national geographic trips to patagonia

14 amazing places to go in Patagonia for adventure, wildlife and culture

Nov 29, 2021 • 10 min read

Whether you're looking for wildlife watching experiences or to soak in some hot springs, we have the top places to visit in Patagonia for you © E+ / Getty Images

Covering a massive chunk of southern Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is packed with outdoor adventure. It has some of South America’s best hiking , white water rafting, horseback riding, and wildlife-spotting, but it also gives you the opportunity to dig deeper –  into its history, into cowboy culture, and even into the unexpected world of fusion dining at the end of the world.

This guide to the best places to visit in Patagonia will help answer all your questions about where you should go in this region of grasslands and mountains.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: go hiking and wildlife watching 

You’ll see the characteristic bell-shaped Los Cuernos range and the trident granite towers of Las Torres long before you reach the most popular of Patagonia’s national parks. Torres del Paine is the only national park in Patagonia where you can arrange a multiday bunk-hut to bunk-hut hike while carrying nothing heavier than a day pack, or else opt for camping at well-equipped designated sites.   

Chile’s pride and joy is the place for two unparalleled multi-day hikes. The "Circuit" takes you on a seven- to ten-day tour of the park’s undisputable highlights, from up-close-and-personal encounters with the two famous mountain ranges to the challenging crossing of John Gardner Pass, with unparalleled views of Glacier Grey from above. The three- to five-day "W" skips the backcountry trek and the pass crossing, but visits the three big-hitters: Glacier Grey, the French Valley, and Las Torres. Puma and guanaco sightings are frequent, particularly in the backcountry.

Ushuaia, Argentina: head here for cruises to the Antarctic

Every summer in the southern hemisphere finds Antarctica-bound travelers in Ushuaia , Argentina’s southernmost city, waiting to board one of the giant icebreakers in the harbor for the turbulent trip across stormy Drake’s Passage to the world’s remotest continent. You need at least a week to make the trip worthwhile, and money to spare. Last-minute "bargains" can sometimes be had, but you’ll need plenty of time on your hands to hang around, walking the steep streets overlooking the Beagle Channel, and hoping that there’s an empty berth with your name on it. Experienced deckhands can sign up to crew a yacht on weeks-long Antarctic trips.   

El Calafate, Argentina: be in awe of vast glaciers

Every day, fleets of buses depart the compact, hugely popular Argentinian town of El Calafate for the Perito Moreno glacier – an accessible icy spectacle, and one of the world’s few advancing glaciers. A series of boardwalks lead to various viewpoints that allow you to contemplate this shining, blue-white wall of ice. Every now then, a muffled "crack" and splash signals the calving of a house-sized chunk of ice. Tour operators in El Calafate also arrange day-long catamaran cruises to more remote glaciers, such as Glacier Upsala Glacier Spegazzini on Lake Argentina. With its proliferation of boutique hotels and hostels, and a steak-, wine- and craft beer-heavy dining scene, El Calafate is a terrific jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding natural wonders. 

Isla Navarino, Chile: experience end-of-the-world adventures

Whenever Puerto Williams – the "capital" of Chile’s Isla Navarino – is mentioned, Ushuaia turns green with envy because this tiny settlement of less than 3000 people beats the capital of Argentinian Tierra del Fuego to the title of southernmost permanently inhabited place on earth. Whether you’re swapping stories with centolla (king crab) fishers and Antarctica-bound research scientists at the town’s only bar, setting off to complete one of South America’s toughest multi-day treks – the Dientes de Navarino – or using Puerto Williams as a jumping-off spot to sail to Cape Horn, you’re likely to earn your adventurer’s stripes here. 

Futaleufú, Chile: take on a white water rafting challenge

Imagine: you and rest of the rafting crew are hunkering down on your sides of the raft, waiting for the signal from the rafting guide to dig in and start rowing again like your life depends on it. Huge turquoise river waves are battering the inflatable boat and white water spray drenches you head to foot. You wipe the water out of your eyes and get ready to ride yet another set of Class VI rapids on one of the most challenging white water rivers in the world. The rafting trips take place between December and March, and there are numerous guesthouses in the namesake town that you can base yourself at before embarking on your white water adventure.  

Península Valdés, Argentina: spot southern right whales 

Picture this: you’re on a boat just off the coast of Península Valdés, a protected chunk of land in northeast Argentina, when a mighty spout of water shoots up from the sea. “Look, a whale!” someone yells, as the waves around you begin to churn with life. Every year, in mid-June, hundreds of southern right whales come to these frigid waters to breed and can often be spotted – sometimes from the shore – until mid-December. The peninsula – also home to sea lions, seals, and over 180 species of seabirds – is reached via the town of Puerto Madryn , where you can sign up for boat tours, kayaking, and diving excursions.

El Chaltén, Argentina: the starting point for amazing day hikes

Overlooked by the three-pronged Mount Fitz Roy peak, the tiny town of El Chaltén is the trekking capital of Argentinian Patagonia. Whether you’re tackling the exposed and challenging trek to the glacial Laguna de Los Tres, ambling though southern beech forest in the private Reserve Los Huemules in the hopes of spotting a huemul (endangered deer), or just walking to the waterfall at the north end of town, there are numerous day walk options to suit all abilities. Roughing it and camping is possible but not mandatory: every evening you can choose to return to your boutique guesthouse or hostel, and grab a hot meal and craft beer at one of the town’s numerous (and sophisticated) dining options, such as La Oveja Negra or Patagonicus .

Puerto Natales, Chile: great boutique accommodations and dining

Whether you’re a trekker or climber bound for Torres del Paine National Park, an ice climber or kayaker wanting to get up close and personal with glaciers, or looking to go horseback riding in the surrounding wilderness, you’ll find yourself in Puerto Natales  – Chilean Patagonia’s second-largest town – sooner or later. It's the jumping-off point for every outdoor thrill imaginable. Luxury standouts include The Singular Patagonia (former abattoir turned 5-star hotel), Remota (estancia-meets-wilderness aesthetic), and the ship-like NOI Indigo , while boutique backpacker digs include Treehouse Patagonia, Wild and Yagan House . The dining scene runs the gamut from African-Patagonian fusion at Afrigonia, and inspired seasonal dishes at Lenga , to traditional steak and spit-roasted lamb at El Asador Patagonico, great pizza at Base Camp , and even original Calafate berry gin at the Last Hope Distillery .   

Cueva de las Manos, Argentina: home to mysterious ancient rock art

In a hidden canyon, reachable by tour or your own wheels via the towns of Perito Moreno or Bajo Caracoles from the scenic Route 40, a boardwalk leads you past a vast overhanging rock face, decorated with ancient rock art. This Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the most prominent rock art sites in Southern America, with over 800 stencilled outlines of human hands, as well as puma, guanaco (wild cousin of the llama) and ñandú (small ostrich) footprints. The ancient inhabitants of the pampas created these black, white, and ochre stencils by blowing a mix of water and different types of soil against their hand or animal foot, for purposes unknown.

Punta Arenas, Chile: explore the port city's history 

Before the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, every ship rounding Cape Horn en route from Europe to California stopped in Punta Arenas for supplies. In the 19th century, Chile’s southernmost port city by the Magellan Strait grew wealthy from trade and sheep-farming, its riches reflected in the grand stone mansions of the wool barons, the wide avenues lined with cypresses, and the elaborate marble crypts of the city cemetery. 

