Everything You Need to Know About FTLO's Group Trip to Patagonia
- FTLO Team
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
10 Days in Santiago de Chile, Puerto Natales, El Calafate, and Buenos Aires
If Patagonia has been sitting on your bucket list, this is the kind of trip that makes it happen without requiring months of planning, complicated logistics, having to rough it, or convincing your friends to take the same PTO.
Over 10 days, you'll travel through Chile and Argentina, pairing bucket-list adventures like exploring Torres del Paine and walking across Perito Moreno Glacier with wine tastings, boutique hotels, incredible food, and memorable local experiences – all alongside a small group of like-minded travelers in their 30s.
It's the perfect balance for travelers who want to get outside and see something extraordinary, but don't need every day to be a strenuous hike. FTLO handles the logistics, so you can focus on the experience, whether you're standing on ancient ice, sipping Chilean wine with mountain views, or sharing an asado with your new travel crew.
Quick Facts: Patagonia Group Trip
Trip length: 10 days / 9 nights
Countries: Chile + Argentina
Starts: Santiago, Chile
Ends: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Trip vibe: Nature, adventure, active
Physical activity: 6/10
Adventure: 8/10
Accommodation: Boutique hotels, shared twin rooms, private upgrades available for an extra cost
Best for: Solo travelers ages 25–39 who want adventure, connection, and a bucket list trip that's planned for them
Standout experiences: Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno Glacier, glacier navigation, Chilean wine tasting, empanada making, tango, Argentine wine and food pairing, and a farewell asado.
The short version?
If your Patagonia bucket list looks something like stunning glaciers + epic mountains + delicious wine + great food + a small group of people you'd actually want to hang out with, this is your trip.
You don't need to be an expert hiker. You don't need a travel partner. And you definitely don't need to spend six months planning every detail.
You just need to be ready to go.
Who Is This Patagonia Trip For?
This Patagonia group trip is designed for solo travelers in their 30s who want adventure without having to figure everything out themselves.
It's a particularly good fit if you:
Want to see Patagonia but don't want to plan the transportation, accommodations, and activities yourself
Are comfortable traveling solo but want a built-in group to experience it with
Love big landscapes, active days, and bucket-list experiences
Want to mix outdoor adventure with great food, wine, and local culture
Prefer a small group over a large bus tour
Want a trip that feels active without requiring serious hiking experience
Like having a plan, but still want some free time to explore on your own
Want to meet other social, curious travelers around your age
Who Is This Trip Not For?
This probably isn't your trip if you're looking for:
A hardcore trekking expedition with strenuous hiking
Prefer camping or roughing it off grid over comfortable hotels and creature comforts
Hate early mornings and strongly prefer to sleep in while traveling
Don't enjoy spending several hours outside at a time, especially if the weather is a bit unpredictable
FTLO's core traveler is typically 25 to 39, and our trips are designed around the idea that you can travel solo without having to be alone. This trip has a thoughtfully planned itinerary, included activities, and group experiences throughout. If you're looking for the sweet spot between adventure and comfort, though, you're in exactly the right place.
Still on the fence about whether a group trip is right for you? These are the questions solo travelers ask most before booking a group trip — with honest answers to each one.
What Are the Highlights of the Patagonia Trip?
There are a lot of reasons this trip belongs on your bucket list, but these are the moments we'd be talking about if we were telling a friend about it.
Walk on Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the biggest bucket-list moments of the trip: you'll strap on crampons and walk across Perito Moreno Glacier, exploring its incredible blue ice formations with an expert guide.
It's one thing to see a glacier. It's another to actually stand on one.
Explore Torres del Paine
Spend a full day exploring Torres del Paine National Park, with scenic viewpoints, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and short walks through the Patagonian landscape. You'll get to see the park from multiple perspectives rather than rushing through for a single photo stop.
Sail Through Glacier Country
Board a glacier navigation cruise across Lago Argentino, sailing among floating icebergs and towering glaciers including Upsala and Spegazzini. You'll also have time at Spegazzini Base to take in panoramic views of the glacier and surrounding landscape.
Taste Your Way Through Argentina
Food is part of the adventure here. You'll make empanadas in a local home, enjoy regional Patagonian dishes, experience a multi-course Argentine wine and food pairing, and finish with a traditional asado.
Wine With a View
Before heading south into Patagonia, you'll spend time in Santiago exploring the city before visiting one of Chile's oldest historic wineries for a guided tour, tasting, and food pairings. It's a great way to ease into the trip before the landscapes get seriously wild.
