one week in patagonia

One Week in Patagonia: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary

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Patagonia is one of the most breathtaking places you can visit. One week in Patagonia is enough to experience its glaciers, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes—but you’ll want to return for more. I spent 7 days in Patagonia, flying between regions to maximize my time. It made the trip more expensive, but the trade-off was worth it.

This Patagonia itinerary covers Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, and El Calafate—each offering something unique. Whether you want to walk among penguins, trek on a glacier, or visit the ‘End of the World’, this Patagonia trip itinerary has you covered.

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Recommended Tours

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are my top recommendations for tours, for 7 days in Patagonia:
Peninsula Valdes (Puerto Madryn) – explore the area and see elephant seals, sea lions, & more.
Punta Tombo (Puerto Madryn) – want to see Magellanic penguins? This is the best tour to do so!
Tierra del Fuego National Park (Ushuaia) – unbelievable scenery, like the end of the world!
Beagle Channel & Gable Island (Ushuaia) – best opportunity to see different types of penguins!
Perito Moreno Glacier (El Calafate) – get up close and personal on the glacier!

Patagonia History

Patagonia spans Argentina and Chile, covering over a million square kilometers of mountains, glaciers, and rugged coastline. The region is known for its harsh but stunning environment, diverse wildlife, and strong indigenous and European influences.

  • Argentinian Patagonia: Features wildlife-rich coastlines, glaciers, and remote landscapes.
  • Chilean Patagonia: Home to Torres del Paine National Park and dramatic fjords.

In this itinerary, I focus on the Argentinian side, which is easier to visit in one week and has some of the region’s best highlights. Okay, maybe I am a little biased, but I loved visiting Argentina and can’t wait to go back.

Getting to Patagonia & Getting Around

Reaching Patagonia takes time, and traveling between destinations often requires flights. I visited Buenos Aires first and then flew to Puerto Madryn as my first stop.

  • Fly into Buenos Aires (Ezeiza – EZE): Most international travelers arrive here first.
  • Domestic Flights within Patagonia: I flew to save time, but it increased my travel costs. I flew between each of the cities that I visited, as listed below.
  • Bus: If you have more time, long-distance buses Plataforma10 are an option.
  • Rental cars: Available but may not be ideal for this 7-day Patagonia itinerary due to vast distances and depending on the time of year.
Patagonia scenery

Day 1-2: Puerto Madryn – Wildlife & Coastal Adventures

Puerto Madryn is the best place to start if you love marine wildlife. From here, you can take day trips to see whales, elephant seals, sea lions, and penguins.

What To do in Puerto Madryn

  • Peninsula Valdés – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to see southern right whales (June to December), sea lions, elephant seals, and orcas. I did a guided tour of this area and spent an entire day, and the wildlife sightings were incredible.
Peninsula Valdes View
  • Punta Tombo – Home to one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in the world, with over a million penguins during peak season. Walking among them was a highlight of my trip. Make sure you plan a day trip to see these cute creatures!
Magellanic Penguin Smiling

Two days in Puerto Madryn gave me enough time to see the best wildlife hotspots. If you have extra time, you can explore the town and enjoy the beautiful coast views. Puerto Madryn is known for its seafood and fresh fish, so make sure you try something local!

Day 3-5: Ushuaia – The End of the World

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and feels like the last outpost before Antarctica. With three days in Ushuaia, I had time to explore the town, take a Beagle Channel cruise, and explore Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Tierra del Fuego - Beaver Dam

Best Things to Do in Ushuaia

  • Tierra del Fuego National Park – I spent time on a guided tour, exploring this area, surrounded by mountains, forests, and beaver dams. The landscapes were unreal. Did you know that in 1946, Argentina brought 20 Canadian beavers to Tierra del Fuego to start a fur trade? The industry failed, but without natural predators, the beavers stayed and became an invasive species.
  • Beagle Channel Cruise – The highlight of my time in Ushuaia! I boarded a catamaran tour, and traveled the channel, reaching “Penguin Island” I saw Magellanic, Gentoo, and even one King penguin on a small island, plus sea lions and cormorants along the way. Was an amazing experience that I highly recommend!
Penguin colony - Gable Island
  • Train to the End of the World – A historic railway that follows the path of former prisoners who helped build Ushuaia. While touristy, it offers great views of the mountains and forests. You could do this tour which includes visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park. Either way, make sure you visit Ensenada Zaratiegui’s post office and get your passport stamped
End of the World train
  • End of the World Sign – While you explore the quaint town of Ushuaia, a must-have photo to prove you made it to the southernmost city on Earth is of this sign.
End Of The World Sign

Spending three days in Ushuaia gave me time to experience both land and sea. If you’re short on time, the Beagle Channel cruise and a quick trip to Tierra del Fuego are must-dos. Don’t forget to find the “End Of The World” Sign in Ushuaia for the token touristy picture when you explore the city – and make sure you have southern King Crab as it’s a delicacy in this area!

