Journey to the ends of the earth. Patagonia.

Patagonia is an untouched wild land that did not belong to any country until the 19th century. Now it is part of two states: Argentina and Chile.

That's where we're heading in February 2020!

We will spend 13 days on an amazing journey through the most beautiful corners of this region! We will enjoy the landscapes that we read about in childhood, empathizing with the heroes of the story “Children of Captain Grand”.

Get ready! It won't be just a trip! It will be a real adventure in the spirit of wild Patagonia.

Group: from 6 participants

Travel format: hiking

Difficulty: medium

14 days in Patagonia

WHAT EXPECTS US

ARGENTINA:

• We will visit the Los Glaciares National Park and the famous Perito Morena Glacier, which is constantly in motion;
• Let's take a 3-day walk through the Argentinean Patagonia;
• We will meet unforgettable sunrises over the peaks of Fitzroy and Cerro Torre;
• Let's gorge on world-famous Argentinean steaks;
• Meet cozy mountain town El Calafate, located on the shores of Lake Argentino - the largest freshwater lake in the country, with an area of ​​​​1.4 thousand square kilometers.

CHILE:

• We will make a 4-day walk along the W-track route in one of the most beautiful parks in the world - Torres Del Paine, also called the Blue Towers;
• Enjoy the views of the Gray Glacier and the lake of the same name;
• We will see the most impressive panorama of these places at the famous Torres Towers;
• We will visit the world's southernmost continental city of Punta Arenas, which overlooks Tierra del Fuego;
• We will take a boat ride along the Strait of Magellan and observe the life of penguins and sea lions.

• Hiking experience: You don't have to be an avid hiker with a lot of experience to visit these places! The guys who have never hiked in the mountains take part in the hikes with us and successfully complete the entire route, getting tremendous pleasure!

• Physical form: The walking part of the route is within the power of absolutely anyone with a normal physical form. You can find preparation tips

• What to take with you: we will send you a clear list of clothes and equipment that you will need in Patagonia and will advise you more than once on this matter.

• During the walking part of the trip: we spend the night in campsites in tents. For guests there is almost always a cooking room, where you can also arrange evening gatherings, a shower and a toilet.

Program by day

If it were possible, would it be interesting for you to travel back in time, let's say, 3,000,000 years ago, and observe what our planet was like then?

So, this is real!
We are heading there in February 2020!

After all, having been in Patagonia, you can see our Earth in youth. After all, it is believed that for three million years its appearance has not changed much.
Incredible, right?!

Join our journey and we will show you the real amazing part of our Planet.
There will be something to tell the grandchildren sometime, believe me!

We are waiting for you in our team! :)

14 days at the end of the Earth!

DAY 1: Group meeting in Patagonia

El Calafate

Today is the gathering day of the group in the city of El Calafate (Patagonia), which is located on the shores of the largest lake in the country called Lago Argentino, with an area of ​​1420 sq. km! Just imagine the scale!

We will meet at the hotel, the coordinates of which will be sent closer to the trip.

Having rested after the flight, we go for a walk around the city. We will spend the evening in a "delicious" restaurant, where we will get acquainted with all the participants to the taste of the famous Argentinean steaks.

We have a long and exciting journey ahead of us together.

DAY 2: Argentine Patagonia

El Calafate - El Chalten - Rio Blanco

In the morning we take a bus to the heart of the Argentinean Patagonia - the town of El Chalten. From here all the trails of the Fitzroy massif begin.

We put on backpacks and go to the start of our hiking trip. We will pass through an exotic forest along the shores of Lake Capri. On the way, we will have a view of the visiting card of Patagonia - Mount Fitzroy.

We will spend the night at the Rio Blanco campsite.

DAY 3: Dawn over Fitzroy

Rio Blanco - Capri

We get up at 4 am and go to the observation deck on the shore of Lake Lago de Los Tress, which is right at the foot of Mount Fitzroy.

We meet the first fiery rays of the sun on the rocky surface of the mountain, absorb all the beauty of these places and descend back to the camp. There tomorrow awaits us, our backpacks and a new day of interesting hiking in Patagonia towards the Capri campsite.

DAY 4: Sunrise on Cerro Torre

Capri - El Chalten - El Calafate

Today we start our day again with the meeting of the first rays of the sun. We enjoy an incredible panorama of the mountain range and one of the hallmarks of Patagonia - Mount Cerro Torre.

In the lagoon, at the foot of the mountain, breakaway icebergs often drift, which makes the view even more amazing.