Experience Buenos Aires Together
The trip ends in Buenos Aires, where you'll explore the city with a local guide, experience an intimate tango performance, enjoy a sensory journey through Argentine food and wine, and gather for one final asado with your travel crew.
What Is Included?
Your FTLO Patagonia trip includes:
Accomodations – 9 nights of shared accommodations in Santiago (2 nights), Puerto Natales (2 nights), El Calafate (3 nights), and Buenos Aires (2 nights) with the option to upgrade to private room for an additional cost (subject to availability)
Meals – 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, including lunch boxes for hikes or travel days, 5 dinners, including an asado bbq (farewell dinner)
Trip Transportation – Domestic flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales, flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires , ground transportation for all included activities
Santiago City Tour – Discover the capital's grand plazas, historic landmarks, and vibrant neighborhoods with a local guide.
Historic Vineyard Tour & Tasting – Step inside one of Chile's oldest wineries for a guided tour and tasting of its signature reds.
Guided Hikes & Scenic Viewpoints – Explore iconic trails through Torres del Paine to jaw-dropping vistas of the granite towers, glaciers, and turquoise lakes.
Empanada-Making Class – Roll up your sleeves and master Argentina's beloved handheld classic in a private home.
Glacier Navigation Cruise – Sail among towering blue ice walls for a front-row view of epic glaciers.
Glacier Mini-Trekking – Strap on crampons and walk atop the legendary Perito Moreno Glacier.
Wine & Dinner Pairing – Argentine wine tasting featuring regional varietals paired with dinner
Buenos Aires City Tour – Guided city tour of Buenos Aires by private vehicle, exploring Plaza de Mayo, La Boca, and San Telmo with insight into the city’s history and culture
Tango Show – An unforgettable evening of the sultry, UNESCO-honored dance.
Authentic Asado BBQ – hosted in a local Buenos Aires home
Built-in free time to explore Santiago, Puerto Natales, El Calafate, and Buenos Aires at your own pace
Dedicated FTLO Trip Leader throughout the trip, coordinating logistics and providing local knowledge
Access to our pre-departure hub with detailed trip information, packing guidance, cultural tips, and a space to connect with fellow travelers before departure
All entrance fees, taxes, and activity costs for listed experiences
Flights to Chile and home from Argentina, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not listed above, tips, and personal expenses are not included. FTLO recommends budgeting around $300 for additional meals, drinks, and extras, depending on your spending style.
What Does the Patagonia Itinerary Look Like?
Days 1–2: Santiago, Chile
Start in Santiago with welcome drinks, dinner, a guided city tour, and a visit to one of Chile's oldest wineries.
Days 3–4: Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine
Head south into Chilean Patagonia, explore Puerto Natales, then spend a full day taking in Torres del Paine's mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers.
Days 5–7: El Calafate, Argentina
Cross into Argentina and settle into El Calafate. Make empanadas in a local home, cruise through Los Glaciares National Park, and spend a day walking across Perito Moreno Glacier.
Days 8–10: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fly to Buenos Aires for food, wine, tango, a guided city tour, free time to explore, and a final Argentine asado before heading home.
How active is the Patagonia trip?
There's definitely adventure built into this itinerary, but you don't need to be an avid hiker or outdoorsy person to enjoy it. Think scenic walks, national park viewpoints, a glacier mini-trek, and plenty of opportunities to experience Patagonia's incredible landscapes without spending every day on the trail.
The Perito Moreno Glacier trek is the biggest physical adventure, but the trip balances those active experiences with wine tastings, great meals, comfortable hotels, sightseeing, and free time. You get to check Patagonia off your bucket list without having to rough it.
What Are the Accommodations Like?
You'll stay in boutique hotels chosen for their location, character, and connection to each destination. Think comfortable, well-located stays rather than big international chain hotels.
Standard rooms are shared with one other FTLO traveler. If you'd prefer your own room, private room upgrades are available for an additional cost and are first come, first served.
What Should You Pack for Patagonia?
Layers are your best friend. Patagonia's weather can change quickly, so bring a warm mid-layer, waterproof and windproof jacket, comfortable walking or waterproof trail shoes, sunglasses, and clothes you can easily add or remove throughout the day.
You'll also want a small daypack for active days, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. Once you reach Buenos Aires, pack a few outfits for dinners and evenings in the city.
The goal: be ready for changing weather without bringing your entire closet.
What's the Weather Like in Patagonia?
Patagonia is known for unpredictable weather, which is part of the reason layers are so important. FTLO runs this trip during shoulder seasons, which generally offer mild weather, good scenery, and fewer crowds. Remember that the seasons in Chile and Argentina are reversed from those in the U.S.
