CUSTOMIZED PATAGONIA TRAVEL PACKAGES

Straddling the southern tip of the vast South American continent, Patagonia is an intriguing and legendary land of endless and rugged landscapes, remote communities and breathtaking vistas. With a rich and often romantic heritage of ancient history, daring adventures and desperate survival, Patagonia has assumed the status of civilization’s most isolated outpost.

Patagonia is the farthest place to which man walked from his place of origins. It is therefore a symbol of his restlessness.
Bruce Chatwin – In Patagonia

Yet Patagonia is a region of many faces. Its sheer size makes it a geographically and culturally diverse land which offers an almost endless array of adventures for the modern day traveler, wishing to recreate the pioneer lifestyle of years gone by, and experience firsthand what puts the ‘great’ into the Great Outdoors.

Argentinean Patagonia is home to a number of towns and cities that break up the region and make it more accessible for visitors. Destinations such as El Chalten, El Calafate, Bariloche, Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn all provide good bases from which to set off on forays into the wilderness.

Travel is convenient by air, while road journeys are an experience of their own. Long, sometimes unpaved routes wind and rupture through the vast plains, including Route 40, which was famously traveled by Che Guevera in his youth.

Environmental extremes and almost complete isolation have left the area a largely unpopulated wilderness, making it a sanctuary for wildlife. The shores of the east coast are home to vast colonies of marine life, including whales, sea lions and penguins, while in the Patagonian Andes, condors, huemul (a type of deer), guanaco (a close relative to the llama) and various other bird and mammal species.

Patagonia is made for adventure and activities range from ice hiking across glaciers to climbing the world famous Mount Fitz Roy, spending days trekking in the woods or enjoying some of the best skiing in the Western Hemisphere. Whatever thrill you seek, you are bound to find it here.

Welcome to Patagonia!

The town of El Calafate, towards the southern end of Argentina Patagonia, is pleasantly situated on the vast and dramatic Lake Argentina. Calafate is ideally situated for explorations into the nearby Glaciers National Park, a vast and frozen wonderland where colossal rivers of ice flow off the Southern Continental Ice Field and into the beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Argentina.

From Calafate it is easy to make day trips onto the glaciers themselves and enjoy the unique experience of hiking across these awe-inspiring and unimaginably huge frozen rivers.

For those who prefer relaxing, a boat tour of the glaciers is highly recommended and the experience of sailing right up to the glacier face, several stories high, and watching building size chunks of ice hitting the water below is truly awe inspiring.

With the airport nearby, Calafate is a convenient hub for forays into the wilderness, but is also a pleasant town in its own right, with shops, bars and restaurants, plus a wide range of excellent hotels.

Wannabe adventurers visiting Argentinean Patagonia are well advised to head for the tiny town of El Chalten, a few hours bus ride from Calafate. This is the action capital of the entire region, where hikers, climbers, mountaineers and trekkers head to experience the unspeakable beauty of the mountainous landscapes.

Chalten is located in the shadow of the famous Mount Fitz Roy and a stunning mountain range where jagged peaks pierce the endless skies and beautiful lakes mark the end-point of winding, almost endless glaciers.

It is possible to take an organized trek through the mountains, or hire equipment and go solo. The national park is very well maintained, trails are properly marked and designated campsites are located at convenient locations around the reserve.

Meanwhile, the picturesque town of San Carlos de Bariloche lies further north, in the foothills of the Andes, on the shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. A skier’s dream, Bariloche is within easy reach of the popular resort of Cerro Catedral which draws skiers from all over the world to experience the tremendous slopes, excellent snow and unbeatable après-ski.

During the summer season, Bariloche is a big draw for trekkers and hikers, offering endless trails with beautiful views over snowcapped mountains and lakes. The town is known as the chocolate capital of Argentina and no trip here would be complete without a trip to one of the many fondue restaurants.