The cemetery is a fascinating place, the names reflecting the nationalities that shaped the city – Scottish, Croatian, Spanish, Scandinavian; you might even find the grave of Charles Milward, a relative of travel writer Bruce Chatwin. Learn about the indigenous peoples of Patagonia at the Museo Salesiano Maggiorino Borgatello , and get a glimpse into the bygone lives of some of the city’s most powerful families at the Museo Regional Braun Menendez . On the outskirts of the city, at the Museo Nao Victoria, you can admire the life-size replicas of Magellan’s ship, Darwin’s HMS Beagle ,   and the lifeboat that saved the lives of Ernest Shackleton and his crew in the Antarctic Ocean.

Puyuhuapi, Chile: soak in hot springs

If you’re driving or cycling Chile’s Carretera Austral, this historic fjordside town with its wood-shingled houses, founded in 1935 by four enterprising German settlers, makes for an excellent stopover. While thermal springs are common in Chile, Puyuhuapi is the only Patagonian town where you can soak your weary bones. Choose between Termas Ventisquero – the slightly scruffy springs a short walk from town, or arrange to stay in the plush Puyuhuapi Lodge , with private thermal pools and waterfalls, reachable via speedboat across the fjord. 

The Pampas: go horseback riding and experience rural life

In popular imagination Patagonia is synonymous with the Pampas – grasslands that stretch as far as the eye can see – and its inhabitants, the intrepid cattle herders known as gauchos in Argentina and huasos in Chile. You’ll often see them on horseback all over rural Patagonia, wearing sheepskin ponchos and berets, and sipping from flasks of yerba-mate herbal tea. Visitors can experience this rural way of life by staying on an estancia (ranch). Estancia stays can be organized from Puerto Natales (Chile) or El Calafate (Argentina); these typically include horseback riding excursions, as well as spit-roasted lamb asado (Patagonian barbecue). 

The Carretera Austral, Chile: take an epic road trip

"Southern Highway" is a bit of a misnomer, as you’ll discover if you drive Chile’s remote, iconic road. Originally constructed on Pinochet’s orders in the 1970s, and still only partially paved, it winds itself some 694 miles (1117km) from Hornopirén in the north to Villa O’Higgins in the south, traversing fog-shrouded, often rainy landscapes of lush southern forest and giant wild rhubarb, snow-tipped mountains, and misty fjords. 

Allow at least a couple of weeks to explore the unique little towns and national parks along the way. It’s possible to rent a car either in Puerto Montt , north of Hornopirén, or else in Coyhaique , the only town of any size, located halfway along the Carretera Austral. 

Punta Tombo, Argentina: see penguins and other birdlife

You smell the penguins before you see them. The presence of nearly a million Magellanic penguins – some hiding in their underground burrows, some ambling down to the sea to go fishing, others standing around and grooming themselves – is a powerful assault on your senses. The long, narrow peninsula that’s home to the largest and most accessible of the penguin colonies that dot Patagonia also attracts kelp gulls, cormorants, flightless steamer ducks, and black oystercatchers. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalks past the beach and the nesting areas; get here either via your own wheels (early in the morning) or by tour from the nearby town of Trelew.

You might also like: 12 unmissable hikes in Patagonia: wonder at the pristine wilderness    I went on a solo trip to Patagonia (and I loved it)    Argentina's best road trips promise adventure   

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Explore the Best Parks in Patagonia

The Uttermost Ends of the Earth

An immense, wild territory covering over 400,000 square miles of Chile and Argentina, Patagonia spans the entire southern tip of South America, including the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. Its wonders include two World Heritage national parks and the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field—at over 200 miles long, it’s the second-largest area of permanent ice outside the poles. On his circumnavigation of the globe in 1520, Magellan sailed the strait that now bears his name. His crew claimed to have seen patagón people—a supposedly giant race of indigenous South Americans—on the shores, which likely gave the region its name. Join us on our carefully designed itinerary, deep into this legendary and beautiful realm.

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

Loved the variety, from penguins and glaciers, to high deserts and craggy mountains.

Los Glaciares National Park

This realm of rock and ice is home to the great Southern Patagonian Ice Cap and 47 major glaciers—including some of the most accessible ones in the world. Crowning it all is the seven-summited Fitz Roy massif (11,703′), whose granite spires challenge the world’s best climbers to extraordinary feats. The sheer size of this Argentine national park is staggering, and we don’t rush your experience of it. We’ll explore three different sections of the park including the classic trails near El Chaltén. By Lago Viedma, you’ll enjoy trails and incredible views that few other travelers experience, and by Lago Argentino, the unforgettable Perito Moreno Glacier.

Visited on: Ultimate Patagonia , Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia , and Argentina Private Journey

Torres Del Paine National Park

Selected as one of the five most beautiful places in the entire world by National Geographic Magazine, Torres del Paine National Park in Chile has earned its ranking. Here a host of granite spires soar 6,500 feet straight up from the undulating Patagonian steppe, creating one of Earth’s most jaw-dropping sights. Our days are spent hiking along deep blue Lago Nordenskjold, where Paine Grande is beautifully reflected, and along the iceberg-strewn shores of Lago Grey, with impressive Grey Glacier in the distance. Our grand finale hike brings us up the Valle Ascencio trail to the ethereal green lake that lies right at the base of Paine’s sheer towers.

Visited on: Ultimate Patagonia , Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords , and Chile Private Journey

Tierra del Fuego

The archipelago at South America’s very tip is a world of its own, named by the explorer Magellan for the many campfires he saw burning along the shores. We’ll hike the wild, windswept beaches of the Beagle Channel, with the Cordillera Darwin’s snow-capped peaks rising 8,000 feet above us—it feels like the edge of the world! From charming Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica, we hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park’s native lenga and canelo forests, explore by Zodiac in the channel where Darwin sailed, and watch the antics of Magellanic penguins on Martillo Island.

Visited on: Ultimate Patagonia , Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords , and Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia

All Trips to Patagonia

Small Group Adventure

Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia

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Ultimate Patagonia

Chile, Argentina

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Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords

Argentina, Chile

From $13,295

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Argentina Private Journey

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Argentina Family Private Journey

From $4,095

Chile Private Journey

From $5,995

Cruise Collection

Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia

From $2,997

Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

From $2,375

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Our Latin America Specialists know every detail about our Patagonia trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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How to Travel to Patagonia

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Patagonia, including the best treks and places to stay.

Stretching across Chile and Argentina, Patagonia has long lured travelers to what is very nearly the end of the world. Here, in the countries' national parks, are snow-capped mountains, cobalt fjords, and old-growth forests. At the southernmost tip of the Americas, icebergs rupture with a dramatic roar from ancient, massive glaciers.

Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina are two of the region’s top highlights, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. For a complete Patagonian travel journey, consider visiting both. Of course, doing so requires a lot of logistical planning — especially during the high season. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maximize your travels in this wonderfully remote corner of the planet.

Though most hotels in the region remain open year-round, you might find amenities and activities that keep tourists comfortable and entertained throughout the busy season are unavailable during winter in the Southern Hemisphere, which is from April to September.

To avoid the crowds and still experience good weather, visit during the spring when the flowers are in bloom, or fall when the leaves are a fiery mosaic of red, orange, and yellow. The summer months (December to February) have the mildest weather, but keep in mind that temperatures average below 70 degrees and winds are strong.

Travelers should be aware that the weather in Patagonia is highly unpredictable, particularly in spring and early summer. Weather and temperatures can fluctuate without warning, and violent storms can sweep in from the Pacific. It’s helpful to pad your schedule with additional days in case you encounter inclement weather.

How to Get to Patagonia

Because distances are quite long in Chile and Argentina, you will probably want to fly to Patagonia (unless you have several days to spare for a road trip from Buenos Aires or Santiago). Airline seats fill up quickly during peak season (December to February), so you should purchase tickets as far in advance as possible: Six months is ideal. For other months in the high season (October until early May), book at least three months ahead to avoid steep fares and limited options.