DAY 5: Perito Moreno Glacier

El Calafate - Perito Moreno - El Calafate

Relax day! By bus we go to the largest glacier in Patagonia - Perito Morenayu. Its area is about 250 sq. km.

The speed of movement of this ice giant is about 2 m per day (700 m per year), but since whole icebergs break off from it every day, in fact, over the past 90 years, its edges have remained in the same place.

Closer to dinner, when the sun warms up the ice, we will be able to watch how with an incredible roar the blue ice is separated by many fragments and falls into Lake Argentino. Still a spectacle! Those who wish can even walk along the glacier and feel its greatness even more. You need to book a tour in advance.

In the evening we return to El Calafate.

DAY 6: Chilean Patagonia

El Calafate (Argentina) - Puerto Natales (Chile)

The destination for today will be a small town on the western slope of the Andes mountain range - Puerto Natales (Chile). Which is located on the shores of a very narrow and long fjord Ultima-Esperanza, which is translated from Spanish as "the last hope". It is also included in one of the eight pairs of antipodal cities in the world.

We will live in a hotel. We settle in and go for a walk.

DAY 7: Torres towers

Puerto Natales - Torres Towers - Chileno

In the morning we take a bus to Torres del Paine National Park, which is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Finally, we put on our backpacks and set off on a 4-day hiking trip.

Today, according to the plan, we will reach the Chileno campsite (5 km), where we will leave our things and from where our radial walk along the gorge to Torres Lake starts, above which three rocky peaks of the same name rise - Torres Towers. No wonder this is the main attraction of the park attracts so many tourists from all over the world.

We take a lot of photos, relax with a gorgeous view and return slowly back to the camp.

DAY 8: Turquoise Lake Nordeskhold

k. Chileno - k. French

We continue to explore Torres del Paine Park.
This region is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on the Planet with a unique combination of mountain landscapes, millennial glaciers, blue lakes, stormy rivers, spacious valleys and green forests. Also, about 118 species of birds and 26 species of mammals live here. It will be interesting to meet a guanaco or an Andean deer on the way.

Today we are walking along the large lake Nordeskhold with incredibly turquoise water, the banks of which are strewn with small pebbles. If desired, and the weather is suitable, it will be possible to relax and take water procedures here.

In the evening we arrive at the campsite. Tomorrow is a special day.

DAY 9: B Ashni Los Cuernos

k. French - k. Paine Grande

After breakfast, we move to the nearby Italian campsite, where we leave our things and go on a radial walk.

We will walk through the French Valley - one of the most spectacular places on the track. On the way, we will visit two 360° viewing platforms to enjoy the view of the Cuernos Mountains, Peine Grande, glaciers and green expanses.

Patagonia will again surprise you with its wild landscapes! Then we return to our backpacks, have lunch and continue along the shores of Lake Scottsburg. We will spend the night at the Paine Grande campsite.

DAY 10: Glacier Gray

k. Paine Grande

One of the most impressive days of the hike! We leave things in the camp and set off on an easy way to the Gray Glacier.

Its area is 270 sq. kilometers and it is part of the great South Patagonian ice field, the third in the world in terms of reserve fresh water on the Planet, after Antarctica and Greenland. In a word, a very spectacular place and one of the visiting cards of the national park.

Patagonia is a country of glaciers, lakes, islands, canals, fjords, mountain rivers, thousand-year-old forests and a blowing wind... All the most interesting things in Patagonia are located along the shores of the oceans - Pacific and Atlantic - and along the Andes chain. You can drive hundreds of kilometers and not meet anyone or anything at all.

Even the marked settlements on the map do not give confidence that there is active life in these places. Often this is just a couple of houses plus single animals nearby. All of Patagonia is sliced ​​like a pie, surrounded by wire fences. Moreover, no one lives in these endless territories, except for rabbits, sheep and guanacos. In the best case, after 200-300 kilometers you will come across a lonely farm, and that's it. The distance between gas stations can easily reach 400-450 kilometers ... However, first things first. So, we decided to start our journey through Patagonia from its southernmost point - Tierra del Fuego ...

When you find yourself in this place, everything becomes clear already without signs ...

