{"id":27114,"date":"2019-05-24T19:00:47","date_gmt":"2019-05-24T19:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=27114"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:17:54","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:17:54","slug":"visiting-patagonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/visiting-patagonia\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Patagonia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Patagonia<\/a> is one of the world\u2019s last frontiers: a rugged landscape where condors soar, the aurora australis casts an otherworldly glow, and kayakers journey past electric-blue glaciers. With such an incredible array of sights, it\u2019s no wonder that it tops travelers\u2019 bucket lists. Check out this Patagonia travel guide for visiting Patagonia.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s many landscapes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting to Patagonia<\/h2>\n

Patagonia is so wild, remote, and vast \u2013 nearly 400,000 square miles \u2013 that the journey there is part of the experience. This isn\u2019t a weekend destination shadowed by jumbo Boeing 747s, it\u2019s an astounding land of jagged mountains, sleepy glaciers, and petrified forests, where intrepid travelers willing to hop on several flights will be rewarded with the adventure of a lifetime. And, although certain areas have become hot spots for well-heeled globe-hoppers to mingle over haute cuisine and craft beer \u2013 see El Calafate \u2013 the lonely Cholila roads that were once haunted by Butch Cassidy still stretch to an infinite horizon, the quaint Welsh settlements still stand stoically amid the fierce winds, and paleontologists are still unearthing the bones of mysterious dinosaurs that roamed Bajada Colorada 140 million years ago.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning on heading to Argentine Patagonia, you\u2019ll want to hop a flight to Buenos Aires Airport<\/a>, where you can then grab a city-hopper to El Calafate, Neuquen, or Ushuaia. Aerol\u00edneas<\/a> Argentinas offers connections from Buenos Aires to Bariloche and Trelew, and L\u00edneas A\u00e9reas del Estado<\/a>\u00a0provides further city connections from there.<\/p>\n

\"patagonia
Autumn landscape of Patagonia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If your travels will take you to Chilean Patagonia<\/a>, then you\u2019ll want to fly into Presidente Carlos Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez del Campo International Airport<\/a> in Punta Arenas, or Santiago International Airport<\/a>, and then make further connections to Puerto Montt or Balmaceda. Check out LATAM<\/a> Airlines to see what\u2019s offered.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s quaint fishing towns<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flying to Patagonia is the most convenient option, but it\u2019s also possible to visit the area by rental car, although miles of unpaved roads and the vast stretches of land between gas stations makes it more of an option for die-hard road trippers with a lot of time to explore. If you do decide to see Patagonia by car, remember that the weather can be unpredictable, and the best time for traveling is probably between mid-November and late March.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay in Patagonia<\/h2>\n

Patagonia doesn\u2019t offer the huge selection of high-end hotels and trendy boutique accommodations found in more cosmopolitan areas, but, of course, that\u2019s not why people flock here. Expect your quarters to be like Patagonia itself: one-of-a-kind and au natural<\/em>. That\u2019s not to say that you won\u2019t find the odd spa resort, luxe lakeside retreat, or chic glamping pitch, but the area\u2019s rich with rustic hotels, low-key lodges, and estancias <\/em>(working farms offering visitors a taste of traditional gaucho life.)<\/p>\n

Of particular note are the refugios<\/em> \u2013 wallet-friendly lodges catering to trekkers in remote areas. Most provide dorm-style rooms, regional meals, and a convivial, communal atmosphere, and offer a great chance to connect with other travelers after a long day on the trails.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s picturesque refugios<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re wondering where to stay in Patagonia, you\u2019ll find a number of lodging options showcasing the area\u2019s pristine wilderness, ranging from campsites on 20,000-acre sheep farms in Tierra del Fuego, to upscale, Alacalufe-inpsired geodesic domes at Ecocamp Patagonia<\/a>, a fully sustainable property in Torres del Paine National Park.<\/p>\n

Travelers looking for a quirky stay with jaw-dropping views can book a treehouse cabin or a boat-turned-bunglaow with its own zipline at Terra Luna Lodge<\/a>, a lakeside property in the shadow of sky-scraping Monte San Valentin.<\/p>\n

What to do see in Patagonia<\/h2>\n

A trip to Patagonia is never short on adventure. There are six national parks spread between Argentina and Chile \u2013 all offering their own charms \u2013 but perhaps the biggest draws are Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego.<\/p>\n