In Chile, LATAM Airlines serves southern Chilean Patagonia year-round with daily flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas, a common jumping-off point for Patagonia travel, with a flight time of three and a half hours.

Sky Airlines, Chile’s low-cost provider, also flies between Santiago and both Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales — another jumping-off point to Punta Arenas' south — often stopping at Puerto Montt, though passengers usually get to stay on the plane. Sky Airlines generally offers lower fares than LATAM.

Puerto Natales fares are cheaper the earlier you book. And as for driving time, it's three hours between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, two hours between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park, and four to five hours between Punta Arenas and the park.

In Argentina, Calafate and Ushuaia are the primary entryways, both less than a four-hour flight from Buenos Aires. These destinations are serviced by LATAM Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas. Los Glaciares National Park, home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, is an hour's drive from El Calafate Airport. Another popular destination in this region is the trekking mecca El Chaltén, which is a three-hour drive from El Calafate Airport, where you can rent a car.

How to Get Around

Many of Patagonia's luxury hotels include transfers to and from the airport, as well as transportation for daily excursions. Traveling between Chile and Argentina can be done easily by land or sea. Unfortunately, there are no flights from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas to El Calafate or Ushuaia.

By sea, Australis cruises run from the end of September to the beginning of April, connecting Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. Expeditions lasting four to eight nights navigate fjords, the Avenue of the Glaciers, the Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn. Daily Zodiac rides get passengers up close to the ice and wildlife including penguin colonies and elephant seals.

For an overland trip, you can rent a car, organize a private transfer, or catch a bus. The bus company Bus-Sur connects Puerto Natales, Chile, and El Calafate, Argentina, daily during the tourist season and several times a week during the low season. The transfer takes five hours or longer, depending on how long it takes to clear customs. Book online at least a month in advance to guarantee a seat, especially during the high season.

Traveling by bus or organized tour is the most convenient way to cross the border because guides and drivers handle many of the logistics, but self-driving tourists travel between Chile and Argentina in private vehicles all the time. Do your research on the process before attempting a border crossing on your own.

What to Pack

In Patagonia, travelers will need to be ready for all kinds of weather. Since temperatures can go from freezing to 70 degrees over the course of a single day, it’s crucial that travelers pack layers. A waterproof jacket and trekking boots are essential, as are sunscreen and a pair of quality sunglasses (the sun can be extremely bright).

If you’re staying in upscale lodges, it's fine to bring a suitcase, but a backpack is needed for multiday trekking. Smaller backpacks are ideal for full- or half-day excursions. Many upscale hotels provide personal water bottles and trekking poles.

Packing Essentials

• Long thermal underwear that wicks perspiration
• Water-repellent hiking pants
• Light pullover or sweatshirt
• Fleece or down liner
• Waterproof parka or weatherproof jacket
• Hat for sun protection
• Liner or wind-stopper gloves
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Long hiking socks
• Neck gaiter
• Hiking backpack or day pack

Chilean Patagonia Travel Tips

Chile's portion of Patagonia is smaller and more rugged — i.e., less touristy — than Argentina's. Head to the Chile side to get off the beaten path and go beyond the major highlights.

Travelers flock to Patagonia to experience the otherworldly beauty of Torres del Paine National Park and spot Patagonia’s wildlife, including the Big Five: pumas, llama-like guanacos, South Andean deer known as huemul, Andean condors, and the ostrich-like rhea (or ñandú). There are also flamingos, foxes, penguins, and more than 100 species of birds. Several tour companies offer multiday puma-tracking safaris through the park.

Visitors will also want to explore the park’s old-growth forests. In the canopies of primeval southern beech trees (lenga, coihue, ñire) you can spot Magellanic woodpeckers and Austral parakeets.

Full- and half-day treks along the famous W Circuit (named for the shape of the route) offer one-of-a-kind vistas of sweeping freshwater lakes, teal lagoons, ice floes, and glimmering glaciers. The W Circuit is a roughly 50-mile trail that takes four or five days to walk and showcases major attractions. Trekkers settle into refugios (basic dorm-style shelters) or campsites for overnight stays.

Less remote, you can stroll through the colorful fishing town of Puerto Natales, or explore the region’s labyrinth of scenic fjords, where immense glaciers and marine life can be admired from the deck of a boat. On the shores of Punta Arenas, visit penguin colonies at Seno Otway or Magdalena Island and look out for sea lions and whales that populate the waters. You can also kayak the Strait of Magellan.

Where to Stay

Patagonia's luxury lodges offer all-inclusive packages that cover airport transfers, a wide range of full- and half-day excursions, and three gourmet meals per day with premium wine and cocktails. Explora is a pioneer in this category, offering dozens of expeditions led by experienced guides in Patagonia and Torres del Paine national parks. Besides that, 14 exclusive villas are the signature of Awasi , where guests have their own private guide and four-wheel drive vehicle to explore the scenery at their own pace.

Overlooking Lake Sarmiento and Paine Massif, Tierra Patagonia subscribes to an adventure spa philosophy. Guests are encouraged to unwind after jam-packed days of exploration with a massage or a session in the open-air hot tub.

For glampers, the sustainable EcoCamp is a geodesic dome hotel inside Torres del Paine National Park. Accommodations range from basic to over-the-top heated two-story tents that boast private terraces, bathrooms, and windows facing upward to the Patagonian sky. Assisted camping experiences on the trekking circuit are arranged by operators like Las Torres , Cascada Expediciones , MT Sobek , and Swoop Patagonia .

A number of upscale properties are located in and around the colorful fishing town of Puerto Natales, too. The Singular Patagonia , a property situated on the banks of the Last Hope Sound, is an early-20th-century national monument that’s been refurbished with industrial-chic accents.

At Lakutaia Lodge , on Navarino Island next to Cape Horn, guests are deeply immersed in the surrounding glaciers and fjords. But the real draw for adventurers is the opportunities to helifish and heliski.

What to Eat and Drink

Most of the lodges on private reserves offer full room and board, employing talented chefs who take advantage of locally sourced ingredients like white strawberries, rhubarb, seaweed, Patagonian honey, and gamier specialties like guanaco and Patagonian hare.

From the sea, try South American king crab, snook-and-hake ceviche, conger eel, choritos (mussels), and oysters. Wash it all down with a Chilean pisco sour or bottle of local wine.

Day Trips From Chile

Hotels in Chilean Patagonia offer a staggering array of full- and half-day excursions for just about any interest and fitness level: mountain trekking, horseback riding, cycling, kayaking, sailing scenic fjords, and glacier cruises, among others. For avid hikers, hiking to the base of Torres del Paine ("Mirador Las Torres") is a must-do. It’s a challenging, full-day out-and-back trip, but a clear view — weather depending — of the granite spires rising from the turquoise glacial lake is an ample reward.

You can take a Zodiac voyage to get up-close views of ancient, glistening glaciers. Grey Glacier is a popular destination, as are the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, accessible from the wharf in Puerto Natales. Otherwise, spend the day with Chilean cowboys at the family-run Estancia Mercedes for horseback riding along fjords.

General Tips for Visiting Chile

• When visiting during Chile’s summer months, beware of biting midges. Spray yourself with natural insect repellent at regular intervals and wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves, as these small flies are attracted to dark colors.
• If you are an avid hiker, avoid heavy crowds of backpackers in Torres del Paine National Park by traveling in November or April. ​ ​
• On challenging treks, opt for two trekking poles. They will save your knees on the descent.

Argentine Patagonia Travel Tips

Argentina's portion of Patagonia is larger and more geographically diverse than Chile's portion. Another potential benefit is that the Andes Mountains leaves Argentina in a rain shadow, meaning it stays dry while the Chilean side takes the rain that rolls in from the Pacific.

