My OAT Chile and Argentina Review

Things To Know Before Booking OAT's Chile & Argentina: The Andes To Patagonia

There are plenty of ways to see Chile and Argentina. What made this OAT adventure special for us was the variety. You don't simply visit Patagonia and come home. You experience sophisticated cities, small communities, spectacular landscapes, local food and people—and then find yourself standing in front of scenery that seems almost impossible.

Buenos Aires: A Great Way to Begin

Buenos Aires is sophisticated, energetic and distinctly European in feel. From elegant neighborhoods and historic architecture to cafés, restaurants and the unmistakable rhythm of tango, it gives you a completely different introduction to South America than the wilderness that follows.

Bariloche and the Argentine Lakes District

Then the scenery changes dramatically. Snow-capped mountains, beautiful lakes and forests make Bariloche one of those places where you may find yourself reaching for your camera every few minutes.

Chile's Lake District

Crossing into Chile brings another change of scenery. Puerto Varas and the surrounding Lake District combine sparkling lakes, volcanoes, green countryside and a distinctly different cultural flavor.

Patagonia Is the Star

And then comes Patagonia.

This is why many travelers put Chile and Argentina on their bucket list. Torres del Paine National Park, glaciers, mountains, lakes and enormous open landscapes make Patagonia feel almost unreal.

The scenery isn't simply beautiful. It's BIG.

You can look across a valley and see mountains stretching farther than your eyes seem capable of taking in. And just when you think you've seen the most spectacular view of the trip, another one appears around the next bend.

You Don't Just See the Places—You Meet the People

Another reason I enjoy OAT is that the trips aren't simply a succession of photo stops.

The itinerary includes opportunities to meet local people and experience everyday life, including a home-hosted meal. Those experiences provide a glimpse into Chilean and Argentine culture that you simply don't get by looking out a tour bus window.

OAT Takes Care of the Complicated Logistics

Chile and Argentina are enormous countries, and Patagonia isn't exactly next door to Buenos Aires.

This trip involves three internal flights as well as extensive ground transportation. That's a lot of logistics to arrange on your own. OAT handles the transportation, hotels, included activities and other details while you concentrate on enjoying the journey.

For me, that's one of the biggest advantages of doing this trip with OAT.

I want the adventure. I don't necessarily want to plan the adventure.

And that's exactly where OAT shines.

Are you ready for one of the world's most spectacular—and geographically diverse—journeys?

This was another great OAT adventure—a wonderful balance of exciting cities, meeting local people and experiencing the culture of Chile and Argentina.

And, I have to say, the beauty was unexpected. The year before we had traveled to New Zealand, which I thought offered some of the most spectacular scenery I had ever seen.

Then we traveled to the Andes and Patagonia.
Nothing compared.

When We Took This Trip: January 4 - 21, 2016
Jesse's Thrifty Senior Traveler Rating: 4.80 out of 5 Stars

Why OAT's Chile & Argentina Tour Is Worth Taking

Before Booking Your First Overseas Adventure Travel
Trip

I created the Thrifty Senior Traveler website to share my experiences and tips with others who enjoy traveling (and bargains). I don't work or get paid from any particular company.

I clearly like Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). They meet all my checkmarks: great tours for great value. I am after all the Thrifty Senior Traveler.

If you are booking a first trip with OAT,
I have a favor to ask.

OAT has a special "Referral Program". When booking your first reservation, tell them "I was referred by Jesse Slome - his OAT # is 932019."

You'll qualify for the first-time traveler savings of $100-per-person. And, I receive a 1-time credit toward a future OAT adventure. It costs you nothing. I only get credit once (1x). Then you get to earn referral credits.

So far, 88 travelers have told OAT they were referred by Jesse Slome. If you decide to take an OAT adventure, I hope you'll be #89!

Thank you - and I hope to see you somewhere in the world!

Tips for Getting the Most From OAT
Chile & Argentina

I've learned that a few simple things can make a big difference on an OAT adventure. Here are my tips for getting the most out of your Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia trip.

Pack for Four Seasons—Sometimes in One Day

Patagonia's weather can change remarkably quickly. You can start the morning in sunshine, encounter cold wind a few hours later and finish the day in rain.

Layers are your friend. Bring a lightweight base layer, something warm in the middle and a waterproof, wind-resistant outer layer. A hat and gloves can also be useful—even when you're traveling during the Southern Hemisphere's summer.
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Don't Underestimate the Wind

Patagonia isn't necessarily brutally cold. The wind is often the bigger issue.

A good windbreaker or waterproof shell can be more useful than carrying one enormous winter coat. You'll especially appreciate it around glaciers, lakes and the open landscapes of Torres del Paine.
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Bring Comfortable Walking Shoes

You don't have to be a serious hiker to enjoy this OAT adventure, but you will be walking.

Bring comfortable shoes with good traction. Some of the most spectacular scenery is found outside the cities, and you don't want uncomfortable footwear getting in the way.
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Protect Your Eyes and Skin

The combination of bright sun, high-altitude landscapes, water and glaciers can make sunglasses and sunscreen particularly important.

Pack them even if the morning looks cloudy.
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Keep Your Camera Ready

This may sound obvious, but on this trip it's worth saying:

Don't put the camera (or phone) away because you think you've already seen the best view.

