The Patagonia region, located at the southern tip of South America, straddles both Argentina and Chile.
Within Argentina, this southern region offers spectacular wild and majestic scenery in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glaciers National Park) - an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and a land of colossal mountain ranges crowned in snow and pristine glaciers descending into turquoise lakes.
There are two accessible areas in the Glaciers National Park: El Calafate is the most accessible and is the perfect base from which to visit the stunning and mighty Upsala and Onelli glaciers by catamaran and the Perito Moreno Glacier at the far western end of Lago Argentino. Stand, listen and watch and if you are lucky you may see blocks of ice carving off the ice cliff into the lake below.
Alternatively, or as an extension to your Patagonia holiday, continue north for a few hours to El Chalten, which stands at the foot of the jagged peaks of the spectacular Fitz Roy Massif. This is the base for some of Argentina's most rewarding trekking, amongst the peaks of Mts Torre and Fitz Roy. It's possible to cross from El Calafate over the border into the famous Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Journey to the very end of the world - a Patagonia holiday
Travel writer Nick Boulos visited Patagonia and says “there’s something rather thrilling about journeying to the very end of the world; the allure of the unknown, the promise of wild landscapes and scenes of remote grandeur.
Descending from the skies, I gazed below to a world where soaring peaks, dark and jagged, plummet into shallow waters and glaciers are the size of cities. Welcome to Patagonia. Despite being so remote, Patagonia - the southern stretches of Argentina and Chile - is surprisingly easy to get to. After a short three-hour flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, I was standing amongst some of the finest scenery known to man. Ushuaia, famed for being the southernmost city in the world and gateway to Antarctica, is the perfect introduction to Patagonia.
Dramatically framed by the snow-capped Andes and the Beagle Channel, it’s surrounded by wildlife and nature with penguin colonies and the iconic Tierra del Fuego National Park on its doorstep.Travelling north, I became transfixed at the Perito Moreno Glacier, the main attraction at Los Glaciares National Park. Its towering frozen plains and electrifying blue crevices that tumble into the icy depths of Lake Argentino continue as far as the eye can see. So vast, in fact, the glacier is the same size as Argentina’s capital.
Getting around Patagonia is a doddle too. Like much of South America, the region is blessed with a network of efficient and comfortable buses. The shifting scenery beyond the window will hold you captive as mountains give way to infinite flat steppes with scatterings of grazing guanacos. Above, Andean condors circle in wide swoops.
Across the border in Chile, things don’t get any less impressive with legendary natural wonders at every turn. Exploring the unspoilt landscapes of Torres del Paine and hiking to Mount Fitzroy are experiences that will stay with you long after you return home, much like Patagonia itself.”
Argentina & Uruguay Highlights
Itinerary Highlights
- Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires
- Majestic Iguazu Falls
- Ethereal Patagonia
- Colonial Montevideo
Hosteria el Puma
For hiking in the beautiful Fitzroy National Park in Patagonia, the family run Hosteria el Puma in El Chalten is an ideal choice.This charming lodge is set at the foot of the trailheads to the park and provides very comfortable and contemporary styled accommodation. It has a great restaurant serving local delicacies and a vast selection of Argentine wines.The lodge offers easy access to all the lo...
Eolo
Eolo occupies an idyllic location on a 3000 hectare property a thirty minute drive from El Calafate and en route to Perito Moreno Glacier.Every direction offers beautiful, uninterrupted views towards Lago Argentino and out over the Patagonian steppe. This country lodge features 12 superior suites, 3 premium suites and 2 corner suites all boasting individual views.There is also a living room, bar, ...
Destino Sur
The hotel Destino Sur is ideally located close to the main street of El Chalten and also close to the starting points of many of the hikes.The hotel has comfortable, cosy rooms with heating and also free wifi throughout the hotel. The hotel also offers a small spa with Jacuzzi, sauna, massages and a gym.The Destino Sur is also a great base from which to arrange a number of the excellent Patagonian...
Aguas Arriba Lodge
Aguas Arriba Lodge is a wilderness gem, located on the shores of Lago del Desierto and surrounded by acres of forest.Although a mere 23 miles from the small town of El Chalten in Southern Argentine Patagonia, Aguas Arriba Lodge is truly remote and can only be accessed by foot or boat. So if you want to get away from it all during your stay in Argentina, this is the place for you.Constructed from P...
Highlights of Argentina - Cities, Glaciers, Waterfalls & Wineries
Itinerary Highlights
- Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires
- The Perito Moreno glacier
- Wonderous Iguazu Falls
- Ethereal Patagonia
Argentina in Style
Itinerary Highlights
- Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires
- Experience Iguazu Falls, a natural wonder of the world
- Perito Moreno Glacier
- World Class Wines in Mendoza
Esplendor El Calafate
Esplendor El Calafate is a boutique hotel situated in El Calafate town a 15 minute walk from the centre.The hotel offers guests a choice of 57 rooms and suites with a range of views including city, lake or mountain.There is a lounge, large lobby for relaxing, restaurant with views of the town and lake, in-house bakery producing teatime snacks that can be taken in the bar, cocktails served at the b...
Kosten Aike Hotel
Kosten Aike, located in downtown El Calafate, is a great base from which to explore Argentinian Patagonia.Furnished in wood and stone and featuring local touches, the hotel has 82 comfortable rooms, a gym, sauna and Jacuzzi.The Ariskaiken Restaurant serves up delicious Patagonian cuisine and Argentinean wines and a pre or post dinner drink can be enjoyed at the Aura Bar.A short walk away is the to...
Design Suites El Calafate
Design Suites El Calafate is situated in the upper area of the
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