The 97-square-mile Perito Moreno Glacier — a declared UNESCO World Heritage site in Los Glaciares National Park — attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Located near El Calafate in one of the world’s most exceptional ice fields, it’s a must-see on the Argentine side of Patagonia. Boat cruises on Argentina's largest freshwater lake, Lake Argentino, will take you close enough to witness colossal icebergs fall from the glacier into the water. Some tours give visitors a chance to hike out onto the glacier wearing metal crampons.

Visiting the area’s historic estancias offers travelers a glimpse into the rural life of Patagonian ranchers. Estancia Cristina and Nibepo Aike (see below, Where to Stay) are destinations in their own right. Unspoiled landscapes and opportunities to hike, horseback ride, and visit the area’s stunning glaciers are abundant.

Three hours north by car from El Calafate is the laid-back hiking hamlet of El Chaltén, famous for its towering Fitz Roy mountain peak. The tiny frontier town is dotted with picturesque chalets and a network of scenic trails that suit every skill level.

You’ll travel to the “end of the world” in Tierra del Fuego. Its capital city, Ushuaia, is a port of arrival or departure when traveling by sea between Argentina and Chile. Take a boat cruise or catamaran trip to see penguins, sea lions, and cormorants inhabiting the legendary Beagle Channel made famous by naturalist Charles Darwin on his Beagle voyage in 1831.

Tierra del Fuego National Park offers a lush sub-Antarctic rain forest shaded with beech trees, while Glacier Martial offers a panoramic view of Ushuaia and the channel. International anglers make pilgrimages to the banks of the Rio Grande in the hope of hooking a record-breaking brown trout.

Two pleasant hotels offering relatively affordable accommodations right on the southern shore of Lake Argentino are Esplendor El Calafate Hotel and Xelena .

EOLO , 30 minutes west of El Calafate, is built on 10,000 acres of arid steppe and pampas grass with lake views. Antiques, heavy wooden furniture, and mismatched dishware give the lodge a cozy country atmosphere. Nearby, guests can take guided treks, go horseback riding, mountain biking, and bird-watching. The hotel can also arrange excursions to the Perito Moreno and Upsala Glaciers. Book one of the corner suites for an especially good view.

Further out of town is Estancia Cristina , an early-20th-century sheep ranch accessible only by the resort's boat across Lake Argentino. Set on 54,000 acres of wild Patagonian terra firma, the preserved estancia offers a menu of excursions including trekking, horseback riding, and sailing among icebergs near the Upsala Glacier.

Meanwhile, Estancia Nibepo Aike on the shore of Lake Roca is a working ranch founded by a Croatian pioneer at the turn of the 20th century. The estancia still raises cattle and sheep, granting guests the opportunity to see sheep be sheared, learn cowboy skills on horseback, and sample a traditional prepared asado (barbecue) of Patagonian lamb. Guests can also take day trips from here to explore the lesser-visited glaciers Cubo, Frías, and Dickson.

Between El Chaltén and El Calafate, you can stay at Helsingfors Lodge , a former ranch set on the shores of Lake Viedma with great food and stunning mountain views. On Lake San Martin, several hours north of El Calafate, there's also the pristine private nature reserve that houses Estancia El Cóndor , named for the nearby condor nesting sites.

Los Cerros , located on a hilltop providing epic views of El Chaltén, is the most luxe option in a backpacking haven brimming with hostels. And the exclusive Aguas Arribas Lodge , about an hour's drive north of El Chaltén, is a secluded lakeside retreat looking upon the north face of Mount Fitz Roy.

In Ushuaia, luxury properties Los Cauquenes and Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa both overlook the Beagle Channel and offer guided wilderness hikes and excursions on the water.

Most estancias offer full board with three meals per day, but there are some local delicacies you must check off your list.

El Calafate gets its name from the calafate berry (barberry), and there is a local legend that says whoever eats one will return to Patagonia. Try calafate gelato, calafate liqueur, and delicious jams made from chaura (prickly heath) and zarzaparrilla (wild currant).

Experiencing a Patagonian asado is a must at one of the estancias . Watch the asadors cook local lamb on an iron cross over a live fire and enjoy it with a glass of Patagonian pinot noir in hand. One of the best restaurants for grilled cuisine is La Tablita in El Calafate. In Ushuaia, dine on classic Argentine seafood at the restaurant Kaupé , considered one of the best in the country.

While you're in Argentina, be sure to try Beagle , a beer brewed using meltwater from nearby glaciers. However, arguably the most important and culturally significant of all Argentine drinks is mate. It's a longstanding social ritual to drink yerba mate tea, a caffeine-rich blend of dried herbs steeped in hot water, from a hollowed gourd or wooden mate cup. Of course, you must use a bombilla (a traditional straw) for the full experience. Try adding a little sugar if the taste is too bitter for your palate.

Day Trips From Argentina

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A trip to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is one of Patagonia’s most iconic excursions. Book an ice trekking adventure — big or small — with Hielo & Aventura .

Another guide company, Marpatag , takes guests on multiday glacier adventure sailings along Lake Argentino, visiting the Upsala, Spegazzini, and Perito Moreno Glaciers.

A full-day excursion to Estancia Cristina includes a boat ride past glaciers and waterfalls, too. Cañadon de los Fosiles is a 4.5-hour trek from the estancia providing views of Lake Guillermo and the Upsala Glacier before descending through a valley of ancient fossils.

El Chaltén offers a variety of scenic day hikes including the Cerro Torre Trek, which takes about six hours, and the more challenging Mount Fitz Roy Trek, an eight-hour hike to Laguna de los Tres. You can also ice hike atop the Viedma Glacier.

In Tierra del Fuego, look for marine wildlife in the Beagle Channel or visit panoramic lookout points on hikes through Tierra del Fuego National Park.

General Tips for Visiting Argentina

• Perito Moreno Glacier’s ice treks have strict age limits — typically from 18 to 65 years old — that differ by tour.
• If you plan to spend a night at Estancia Cristina, you should overnight in Calafate before and after, as the boat departs early in the morning and returns in the late afternoon.
• Avid hikers should visit El Chaltén in November or April to avoid heavy crowds.
• Outdoor equipment is expensive in Argentina, so be certain you’re well equipped before traveling.

Do Americans Need a Visa to Visit Patagonia?

The capital cities Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, both serve as gateways to Patagonia. Americans do not need a visa or to pay a reciprocity fee to enter either country.

Which side to start on is a matter of personal preference. However, if you plan to visit both countries, you can start in one city and finish in the other, so you have the opportunity to experience both.

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Plan the trip of a lifetime to Patagonia with our well-traveled team of experts. Work closely with your Southern Explorations' travel specialist to build a first class tailor-made tour over the dates of your choice. Welcome to one of the most striking landscapes on Earth. Patagonia is an enormous and vast region shared by Argentina and Chile ’s southern stretches. The raw, glacier-topped granite peaks of Torres del Paine, lakes by the thousands, and hundreds of miles of grassland plains await. Explore Patagonia with our top bucket list adventures, including stunning  Patagonia Highlights , one of the most popular hikes in the world:  the 'W' Hike , the fabulous  Luxury Patagonia & Wineries  trip and the ultimate  Full Patagonia  trip.

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10-Day Best of Patagonia Trip Itinerary

This 10-day Patagonia trip itinerary focuses on highlights for first-timers, including Argentina’s Glaciar Perito Moreno, Chile’s Torres del Paine, and one of South America’s largest penguin colonies.

Plan a morning arrival in Buenos Aires, leaving the afternoon free for sightseeing and the evening for a tango floor show.