METEOTOTALIZER
... The small town of Ushuaia, a hotel overlooking the Beagle Channel, hot coffee with fresh pastries and a feeling that the adventure begins. However, our determination slightly diminished when it became clear that snow with rain and strong winds are expected for the next week. Forecasts in Patagonia are unreliable, so the locals don't pay much attention to them. True, some still make bets at bookmakers: it will come true - it will not come true. The climate in these places is severe not only in winter, but also in summer. There are, of course, some days in the high season when the temperature rises above 15 degrees, but this is rather an exception. In winter, there is almost a polar night, relatively light is only 4-5 hours a day. Glaciers descend from the mountains to the ocean, and 300 days a year are usually rainy and overcast. It is understandable, because from here to Antarctica is less than a thousand kilometers!

Penguins make nests between tree roots or dig holes right in the ground.

There are up to 100 wives in fur seal harems, and all the beloved

From a primitive whaling station on Indian territory, Ushuaia turned first into a hard labor colony where Russian anarchists lived out their days, and then into a modern tourist center. Hotels here for every taste and budget. Shops selling high-quality travel equipment coexist with cheap electronics shops. Restaurants serve huge crabs weighing under two kilograms with impressive claws. Once the Indian women caught them with their bare hands, and now mining is carried out on a commercial scale. Every year, thousands of tons of these delicious beauties are exported to Europe, the USA and other countries. In local restaurants, the price of delicacies rises to heaven, and in Tierra del Fuego, crabs are fed almost at cost. Today, Ushuaia is reminiscent of the Klondike of the gold rush. There are travel agencies on every corner, ready to organize a trip to any point in Patagonia. Someone goes to watch penguins and seals, someone takes an SUV and travels far from civilization. Anglers specially come here from Europe and Australia for a rich catch, and extreme sports enthusiasts are attracted by excellent ski slopes and Antarctic diving.

Mountains, glaciers, guanacos and wild mustangs - a classic picture of Patagonia

Note to travelers
The best time to travel to Patagonia is the Argentine spring or summer, i.e. from November to March. Although even in summer the air temperature usually does not exceed 18 degrees. Well, the wind, of course. Warm clothes will not be superfluous.
There are no direct flights from Russia to Argentina, there are several flight options from Moscow to Buenos Aires with a stopover in Europe. The most convenient: daily Air France flights via Paris, Iberia via Madrid and Lufhansa via Frankfurt. Alitalia via Rome and British Airways via London are also possible. The average flight duration, including connections, is about 23 hours. The official language is Spanish. The time difference with Moscow is 7 hours.

PETS' CORNER
The first item on our program was sea animals. A fairly large colony of seals and sea lions has chosen one of the islands near the lighthouse "at the end of the world", described by J. Verne and replicated on local souvenirs. Despite the overweight complexion, the animals turned out to be mobile and very aggressive. From time to time growling, the males gave each other a fair beating. The “young ladies” looked at it outwardly indifferently, turning first one side, then the other, but in their thoughts they probably imagined how they would make the winners happy.

Not far from the seals is the territory of the penguins. Magellanic penguins, and it is this species that is most common here, live in burrows, so the entire island is literally “mined” with pits, minks and bird waste. There are a lot of penguins here, and you can watch them endlessly. Funny and clumsy, if they don't like something, they start yelling hysterically and mince away at full speed. "Bird-humans" are not at all afraid of people, and you can approach them at arm's length. It was impossible to resist stroking the bird, but the attempt ended in failure: the penguin obviously did not like the familiarity, and, yelling heart-rendingly, he pecked me quickly and painfully. I had to limit myself to photography.

THE END OF THE WORLD
After getting acquainted with the animal world, it was the turn of auto adventures. Taking one of the Land Rover rental companies, we went to national park"Land of Fire", where mountains, sea, forests and glaciers are combined in an amazing way. Most of the park is inaccessible to visitors, with only a few trails allowed. And you can also ride on an exotic prehistoric train, which at one time drove here ... prisoners. This road is considered the southernmost narrow gauge railway in the world. Now the train has been converted into a tourist attraction, but until 1947 there was a huge prison here, and convicts felled the forest in the future national park. In general, this is the official End of the World, as the sign nailed to the sign says. Passing all day under the snow and rain, cursing all kinds of tracking, we decided that we would continue to travel exclusively by car. And the next morning they moved towards the large lake on Tierra del Fuego.

PATHAGONIA-TROFI
A good asphalt road ended after 50 kilometers, after which the dirt road began, gradually becoming worse and worse. After three dozen kilometers, it also ended. The road turned into a deep rut. Periodically slipping and sliding into pits and puddles, overcoming beaver dams, we moved in low gear. They stormed slippery slopes and fell into ravines. Our guide Ignacio went out of his way to impress and asked to drive. Sitting in the driver's seat, he switched on the gear, opened the door and ... left the passenger compartment. Making a carefree face, he whistled and walked beside her. But after a few "Ladogs" you won't surprise us so easily! And we began to tell him about the Russian off-road ...

