Here’s everything you gotta know about visiting Patagonia, including the best treks and places to stay.
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.
Wild guanacos in Patagonia.Credit:Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure
For a complete Patagonian travel journey, consider visiting both.
Of course, doing so requires a lot of logistical planning especially during the high season.
Heres a comprehensive guide to help you maximize your travels in this wonderfully remote corner of the planet.
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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.
Its helpful to pad your schedule with additional days in case you encounter inclement weather.
Road leading towards a large mountain in Patagonia.Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure
Sky Airlines generally offers lower fares than LATAM.
Puerto Natales fares are cheaper the earlier you book.
These destinations are serviced by LATAM Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas.
A small house near a large snowy mountain.Leopoldine Bauer/Travel + Leisure
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.
Daily Zodiac rides get passengers up close to the ice and wildlife including penguin colonies and elephant seals.
A hotel in Patagonia.Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
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.
Do your research on the process before attempting a border crossing on your own.
Glacier hiking in Patagonia.Getty Images/Perspectives
Smaller backpacks are ideal for full- or half-day excursions.
Many upscale hotels provide personal water bottles and trekking poles.
Head to the Chile side to get off the beaten path and go beyond the major highlights.
Icebergs in Patagonia.UIG/Getty Images
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 parks old-growth forests.
Trekkers settle intorefugios(basic dorm-style shelters) or campsites for overnight stays.
you might also kayak the Strait of Magellan.
For glampers, the sustainableEcoCampis a geodesic dome hotel inside Torres del Paine National Park.
But the real draw for adventurers is the opportunities to helifish and heliski.
Wash it all down with a Chilean pisco sour or bottle of local wine.
Otherwise, spend the day with Chilean cowboys at the family-runEstancia Mercedesfor horseback riding along fjords.
Some tours give visitors a chance to hike out onto the glacier wearing metal crampons.
Visiting the areas historicestanciasoffers 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 areas stunning glaciers are abundant.
Youll travel to the end of the world in Tierra del Fuego.
Two pleasant hotels offering relatively affordable accommodations right on the southern shore of Lake Argentino areEsplendor El Calafate HotelandXelena.
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.
Guests can also take day trips from here to explore the lesser-visited glaciers Cubo, Frias, and Dickson.
Experiencing a Patagonianasadois a must at one of theestancias.
One of the best restaurants for grilled cuisine isLa Tablitain El Calafate.
While you’re in Argentina, be sure to tryBeagle, a beer brewed using meltwater from nearby glaciers.
However, arguably the most important and culturally significant of all Argentine drinks is mate.
Of course, you must use abombilla(a traditional straw) for the full experience.
Try adding a little sugar if the taste is too bitter for your palate.
Book an ice trekking adventure big or small withHielo & Aventura.
you could also ice hike atop the Viedma Glacier.
General Tips for Visiting Argentina
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.