After breakfast, fly to El Calafate (3 hours) and take an afternoon excursion to a nearby estancia for a traditional asado (barbecue). The following morning, take a full-day excursion to the groaning, deep blue Glaciar Perito Moreno.

Take a scenic morning bus trip or drive to El Chaltén (3 hours), the trekking mecca of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. With an early arrival and good weather, it’ll be a swift hike to view the glaciated needle of Cerro Torre. Spend the next morning on a full-day hike to Laguna de los Tres, with stupendous views of Cerro Fitz Roy, followed by an evening return to El Calafate.

Bus to bustling Puerto Natales (5 hours), gateway to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine . Stay overnight in Natales. The next day, plan on a scenic day hike in the vicinity or in the park (2 hours north), with afternoon options for short hikes or a horseback ride. The next morning, hike the short but strenuous trail to the tarns beneath the Torres themselves. In the evening, return to Puerto Natales.

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Travel across the Magellanic steppe to Punta Arenas (3 hours), with a short detour to the Magellanic penguin colony at Pingüinera Seno Otway, or, if the timing is right, ride the afternoon ferry to the larger colony on Isla Magdalena, in the Strait of Magellan. There are also quicker Zodiac trips to Isla Magdalena.

From Punta Arenas, a morning flight to Chile’s underrated capital, Santiago (3 hours), leaves the afternoon free for sightseeing and a seafood lunch at the Mercado Central , followed by a nighttime departure. A later departure from Punta Arenas could mean time to visit that city’s exceptional Museo Regional Salesiano and then transfer directly to the international flight home.

Wayne Bernhardson

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Moon Patagonia

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6 Of The Most Unique Travel Routes through Patagonia

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 24th January 2024

An inhospitable landscape of snow-capped peaks and sun-scorched plains, Patagonia has captured the imaginations of explorers for centuries and remains an irresistible spot for modern adventurers.

If you want to encounter wildlife in abundance, looming mountains and more glacial lakes than you knew existed, check out these six unique travel routes through Patagonia for discovering these wild, breathtaking lands at their best.

1. Cruise through the Chilean fjords on a passenger ferry

Given you’re never more than 350 km from the Pacific Ocean in Chile, exploring this country by boat is essential.

In fact, for many Patagonians on the Chilean side, passenger ferries and cargo ships-turned-passenger-liners are a standard form of transport and one which – if you’re lucky with the weather – offers truly sensational views.

If this style of travel floats your boat, jump on board from Puerto Montt at the very top of Patagonia or Quellón on the southern tip of archipelago Chiloé.

Sit back and relax as you voyage through the fjords to the port towns of Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Natales further south (but before you do, read this article about the Navimag ferries).

Why explore Patagonia this way?

Passing coastline fringed with national parks, temperate Valdivian forest and gently smoking volcanoes, these ferries are a unique form of adventure travel in this part of Patagonia.

You’ll likely see Commerson’s and bottlenose dolphins, penguins, sea lions, albatrosses and even blue and humpback whales.

You’ll also mingle with locals for whom this form of transport is a regular part of their lives, and have the chance to discover how true is the claim that Patagonians are among the friendliest people in the world.

2. Motorbike through Argentine Patagonia along Ruta 40

Argentina’s longest road, Ruta 40 weaves a dusty track between desert, vineyards and glacial peaks before hitting Ushuaia – the world’s southernmost city.

For a glorious way of traversing Patagonia, pick it up in Bariloche and prepare yourself for the staggering natural monuments and windswept steppe of Argentine Patagonia.

Two wheels and a tank of gas are all you need for Argentina’s favourite road trip.

Stops along the way are numerous and impressive: to start, enjoy the watery landscapes and hiking trails of Nahuel Huapí National Park and the craft beer in bohemian hop centre, El Bolson .

Further south, find 12,000-year-old hand prints and cave paintings at the Cave of Hands, discover El Chaltén and Monte Fitz Roy, Argentina’s self-proclaimed hiking capital and learn about perspective by standing at the base of the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier.

Argentina economy update

The Argentine economy is a huge mess at the moment, with inflation expected to hit 200% this year. Using Argentine pesos can therefore be a nightmare – and mean you lose a lot of money. The blue dollar (an unofficial exchange rate that gives you a better conversion than the official rate) is around, but if you want to avoid carrying lots of cash, you can now pay using your credit card and get an exchange rate similar to the blue dollar rate. You must choose to pay in Argentine pesos (not USD!) to secure this rate.

Both Mastercard and Visa give you what is called the MEP rate, which is almost as good as the blue dollar rate. Mastercard will charge you the official rate but refund you the money a few days later; Visa will charge you the MEP rate from the beginning.

If you do want to have some Argentine pesos for paying in cash (which I highly recommend as you will need them for some restaurants and attractions), it’s best to use Western Union, whereby you send cash to yourself using the Western Union app and then withdraw it in Argentine pesos from one of their branches in Argentina. Bear in mind, those in El Calafate and Ushuaia can run dry of notes, so it can be easiest to do this in Buenos Aires.

Additionally, you can bring USD (unmarked and untorn hundred dollar bills), which you can exchange at “cuevas” (unofficial exchange houses). These will be able to give you the blue dollar rate and any hotel owner will be able to tell you where your nearest one is. Souvenir shops in most parts of the country will be able to give you pesos in exchange for dollar bills – although they might not give you the best rate.

Avoid cash machines. Currently, the maximum withdrawal is the equivalent of $15 USD in Argentine pesos and it will cost you $10 USD in fees.

Finally, cross the Strait of Magallanes to finish this travel route through Patagonia at the harbour in Ushuaia as you overlook the Beagle Channel at the “End of the World”.

Interested? Check out this guide to driving in Argentine and Chilean Patagonia .

3. Trek through the evocative landscapes of Torres del Paine

Part stupendous scenery and part epic adventure destination, Torres del Paine National Park is a backpacker favourite in the south of Chile.

The famous granite Paine Massif (peaks) after which the park is named have become the site of the classic Patagonian photo – and for good reason: they’re spectacular at dawn.

The Circuit (an eight- to ten-day hike) receives less footfall than the more conventional ‘W’ , but it definitely knocks the socks off its shorter cousin.

The key challenges of the trek, the unforgiving mountain ascents and battling the winds that ravage the park, pale into insignificance against the dramatic vistas of glaciers, meltwater-blue lakes and towering mountains.

Yes, it’s likely the most tourist-packed of these travel routes through Patagonia, but it’s still worth facing the crowds. Believe me, the experience of being in the wild heart of the region more than compensates.

Whether you go all out with the full Circuit or pick the shorter route, the inhospitable yet breathtaking terrain of this iconic part of Patagonia will leave you with the feeling of having conquered one of the globe’s most beautiful walks.

4. Kayak to Cape Horn, Chile’s southernmost tip

The act of “rounding the horn” (or passing around the fabled promontory, Cape Horn at the far south of South America) remains the stuff of legend in maritime circles, particularly given the grizzly history of this perilous stretch ocean.

Once the watery grave of many an unlucky sailor, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that kayaking this route is best suited to expert paddlers.

Not only do you gain bragging rights for navigating dangerous conditions and paddling to the “Ends of the Earth”, you’ll likely come across a wealth of sea birds and marine wildlife.

The symbolic albatross, which represents lost sailors, graces the skies here, while killer whales, sea lions and dolphins splash in the waves and bear witness as you conquer one of nature’s most epic challenges to man.

5. Drive Patagonia’s most beautiful road, the Carretera Austral

The stretch of road between Puerto Montt and Villa O’Higgins in Chilean Patagonia is known as the Carretera Austral, a route populated by tiny, charming towns and even more bewitching national parks and reserves.

