Argentine Patagonia is a huge strip of land in the southern half of the country and is a dream destination for many travelers. But if you only have a limited amount of time in this amazing part of the world, what are the must-sees you can’t miss? Check out our one-week itinerary for the best of Patagonia.
Calafate: 2 days
El Calafate is the perfect starting point for your Patagonian adventure. Located in the south of Patagonia in the province of Santa Cruz, El Calafate is three hours by plane from the capital of Buenos Aires, and is the main nerve center of the area from where you can visit all the attractions that Patagonia has. famous for. The beautiful alpine town is a great place to get your bearings in this vast wilderness, and there are plenty of places to stay whether you’re on a budget or want to spend a little.
The most popular tourist attraction in El Calafate is, of course, the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, just one of the huge masses of ice located in Los Glaciares National Park. The park and glaciers are about an hour from the city, and you can take a tour, rent a car and drive to the park yourself, or hitchhike early in the morning from the road outside of the city and take a walk with one of the workers who attend the park. Get up close and personal with the glacier on a Big Ice Trek to the top, or sail past the ice wall on an unforgettable boat trip, where you’ll see and hear the incredible spectacle of the glacier breaking.
El Chalten: 3 days
Three hours by bus from El Calafate is the picturesque mountainous enclave of El Chaltén . A hiker’s paradise, El Chaltén is home to the inimitable Mount Fitz Roy, and is the perfect place to spend three days immersed in nature. The activities available in El Chalten, whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, are for everyone. For those looking to complete some easy day hikes, visit Salto El Chorillo, a beautiful waterfall just a short hike from town, or hike to Las Águilas and Los Cóndores viewpoints, which offer panoramic views over the town and towards Torre and Fitz Roy hills.
For those looking to take on longer hikes, the popular Laguna de los Tres hike takes about eight hours and takes you through lush forests, past lakes and lagoons, and to the base of Mount Fitz Roy. Alternatively, the Cerro Torre hike takes a similar amount of time, but will take you to the glacial lagoon at the foot of this majestic peak. More experienced travelers can get off the beaten track and go on the Huemul Circuit, which involves some rappelling, wading through rivers and skimming past glaciers to reach the turquoise Huemul Lagoon. There is more than enough to keep anyone entertained for three days in El Chalten, and after you have spent the day getting back to nature, enjoy a famous Patagonian craft beer and some delicious local lamb, a traditional local dish.
Ushuaia: 2 days
The last leg of your Patagonian adventure will take you to the End of the World, the southernmost city on Earth, Ushuaia . Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty, this town was the final frontier for historically important explorers like Ferdinand Magellan and Charles Darwin. Navigate the Beagle Channel on a sailing tour where you will see the Lighthouse at the End of the World and get an impressive view of Ushuaia. If you like hiking, there are plenty of walks to do, both short and long, in Tierra del Fuego National Park, and there are colonies of penguins and sea lions to see if you need your wildlife fix. Don’t forget to stamp your passport and send a postcard home from the last inhabited place before the hostile terrain of Antarctica .