The Atlantic coast town of Puerto Madryn is a small village that has become popular thanks to its ideal location for access to the Valdez Peninsula and the enormous colonies of marine wildlife. Madryn, along with many other towns in the area have unique a unique heritage; they were populated by Welsh immigrants during the 19th century and in many of the towns it is still possible to hear the Welsh language and visit a traditional tea shop.

The nearby Valdez Peninsula is marked by its vibrant coastline, stunning array of tall cliffs, rocky reefs, and exotic marine mammals. Large colonies of sea lions, magellanic penguins and elephant seals lie side by side along miles of coastal beaches, while southern right whales harbor in the gulfs. There are not many better places in the world for whale watching than right here.

At the furthest southern tip of Argentina Patagonia is the city of Ushuaia, the city ‘at the end of the world’. It is the most southern city on the planet and from here the next stop is the Antarctic. Ushuaia is also an adventure activity hub, but is best known as the access point for the famous and emotive, Tierra del Fuego, the ‘land of fire’ at the very furthest edge of South America.

Starting from Ushuaia in Argentina and ending at Punta Arenas in Chile, a variety of Patagonia Cruises offer a remarkable journey through one of the planet’s last pristine wilderness areas, past Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn, evoking epic voyage and adventure at its wildest.

From the comfort of a cruise you are able to see the unnerving beauty and tempestuous grandeur of waterfalls streaking down misty mountainsides, of stone fingers thrusting into the clouds and colossal glaciers tumbling to the sea. This is the ultimate way to view the wonders of Patagonia in the finest comfort and style.

When you visit Patagonia depends on what you want to do here. Patagonia hotels, particularly in the far south are closed between late April and early November as the temperature drops below zero. However this is a perfect time for skiers, when the resort towns such as San Carlos de Bariloche and Cerro Catedral come to life.

Summer in Argentina generally runs from December to April with the last peak before winter across the Easter holiday. Summer is best for exploring, camping and trekking with some amazing sites easily accessible. If you like marine wildlife, the mating season is from September to November so whales and other animals are easily viewable. However the coastal areas are always full of seals and sea lions.

Booking hotels ahead of your journey is advisable for whatever time of year.

El Calafate

Patagonia Park Plaza Unique Hotel - The hotel provides the highest standard of quality and service to all its guests. It is located six blocks from the downtown area and offers luxurious rooms with spectacular views of Lake Argentino or the Calafate Hill.

See our full range of Calafate Hotels.

El Chalten

Hostería el Pilar – This 4 star rustic lodge is located 15 miles from the village of El Chaltén. It is the perfect place for adventurous travelers to prepare for expeditions to the Fitzroy Range, or to rest upon their return. The cosy lodge has a wood burning stove often the owner enterains guests by playing lively music.

See our full range of El Chalten Hotels.

Ushuaia

Hotel Yamanas - Located on the coast of the Beagle Channel, about 2 miles from Ushuaia, the is a unique and special place. With 24 hour internet access, 24 hour laundry service, medical services, a reading room, and a fitness center including hydro-massage and water Shiatsu, steam baths, a sauna, massage and exercise equipment, this hotel offers modern amenities while simultaneously offering more regional and specialized services.  The hotel even owns a fleet of small fleet of modern luxury catamarans with which they give tours of the Beagle Channel and the surrounding islands

See our full range of Ushuaia Hotels.

Bariloche

Hotel Tres Reyes - The hotel is a beautiful chalet styled hotel with great views over the Nahuel Huapi Lake. The hotel has all the services you’d expect from a 4 star hotel as well as bilingual staff that are more than keen to offer you there advice about the area.

See our full range of Bariloche Hotels.

Puerto Madryn

Apart Hotel Tulipanes – Los Tulipanes offers comfortable rooms and equipped apartments ideal for families. Located about 5 minutes drive from downtown, it offers a relaxing environment just two blocks from the beach in a quiet area of the city.

See our full range of Puerto Madryn Hotels.