The scenery changes constantly, and some of my favorite views were the ones I wasn't expecting. If you are traveling when there's likely rain, consider a waterproof clear casing to protect your phone.
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Don't Overpack

You'll be moving between several destinations and taking internal flights. OAT handles much of the complicated transportation, but that doesn't mean you want to be dragging a giant suitcase everywhere.

Pack versatile clothing that can be layered rather than a separate outfit for every possible temperature. No one on any OAT trips I've ever taken cares or monitors how many times you wear the same shirt or blouse.
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Bring An Insulated Thermos

This is now a standard Thrifty Senior Traveler piece of advice. I like that second cup of coffee midday. And, when there's coffee provided at breakfast, I pour that second cup into my insulated bottle.
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Arrive Early In Buenos Aires

We didn't do this for our Chile & Argentina adventure, but I did when I traveled to Antarctica—and I would do it again.

Arriving a day early gives you a cushion against delayed flights and gives you time to start adjusting to the time change. At this stage of my life, I find that jet lag takes me a little longer to shake off.

Buenos Aires is also a wonderful city to explore before your OAT adventure begins. There are free walking tours available through GuruWalk, making it possible to see more of the city without spending a fortune.

And, of course, no Thrifty Senior Traveler review would be complete without a cheap-eats recommendation.

My Buenos Aires Pizza Recommendation: Pizzería Güerrín

Head to Pizzería Güerrín on Avenida Corrientes, a Buenos Aires institution that has been serving its traditional pizza since 1932.

You can sit down for a meal, but for the true Thrifty Senior Traveler experience, eat at the counter. Order a slice of the classic muzzarella—or try the famous fugazzeta—and enjoy a genuine Buenos Aires pizza experience without turning lunch into a major expense.

It's historic, it's local, it's filling and, most importantly, it won't require you to take out a second mortgage.

That's my kind of pre-trip meal.

The Sweet Thrifty Senior Traveler Tip
Fans of the Thrifty Senior Traveler's website know that no travel review is complete without a McDonald's discovery.

McDonald's in Argentina can offer something you won't find at your neighborhood Golden Arches: dulce de leche. Some locations feature it in place of standard caramel or offer it as a topping on sundaes and other desserts. If you see it on the menu, try it!

And if you're an ice cream lover like me, seek out a traditional Argentine heladería and look for two distinctly Argentine flavors:

Tramontana: A creamy ice cream blended with dulce de leche and crunchy chocolate-covered pieces.

Sambayón: A rich, custard-like flavor inspired by Italian zabaglione, traditionally made with egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine.

My advice? Try both. You're in Argentina, after all. Diet food can wait until you get home. 😂

FAQ: OAT Chile & Argentina & Patagonia Travel

Is OAT Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia a good trip for first-time visitors to Patagonia?

Absolutely. For us, this was an excellent way to experience Patagonia for the first time. OAT combines the spectacular scenery with cities, local culture, food and opportunities to meet people along the way. You get much more than a quick visit to Torres del Paine or a glacier.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is the best time of year to visit Patagonia?

Remember that Patagonia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are opposite those in North America. The warmer months from roughly December through February are generally the most popular for visiting Patagonia, with longer daylight hours and more favorable conditions for outdoor activities.

That said, Patagonia's weather can change quickly at any time of year. Pack layers and be prepared for wind.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How physically demanding is the OAT Chile & Argentina tour?

You don't need to be a serious hiker to enjoy this trip.

There is walking on uneven terrain and you'll be getting on and off buses, but for me the bigger challenge was the amount of travel rather than the physical activity.

You're covering enormous distances, so expect some long days. But if you're reasonably mobile and enjoy exploring, I'd consider this an adventure—not an endurance test.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How much time do you spend traveling between destinations?

Quite a bit.

Chile and Argentina are enormous countries, and Patagonia is remote. The OAT itinerary includes internal flights as well as substantial ground transportation between destinations.

Don't let the distances on a map fool you. A few hundred miles can represent a significant travel day.

The good news is that the scenery outside the window is often spectacular.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Is Patagonia cold even during the summer?

It can be.

Summer in Patagonia generally brings milder temperatures, but cold temperatures, strong winds and rain can occur even during the summer months.

This isn't the place to pack one heavy coat and assume you're done. Bring layers, a waterproof outer layer, comfortable walking shoes and something to protect your head and hands.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Do U.S. citizens need a visa to visit Chile or Argentina?

Visa and entry requirements can change, so check the current requirements before your trip using the official government travel information for both countries.

Your passport should also have sufficient validity for your planned travel dates. Don't rely on information you found several years ago—or even last year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Is the OAT Chile & Argentina tour a good choice for solo travelers?

Yes.

OAT's small-group format means you're traveling with other people while still having your own space when you want it. And because OAT handles the transportation, hotels and much of the logistics, solo travelers don't have to navigate Patagonia's complicated geography on their own.

And always check OAT's current special offers for departures with no single supplement. For a solo traveler, that can make a significant difference in the overall cost of the trip.

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published August 28, 2026 | Last updated August 28, 2026

Traveling Solo?

OAT makes available more spaces with no single supplement than any other travel tour organizer.

This is a real benefit for men and women traveling alone.

Check their website.

And, after 19 trips, I can assure first-time solo travelers, there are now typically more solo travelers than couples. You will not feel alone!