I’ve got about 10 days available over the last week of July/first week of August for a solo trip. I found cheap air tickets using miles and was planning to go to Portillo because they have a hostel style lodging option. Unfortunately the available dates don’t work out perfectly, and so I need a little advice on how to do this.

I arrive in Santiago early on Wednesday 7/29 and depart late on Saturday 8/8. I’d like to have a couple nights in Santiago as well.

I can get a bunk in the Inca Lodge for 3 nights 7/29-8/1, or 4 nights 8/1-8/5. For some reason it won’t let me book 7/29-8/5, though that might be a solvable problem.

Could anyone who has been there give an opinions on:

A short trip somewhere else and then 4 nights at Portillo.

Vs.

Start with three nights at Portillo and then move to another ski area for a few days.

Vs.

Combining two reservations and having 7 nights at Portillo.

And if “somewhere else” is preferred, where should that be?