The water temperature in the mountain rivers of Patagonia does not exceed 7-10 ° C

Soon we found ourselves on the shore of the lake - the goal of the route. Beauty was extraordinary! The forest amazed the imagination: evergreen beeches interspersed with conifers, shrubs coexisted with deciduous trees. And what were the unusual flag trees worth, which changed the shape of the crown under the influence of constant winds ... Autumn painted everything in bright colors, slightly softening them with pastels. The succulent crowns were set off by the beards of moss and lichen that fanned down from the branches and trunks, and freshly fallen snow covered the ground like eider down. After driving a little more, we came across a "piano in the bushes" - a hunting hut with a stove and a couple of canoes, where you could rest while Ignassio was preparing asado - a favorite national dish.

Argentine national dish - asado

A twig of araucaria set on fire drives away evil spirits

Port of Ushuaia. From here, cruise ships leave for Antarctica.

Note to travelers
Russians do not need a visa to Argentina. A Chilean visa for 90 days can be obtained directly at the border - within 10 minutes and free of charge (for comparison: in Moscow it will take a month and will cost $ 75). Pay attention to luggage: any food is prohibited, especially vegetables and fruits. All things are checked and translucent. When renting a car in Argentina, be sure to warn that you will go to Chile - they will make the necessary set of documents for you.

The best way to travel around Patagonia is by off-road vehicle

KINGDOM OF ICE
Having traveled for a week in the vicinity of Ushuaia, we flew to the middle of Patagonia, to El Calafate, a small settlement on the shores of Lake Argentino. Here are truly unique glaciers: they begin to form at an altitude of 1,500 meters and descend to a mark of 200 meters. While in other parts of the world, ice massifs are born at an altitude of at least two and a half kilometers.

The sun came out after a long rain...

It seems that there is an infinite Brownian motion in Calafate. For everyone local resident there is a shop, a restaurant, a chocolate shop and a travel agency. This is a tourist Mecca with excellent infrastructure. People come here for the sake of glaciers, Fitzroy peaks, icebergs and a convenient opportunity to visit Chile. Incidentally, the Chilean and Argentinean glaciers have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. They are third in size after Antarctica and Greenland. IN national park Los Glaciares, which is translated as “glaciers”, there are as many as 48 such giant “refrigerators”! Perito Moreno is the most spectacular and unforgettable in Patagonia. Its age is over 30,000 years. The ice here is in constant motion - it is indomitably advancing. And with a decent speed - about two meters a day. A giant glacier 18-storey high and six kilometers long tongue crosses almost the entire lake. The primordial silence is broken by the roar of boulders breaking off and turning into icebergs. The feeling that you are standing near the open door of a giant freezer, which blows centuries of cold. The color of the ice is unusual and changes depending on the time of day and the light. In the morning and afternoon it is blue, in the evening it becomes dark blue. Excursion on the glacier is possible only with a guide and in climbing "cats". Unforgettable walk! And as a bonus at the end of the route - a glass of whiskey with a thousand-year-old ice cube or a sip of the purest glacial water.

Skeleton of a baby whale as long as a big bus

RUTA 40
The best way to get to know Patagonia is to cross it on the legendary and longest Pan American Highway in the world. The length of this road is 48 thousand kilometers - more than the length of the equator! Starting in Tierra del Fuego and cutting through 15 countries, it ends almost in Alaska. Having once gone along this route from end to end, one American couple was so carried away that they rode for three years. On the way, their son was born and even managed to grow up a little. In Argentina, this road appears as Ruta 40. This is the ridge of the south, from which the road "nerves" depart, leading to cattle farms. The Argentine part of the "Panamerica" ​​is more than 5 thousand kilometers. It crosses 19 rivers, 27 passes, 13 lakes and salt marshes. Locals say that if you were able to drive it from north to south, then you saw the whole country. I must say that Ruta 40 is not a highway at all: more than half of it is not covered with asphalt at all. Therefore, in almost every locality, you will have three tasks. The Pan-American Highway passes through 15 countries: finding a tire service, a gas station, and a store. And most likely in this sequence - checked!

