Thoughts on Argentina itinerary?

Don't know if your agent has accommodation available in TDP and El Chalten. Hope so, because it is peak season and there are limited beds in both. I would say choose El Chalten over Torres del Paine. Going and returning from Chile is going to eat a chunk of your time which might be better used enjoying treks. One day trekking in TDP is hardly worth the hassle. El Chalten is about 3 hours by bus from El Calafate. By private transfer directly to TDP from EC is about 5 hours, more if going via Puerto Natales which usually requires an overnight before heading to the park. It would also allow for possible bad weather days, which can happen.

Do Torres del Paine. It's better. It's beautiful.The advantage of El Chalten is Cerro Torre. A beautiful peak. It's difficult to climb. Do El Chalten if you can climb. Freeclimb (grade 8a).

We are not climbers. We enjoy hiking and have done some challenging hikes, but no technical climbing skills!

Agree with femby: go to El Chalten. You save on travel time, and the day hikes are (arguably) better around El Chalten than around TdP park. February is still peak season, but not nearly as peak as December/January, so you should be okay for lodging if you book a bit in advance. If you can`t get a hotel, you can always take a tent. I haven't yet heard of El Chalten running out of camping spaces (I have read reports of camping trouble at TdP, but generally only in the busiest times of year).

Other than that, the trip looks nice. 1 or 2 days in Bs. As. is really not much, but given your time limits and your apparent preference for natural beauty over city slicking, it seems like a good compromise.

El Calafate: You only need half day to see Glacier Perito Moreno--a must. Another day if you want to do ice trek--recommend the Big Ice Trek for Calafate. If you want to do the mini one, I'd do it in Chalten where it will be less crowded. There isn't much to see in Calafate itself.

Trekking: You get far better view and less work in Chalten than on the W Circuit at TDP. After a long day trek, you can come back to warm bed, hot meal, and nice cold beer because the town is right in the park.

If you're into photography and can drive stick shift, I'd consider renting a car. Best view in TDP is from a distance rather on the W Circuit trail--it is truly breathtaking. The road there is bumpy since it is not paved. The road from Calafate to Chalten should be fully paved now--it is definitely flat.

Beside tango, catch a football game in BA if you can. It is an experience to be the stadium there.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/youngadventure/albums/72157606099464078

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