Patagonia Small Group Tours & Trip Packages

Patagonia Small Group Tours & Trips

154 Patagonia trips. Tours from 69 tour companies. 592 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

93 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Small Group Tour
Year In Patagonia
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4.7/5 Excellent
28 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Patagonia

Highlights

  • This is an outdoor leadership course designed for 18 years and older
  • Learn wilderness and leadership skills on expeditions and in classrooms
  • Learn a range of skills at world’s most remote and beautiful places
  • Cherish a totally unique experience

Themes

Climbing & Mountaineering, Cultural, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Great Wilderness courses!"

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Into Patagonia
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By GeoEx
preferred
5/5 Excellent
19 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park

Highlights

  • Take in Patagonia's must-see sights on this classic GeoEx trip built on more than 20 years of experience
  • Incredible hikes through some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring scenery
  • Estancia Cristina: entrancingly beautiful, incredibly wild, graciously welcoming

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I have had a couple great travel experiences through GeoEx. My first trip, she helped book my travels to Ireland for my brothers wedding. She did a great job coordinating hotels with other family members and planning my entire trip including events, dinners, transportation, etc."

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Torres del Paine Circuit
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Patagonia, Puerto Natales

Highlights

  • Hike the stunning O-Trek and circumnavigate the peaks of Torres del Paine
  • Experience a spectacular day cruising, and incredible scenery, to the head of the fjord in Torres del Paine
  • Enjoy a kayak excursion in front of the stunning Grey Glacier
  • Marvel at the incomparable Towers of Paine
  • Take in the magnificent views of Grey Glacier
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Themes

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave the tour. The emergency contact people in Vietnam were very helpful with finding me accommodations after I left the tour. I am still waiting on a letter from World Expeditions supporting my travel insurance claim."

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Patagonia Adventure
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

El Calafate, Patagonia, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park

Highlights

  • Take in the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier and the quaint town of Puerto Natales
  • Embark on scenic day walks in Los Glaciares National Park
  • Explore the beautiful valleys, glaciers and trails around Mount Fitz Roy
  • Trek amongst the stunning wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park
  • Journey by boat via the Balmaceda Glacier to Torres del Paine National Park

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave the tour. The emergency contact people in Vietnam were very helpful with finding me accommodations after I left the tour. I am still waiting on a letter from World Expeditions supporting my travel insurance claim."

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Torres del Paine W-Trek  - Self Guided
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Punta Arenas

Highlights

  • Hike one of the world's greatest treks at your own pace with a full pack
  • Marvel at the peaks of Torres del Paine
  • Experience the dramatically beautiful Patagonian Pampa
  • Journey on a boat trip in front of the magnificent Grey Glacier
  • Walk with incredible views of the hanging glacier of the French Valley

Themes

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave the tour. The emergency contact people in Vietnam were very helpful with finding me accommodations after I left the tour. I am still waiting on a letter from World Expeditions supporting my travel insurance claim."

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Patagonia: Journey to the End of the World
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Santiago, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Santiago : Visit Santa Rita Winery with a wine-making experience; Santiago sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit La Vega Central Market and a local pub
  • Puerto natales : Visit Milódon Cave
  • Torres del paine national park: Stay inside the national park; Torres del Paine National Park sightseeing, view Lago Grey; see Los Cuernos, Salto Grande, Laguna Azul, Cascada Paine, and Laguna Inges; Organic cocktail demonstration
  • El calafate : Cruise Lago Argentino, see Upsala Glacier, and visit Estancia Cristina; visit Los Glaciares National Park and Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Ushuaia : Cruise the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island; visit Tierra del Fuego National Park
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

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14 Day South American Glaciers, Forests & Lakes with 4 Day Patagonia Cruise
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3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park

Highlights

  • Tour of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the sophisticated "Paris of South America"
  • Enjoy Tango lessons with professional Argentine Tango Dancers
  • Travel to the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most impressive sights in the Southern Hemisphere
  • Tour Puerto Natales, center of Chilean Patagonia, on the shores of the Senoret Channel
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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14 Day South American Glaciers, Forests & Lakes with 4 Day Patagonia Cruise
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park

Highlights

  • Tour of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the sophisticated "Paris of South America"
  • Enjoy Tango lessons with professional Argentine Tango Dancers
  • Travel to the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most impressive sights in the Southern Hemisphere
  • Tour Puerto Natales, center of Chilean Patagonia, on the shores of the Senoret Channel
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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93 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour

Patagonia Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
592  Reviews
See all Patagonia tour reviews
Excellent
320
Great
87
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
1
C

Christopher

Dec 2022

Written on

I strongly suggest it!!!!

