The essentials of Argentine Patagonia
Located to the east of Patagonia, Argentine Patagonia is a destination of choice for all lovers of grandiose landscapes and exceptional flora and fauna. Endless steppes, high Andean peaks, majestic glaciers: you'll feel like you're at the end of the world!
MOUNT FITZ ROY
Rising 3405 meters above the majestic and difficult-to-access village of El Chaltén, Fitz Roy is one of the world's most iconic peaks. All experienced mountaineers dream of climbing it. Two hikes are proposed from El Chaltén: that of the Laguna de los Tres and that of the Laguna Torre. Flora of the pampas, rivers meandering between rockeries, sumptuous lakes: you will discover exceptional panoramas.
THE CHALTÉN
Close to the Los Glaciares National Park, the small village of El Chaltén is a haven of peace, especially attracting mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts. It is in particular the starting point for all excursions around Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two mythical mountains of the Andes.
PUERTO MADRYN
Starting point to get to the Valdés peninsula, Puerto Madryn is a charming seaside resort along the Golfo Nuevo. It has a wide beach from which you can observe, depending on the season, whales, killer whales, elephants and sea lions, as well as dolphins and Magellanic penguins.
BARILOCHE
Capital of the Seven Lakes region on the edge of the Chilean border, San Carlos de Bariloche is a pretty alpine village reminiscent of Switzerland. Surrounded by lakes, mountains, pine forests, it offers a picturesque setting. In winter, Argentines come to ski there, while in summer tourists flock there to admire the landscape. You will enjoy cheese and meat fondues, trout and salmon caught in the region, and above all, chocolate, since the village is considered the capital of this exquisite dish.
VALDES PENINSULA
Connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, Peninsula Valdés is a UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve. Its beaches, crystal clear waters and exceptional wildlife make it a very popular place for tourists. Patagonian hares, armadillos, ostriches, penguins, elephant seals, gulls live there in perfect harmony. You can also observe southern right whales or go scuba diving.
PUNTA TOMBO RESERVE
180 kilometers from Puerto Madryn, the Punta Tombo reserve is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world after Antarctica. The spectacle of these thousands of birds is breathtaking. If you go there in October, you will see adorable baby penguins.
UPSALA AND PERITO MORENO GLACIERS
Visiting glaciers is a must for anyone traveling to Argentina. We suggest two: that of Upsala, the largest glacier in South America with 56 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide, and that of Perito Moreno, the easiest to access. Each of them allows you to fill up with grandiose landscapes.
LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK
Covering more than 2600 square kilometres, this park was created in 1937 to protect a rare tree, called alerce, some specimens of which are over 2000 years old. Endowed with lakes, waterfalls, rivers, a glacier (the Torrecillas) and a forest of alerces, the place presents an extremely rich fauna and flora. Pumas, otters, huemuls and beavers live together harmoniously. The park offers a host of activities: hiking, kayaking, biking, horseback riding, fishing... In the evening, don't forget to stay in a cabaña by the lake. Magical memory guaranteed!
CUEVA DE LAS MANOS
Cueva de las Manos – literally the Cave of the Hands – is an important archaeological site with extraordinary cave paintings dating back over 10 years, including hundreds of hands. Also, the landscape around, with its canyon, is breathtaking.
USHUAIA
Impossible to visit Patagonia without stopping in the southernmost city in the world, nicknamed by the Argentinians “el fin del mundo”, the end of the world. The seasons are very little marked, with temperatures hovering around 0°C, wet weather and a lot of wind. With its 63 hectares of lenga forests, beaches, coves and bogs, the preserved ecosystem of Tierra del Fuego National Park is one of the most fascinating places on the planet.