From El Calafate with glaciers to the El Chalten National Park and the legendary Fitzroy Peak (3405 m) can be reached precisely along the 40th. At the very foot of Fitzroy is the town of El Chalten (El Chalten, translated as “smoking mountain”), the place of settlement of the Tehuelche Indians. Before the Second World War, Fitzroy was considered one of the most inaccessible places in the south of the continent. Named for the captain of the Beagle that Darwin sailed on, Fitzroy is one of the most difficult peaks in the world to climb. And either for reasons of increased extremeness, or from some other, but there are no decent hotels or ATMs here. Even with cellular communication problems. But there are campsites for 20-30 dollars and several bed&breakfast for 50-80. Climbing was not included in our plans, and we limited ourselves to visiting several beautiful viewpoints in the mountains on the picturesque lakes of Laguna de los Tres and Capri.

Note to travelers
In Chile and Argentina, American dollars are accepted everywhere. Each store sets its own course, sometimes it is unprofitable - pay attention. The dollar to the Argentine peso is 1 to 4. Credit cards take in almost all shops and restaurants, but prefer cash. You can often ask for a discount if you pay in cash. And vice versa - in some places, when paying by card, 10% is added to the amount. There are ATMs, but not everywhere and not many, some have a cash withdrawal limit of $150. Mobile communication works in cities, there is almost no communication in the prairies.

SCARY BUT CUTE
The further route led us to Chile. On the same 40th road from Calafate to the border, no more than 400 kilometers, however, most of the highway turned out to be gravel. The territory of the Chilean state is sandwiched between the coast Pacific Ocean and the chain of the Andes and is divided into three parts, not interconnected. In order for the inhabitants of southern Chile to get to the central or northern part, they need to travel through Argentina, take a ferry or fly by plane. The Chilean part of Patagonia also has its own business card and pride - Torres del Paine National Park (Parque Nacional Torres del Paine). It's unusual mountainous area Andes, a biosphere reserve and a true treasure trove of wildlife. One of the most beautiful national parks protected by UNESCO. It owes its name to the granite “towers” ​​of Torres, over 2,000 meters high. Here, among the mountains and dozens of lakes and rivers, almost all the landscapes of Patagonia are collected: shrubby plains, humid forests, Magellanic tundra and high mountain desert. Not to mention glaciers, waterfalls, rainbows and other beauties. Hunting has been prohibited here for half a century, and animals are almost not afraid of humans. Such a variety of animals and birds, probably nowhere else in Chile. Here you can see the condor - the world's largest bird of prey with a wingspan of up to three and a half meters. According to a famous book, a condor carried one of Captain Grant's children into the sky. However, Jules Verne knew nothing about condors. In real life, they are very shy and usually sit quietly and peacefully and wait for some small lame hare.

In this article, we will talk about how to prepare and what to take with you when planning a trip to Patagonia, as well as how to see the most interesting places region: forests, fjords and famous glaciers.

Southern Patagonia, stretching across the territories of Chile and Argentina, has been attracting travelers for many centuries with its remoteness from the rest of the world, huge centuries-old glaciers and bewitching wild landscapes. Here, in various national parks, you can see snow-covered mountains, fjords and virgin forests. At the southernmost tip of South America, huge icebergs break off with a roar from a huge glacier that has been hiding the land for centuries and float away into the ocean.

The most popular national parks, Torres del Paine in Chile and Los Glaciares in Argentina, are visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists. For the most complete trip to Patagonia, it's best to visit both of these regions in one trip. Of course, such a trip will not be budgetary, especially in the midst of tourist season. So, we offer an action plan for organizing your trip to this remote corner of our planet.

How to travel in Patagonia

When to go

Most hotels in El Calafate and Torres del Paine are open to tourists only from spring to autumn (taking into account the difference in seasons with the southern hemisphere of the planet, this is mid-September and early May), and only a few of them are open all year round.

To avoid crowds of tourists and at the same time catch good weather, it is better to plan a trip in the spring, when the first flowers appear, or autumn, when the leaves of the trees are painted in red, orange and yellow. During the summer months (December-February), the weather is most comfortable, but keep in mind that the temperature rarely rises above 20°C, but strong winds often blow.

Travelers should take into account that the weather in Patagonia is quite unpredictable, especially in spring and early summer. The temperature can change dramatically, and a strong storm can come from the Pacific Ocean. When planning your trip, it's best to allow for a few extra days in case of inclement weather.

How to get there

Since the territories of the countries of Chile and Argentina are quite large, it is necessary to fly to Patagonia by plane (of course, if you do not have a few weeks left to travel by car or train).