Brenda and Mairim went above and above with last-minute revision...

E

Emma

Dec 2022

Written on

I had a fantastic experience

Everything was well-organized and went as planned. Our sales representative was really helpful and responsive. I had a fantastic experience. Say Hueque recommends vi...

J

Joseph

Dec 2022

Written on

Excellent

The ability to see all of the falls, as well as the boat tr...

W

William

Nov 2022

Written on

Everything went really well.

Everything went really well. It's very reassuring to see your name on a sign at every location. All of the hotels were ideal for our needs. The pick-ups were on sche...

M

Matthew

Nov 2022

Written on

Excellent journey.

Excellent journey. Sue Hueque handled everything well, from picking us up...

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Patagonia Tour Selection Trips

  • With Patagonia’s immense size and the formidable Andes Mountains forming much of the boundary between Chile and Argentina, most tours focus on one country or the other
  • Remember that when it’s summer in North America, it’s winter in Patagonia (and vice-versa)
  • Small ship expedition-style cruises are the ideal way to see Chile’s Patagonian coast  and possibly land on Cape Horn
  • Be sure to pack binoculars, warm water-resistant clothing, and rugged outdoor gear

Additional details

Getting to Patagonia

Given the sheer size of the Patagonian landscape, car rides or flights are the best modes of transportation for travelers. To begin a trip through the region, most travelers fly into Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. From there, smaller planes can be chartered to reach a chosen Patagonian city while still in the comfort and speed which air travel provides. Travelers on a budget may opt to rent a car to drive to the region on their own or take busses.

Those who wish to enjoy the Patagonian landscape without worrying about flat tires or uncomfortable seats on shared transportation can also hire “remis.” These private cars come with drivers who will take the wheel as you sit back and relax. While more inexpensive than air-travel, traveling by ground to Argentina’s side of Patagonia will likely take an entire day to accomplish.

Should travelers choose to access Patagonia from the Chilean side, they can fly into Punta Arenas Airport and traverse the region from its southern point. Busses into Patagonia are also available from this airport but are known to be quite full during peak visiting seasons. 

Who Will Enjoy Traveling in Patagonia?

Although Patagonia is well-known for its wildlife and natural attractions excursions, hiking is heavily emphasized and can be expected with most Patagonia tours. While this may appeal to adventurous travelers who enjoy the thought of challenging Mount Fitz Roy or camping amidst glacial lakes, travelers with special accommodations requirements may find these tours to be difficult. See Patagonia hiking tours 

Even without being able to see all of the peaks and valleys which Patagonia is known for, travelers can still have unique and personal experiences with wildlife. Travelers who make their way to the coast can charter boats to see whales or simply walk through Puerto Madryn to interact with penguin colonies.

Similarly, Ushuaia, the city at the “end of the world” is small and quaint, but also accessible by train, allowing all travelers to experience its mystery when visiting Patagonia. For travelers looking to specifically see the cultural heritage of Patagonia, the region offers many natural and organized chances to do so, should travelers be willing to find tours to get them there.

It is important to note that not all locations in Patagonia, especially remote ones, have equal accessibility to lookout points at natural landmarks.

Private Guided & Luxury Travel in Patagonia 

Patagonia is best experienced with a guide - the unique landscape can be brought to life by a knowledgeable leader and certain hidden areas for the best views and camping spots may be revealed. 

If a group tour isn’t your speed, consider finding a private guided trip. This can be a great way to experience Patagonia in near solitude, with the devoted attention of a guide. 