With this backdrop of ancient, virgin forests, glacial lakes, thermal springs, and immense glaciers, the Carretera Austral is Patagonia’s most spectacular road .

While still a remote, unpaved dirt track at points, it grants access to some of Patagonia’s lesser-known sights, such as the Hanging Glacier in Queulat National Park, the looming San Rafael Glacier near Río Tranquilo and the active Chaitén volcano in Parque Pumalín.

What’s more, renting a car in Chile Patagonia is significantly cheaper than across the border and so the Carretera Austral has unsurprisingly become one of the most popular travel routes through Patagonia for foreigners and Chileans alike.

I always recommend Rental Cars because they can help you find the cheapest rental vehicle and provide insurance documents in English.

But to fully capitalise on this way of exploring Patagonia, pack a tent and a stove and be ready to wild camp wherever you choose; the area is overflowing with picture-perfect pitches and plenty of other adventures awaiting discovery .

6. Cycle barely-ridden routes to cross the Chilean-Argentine border

Traversing the Andes that straddle the Argentine/Chilean border is always an interesting ride for cyclists, but this one manages to take Patagonian border crossings to the next level.

The route between Villa O’Higgins in Chile and El Chaitén in Argentina includes fording a river – the glacial waters of the appropriately named Río Obstáculo – and two boat crossings, before the final downhill stretch that finishes with splendid views of Monte Fitz Roy.

Patagonia is pretty hot on exceptional landscapes, but as tourism gains popularity, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find the real draw of the region: its silent, undisturbed nature.

Cycling anywhere in the area is an excellent way of experiencing these distinctive Patagonian delights; however, this particular stretch is regarded as one of the most remote and challenging.

Cyclists are sometimes required to carry their bikes, while the unavailability of definite boat timetables mean you’ll probably end up passing a few days waiting for the next ferry.

But if the idea of being practically alone in the deep Patagonian wilderness is the stuff of your adventurous dreams, then this is the ultimate travel route through Patagonia for you.

Enjoyed this guide to Patagonia’s most unique travel routes? Share it with others by pinning it!

Thursday 19th of September 2019

As a retired engineer, I thoroughly research every step of my trips, including an upcoming journey to Chile. Your website is by-far the best organized, must thoroughly researched, and most useful one I have found on the web. You have validated many things I slowly learned through painstaking time spent making arrangements. You must provide great travel planning services.

Also, when visiting Puerto Natales in November (of 2000) I was frustrated with consistently ugly skies. One tour guide said Feb was usually much better weatherwise. Has that been your experience?

Thanks for the great service you provide many many travelers.

Czickontheroad

Friday 2nd of November 2018

Great post, we are planing our trip to Patagonnia for January and Ferbuary and I see I will be reading loads of your articles. Thank you :)

Sunday 5th of February 2017

Wow, these are look absolutely incredible. Would love to get cycling out there - can't imagine a more amazing way to see Patagonia!

Steph Dyson

Monday 6th of February 2017

I met so many cyclists when I was travelling and I was very jealous of their freedom; it really is possible to go wherever you want in Patagonia (and particularly the barely discovered parts) if you have your own transport. Happy travels!

Iftekhar Idris Asif

Saturday 4th of February 2017

Far from Asia, but still attracting me like magnets. I wish I could visit the place.

Torres del Paine sounds wonderful! Maybe I will get there one day.

You really should do! It's one of the most beautiful national parks I've ever visited!

Passing Thru Travel

15 Best Places in Patagonia To Visit in 2024

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

Patagonia, a region shared by Argentina and Chile, is a land of awe-inspiring natural beauty. Known for its rugged landscapes, towering mountains, and pristine glaciers, Patagonia is a haven for adventurers and nature lovers alike. This guide takes you through the most breathtaking destinations in Patagonia, each offering a unique experience of this wild and untamed region. Patagonia’s diverse landscapes promise an unforgettable journey from the iconic Torres del Paine to the remote Tierra del Fuego.

1. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park, a highlight of Chilean Patagonia, is renowned for its dramatic peaks, bright blue icebergs, and vast pampas. The park’s network of trails, including the famous W Trek and the O Circuit, offers some of the world’s best trekking experiences. Hikers are treated to stunning views of the park’s namesake towers, the Paine Massif, and the Grey Glacier. The diverse ecosystems within the park, from steppe to subpolar forests, are home to an array of wildlife, including guanacos and condors.

Insider’s Tip: Book refugios or campsites well in advance if you plan to trek.

When To Travel: The best time to visit is during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, from November to early March.

How To Get There: Fly to Punta Arenas in Chile and then take a bus or a rented car to the park.

2. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

The Perito Moreno Glacier, part of Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, is one of the most accessible and dynamic glaciers on the planet. Visitors can witness the awe-inspiring sight of ice calving from the glacier into Lake Argentino. The park offers various viewing platforms and boat tours for different perspectives of this natural wonder. Unlike many other glaciers worldwide, Perito Moreno is one of the few still growing, making it a particularly fascinating site for glaciology enthusiasts.

Insider’s Tip: Take a guided glacier walk on the ice for a memorable experience.

When To Travel: Visit between October and April for milder weather.

How To Get There: Fly to El Calafate in Argentina, and then it’s a short drive to the glacier.

3. Fitz Roy Mountain, Argentina

Fitz Roy Mountain, near the small town of El Chaltén, is a paradise for experienced hikers and climbers. The mountain’s iconic jagged peaks present one of the world’s most challenging and rewarding climbs. For those seeking less strenuous activities, numerous trails like Laguna de los Tres offer breathtaking views of Fitz Roy and the surrounding Patagonian landscape. The town of El Chaltén itself is a charming base for exploring the region, with cozy accommodations and local eateries.

Insider’s Tip: Start your hike early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the best views.

When To Travel: Trekking season runs from November to April.

How To Get There: Fly to El Calafate and then take a bus to El Chaltén.

4. Tierra del Fuego, Argentina and Chile

Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago off the southern tip of South America, is a land of stark contrasts and extreme beauty. Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, is the gateway to this remote region. Here, visitors can explore the Tierra del Fuego National Park, take boat trips along the Beagle Channel, or embark on expeditions to Antarctica. The region’s unique flora and fauna, including Magellanic penguins and Andean foxes, make it a fascinating destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the End of the World Museum in Ushuaia to glimpse the area’s history.

When To Travel: The best time is during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, from December to March.

How To Get There: Fly to Ushuaia from major cities in Argentina or Chile.

5. Marble Caves, Chile

The Marble Caves on Lake General Carrera are a breathtaking natural formation. Millennia of waves washing against calcium carbonate have sculpted these caves into stunning formations. The caves’ walls, with their swirling patterns of blue and grey, are a photographer’s dream, especially when reflected in the lake’s azure waters. Accessible only by boat, the caves offer a serene and otherworldly experience.

Insider’s Tip: Take a boat or kayak tour for the best views of the caves.

When To Travel: Visit between September and February for the best weather.

How To Get There: Fly to Balmaceda, then drive to Puerto Río Tranquilo, where tours to the caves are available.

6. Valdés Peninsula, Argentina

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Natalia Di Marco The Valdés Peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its unique marine wildlife and rugged coastline. It’s one of the best places in the world to see Southern Right Whales, which come close to shore between June and December. The peninsula also hosts large colonies of sea lions, elephant seals, and various bird species. Its steppe-like interior and dramatic coastline offer stunning landscapes and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Insider’s Tip: Take a whale-watching tour between June and December to see Southern Right Whales.

When To Travel: Wildlife viewing is best from September to March.

