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Cuernos del Paine rising beneath dramatic clouds in Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia.
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Patagonia & Iguazú

South America / 12 February 2026 - 7 March 2026

From Torres del Paine and El Chaltén to Iguazú Falls and Rio, a journey through some of South America’s most spectacular landscapes.

Travelling to Patagonia had long been an ambition, drawn by its dramatic scenery, unique wildlife and some of the world’s most spectacular hiking. As keen hikers and photographers, it felt like the perfect fit, combining remote landscapes with the chance to explore them properly on foot.

Our journey took us through Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, from Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine to El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier and the hiking trails around El Chaltén. From there we travelled north to Buenos Aires and Iguazú Falls before finishing the trip in Rio de Janeiro.

We began planning well in advance, booking flights nearly a year ahead as soon as they were released. Our aim was to secure reward flights using Avios, which meant staying flexible with dates. One key objective was to reach Iguazú Falls in early March, when water levels are typically high and the falls at their most dramatic.

Our journey began at Heathrow on 11 February 2026, and after several unforgettable weeks exploring South America, we returned home on 8 March 2026.

Travel Advice

There are two main ways to reach Chile from the United Kingdom: direct flights between Heathrow and Santiago, or one-stop services via a range of international hubs. Direct flights are usually more expensive, but they are significantly quicker. Reward flights using Avios can also be a good option if you are able to stay flexible with your travel dates.

From Santiago, there are direct domestic flights to both Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, depending on where you plan to begin your Patagonia itinerary. Domestic flights within South America can be rescheduled, so it is worth allowing some flexibility. We chose to spend a night in Santiago before flying south, rather than relying on a tight same-day connection. Another option is to book the journey on a single through-ticket, which gives you greater protection if there is disruption.

We also deliberately built a spare day into our stay in Punta Arenas. This gave us some contingency in case of problems getting south, and we used the day to visit the Magellanic penguin colony on Isla Magdalena.

Story Days

Follow The Journey Day By Day

Follow our journey through Patagonia and beyond, from Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno and El Chaltén to Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls and Rio de Janeiro.