Many private guided tour options in Patagonia are also luxury (though not all). You may not think that luxury travel in Patagonia isn't an option, but think again! The remote destination has carved out a unique niche in luxury travel, offering spectacular and unique dining opportunities, wildlife viewing, and of course, hiking and other outdoor activities in a variety of physical levels.

What is the Weather Like in Patagonia?

As any Patagonian local will tell you, the weather in the region can be unpredictable at best, freezing at worst. For most the year, travelers are advised to dress in heavy layers, as protection from coastal and mountain winds is crucial in order to fully enjoy excursions.

Travelers who book tours in advance for the summer months (December to February) will be able to enjoy the warmest weather which the season offers (40-60 degrees Fahrenheit).

These months are the most popular for a reason, as the temperate weather allows for the maximum number of tours through blooming natural landscapes teeming with wildlife.

Springtime (October to November) is also popular time for travelers to visit a Patagonian landscape with cooler temperatures and stunning backdrops for glaciers or waterfalls. 

Common Patagonia Tour Routes

Since Patagonia is accessible by both plane and car, common tour routes tend to differ based on which mode of transportation is chosen. For those who travel by plane, they usually begin by landing at Argentina’s Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. From there, smaller planes may be charted to reach the small town El Calafate, which serves as the entry point into the famous Los Glaciares National Park.

Perito Moreno Glacier should not be missed while there, as the massive natural landmark and piercing blue lake which it resides in are stunning. From there, many travelers head to Puerto Natales. While the seaside town is not big, it hosts the entryway into Torres del Paine National Park. This national park is famous for its impressive granite slabs and a wide variety of endangered species.

Heading further south, travelers will encounter the city at the “end of the world,” Ushuaia. With a train that runs through the surrounding landscape, it is possible to spend a day here before opting to go even further south. This town serves as the first stop for nearly all cruises to Antarctica.

It is important to note that these Antarctic cruises are not available all year, as the ice becomes nearly impenetrable during winter months. A short plane ride back to Buenos Aires will allow travelers to head home after a long, but rewarding, tour of Patagonia. 

Travelers who wish to emphasize Patagonia and Antarctica can fly into Chile’s Punta Arenas Airport and continue onward to Ushuaia for Antarctic tours. From there, they can backtrack to Puerto Natales to access Torres del Paine and go even further north to see Perito Moreno Glacier. From the nearby town of El Calafate, travelers can finalize their trip home from Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport in Argentina.

When is the best time to visit Patagonia?

While Patagonia is naturally beautiful the whole year through, some seasons prove better than others for sight-seeing. It is important to note that the following seasons, while considered to be the “best” times to travel to Patagonia, are subject to change.

As the southern hemisphere’s spring, October through November can provide travelers with stunning views of wildlife that are prospering among landscapes in full bloom.

Natural landmarks, such as waterfalls and lakes, are at their highest points during this season, providing travelers with the ability to see them in their entirety.

When it comes to summer months in Patagonia (December through February), travelers can expect some of the warmest temperatures and optimal hiking conditions. Therefore, travelers who wish to participate in guided camping tours or wildlife excursions should plan far in advance, as this season is one of the busiest in the region.

The months of March, April, and May are not to be discounted, as travelers who can brave their slightly colder temperatures will be rewarded with deals on lodging and excursions.

Preparing for Hiking in Patagonia

The immense peaks and valleys which Patagonia is known for are matched by similarly drastic fluctuations in temperature. This means that travelers should be prepared for paths that may be difficult to find, muddy or rocky terrains, and high altitudes.

Hiking boots are crucial, especially waterproof ones. This allows travelers to access as much of their hike as possible, since certain areas may be impossible to get through without getting wet. That being said, thick socks prevent blisters, another almost unavoidable aspect of hiking that can have devastating consequences on the rest of the trip.

Patagonia is a challenging region, but packing layers helps prepare travelers for high-speed winds, unrelenting heat and anything in between. Despite how cold it may feel, sunscreen, a hat that will not be easily blown away, and other forms of sun protection are crucial to bring to Patagonia.

Unfortunately, bugs are not deterred by the weather either, making repellant an important addition to hiking supplies. Travelers should also consider the ban against open fires of any kind in all national parks in Patagonia, which means that any cooking needs to be done on camp-stoves.

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