Ushuaia and El Calafate? Check out this option that includes transfers, hotels and activities. Flights are not included.
Day 1 and 2 – El Calafate
The first day is exclusively dedicated to one of the jewels of the Argentine Patagonia, the Perito Moreno Glacier. There are several options to contemplate this wonder of nature:
- From the shore of Lake Argentino on wooden walkways: it is the most common way to contemplate the glacier wall from the side.
- Taking a boat ride: from Lake Argentino in a boat you can get even closer to the glacier wall and listen to the roar of the falling ice masses on the water.
- Minitrekking Perito Moreno glacier, for us the best option, although of course the most expensive. Walking on top of the ice is an adventure you will never forget. Plus, you can visit the wooden walkways after the hike.
The second day in El Calafate is to make another of the best excursions in Patagonia Argentina, navigation on Lake Argentino between ice floes and mountains, to see other glaciers such as Spegazzini and Upsala.
You have three options for navigation:
- Navigation through Los Glaciares Park. The cheapest.
- Navigation through Los Glaciares Park with lunch on the catamaran. The intermediate range which includes lunch.
- VIP navigation through Los Glaciares Park, with unlimited drinks on the ship and lunch in the exclusive Heim lounge of the Captain’s Club.
If you want to know how to get there and the best time to go to El Calafate, see our guide about travel to El Calafate.
Recommended hotels where to stay in El Calafate:
- If you have a low budget, we recommend America Del Sur Calafate Hostel, Hosteria Roblesur and Hotel Picos Del Sur.
- If you have an average budget, we recommend Hotel Kosten Aike, Kalenshen Hotel Cerro Calafate and Konke Calafate Hotel.
- If you have a high budget we recommend Boutique Hotel La Cantera, Xelena Hotel & Suites and Blanca Patagonia Hostería Boutique y Cabañas.
Day 3 – El Chaltén
The national capital of trekking stands out for the emblematic figure of Mount Fitz Roy, which can be seen from different points. If you only have one day, we recommend this day trip from El Calafate to El Chaltén that includes a visit to Fitz Roy viewpoints.
If you want to visit El Chaltén on your own for a day, you can hire only the round trip transfers from El Calafate.
There are many treks to do in El Chaltén, but for this you will need more than one day. If you want to see all the trekking, check our article about things to do in El Chaltén.
Day 4 – Flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia plus downtown tour
The airlines Aerolíneas Argentinas o Fly Bondi are the ones that fly from El Calafate to Ushuaia.
Keep in mind that you will lose most of the day, since you must make the transfer to the airport in El Calafate, plus the arrival in Ushuaia and the transfer to the hotel.
If you have time once you arrive in Ushuaia, you can walk around downtown, go to the Martial Glacier to see the city from above or visit the Presidio Museum.
Tip: It is advisable to buy internal flights in advance, especially if you travel to Patagonia Argentina between December and March. In addition, you will be able to better plan your activities taking into account the departure and arrival times of your flight.
Día 5 – Ushuaia
The day in Ushuaia is ideal for this excursion that includes the three tourist attractions around the city: the End of the World Train, the Tierra del Fuego National Park and navigation through the Beagle Channel.
The End of the World train was used to transport the prisoners who were housed in the prison to perform forced tasks in the forest, mainly cutting wood from the trees to heat the houses. The ride takes place in the original wagons, following the route that the prisoners used to take to Mount Susana.
Tierra del Fuego National Park is the second destination with its network of Patagonian forests, lakes and mountains. Here you can find wildlife such as beavers and discover unique places like Lapataia Bay, where the Postal Unit of the End of the World is located.
Finally, navigation through the Beagle Channel allows you to see sea lions, birds, penguins (from October to March), until you reach the dazzling lighthouse called Fin del Mundo, a postcard of Ushuaia.
If you want to know how to get there and the best time to go to Ushuaia, check out our guide about travel to Ushuaia.
Recommended hotels where to stay in Ushuaia:
- If you have a low budget, we recommend Del Bosque Apart Hotel, Posada Del Fin Del Mundo and Hostería Patagonia Jarke.
- If you have an average budget, we recommend Hotel Canal Beagle, Hosteria y Restaurante America and MIL810 Ushuaia Hotel.
- If you have a high budget we recommend Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort, Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel and Cilene del Fuego Suites & Spa.
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