Torres del Paine is one of the most wild and breathtakingly beautiful places on earth, and the astonishing scale of the Chilean landscape will leave you gawping at the soaring mountains, lush forests, and luminescent, wind-sculpted icebergs. Take a dawn hike to the eponymous Towers of Paine, snap some photos of the pumas, guanacos, and mammoth Andean condors, and plan a kayaking trip to Glacier Grey.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s many glaciers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tierra del Fuego, meanwhile, is a great spot for hikers wanting to explore the waterfalls, Antarctic beech forests, and secluded beaches, as well as soak up the views of the Beagle Channel. The Senda Costera is a popular hiking trail running between Ensenada Bay and Lapataia Bay, and offers a fairly non-taxing 3-hour trek.\u00a0 If you\u2019d rather kick back while exploring the park, then hop on the End of the World Train, a former prison train running to lively Ushuaia, the world\u2019s southernmost city.<\/p>\n

Snowbirds will want to make a detour to Cerro Castor, a serene ski resort 26 km from Ushuaia, while cyclists can plan an epic journey down Chile\u2019s magnificent Ruta 7 or Argentina\u2019s 5,000-km-long Ruta 40, a sweeping route that runs through Cholila, where riders can make a pit stop at Butch Cassidy\u2019s former cabin.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to experience Patagonia through the eyes of a gaucho, then sign up for a horse riding expedition. Horse riding is a great way to see any part of Patagonia \u2013 \u201cslow travel\u201d is a mainstay here \u2013 but of particular note is the R\u00edo Puelo valley, a raw expanse offering plenty of off-the-grid opportunities for fly fishing, paddle boarding, and swimming.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s unique plant life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many travelers will end up in the restaurants and souvenir shops El Calafate, especially if they\u2019re planning on visiting the nearby Glaciar Perito Moreno, but Patagonia\u2019s smaller cities and agricultural towns are also worth a visit. \u00a0Rawson offers an intriguing look at traditional Welsh coastal life \u2013 it was settled by Welsh immigrants in the 19th<\/sup> century \u2013 while Puerto Madryn is a hot spot for whale watching, snorkelling with sea lions, and strolling with penguins in nearby (by Patagonian standards) Punta Norte.<\/p>\n

What to Bring to Patagonia<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re thinking about what to bring to Patagonia, it\u2019s important to remember that the weather is completely unpredictable, and you\u2019ll often encounter four seasons in a single day. In other words, you\u2019ll need to pack light enough to be mobile, but bring enough to be prepared for anything.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s penguin and sea lion colonies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Standard items should include wool socks and thermals \u2013 even in Austral summer (December to February), as chilly winds and sleet can appear at any moment. The sun should also be considered, so a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are recommended. A Gore-Tex jacket is fairly de rigueur<\/em> on the trails, as it\u2019s lightweight, waterproof, and breathable. Make sure you have a waterproof backpack that\u2019s large enough to accommodate rations, emergency medical supplies, and water for at least a full-day\u2019s hike: finding one that can fit a 3-liter hydration bladder is a plus.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll encounter the odd adventurer in sandals or sneakers, but you\u2019ll also want a sturdy pair of hiking boots \u2013 preferably waterproof \u2013 that you\u2019ve already broken in to avoid blisters. If your planned activities include fly-fishing, you\u2019ll need a pair of knee-high waders as well, while travelers taking a long-distance biking trip will want to pack a pair of light-weight cycling shoes.<\/p>\n

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Patagonia’s mountain ranges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re planning on taking a proper camera to capture some shots of the amazing aurora australis or the whales off Puerto Madryn, then you\u2019ll need to think about waterproofing your gear with a rain cape or a sleeve.<\/p>\n

Offering a huge selection of one-of-a-kind experiences and unforgettable sights, Patagonia is a daring traveler\u2019s dream. Check out Expedia\u2019s selection of accommodations in Patagonia and book your next adventure today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the last true frontiers, Patagonia has a mythic reputation as an unbridled paradise of solitude and singular natural beauty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":27123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1782,2118],"tags":[],"authors":[2264],"class_list":["post-27114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-patagonia","authors-expedia","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nVisiting Patagonia | Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the last true frontiers, Patagonia has a mythic reputation as an unbridled paradise of solitude and singular natural beauty. 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