5-Day Glaciers of Patagonia: Torres del Paine, Grey & Perito Moreno from Puerto Natales
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average fitness: short to moderate walks, long vehicle transfers, and some stairs on park walkways.
Overview
In five days from Puerto Natales you’ll navigate fjords to see Balmaceda and Serrano, cross into Argentina for Perito Moreno’s calving walls, and spend a day inside Torres del Paine to reach Grey Glacier. It’s a compact, logistics-driven glacier circuit that delivers dramatic ice, wildlife sightings, and practical access for non-technical travelers.
5-Day Glaciers of Patagonia: Torres del Paine, Grey & Perito Moreno from Puerto Natales
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The bus pulls out of Puerto Natales before dawn and the road opens like a promise: wind-swept steppe, low scrub, and the first jagged teeth of the Paine massif slicing the horizon. Over five days this trip stages the great ice players of southern Patagonia—Balmaceda and Serrano via fjord navigation, a full-day crossing to Argentina for Perito Moreno, and a glacier-front day in Torres del Paine to reach Grey Lake and its floating ice sculptures.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring Passport and Copies
You cross into Argentina for Perito Moreno—carry your passport, any necessary visas, and a printed copy in case of limited signal at checkpoints.
Layer for Wind and Spray
Temperatures fluctuate and boat navigation brings spray; pack a windproof shell and quick-dry base layers.
Protect Your Camera Gear
Spray, cold and sudden calvings can soak equipment—use waterproof covers and keep batteries warm in inner pockets.
Expect Long Transfer Days
Perito Moreno is a full-day excursion with early departure and late return—bring snacks, water, and motion-sickness remedies if needed.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Guanaco
- Fur seal
History
The region owes its place on the map to maritime routes and sheep ranching; early 20th-century explorers and railway plans boosted settlement in Puerto Natales and El Calafate.
Conservation
Visitors should stick to marked walkways in national parks to protect fragile vegetation and avoid approaching wildlife; guided navigation limits shoreline disturbance compared with independent landings.
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Adventure Hotspots in Puerto Natales
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Windproof shell
Blocks cold Patagonian gusts and boat spray during fjord and lake navigation.
Waterproof hiking shoes
Provides grip on wet boardwalks and muddy trails at Serrano Lagoon and Grey Beach.
Warm base layers and hat
Essential for chilly mornings, glacier breezes, and sudden weather shifts.
Waterproof camera cover or dry bag
Protects electronics from spray and rain during boat passages and glacier-viewing.