During the peak tourist season (December-February), flights sell out quickly, so you should book them as far in advance as possible: ideally six months before the trip. In other months of the tourist season (October, early May), you can book tickets three months in advance - this way you can avoid inflated prices and a limited choice of options.

To Chile LATAM Airlines flies south to Chilean Patagonia all year round, offering daily flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas. The flight time is just over 3 hours, the cost is with a preliminary ticket reservation from $ 130 round trip.

In addition, in December, the same airline has an additional flight twice a week between Santiago and Puerto Natales (duration 3 hours 10 minutes), on the way back the plane lands in Punta Arenas. In January and February, the number of flights on this route increases to four per week, ticket prices start at $130.

The Chilean low-cost airline Sky Airlines also offers direct flights from Santiago to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, but at more low prices. The cheapest tickets can be bought by booking them in August. From December to March, Sky Airlines offers three flights a week from Santiago to Puerto Natales (cost - from $ 70 with online booking). Two flights to Punta Arenas are served all year round: one direct and one with a stopover in Puerto Montt. During the tourist season, a third flight is added, its cost is from $50 when booking online.

Between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas the distance is three hours by car, between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park two hours, and five hours between Punta Arenas and the park.

In the same time in Argentina the main gates to Patagonia are the cities of El Calafate and Ushuaia. These destinations are served by LATAM Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas.

During the tourist season, LATAM Airlines offers daily flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (flight time 3 hours, 25 minutes). Ticket prices start at $340. There are also flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia for $515 with a flight duration of four hours.

The cost of a flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate and Ushuaia, as well as between El Calafate and Ushuaia on Aerolineas Argentinas aircraft - from 80 dollars. Los Glaciares National Park, home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, is an hour's drive from El Calafate Airport. Another popular destination is the town of El Chalten, located a three-hour drive from El Calafate.

How to move around the region

In the cost of living in most the best hotels South Patagonia includes airport transfers as well as travel for daily excursions.

You can travel from Chile to Argentina and vice versa both by land and by sea. But unfortunately there are no direct flights between Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas and El Calafate or Ushuaia.

To travel by land, you will have to rent a car, find a guide with a car, or buy a bus ticket. It takes five hours to cross the Patagonian steppe from Cancha Carrera to Cerro Castillo to cross the border between Argentina and Chile. The way back is the same.

There are several good bus companies offering bus tickets from Puerto Natales to El Calafate: Buses Fernandez, Buses Sur, Buses Pacheco, Turismo Zaahj and Cootra. Buses leave every day at 7-9 am. The journey takes 5-7 hours, depending on the time spent on customs control. Tickets cost from $80 to $130 per person and can be bought both at the bus station and online. It is better to book tickets in advance, it is better a month before the trip, especially during the tourist season.

By the way, there is a marine cruise route— Australis cruises. The journey from Punta Arenas (Chile) to Ushuaia (Argentina) starts at the end of September and lasts until the beginning of April. On this expedition, the ship passes fjords, the most famous glaciers, crosses the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn. The cost for three nights during the tourist season is from $1895 per person.

What to take with you

Since the temperature in Patagonia can drop from +20 degrees to -15 degrees during the day, it is important to bring appropriate clothing with you on your trip. Take on the road not only a waterproof jacket and comfortable boots, but also sunscreen and glasses - the sun shines very brightly here.

If you plan to stay overnight in hotels, a suitcase is quite suitable for things, if you are planning hiking, a backpack. On excursions and walks, it is better to take a small comfortable backpack with you.

Take:

• Moisture-absorbing thermal underwear
• Water-repellent hiking pants
• Light pullover or sweatshirt
• Fleece jacket or light down jacket
• Water-repellent warm jacket
• Sun cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Gloves
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Long warm socks
• Insect repellent spray
• Flashlight
• Backpack for walks and excursions

Travel Patagonia: Things to do in Chile

Tourists come to South Patagonia to see the majestic beauty of nature in the Torres del Paine National Park (admission fee - $ 38) and five of the most interesting representatives of the animal world of Patagonia: cougars, Guanaco llamas, South Andean deer, Andean condors and rhea ostriches. Of course, other animals also live in this region, such as flamingos, foxes, penguins and over 100 species of birds. For example, there are safari tours in which tourists travel through the national park for several days and track down cougars.

Also, visitors to the park can explore untouched forests, see the unusual South American nature (lenga, koihue, nyire), meet the royal woodpecker and the emerald parrot.

