Patagonia

Patagonia is the landscape at the end of the world, and it looks the part. Granite towers rising thousands of feet from glacial lakes. Ice fields stretching to the horizon. Glaciers calving skyscraper sized chunks of ice into turquoise water with a crack that echoes off the mountains. Wind that can knock you sideways. And a vastness, an emptiness, a scale of wilderness that makes you realize how small human beings really are.

The region straddles the border between Argentina and Chile at the southern tip of South America, and both sides offer world class experiences. Torres del Paine in Chile has the iconic granite towers, the W Trek, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet. Los Glaciares in Argentina has Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, and Mount Fitz Roy, whose jagged spire has become the logo for the clothing brand that shares Patagonia’s name.

Where to Go

Torres del Paine National Park is the centerpiece of Chilean Patagonia. The three granite towers that give the park its name are the most iconic image, but the park offers far more: the Grey Glacier, Lake Pehoe with its stunning turquoise water, the French Valley, and wildlife including guanacos, condors, and pumas. The W Trek, a four to five day hike through the park’s highlights, is one of the most celebrated multi day treks in the world.

Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park is a wall of ice three miles wide and 200 feet tall, and it is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still growing. Viewing platforms bring you close enough to hear the groans and cracks of the ice, and at regular intervals, massive pieces calve off the face and crash into the lake with a sound like thunder. Boat trips take you to the base, and ice trekking excursions let you walk on the glacier itself.

El Chalten in Argentina is the trekking capital of Patagonia, sitting at the base of Mount Fitz Roy. The hike to Laguna de los Tres, a glacial lake at the foot of Fitz Roy, is one of the most rewarding day hikes in South America. On clear days, the reflection of the jagged peaks in the lake is a sight that stops you in your tracks.

Ushuaia, at the very tip of Tierra del Fuego, bills itself as the southernmost city in the world. It is the departure point for expeditions to Antarctica and a fascinating place to visit for the Beagle Channel, the national park, and the sheer novelty of standing at the bottom of the world.

Where to Stay

Explora Patagonia in Torres del Paine is the premier lodge, offering all inclusive packages with guided hikes, horseback rides, and gourmet meals with views of the Paine massif. Tierra Patagonia is a design hotel with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the park. Awasi Patagonia offers private villa accommodation with dedicated guides. On the Argentine side, Eolo Lodge near El Calafate provides luxury in splendid isolation with views across the steppe to the Andes.

Let Us Plan Your Patagonia Trip

Patagonia has a short season and high demand, which means lodges and trek reservations book up months in advance. The logistics of connecting Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, coordinating domestic flights, and arranging border crossings require careful planning. We will handle all of it so you can focus on the glaciers, the peaks, and the once in a lifetime experience of standing at the edge of the world.