Patagonia is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Travellers will be happy to find everything, from the soaring granite peaks and crystal-clear lakes to lush forests and dramatic coastlines. If you’re interested in visiting the stunning region, refer to our list of must-visit places in Patagonia.
Visit the Torres del Paine National Park
The Torres del Paine National Park is a protected area that has become
Patagonia’s most visited site, thanks to its incredibly stunning landscapes of shimmering glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, and the towering granite rocks of the Paine Massif. It offers many fun activities, such as hiking the W trek, which takes you through the park’s finest terrains and taking shorter day hikes.
Most visitors to Torres del Paine National Park would come here to hike the W trek, a 5-day hike taking you to the park’s most breathtaking locations. You will walk through well-marked paths and sleep on pitched tents in a campground. It may not be an easy trek, but the epic views will make it well worth it, especially along Glacier Grey, a spectacular glacier along the western section of the Paine Massif.
If you can’t do the entire 5-day W trek, you can hike small sections of the trail. For instance, you can climb towards Mirador Las Torres, a stunning viewpoint, where you can admire the park’s panoramic views. Despite being a short trail, it can be challenging, especially for beginners. But those up for the challenge will be rewarded with the most stunning views!
See the Paine Massif
One Patagonia’s most stunning attractions is the Paine Massif, which you’ll find within the Torres del Paine National Park. In fact, most trekking routes within the park will take you to viewing points, where you can admire the breathtaking view of these iconic triple peaks.
One of the trekking routes will take you to the lookout at Base Torres, at the foot of the Paine Massif. Although you can complete the hike within the day, it can be strenuous and requires you to have a good level of physical fitness. However, your efforts will be rewarded by the stunning views once you get to the base of the massif.
The trekking route starts at Las Torres Hostel, taking you to the Ascencio River before ascending for 1.5 miles until you reach a lookout, where you can admire panoramic views of the valley below the surrounding mountains. The trek continues towards a lush forest before reaching a steep ascent that includes a scramble before the final path leading to a lagoon with a viewing point.
Experience El Chaltén
You might want to check out some luxury tours around Patagonia when planning your trip. It’s the perfect way to discover the region’s top attractions, including El Chaltén, a lovely village within the Los Glaciares National Park, and the getaway to the hiking trails surrounding Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy.
Your trip to Patagonia will be about discovering nature, and the best place to immerse in the region’s unspoiled beauty is to hike in El Chalten. You can tackle numerous trekking routes in El Chalten, ideal for all hiker levels. Some trails will treat you to the spectacular views of Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. The best way to hike El Chalten is to combine several routes and sleep at the various campsites you’ll come across along the journey.
Several trails in El Chalten will lead to the park’s main viewpoints. The duration of the trek will vary, ranging from two to ten hours from the town. For an easy trek, take the Los Condores trail, which takes around two hours, about a 3 km roundtrip. When tackling this route, it’s ideal to start at sunrise, where you’ll see the stunning reflections of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Witness Perito Moreno Glacier
Patagonia is also home to one of the world’s most impressive glaciers, the Perito Moreno Glacier, which you’ll also find within the Los Glaciares National Park. It’s a must-see on your visit to the park and a highlight for your trip to Patagonia.
Perito Moreno Glacier is a vast glacier tucked away in the southwest of Los Glaciares National Park, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and lush forests. Featuring 600,000 hectares of glacial lakes, Perito Moreno Glacier was formed after large amounts of snow accumulated faster than it melted, resulting in enormous masses of ice. As years go by, the ice becomes compacted, leading to the formation of an ice river.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that is advancing instead of retreating. As the glacier increases, cracks appear at the terminus resulting in massive chunks of ice breaking off and falling into the ice field underneath it. Occupying an area of over 200 sq. metres, these solid ice masses slowly carve into Lake Argentino as they move from the glacier, which is a truly magnificent sight to behold!
Explore Gable Island
Gable Island is an Argentine island in Patagonia’s Tierra del Fuego Province. It lies north of the Beagle Channel, about 300 metres away from Tierra del Fuego. The island is renowned for its distinct, irregular shape and has several shoal banks extending into bays. Furthermore, the surface is almost entirely occupied by the Magellanic forest.
Many tours will take you to Gable Island, which includes a visit to the nearby Penguin Colony. You will also partake in fun activities like canoeing, hiking, and motorboat tour.
While the itinerary would vary, most tours begin at Estancia Harberton, a ranch established by Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges. After exploring the farm, you’ll ride a motorboat to Martillo Island, where you will visit a penguin colony. Your tour then continues towards Gable Island, where you will explore the island’s stunning shoreline, virgin forests, and beaver dams. The tour ends by taking a boat ride to Puerto Harberton before going to Ushuaia.
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