24 story days placed on the map
Bell tower and historic architecture in central Santiago, Chile, framed by palm trees beneath a clear blue sky.
Day 1 · 12 February 2026Santiago and Cerro Santa Lucía
After a fourteen-hour flight from London, we arrived in Santiago and headed into the city for our first glimpse of South America. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers and the distant backdrop of the Andes, Chile’s capital provided a relaxed introduction to the journey ahead.
Monument and waterfront in Punta Arenas, Chile, beneath dramatic clouds over the Strait of Magellan.
Day 2 · 13 February 2026Punta Arenas: Gateway to Patagonia
An early morning flight carried us south to Punta Arenas, gateway to Patagonia and the Strait of Magellan. As the sun set over the calm waters that evening, the scale and remoteness of southern Chile became unmistakably clear.
Magellanic penguin standing on Isla Magdalena near Punta Arenas in southern Chile.
Day 3 · 14 February 2026Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony
A ferry trip through the Strait of Magellan brought us to Isla Magdalena, home to one of Patagonia’s great Magellanic penguin colonies. Walking among the nesting birds beside the island’s lonely lighthouse made this one of the most personal wildlife experiences of the trip.
Old wooden pier stretching into the water at Puerto Natales, with mountains rising beneath a cloudy Patagonian sky.
Day 4 · 15 February 2026From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
Leaving Punta Arenas after sunrise, we travelled north through Chilean Patagonia to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine. By late afternoon, storm clouds were rolling across the mountains above the waterfront, giving our first evening in town a dramatic sense of arrival.
Life-size reconstruction of a giant ground sloth inside Cueva del Milodón near Puerto Natales, Chile.
Day 5 · 16 February 2026Cueva del Milodón
Before heading deeper into Torres del Paine, we visited Cueva del Milodón near Puerto Natales — a vast prehistoric cave famous for the discovery of giant ground sloth remains and surrounded by dramatic Patagonian scenery.
Grey Glacier across Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia.
Day 6 · 17 February 2026Lago Grey and Grey Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park
Driving from Puerto Natales into Torres del Paine National Park, exploring Lago Grey, Grey Glacier and the dramatic landscapes of Chilean Patagonia.
Salto Grande waterfall rushing through Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia.
Day 7 · 18 February 2026Mirador Los Cuernos and Salto Grande, Torres del Paine
Under clearer skies, Torres del Paine revealed its true character — towering granite spires rising sharply above turquoise lakes and rolling Patagonian hills. The landscape felt almost impossibly dramatic, with every turn in the road revealing another unforgettable view.
Guanaco standing in the Patagonian landscape of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.
Day 8 · 19 February 2026Mirador Lago Toro Trail in Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine offers far more than its famous multi-day treks. Beneath towering granite peaks and hanging glaciers, shorter walks and scenic drives reveal turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and some of Patagonia’s most spectacular mountain scenery.
View across Laguna Azul towards the Torres del Paine towers in Chilean Patagonia.
Day 9 · 20 February 2026Laguna Azul and the Torres del Paine Towers
Our final day in Torres del Paine took us to the quieter eastern side of the park, where the landscape opened out beneath vast Patagonian skies. From the shores of Laguna Azul, we were treated to stunning views of the Torres rising above the lake — a fitting and unforgettable finale to our time in TdP.
Monument in Puerto Natales, Chile, set against a clear blue Patagonian sky.
Day 10 · 21 February 2026Puerto Natales via Ruta Y-200
After leaving Torres del Paine, we made the journey back across the Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales to return our hire car. Along the way we were lucky enough to spot Andean condors soaring above the landscape, before enjoying a restful final afternoon in town ahead of crossing into Argentina.
Gaucho riding a white horse at a traditional doma festival near El Calafate, Argentina.
Day 11 · 22 February 2026El Calafate and a Patagonian Doma Festival

A routine transfer across the Patagonian steppe became an unexpected immersion into Argentine culture. From roadside wildlife and traditional choripán to an afternoon spent watching gauchos and horses at a local doma festival, El Calafate provided a memorable introduction to life beyond Patagonia's famous glaciers.

Towering blue ice wall of Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentine Patagonia.
Day 12 · 23 February 2026Perito Moreno Glacier
Our visit to Perito Moreno Glacier included a boat trip across the icy waters of Lago Argentino to a remote beach beneath the glacier. From there, we walked up through the rugged glacial moraine toward the immense ice face itself, surrounded by deep blue crevasses, drifting icebergs, and the constant sound of cracking ice echoing across the lake.
Mountain landscape near El Chaltén in Argentine Patagonia beneath a clear blue sky.
Day 13 · 24 February 2026El Chalten

An early morning bus journey brought us north through the vast Patagonian landscape to El Chaltén, Argentina’s hiking capital. After a short rest, we headed out on our first walk of the trip — an afternoon hike to the Mirador del Torre viewpoint, where dramatic peaks and glaciers rose above the valley beneath crystal-clear skies.