How To Get There: Fly to Puerto Madryn or Trelew, then drive to the peninsula.

7. Cerro Castillo, Chile

Cerro Castillo, less crowded than Torres del Paine, offers equally stunning scenery for those willing to venture off the beaten path. The trek around Cerro Castillo takes you through diverse landscapes, including forests, alpine meadows, and high mountain passes, with the castle-like peaks of Cerro Castillo as a constant backdrop. The trek is challenging but rewards hikers with incredible views of glaciers, turquoise lakes, and the Patagonian wilderness.

Insider’s Tip: Pack for all weather conditions, as the weather can change rapidly.

When To Travel: The trekking season is from November to April.

How To Get There: Fly to Balmaceda and then drive or take a bus to Villa Cerro Castillo.

8. Cape Horn, Chile

At the southernmost tip of the South American continent, Cape Horn is a legendary location known for its challenging sailing conditions and rich maritime history. Cruises to this remote area offer a unique opportunity to experience the wild beauty of the southern seas and the sense of adventure that comes with reaching the “end of the world.” The area is also significant for its unique flora and fauna adapted to harsh conditions.

Insider’s Tip: Choose a cruise that includes lectures on the region’s history and wildlife.

When To Travel: Cruises run during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, from December to March.

How To Get There: Cruises to Cape Horn typically depart from Ushuaia.

9. Los Alerces National Park, Argentina

Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Argentina, is known for its ancient Alerces trees, some of which are over 3,000 years old. The park’s lakes, rivers, and forests offer a serene setting for hiking, kayaking, and fishing. The park is a testament to Argentina’s commitment to conservation, with well-maintained trails and minimal-impact tourism practices. The park’s diverse ecosystems are home to various wildlife, including deer, pumas, and several bird species.

Insider’s Tip: Explore the Arrayanes Forest for a magical walk among unique cinnamon-colored trees.

When To Travel: Visit from October to April for the best weather.

How To Get There: Fly to Esquel and then drive to the park.

10. Pumalín Park, Chile

Pumalín Park, one of the largest private parks in the world, is a testament to conservation efforts in Chilean Patagonia. Created by conservationist Douglas Tompkins, the park spans over 400,000 hectares of temperate rainforests, fjords, and waterfalls. Visitors can hike through pristine forests, kayak along untouched fjords, and witness the park’s commitment to environmental preservation firsthand. The park’s infrastructure, including trails and campgrounds, is designed to minimize human impact on the environment.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the park’s environmental information centers to learn about its conservation efforts.

When To Travel: The best time to visit is from December to March.

How To Get There: Fly to Puerto Montt, then drive or take a ferry to the park.

11. El Chaltén, Argentina

El Chaltén, often called Argentina’s trekking capital, is the gateway to some of Patagonia’s most iconic trails. The town offers a range of trekking options, from easy day hikes to challenging multi-day expeditions. The surrounding landscapes of glaciers, lakes, and mountains provide a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities. In addition to trekking, visitors can enjoy rock climbing, horseback riding, and fishing.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the Los Condores viewpoint for a stunning panoramic view of the town and surrounding peaks.

When To Travel: Trekking season is from October to April.

12. Laguna San Rafael National Park, Chile

Laguna San Rafael National Park is home to the San Rafael Glacier, one of the largest and most actively calving glaciers in the Chilean Patagonia. The park offers boat tours that provide close-up views of the glacier and the icebergs in the lagoon. The park’s remote location and stunning ice landscapes make it a must-visit for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can also explore the surrounding rainforests and spot wildlife such as sea lions and dolphins.

Insider’s Tip: Take a boat tour that includes visiting the hot springs at Quitralco Fjord.

When To Travel: The best time for boat tours is from October to April.

How To Get There: Access is mainly by boat or plane from Coyhaique or Puerto Chacabuco.

13. King Penguin Colony, Tierra del Fuego, Chile

The King Penguin Colony on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego offers a unique opportunity to observe these majestic birds. Located at Parque Pingüino Rey, the colony is one of the few places outside Antarctica where you can see king penguins in their natural habitat. The park provides a respectful and sustainable way to observe the penguins, with designated viewing areas to minimize disturbance.

Insider’s Tip: Respect the penguins’ space and observe them from a distance to avoid disturbing them.

When To Travel: Penguins can be seen year-round, but the best time is during the breeding season, from September to March.

How To Get There: Fly to Punta Arenas, take a ferry and drive to the park.

14. Bariloche, Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche, known simply as Bariloche, offers a unique combination of stunning natural landscapes and a lively city atmosphere. Bariloche is located in Argentina’s Lake District, a hub for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking. The city’s Swiss-style architecture and renowned chocolate shops add to its charm, making it a popular destination year-round. In winter, Bariloche transforms into a ski resort, while the summer months are perfect for exploring the surrounding lakes and mountains.

Insider’s Tip: Take the cable car to Cerro Campanario for one of the best views in the region.

When To Travel: Visit from December to March for outdoor activities and pleasant weather.

How To Get There: Fly to Bariloche Airport, with regular flights from Buenos Aires.

15. Aysén Region, Chile

The Aysén Region in Chilean Patagonia is a secluded paradise for adventurers. Less crowded and largely untouched, it offers a wilderness experience that includes the Northern Patagonian Ice Field and numerous fjords. The Carretera Austral, a scenic route through the region, leads to remote beauty spots ideal for hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Aysén’s rugged terrain and pristine landscapes are perfect for those seeking an immersive nature experience away from tourist trails.

Insider’s Tip: Plan a road trip along the Carretera Austral for a unique way to explore the region’s diverse landscapes.

When To Travel: The best time to visit is during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, from December to March.

How To Get There: Fly to Balmaceda Airport and rent a car for the best exploration experience.

The Bottom Line

Patagonia is a land of endless natural wonders, offering experiences that range from witnessing colossal glaciers to trekking through pristine forests. Each destination in this vast region presents an opportunity to connect with nature and witness the raw beauty of one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. As you plan your journey through Patagonia, remember that the true essence of this place lies in its wild and untamed spirit, inviting you to explore and discover its many treasures.

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The post 15 Best Places in Patagonia To Visit in 2024 republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Olga Danylenko.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Bugging Out! For Insect Week

• Jun 25, 2024
• Exploration & Adventure

Insect Week 2024 is here, and we’re celebrating all things insect with our pal, Dr. Isaí Madriz .

Dr. Madriz, an entomologist, zoologist, National Geographic Explorer, and Fulbright Fellow, has devoted his career to exploring insect diversity through images and stories of exploration, science, and human connections.

During his expeditions, Isaí relies on Iridium to keep him connected with colleagues, friends, family, and help should it be needed—utilizing the Iridium GO! ®, Iridium GO! exec ®, and Iridium Extreme ®.

What better way to celebrate Insect Week than with all the creepy, crawly (and sometimes cute!) creatures that play a critical role in our ecosystem. Isaí’s work is a testament to how little things make a big difference in the world around us.

Dr. Madriz explores the remote Bernard glacier at the southern end of the southern Patagonia Ice Field.

Learn more about some of the insects Isaí has found on his #IridiumConnected adventures:

Caterpillar & Wasps

The pale-colored oblong structures on top of this caterpillar are cocoons of minute parasitoid wasps. Once the adult wasp emerges, it flies away to repeat the cycle. The caterpillar continues its life in the Patagonian steppe, unaware that it will never reach adulthood.

Owl Butterfly

Resting on a Heliconia plant in Costa Rica are an owl butterfly (top left) and a blue morpho (bottom right). The owl butterfly exhibits the impressive ventral coloration of its wings, its forewing reveals a pattern mimicking a snake head and its hindwing coloration resembles an owl’s eye. On the other side of the plant, the blue morpho displays the blue iridescence of the dorsal side of its wings.

