We're Going to CHILE! 🇦🇷🛂🇨🇱 Remote BORDER CROSSING from El Calafate to PUERTO NATALES by Bus 🚌⛰️

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In today's episode, we're crossing over to Chile! This country wasn't originally in our travel plans, but then we realized detouring through Chile was the most convenient way to travel overland to Ushuaia, plus it would give us the opportunity to experience a bit of Chilean Patagonia after so many months spent in Argentina. So, we bid El Chalten farewell and began the bus journey over to El Calafate and then transferred on to a second bus bound for Puerto Natales, Chile. The journey was nothing short of scenic - we saw turquoise lakes, loads of guanacos along the side of the road, and open land as far as the eye can see. When we reached the border crossing, for a moment we honestly thought we were pulling up to an estancia because that's how gorgeous the landscapes were. By the time we reached Puerto Natales it was 10pm but it was still daylight - summer days in southern Patagonia are really long! So after getting settled in our AirBnB, we walked to a nearby restaurant where we had some delicious ceviche and sushi. That was our travel day from El Calafate to Puerto Natales by bus! If you're ever planning on doing the journey yourself, now you know what to expect. In the next episode, we'll take you out to properly explore the city of Puerto Natales, Chile. See you then!

🚌 Patagonia Bus Journey: Crossing from Argentina to Chile, Sushi in Punta Arenas & First Impressions | Chile Travel Vlog

🌄 Early Morning: Leaving El Chaltén & Preparing for the Road

Good morning from Patagonia! Today marks the start of a new chapter as we head from El Chaltén, Argentina, across the border into Chile—a destination we hadn’t originally planned but turned out to be the most convenient route to Ushuaia. Not only that, but we’re excited to explore Chilean Patagonia, which many say is the most beautiful part of the region.

🧳 The Great Bus Adventure: El Chaltén to Puerto Natales

This was no short hop—today’s journey included three hours by bus to El Calafate, a two-hour wait, and then another six hours to Puerto Natales, including an international border crossing. That’s eleven hours of bus travel, with our expected arrival around 10 p.m. Along the way, the Patagonian wind howled, and rain lashed sideways as we made our way to the bus station—proving just how wild and unpredictable the weather can be down here. As we waited for our ride, we discovered Sam’s suitcase had lost a wheel—always an adventure!

🇦🇷🛂 Crossing the Border: Argentina to Chile

After our scenic ride from El Calafate, it was time for the border crossing. The Argentine side felt more like arriving at a rustic estancia than an official border post, making it a surprisingly pleasant experience. Stamps in hand, we crossed into Chile, where the road became paved and the customs process included a friendly sniffer dog (doing a great job!) who checked out our bags. The process was smooth, although be aware that your larger luggage stays on the bus while backpacks are inspected. The total bus ticket was $22 USD per person—a great deal for such an epic trip, even if a big chunk of time is spent at immigration.

🦙 Wildlife Along the Way: Guanacos & Ñandús

Patagonia never disappoints when it comes to wildlife. As we rolled through the steppe, we spotted herds of guanacos (Patagonian cousins to the llama) and ñandús (South American ostrich-like birds). Every time the bus passed, the ñandús would dash away with a comical, delayed reaction.

🍣 Arrival in Punta Arenas: Sushi Surprise & Late-Night Eats

After arriving in Chile, our first order of business was food. Despite the late hour (nearly 10 p.m.), we managed to find an open restaurant in Punta Arenas—and lucked out with one of our favorites: sushi! We enjoyed a 32-piece assorted sushi tray.

We devoured our meal quickly, exhausted from the long day, and couldn’t help but notice other diners still leisurely eating as we finished. We were definitely ready for sleep after nearly twelve hours on the go!

🛏️ Settling In: First Night in Chile & Plans for Tomorrow

By the time we left the restaurant, it was nearly 11:30 p.m. We had been traveling since 11 a.m. and could barely wait to get some much-needed rest. Tomorrow, we’re planning to share our first impressions of Punta Arenas, go out for breakfast, show you our hotel, and sample more local food. The weather forecast is calling for rain, so we expect to be dodging showers while exploring. We’re also looking forward to learning more about visiting the national park nearby and checking in with our families after being off the grid for a bit.

We're Going to CHILE! 🇨🇱 | Remote BORDER CROSSING from El Calafate to PUERTO NATALES by Bus

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