Budget Tours to Patagonia
You're trekking up to Laguna de los Tres with Mount Fitz Roy towering ahead, watching chunks of ice crash off Perito Moreno Glacier into the water below. Torres del Paine's landscapes are properly dramatic, and you know those photos that don't look real? They're real. El Calafate's your base, you're sailing past Grey Glacier, hiking through Tierra del Fuego. Patagonia at the end of the world, and it's worth every bit of the flight down there.
10 best Budget Patagonia tour packages
Compiled by
NinaPatagonia travel expert at TourRadar
- W-Trek in Torres del Paine Express - Self Guided (4 Days / 3 Nights)
- 7 days -Self-Drive: Carretera Austral- southern highway, Chilean Patagonia
- 3-Day Trip to Puerto Madryn: Peninsula Valdés (Optional Whale Watching)
- Buenos Aires, Lakes and Glaciers
- Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and El Calafate - 10 days
- Chile Patagonia: Puerto Natales Express - 3 Days
- Full Patagonia Adventure (22 Days)
- W-Trek Standard with Grey Glacier + Puerto Natales (7 days)
- Patagonia Highlights 9 Days
- El Calafate Starter Package – 3 Days
W-Trek in Torres del Paine Express - Self Guided (4 Days / 3 Nights)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Food and hospitality at the Refugio's was incredible. Routes clearly marked.”
Diane, traveled in November
The W Circuit trek through Torres del Paine costs approx. $290 per day, with mountain refugio stays and full-board meals included. The 46km route takes you from Base Torres to Grey Glacier, with park fees and Puerto Natales transfers covered.
Duration 4 days Destinations Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $333 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
- US$1,333
Duration 7 days Destinations Balmaceda, Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Puerto Chacabuco, Caleta Tortel, Chile Chico Age Range Ages 25+ Operated in English, German, French Price Per Day $636 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- US$4,450
UNESCO Península Valdés awaits at approx. $110 daily, including 4-star Puerto Madryn hotel stays. Optional whale watching from Puerto Pirámides (June-December) and Carlos Ameghino Center visits complete the experience.
Duration 3 days Destinations Puerto Madryn, Valdes Peninsula Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $145 Operator Signature DMC From
- US$435
Patagonian wonders cost approx. $290 per day, including accommodations in Bariloche and El Calafate. Package features Perito Moreno Glacier boat rides, Llao-Llao Nature Park walks, and authentic ranch experiences at Nibepo Aike.
Duration 10 days Destinations Buenos Aires, San Carlos De Bariloche, El Calafate Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $280 Operator Say Hueque Argentina & Chile Journeys From
- US$2,800
Natural wonders unfold at approx. $320 per day, including shared transfers and guided excursions. Walk Perito Moreno Glacier, trek Tierra del Fuego National Park, and navigate the Beagle Channel with comfortable accommodations throughout.
Duration 10 days Destinations Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Ushuaia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $259 Operator Say Hueque Argentina & Chile Journeys From
- US$2,590
The wonders of Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave await at approx. $380 daily. Package includes hotel stays, English-speaking guides, park entrance fees, and transportation between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales.
Duration 3 days Destinations Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $56 Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From $199
15% Off- US$169You save $30
Full Patagonia Adventure (22 Days)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I had some questions during the preparation period which were promptly answered by Hi Travel team.”
Zoltan, traveled in November
Patagonian adventure costs approx. $130 per day, including hotels in Ushuaia, El Calafate, and Bariloche. Price covers bus transport, Perito Moreno Glacier tour, Torres del Paine excursion, and Mt. Campanario trip, plus Madero Tango dinner show.
Duration 22 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, Rio Gallegos, Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, San Carlos De Bariloche Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $134 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- US$2,955
The W circuit trek costs approx. $210 per day, covering all refugio accommodations and meals. Strategic mountain shelter stays, transfers, and Lake Pehoé boat crossing make this ideal for budget-conscious adventurers.
Duration 7 days Destinations Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $227 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- US$1,591
Patagonia Highlights 9 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great, self directed trip.”
Kathryn, traveled in September
A Patagonian journey costs approx. $90 daily, with accommodations and breakfast included. Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Parks await, with reasonable entrance fees and optional activities for personalization.
Duration 9 days Destinations El Chalten, El Calafate, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, Punta Arenas Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $92 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- US$832
El Calafate Starter Package – 3 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“For the price, we loved our accomodation which was in El Calafate Hostel, and the tour of Perito Moreno.”
El Calafate stay costs approx. $60 daily including accommodation with breakfast. Early access to Perito Moreno Glacier's viewpoints and airport transfers included. Flexible accommodation options from hostels to hotels suit various budgets.
Duration 3 days Destinations El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $60 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- US$179
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to Patagonia
What's the most affordable time to visit Patagonia?
Plan your trip during October-November or March-April to find the best deals in Patagonia. These shoulder months bring milder temperatures and lighter crowds while keeping costs down in popular spots like Puerto Natales and El Calafate. Expect to pay premium rates during the summer peak (December-February) when tourists flock to the region. Winter months from June to August offer the lowest prices but many tours and facilities shut down. A TourRadar traveler shared: "We visited in March and got great deals on accommodations in El Calafate plus smaller crowds at Perito Moreno Glacier."
What essential entrance fees should I budget for in Patagonia?
Plan to spend around 90 USD total on the main national park entries. Los Glaciares National Park costs 25 USD per person while Torres del Paine charges 45 USD for multi-day access. Tierra del Fuego National Park requires a 20 USD entry fee. Check your tour package as some include these fees in the base price. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The entrance fees to the national parks were worth every penny especially Torres del Paine where we spent three full days hiking."
How much should I budget for optional activities in Patagonia?
Set aside 100-200 USD for add-on activities beyond your base tour. Popular options include walking on Perito Moreno Glacier (150 USD) paddling through Ushuaia's waters (80 USD) or taking guided day hikes in Torres del Paine (70-100 USD). These extras let you customize your experience based on interest and budget. A TourRadar traveler recommended: "The mini-trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier was worth the extra expense even on a budget trip."
What are the most affordable areas to stay in Patagonia?
Look for accommodations in Puerto Natales El Calafate and El Chalten where budget options thrive. Hostels like Aonikenk (El Calafate) and Last Hope (Puerto Natales) offer dorm beds from 15-25 USD nightly. El Chalten stands out for its free hiking trails and wallet-friendly lodging near major trailheads. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Puerto Natales was surprisingly affordable with good hostels and restaurants" from their W-Trek Express tour experience.
How much do national park entrance fees typically cost in Patagonia?
Budget tours often exclude park entry fees which you'll need to pay separately. Los Glaciares National Park requires about 20 USD per visitor while Torres del Paine charges 35 USD for entry. These fees support park maintenance and conservation efforts. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The tour cost was good but remember to budget extra for park entries - it was 20 USD for Los Glaciares which wasn't included" from a review of the El Calafate Starter Package.
How much should I budget for transportation between Patagonian towns?
Count on spending 30-50 USD per bus ride between major towns. Regular routes connect key spots like El Calafate to El Chalten (35 USD) and Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (15 USD). While flights save time they typically cost three to four times more than bus travel. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The bus services were reliable and much cheaper than flying though journeys can be long" from a review of the Buenos Aires Lakes and Glaciers tour.