Walking the popular 'W' route (named for its shape) gives you the opportunity to visit one-of-a-kind freshwater lakes that can disappear overnight, turquoise lagoons, icebergs floating in the ocean and glaciers shimmering in the sun. The total length of the “W” route is 70 kilometers, you can cover this distance in 4-5 days, visiting the main attractions of the park and staying overnight in campsites or refugios (houses for overnight travelers).

Walk around the colorful fishing town of Puerto Natales, explore the labyrinths of picturesque fjords with huge blocks of ice and mysterious marine life that can be admired from the board of a pleasure boat.

Near Punta Arenas, you can visit the penguin colony on Seno Otway Island or Magdalena Island, see sea lions and whales looking out of the water. Here you can also kayak across the Strait of Magellan and even charter a boat to Clarence Island to ski in complete isolation from the whole world.

Where to stay in Chilean Patagonia

The best hotels in Torres del Paine offer a complete package that includes airport transfers, a variety of excursions, and three meals a day with good wines and cocktails.

Various hotels are located both in the park itself and in the surrounding cities. There are many options - from luxury rooms with spa treatments to eco-camping in the middle of the mountains.

A lot of good hotels located around the fishing town of Puerto Natales. You can even stay at a hotel near Cape Horn.

Local kitchen

Most hotels and private pensions offer excellent cuisine based on local products, such as white strawberries, rhubarb, seaweed, Patagonian honey, guanaco, Patagonian hare. There are many seafood delicacies here: South American king crab, hake ceviche, sea eel, snook, stewed mussels and oysters. Order a Pisco Sour cocktail or a bottle of collectible Chilean wine for dinner.

Day trips to Chile

Hotels usually offer information on a variety of excursion options for people of all fitness levels, including hiking, horseback riding, biking, kayaking, fjord boating, glacier cruising, and many other recreational options.

The most popular and most recommended activity is the hike to the Torres del Paine viewpoint. It's a difficult 8 hour round trip, but beautiful views mountain peaks and unusually picturesque natural landscapes will be your reward for your efforts.

Also one of the most popular routes- hike to Mirados Las Torres. Tourists pass beautiful lake Foot, and then go to the site with picturesque mountain landscapes.

You can book a tour of Lake Gray and swim up to the Glaciar Gray glacier or from the pier in Puerto Natales go to the Balmacedi and Serrano glaciers.

Spend a day with Chilean cowboys at the Estancia Mercedes Family Ranch. Here you can ride horses in the fjords all day long.

Travel Tips for Patagonia in Chile

When visiting Chile during the summer months, protect yourself from mosquito bites. Apply insect spray regularly and wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves (for some reason, local midges are very attracted to dark fabrics).

If you are an avid traveler, you can avoid the tourist crowds in Torres del Paine by visiting these places in November or April.

Take trekking poles with you on a hike - they will help in steep descents.

Travel Patagonia: Things to do in Argentina

Every year, more than 100,000 people visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, which covers an area of ​​250 km² in the Los Glaciares National Park (entrance fee - $ 260) and is included in the list world heritage UNESCO. Located near the town of El Calafate, this glacier is one of three glaciers in Patagonia that continue to grow and increase in size.

On boat trips, there is an amazing opportunity to see huge icebergs sliding down from the Perito Moreno glacier into Lake Argentino. Sometimes you can even go to the glacier and walk on it, wearing special metal shoe covers that allow you not to slip on the ice.

History buffs can get acquainted with the rural life of the Patagonian ranch Estancia Cristina, where life froze as it was a hundred years ago. Here beautiful nature, excellent places for hiking, horseback riding and, of course, a picturesque view of the mountain glaciers.

Three hours by car from El Calafate is the small mountain village of El Chalten. She is notable for the fact that next to her rises Mountain peak Fitzroy. Here you can find picturesque chalets, as well as ski slopes for skiers of all skill levels.

A trip to the province of Tierra del Fuego is a trip to the “end of the world”. Its capital, Ushuaia, is the port for ships sailing between Argentina and Chile. Book a boat trip to see the penguins, sea lions and cormorants that inhabit the Beagle Channel, made world famous by the work of Charles Darwin, who visited the area on his voyage on the Beagle in 1831.

In the Tierra del Fuego National Park, tourists will see a subarctic rain forest with huge beech trees, and a panoramic view of Ushuaia and the channel will open from the Martial Glacier. Anglers from all over the world go to the banks of the Rio Grande in the hope of catching the largest trout - a fish from the salmon family.