For most of their lives, these moth flies feed on decaying wood inside southern beech tree trunks. The larva (center) searches for a safe place to begin its metamorphosis. The developing adult will break open the larval skin and turn into a pale-yellow pupa (left). The horn-like protrusions on its head are the respiratory structures which must remain unobstructed during the metamorphosis process to ensure survival. As it nears the final moments of transformation within the pupal skin, the adult develops its final coloration (right) to complete its life cycle.

Click Beetle

The largest click beetle in Patagonia is feeding on a golf ball-sized fungus that parasitizes southern beech trees.

In the splash zone of a remote waterfall in Patagonia, a solitary midge emerges from its pupal skin next to a leafy liverwort. This individual will continue the evolutionary cycle that has made this group successful colonizers of this unique microhabitat.

Diving Beetle Larva

In the clear and gelid waterways of Chilean Patagonia, a predaceous diving beetle larva remains motionless while waiting for its prey to swim by.

Under the dense canopy cover of the temperate rainforest of Patagonia, this weevil feeds on the nutritious juices that flow under the exposed bark of a southern beech tree branch.

Follow Dr. Madriz on Social Media : Instagram: @IsaiMadriz | Facebook: Isaí Madriz | X: @IsaiMadriz

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All aboard the slow train to Patagonia, a relic of a bygone era

Long-distance rail travel is dying out, but this journey through Argentina promises extraordinary views of remote landscapes.

The last train to Patagonia leaves at 6 p.m. on Fridays from Viedma , a small city on Argentina ’s Atlantic coast. Eighteen hours and 513 miles later—having crossed the country from east to west—it arrives in Bariloche, a picturesque mountain town in the foothills of the snowcapped Andes.

The Tren Patagónico is the only regularly scheduled, long-distance passenger train left operating in this vast region of southern Argentina and Chile . Carrying people, vehicles, and freight, it traverses territory so epic and remote that you can look out the window for hours and only see brown, gently rolling steppe that seems to stretch on forever.

There is hope that long-distance trains may make a comeback in Argentina, a country which had an extensive railroad network in the 20th century. One major route recently reopened between Buenos Aires and Mendoza , the third largest city in the nation, after 30 years out of service.

Still, save for a few tourist lines, Tren Patagónico is the only one remaining in Patagonia. As I wait on the platform in Viedma to take the train myself, a bell tolls and the locomotive lets out a sigh. The train sets off towards the setting sun, and soon the lonely landscape around us plunges into total darkness.

A nostalgic ride

First light comes between Los Menucos and Maquinchao, violet dawn behind low, rolling hills. Rabbits, sheep, and ostrich-like rheas hurry away from the tracks as the train rumbles past. After seven o’clock, passengers take their seats for breakfast at old wooden tables draped with green cloth. This was the site of card games and conversation over cheap bottles of Malbec wine last night, but at this hour, it is maté , a typical South American tea, that is passed from hand to hand.

The train carries a curious mix of restless travelers, nearly all of them Argentine. Some are tourists; among them, a group of retired history teachers, and a pair of pharmacists on a motorcycle tour of the country, their bikes stored away as vehicle freight. “This is a dream. A dream!” one of the pharmacists says. He is 58 years old and has never been aboard a long-distance train before.  

The majority of the passengers, however, are locals who live in the solitary towns along its route, barely reached by public transportation. They take the train to Viedma or Bariloche to study, work, and transport supplies. In times of natural emergencies—volcanic eruptions, major snowstorms—the train has also brought critical aid and supplies when the towns are cut off by road.

Nearly everyone I meet recalls the days when rail travel was much more common in Argentina. The country’s extensive railroad network—more than 29,000 miles of track at its midcentury peak—grew from an immigration boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Largely English and Italian companies operated lines to move fruit, wool, meat, and grain from the fertile countryside to Buenos Aires. This frontier expansion also involved the vast displacement of Indigenous communities across the territory.

( Saddle up for stellar views and gaucho culture in Patagonia .)

“The train changed everything around here,” says Poli Lefiu, a local rancher, at the station stop of Maquinchao. Born in a remote outpost on the range, Lefiu, the descendant of generations of Patagonian ranchers of Indigenous Tehuelche and Mapuche origins, is intimately familiar with this land. “When the train started to run, people came to sell to the passengers in Maquinchao and all of the small towns,” Lefiu says of the first decades of the 20th century. “They would arrive in horse-drawn carts with wood-fired stoves atop their wagons, to grill meat and lamb on the side of the tracks for people to eat.”

Many of the Tren Patagónico’s present-day stops were founded with the train’s arrival. Everywhere, there is evidence of the past. Small cluster of trees mark wells where the train stopped to refill with water. Ghost towns stand entirely abandoned since the 1990s, when the Argentine government launched an effort to break up the state-owned railways into private entities, leading to a devastating decline in service. It is striking, then, to see the Tren Patagónico now—so full of people and freight on a Saturday morning in late summer, rumbling across the empty steppe and leaving hazy trails of dust in its wake.

Connecting communities

My Argentine grandfather, who lives in New York , spoke longingly of the summers when he took the steam train from Buenos Aires to Bariloche himself. “In those days, the trip was direct from the capital,” Abuelo told me by phone before I set off. “The cars were made of wood, and we slept on the floor.”

For today’s passengers, the Tren Patagónico offers sleeping cabins and coach-class Pullman cars with large, reclining seats. The sleeper cars are occupied largely by tourists. The Pullman coaches, by contrast, are filled with locals who use the service out of need; most have brought with them pillows, blankets, and coolers filled with food for the long trip. Children sleep sideways across their parents’ laps and large bottles of supermarket-brand soda roll around at people’s feet. Everyone else seems to be passing around interminable cups of maté.

Demand for this once-weekly service is so high that tickets must be reserved many weeks, if not months, in advance. “If it weren’t for the train, I’m not sure we could do this, economically speaking,” María Montesino, 29, tells me. She is moving her family across the country, traveling in a two-person sleeping cabin crammed with three of her five children and all their possessions: a television, a speaker, bags upon bags of clothes, and a Hello Kitty backpack stuffed with shoes.

I’d first happened across Montesino and a dozen of her relatives on the platform in Viedma, saying their goodbyes through choked sobs just minutes before the train was scheduled to depart. As with so much else on this old, legendary route—from the well-dressed waiters gliding through the restaurant car to the worn-down station buildings made of stone—it was a scene that could have been drawn from another century.

( See the world’s most epic landscapes on these nine train trips .)

Rafael Huerao sits quietly in his coach seat, dressed in a button-down shirt with a short velvet tie and a wide-brimmed hat, a guitar resting between his legs. He is a payador,   a folk singer who specializes in duels of verse. “I am off to a festival near Bariloche,” he says. Before I know it, he stands up and starts performing. The other passengers in the car are captivated, many of them singing and clapping along. “It’s been a long time since someone got up and sang like this,” says one older man traveling alone.

Out the window, the land changes faster now. After the small town of Ingeniero Jacobacci, the train begins to climb out of the steppe and into the Andean foothills, crossing high bridges over dried-up rivers, and winding through narrow canyons of sheer rock. Bariloche isn’t far.  

Passing one ranch house, I catch a glimpse of a little boy and his mother standing halfway along the driveway towards the tracks, waving to the train. Almost as soon as they appear, they are out of sight, replaced by the long and lonely land. It is comforting to move through so much vastness in good company, I think to myself, and so I take a seat and enjoy the music.

Related Topics

• TRAIN TRIPS
• CULTURAL TOURISM

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