Day 6-7: El Calafate – Glaciers & Icefields

El Calafate is glacier country. If you only have time for one thing here, make it Perito Moreno Glacier.

In Lago Argentino

Things to Do in El Calafate

  • Perito Moreno Glacier – One of the few glaciers in the world that’s still advancing. I did a guided glacier trek, which was one of the most incredible experiences of my trip. I highly recommend spending the money on this amazing experience of walking on the glacier.
Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier
Spegazzini Glacier

I spent 2 full days in El Calafate, which was enough for Perito Moreno Glacier and a boat tour of Lago Argentino. If you do not have enough time, then you can combine seeing Perito Moreno Glacier and cruising Lago Argentino on this combined day tour. If you have more time, you could visit El Chaltén for epic hiking, but it’s too far for a one-week trip.

Tips for Visiting Patagonia

  • Best Time to Visit – October to March (Patagonia’s summer) has the best weather, but wildlife sightings vary by season.
  • Pack for All Weather – Even in summer, Patagonia is unpredictable. Windproof and waterproof layers are essential. I was there in March (early fall) and was hit with snowstorms that I was not expecting!
  • Book Flights & Tours in Advance – Popular activities, especially in Ushuaia and El Calafate, sell out quickly. Work with a local travel agent to book your domestic flights, as they get cheaper rates than tourists get (trust me, I checked!)
  • Bring Cash – Some remote areas have limited ATMs and may not take credit cards.
Gentoo Penguins

What’s the Weather Like in Patagonia?

Patagonia’s weather is unpredictable year-round, with strong winds and rapidly changing conditions. Temperatures vary based on location and season, but it’s always best to dress in layers and prepare for sudden shifts in weather.

Spring (September–November)

  • Temperature: 40–60°F (5–15°C)
  • Weather: Mild days with occasional rain and wind. Snow lingers in higher elevations.
  • Best for: Fewer crowds, blooming landscapes, and good wildlife viewing, including penguins returning to nesting sites.

Summer (December–February)

  • Temperature: 50–70°F (10–20°C)
  • Weather: Warmest and windiest season with long daylight hours (up to 17 hours). Sudden rain showers are common.
  • Best for: Hiking, glacier trekking, and wildlife spotting, including whales, penguins, and guanacos. This is peak tourist season.

Fall (March-May)

  • Temperature: 35–60°F (2–15°C)
  • Weather: Cooler temperatures with less wind. Vibrant fall colors in forested areas.
  • Best for: Fewer tourists, great photography, and hiking in more stable weather. Some services start to close by late April.

Winter (June–August)

  • Temperature: 20–45°F (-7 to 7°C)
  • Weather: Snowy, cold, and very short daylight hours (as little as 7 hours in June). Some areas become inaccessible.
  • Best for: Skiing, snow sports, and visiting Ushuaia, which remains active year-round. However, many hiking trails and lodges close for the season.
Icebergs

FAQs for Spending One Week In Patagonia

A full trip could take weeks, but one week in Patagonia lets you see the highlights. If you can stay longer than 7 days in Patagonia, consider adding Torres del Paine or El Chaltén.

The best months are October to March for hiking and sightseeing. For whale watching, visit between June and December.

Yes, in most places. Many mountain streams have clean glacial water but check locally before drinking. I even drank water when I was trekking on the glacier – right from the ice cracks!

Yes. Patagonia is one of the safest places to visit in South America, and I traveled as a solo female. Standard precautions apply, especially in cities like Buenos Aires.

It varies. Ushuaia is cold year-round, Puerto Madryn is milder, and El Calafate can be freezing, even in summer.

You absolutely can! I saw Magellanic, Gentoo, and King penguins. There is always a chance you might see a different type of penguin!

Patagonia Packing List

Make sure you are prepared for your trip to Patagonia! Download this FREE checklist so you can ensure you have everything you need for your amazing adventure!

Final Thoughts: Is One Week in Patagonia Enough?

One week in Patagonia is short, but it’s possible to experience its highlights if you fly between regions. I had a jammed pack 16 days in Argentina including Mendoza, Iguazua Falls and this 7-day Patagonia itinerary. Visiting Patagonia gave me a mix of wildlife, adventure, and glaciers, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Would I return? Absolutely. Patagonia is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, and there’s still so much left to see.

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Melanie is the founder of The World Travel Girl. She has been traveling for over 12 years and decided to share her passion with others. She is a travel writer and travel planner who also loves hiking, birdwatching and watching wildlife. Her mission is to help every day people explore the outdoor world and connect with nature.

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