Travelling to Patagonia had long been an ambition – drawn by its dramatic scenery, unique wildlife, and some of the world’s most spectacular hiking. As keen hikers and photographers, it felt like the perfect fit, combining remote landscapes with the chance to explore them properly on foot.
We began planning well in advance, booking flights nearly a year ahead as soon as they were released. Our aim was to secure reward flights using Avios, which meant staying flexible with dates. One key objective was to return via Iguazú Falls in early March, when water levels are typically high and the falls at their most dramatic – while still retaining some of their distinctive blue-green colour.
Our journey began at Heathrow on 11 February 2026, and after several unforgettable weeks exploring South America, we returned home on 8 March 2026.
Travel Advice
There are two obvious ways of getting to Chile from the United kingdom, direct flights using British Airways between Heathrow and Santiago, or a variety of 1 stop flights via a range of layovers. Direct flight although more expensive are obviously quicker. Reward flights using Avios are relatively easy to get if you can be flexible on dates.
From Santiago, there are direct flights to either Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, depending on your itinerary. It’s worth noting that domestic flights within South America are frequently rescheduled, so I would strongly recommend spending a night in Santiago before flying south. Alternatively, book your journey as a single through ticket so you’re protected financially in the event of any disruption.
We purposely build a spare day in Punta Arenas, when we visited the Penguins, encase we had any problems getting down to Patagonia.
Follow The Journey Day By Day
Browse each published day in the standard editorial grid, switch to a list for quick scanning, or use the map where coordinates are available.