Mount Fitz Roy rising above Laguna de los Tres near El Chaltén, Argentina.
Day 14 · 25 February 2026Laguna de los Tres
Few places in Patagonia capture the imagination quite like Laguna de los Tres. After a challenging climb through forests and over glacial moraine, the trail finally reveals an extraordinary view of Mount Fitz Roy rising almost vertically above the turquoise waters and broken ice below.
Chorrillo del Salto waterfall near El Chaltén in Argentine Patagonia.
Day 15 · 26 February 2026El Chaltén Hiking: Chorrillo del Salto and Mirador de las Águilas
El Chaltén is one of the world’s great hiking destinations, where trails begin almost directly from the edge of town and lead deep into the Patagonian wilderness. Short walks such as Mirador de las Águilas and Chorrillo del Salto offer spectacular scenery without the demands of a full-day trek, with sweeping lake views, forests, waterfalls, and the immense landscapes that make this corner of Argentina so unforgettable.
Small brown bird perched on rocks near El Calafate in Argentine Patagonia.
Day 16 · 27 February 2026El Calafate
Our final day in Patagonia was a gentle transition back to El Calafate ahead of an early morning flight to Buenos Aires. After three rewarding days of hiking around El Chaltén, a relaxed afternoon beside the windswept shores and wetlands of Lago Argentino felt both well deserved and the perfect way to reflect on an unforgettable journey through southern Patagonia.
Argentine flag flying against a blue sky near Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires.
Day 17 · 28 February 2026Buenos Aires – Plaza de Mayo
After a three-hour flight north from Patagonia, we arrived in the elegant streets of Buenos Aires — a striking contrast to the remote wilderness we had left behind. An easy transfer to our hotel was followed by a relaxed walk through the heart of the city, where grand architecture, wide boulevards, and lively public squares revealed the European character of Argentina’s capital.
Bronze funerary statue at Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Day 18 · 1 March 2026Buenos Aires – Recoleta, San Telmo & Puerto Madero
A full day exploring Buenos Aires revealed the city’s rich history and relaxed elegance, from the elaborate mausoleums of Recoleta Cemetery to historic churches and grand European-style architecture. Later in the day, locals gathered in the parks of San Telmo to dance tango beneath the trees, while an evening wander around the redeveloped waterfront of Puerto Madero provided a striking contrast with its modern skyline, restaurants, and reflections along the river.
Detail of the Floralis Genérica sculpture beneath a clear blue sky in Buenos Aires.
Day 19 · 2 March 2026Buenos Aires – Floralis Genérica & El Ateneo Bookshop
A delayed flight unexpectedly gave us a few extra hours to explore more of Buenos Aires before heading north to Iguazú Falls. Beneath brilliant blue skies, we visited the striking Floralis Genérica sculpture — a modern landmark whose giant metallic petals have become one of the city’s most recognisable sights.
Water cascading through Iguazú Falls on the Argentine side beneath morning mist.
Day 20 · 3 March 2026Iguazú Falls Argentina: Devil's Throat, Trails & Wildlife
The Argentine side of Iguazú offers a truly immersive experience, with jungle trails and walkways leading directly alongside the roaring cascades. Standing beside the immense walls of water, surrounded by spray, thunder, and tropical heat, it quickly became clear why Iguazú is considered one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
View of Iguaçu Falls on the Brazilian side in soft morning light.
Day 21 · 4 March 2026Iguaçu Falls – Brazil Side
Staying at the Belmond Hotel gave us the rare opportunity to experience the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls at sunrise, long before the crowds arrived. In the soft early morning light, the immense walls of water and drifting mist felt almost surreal, while the sweeping panoramic views revealed the true scale of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and simply enjoying the extraordinary setting.
Favela in Rio de Janeiro with a steep mountain rising in the background.
Day 22 · 5 March 2026Rio de Janeiro – Copacabana
Our final transfer before flying home took us north to Rio de Janeiro, where dramatic granite peaks rise directly above the Atlantic coastline. After arriving, we spent the evening walking along the famous Copacabana Beach, watching the fading light reflect across the bay as locals gathered along one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts.
Christ the Redeemer statue beneath a clear blue sky in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Day 23 · 6 March 2026Rio de Janeiro – Christ the Redeemer
Our final full day in South America took us high above Rio de Janeiro to visit Christ the Redeemer, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. From the summit, breathtaking views stretched across Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach, and the endless backdrop of forest-covered peaks that make Rio such an extraordinary city.
Clouds drifting across the mountains and coastline of Rio de Janeiro.
Day 24 · 7 March 2026Rio de Janeiro – Final Day
After three and a half unforgettable weeks in South America, our final day was spent enjoying a slower pace beside the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. The tropical heat made any serious sightseeing difficult, so we made the most of our late checkout with a gentle morning walk along the waterfront before heading to the airport for our late afternoon flight home.