We're going to Patagonia during spring break next year with some friends. We're in the process of researching what are must-sees, etc. We're more interested in trekking and seeing beautiful things like trees, lakes, streams, and mountains versus glaciers, etc.

Has anyone been? Given what we'd like to see, what routes would you recommend? Right now we're considering using Swoop Patagonia but are open to other outfitters. We'd like to keep it to no more than $7,500 per person. Your help is much appreciated!

No clue on cost or logistics but we've dreamt about a couple trips down there over the years but haven't pulled the trigger for various reasons. These always make the list when we start mapping it out....

Kayaking the Marble Caves
Backpacking the Torres del Pine "O" Circuit

Unfortunately they aren't remotely close to each other

Went in Jan/Feb 2018, spring break might not be best weather wise. We did Buenos Aires, El Chalten, El Calafate and Bariloche. Can't go wrong with any of those but for long day treks El Chalten probably cannot be beat. Happy to send through our itinerary if you want to post an email. Planned it all on our own but can't see how an agency would be helpful- especially if you want to do the loops referenced above.

We did the Chilean side last year. Did the whole area around Torres. We also did Atacama on the same trip. Based out of the Tierra hotels for both and used them for all of our outdoors activities. Happy to answer any questions you have.

Three random pics from my library.

By the way, if you do the base las Torres, the last mile or two approximately is by far the toughest part. The other 10 miles are relatively easy.

calafate is a bigger city, and you have lots to do there (4x4 excursions, glacier hikes, etc). would recommend a few days there at least. el chalten is a pretty small place, it's all about the hikes. but man, some of the most incredible beauty in nature you can find. i think we did a 7 day trip in both cities and it was great.

all airline routes basically go through buenos aires, so, you could add a few days in the big city if you wanted on the front or back end.

also, a bonus is using your foreign credit card will get you a much better exchange rate than the "official" one. so not much need anymore to exchange dollars for cash in the country.

edit to add, for a trip like this an outfitter is completely unnecessary. not hard at all to arrange what you want to do.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2995812

If you want to do Torres, there is a guy in Punta Arenas that rents out trucks with travel trailers which was a great option for us .

https://theintrepidfamily.com/a-family-motorhome-adventure-in-torres-del-paine/

For Bariloche, there's a ski lift you can go on and get great views of all the nearby lakes although I forget the name. We rented a car and drove up in the mountains around Villa Traful. Very scenic. Also did a fly fishing float trip on the Rio Limay, was awesome. Went to a Parilla called El Patacon, would recommend.

Calafate… go see the glacier. Random but I met Dennis miller and his family while glacier hiking. We also did a tour of an estancia. Nice views but kinda meh.

In BA, you MUST go to Don Julio's.