You can expect a mix of sun, wind, clouds, and cooler temperatures, sometimes within the same day. Come prepared for changing conditions and you'll be ready to enjoy the scenery regardless of what Patagonia throws your way.
Can I Join This Trip If I'm Traveling Alone?
Absolutely. In fact, that's exactly who FTLO is designed for.
Most FTLO travelers arrive knowing very few, if any, people on the trip. You'll have a built-in group from day one, with shared meals, activities, transportation, and plenty of opportunities to get to know each other. At the same time, free afternoons and evenings give you space to do your own thing when you want it.
The goal isn't to turn your solo trip into a group trip where you're together every second. It's to give you the best parts of both.
What Is the Group Size?
FTLO trips are designed for small groups of travelers in their 20s and 30s, with most of our travelers typically in their 30s. That means you're traveling with people who are generally in a similar stage of life and looking for the same things: great experiences, new places, and a fun group to share them with.
You'll have plenty of built-in opportunities to connect through shared meals, activities, transportation, and group experiences, without feeling like you're part of a giant tour group.
It's one of the best parts of traveling with FTLO: you can arrive solo without having to experience the trip alone.
What Is the Vibe of the Patagonia Trip?
Think bucket-list adventure with a side of creature comforts.
You'll spend some days getting out into the wild, from exploring Torres del Paine to walking across Perito Moreno Glacier. But this isn't a hardcore trekking expedition. You'll also have boutique hotels, incredible food and wine, local experiences, free time, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy where you are.
It's for travelers who want to do the big adventure things without making the entire trip about physical exertion. Walk on a glacier in the morning, sip Chilean wine with mountain views another day, then sit down to a great dinner with your new travel crew. That's the sweet spot.
Will There Be Options for Dietary Restrictions?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, especially in Santiago, El Calafate, and Buenos Aires. Because parts of the itinerary take place in remote Patagonia, options can be more limited during certain activities and travel days, so let us know about any dietary needs when you book.
We'll provide packed lunches on longer travel and active days, and if you have favorite snacks or specific dietary needs, it's a good idea to bring a few with you.
What Airport Should I Fly Into?
You'll fly into Santiago, Chile (SCL) for the start of the trip.
Plan to arrive at the airport by 1 PM on Day 1, giving you enough time to get to the hotel before the trip officially gets underway.
The trip ends in Buenos Aires, where you can fly home from either EZE or AEP on Day 10.
Airport transfers aren't included, but we'll provide the information you need to make your arrival and departure straightforward.
Do I Need a Visa for Chile or Argentina?
For U.S. travelers visiting for tourism, no visa is required for stays under 90 days and your passport must be valid at the time of entry and have at least one blank page.
Always check the current entry requirements for your nationality before traveling, as requirements can change.
Should I Extend My Trip?
If you have the PTO, we'd absolutely recommend adding a few extra days, especially if you're already making the journey to South America.
One great option is to pair Patagonia with FTLO's Peru trip and turn your adventure into an even bigger South American bucket-list journey. After exploring Chile, Argentina, and Buenos Aires, continue on to Peru to experience Machu Picchu, explore the Sacred Valley, discover Peruvian culture and cuisine, and add another iconic destination to your trip.
If you'd rather extend on either end, you can also arrive early in Santiago to spend more time exploring the city and its food and wine scene, or stay a few extra days in Buenos Aires to experience more of the city's neighborhoods, football, polo, Teatro Colón, or even take the ferry across the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.
Why Do Patagonia With FTLO?
You could absolutely plan a Patagonia trip yourself. You could research the hotels, figure out the domestic flights, coordinate border crossings, book national park experiences, arrange glacier trekking, find local guides, and spend countless hours making sure all the pieces work together.
Or you could let us handle that part.
With FTLO, you get the bucket-list Patagonia experience without the bucket-list logistics. We take care of the transportation, accommodations, activities, and itinerary so you can spend your energy on the good stuff: exploring Torres del Paine, standing on a glacier, sharing empanadas with your group, discovering new places, and getting to know the people you'll be traveling with. It's Patagonia without the stress of doing Patagonia alone.
That's really the point of an FTLO trip. You show up solo. We handle the details. You meet your people and go see the world.
Ready for the next step towards your Patagonia adventure?
To read more about our group Patagonia trip, head over to the trip page where you can find more details, itinerary overviews, and fun travel inspo!
If you know Patagonia is for you and you're ready to secure your spot on an upcoming trip, head over to the booking page and join the fun!
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If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, get started by filling out a travel profile and our team of community managers will help match you with your perfect adventure based on your travel style, bucket list, and goals!
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