Writing this article was a bold idea, and honestly a bit risky. Because in this article I am uncovering insider travel agency secrets.
I know many of my readers travel from Buenos Aires to Patagonia. Or maybe you are just starting to research how to organise your trip. Either way, there is something you should know before you book anything.
How I know all this
I have traveled to Patagonia almost 8 times since 2017. El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia, Torres del Paine. Of course not all at once every time. I took my time to discover each area more in depth.
But there is more. Before, I worked at a Destination Management Company. I saw from the inside how they plan the trips. And I also saw how much commission they add.
The truth about booking Patagonia through a travel agency
Many people still book their trip through a travel agency in their home country. What most people don’t know: that agency usually doesn’t organise anything in Argentina themselves. They have a contact here, a local agency called a Destination Management Company, or DMC.
You can already imagine what happens. Every person or agency that touches your travel plans adds a commission. Your home agency, the DMC, sometimes another middleman in between. All together this can run up to 60% on top of the local price.
And let’s be honest. Most travelers end up on the same route anyway. The highlights of Patagonia: the Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate, Torres del Paine, El Chaltén. You don’t need three companies in between to get there.
Patagonia can be cheaper than you think
In reality, traveling to Patagonia is not too expensive. As long as you plan well ahead, skip the agency in your home country and all the people in between, and book directly with the local providers.
Of course, some parts are expensive and there is no way to avoid it. Trekking in Torres del Paine is one of them. But El Chaltén, in Los Glaciares National Park, can be a perfect alternative.
Timing is everything
Making your Patagonia trip cheaper also depends a lot on the season and the timing of your travel.
For example, around Christmas and New Year prices can go up to 200% compared with just a couple of weeks before. In general, October until the end of March is considered high season, and prices are typically higher.
My favorite months? September and April. Just perfect. Only note that in September there might still be some snow on the tops around Torres del Paine and Mount Fitz Roy, which can interrupt your hike. So take crampons with you.
Insider tip: what to book early and what can wait
- Book well in advance: hotels, car rental, and for sure your campsites in Torres del Paine. Especially in high season, availability is limited and the good options go first.
- Book later: activities. These can be booked a couple of weeks before, or you can even pay in local currency once you are there.
But here comes the part of my “Patagonia Trip Planner“. All my knowledge is uploaded into the planner and based on a couple of questions the planner will create a detailed itinerary with all hotels I recommend and available activities.
When a travel agency might still work for you
I want to be fair here. A travel agency might work for you if you really don’t want the hassle of planning your trip. They are also there for you in case of cancellations or last-minute changes.
But dealing with the unexpected is also part of traveling on your own and finding your way. On my websites Secrets of Buenos Aires and Secrets of Patagonia I share many tips on how to avoid difficult situations. And my Patagonia Trip Planner makes the planning part very easy.
My free Patagonia Trip Planner
Now you are probably wondering: “How do I get all that info?”
Well, I created a Patagonia Trip Planner for my readers. You answer a few simple questions, and the planner creates your itinerary for you. I added all my knowledge into the planner and it took several days to enter all details and data. It gives you the honest and true information to plan your trip:
- Hotels I personally stayed at, or that come highly recommended by friends and family
- A list of activities
- Transportation options
Everything comes with direct links to the local providers and hotels, so you can book immediately or check out the activities. No commissions stacked on top. And you can use it for free.
A quick note to be transparent: some links go to websites where I earn a small commission, which helps me run my website. But I always search for the lowest price possible.
Ready to plan? Below you find the link to my Patagonia Trip Planner. Feel free to use it and book directly with the local providers.
LINK TO PATAGONIA TRIP PLANNER