Where to stay in Argentinean Patagonia

On the main street of the city of El Calafate - Avenue del Libertador General San Martín, there are many nice shops and restaurants, but the rest of the city, unfortunately, lacks such charm.

We offer an overview of the most attractive places to live.

There are two good hotels in El Calafate located on south coast lakes Lago Argentino, these are Esplendor Calafate and Xelena.

The Eolo Lodge is a 30-minute drive from El Calafate, but it occupies a huge area in the pampas and has a great view of the lakes. Heavy antique furniture creates a cozy atmosphere for guests. Tours, mountain biking and bird watching can also be booked here. The hotel offers excursions to the Perito Moreno and Glaciar Uppsala glaciers.

Alternatively, travelers can take a tour from El Calafate or simply spend a few nights at Estancia Cristina, an early 20th-century ranch that raises sheep and offers boating opportunities on Lake Argentino. The ranch occupies a vast territory with the natural landscape of Patagonia, here you can go hiking, riding ATVs, sailing on a schooner among icebergs near the Glaciar Uppsala glacier. In the meantime, avid fishermen can ride horses to the glacial lakes near the hotel to fish for rainbow trout.

Nibepo Aike is a true ranch built by a Croatian pioneer at the turn of the 20th century. Cattle and sheep are still bred here, and guests are invited to feel like a real cowboy and leave the lasso, well, and for dinner, try asado, a traditionally cooked lamb dish. In the evening, guests can admire the Gorra, Frias and Dikson glaciers.

Between El Chalten and El Calafate, Estancia Helsingfors is a country house on the shores of Lake Viedma with excellent cuisine and excellent views of the mountain scenery.

Estancia El Condor is located five hours from El Calafate near Lake San Martin. The name of the hotel is due to the fact that condors nest in these places.

Los Cerros is located on the slopes of the mountains in El Chalten. Aguas Arribas Lodge, an hour's drive from El Chalten, is a secluded lakefront location overlooking Mount Fitzroy.

To Ushuaia best places for accommodation - hotels Los Cauquenes and Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa. There are great views of the Beagle Channel.

Local kitchen

Most hotels offer full board with three meals a day, but at the same time, there are some local delicacies worth trying.

The city of El Calafate got its name from the berries of the boxwood barberry, the national symbol of Patagonia and simply called caliphate berries here. There is a local legend that whoever eats caliphate berries will definitely return to Patagonia. Ice cream, liquor and delicious jams are made from caliphate here.

Tasting a real Patagonian asado is a "must-do" when visiting these places. Watch how to cook a lamb asado over an open fire, with a glass of Patagonian Pinot Noir or Mendocinean Mablec in hand...

The Kaupe restaurant in Ushuaia is considered one of the best in Argentina.

The Cerveceria Beagle bar brews its own beer, using meltwater from nearby glaciers to produce it.

Perhaps the most famous Argentine drink in the world is mate. Here there is a real ritual of preparing and drinking mate tea (a mixture of dried herbs rich in caffeine): tea leaves, poured into a hollowed gourd or wooden cup, are poured with boiling water through a metal tube - a bombilla. If the drink is too bitter, add some sugar.

Day trips in Argentina

A trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is one of the most popular excursions in Patagonia.

There are one-day river excursions during which tourists sail on a ship through Lake Argentino and visit the Glaciar Uppsala, Spegazzini and Perito Moreno glaciers.

The excursion to Estancia Cristina includes boat rides near various glaciers and waterfalls.

Cañadon de los Fosiles is a five-hour hike along a route with spectacular views of the lakes and the Glaciar Uppsala Glacier, and then a descent into the valley, where you can find many fossils of ancient animals and plants.

From El Chalten you can go on various walks in unusually picturesque places. Climbing to the top of Cerro Torre takes 6 hours, a more difficult route is to Mount Fitzroy and Lake Laguna de los Tres. At the top of the Glaciar Viedma glacier, you can even go ice skating.

In Tierra del Fuego, you can study the life of representatives of the flora and fauna of the Beagle Channel or visit Tierra del Fuego National Park with its picturesque panoramic landscapes.

Travel Tips for Patagonia in Argentina

Some hiking trails on the glacier may have age restrictions - from 18 to 50 years old.

If you plan to visit Estancia Cristina, please note that the boat leaves El Calafate here early in the morning and returns late in the evening.

If you want to avoid the influx of tourists, visit El Chalten in November or April.

Hiking equipment in Argentina is expensive, so it's best to take it with you.

March 2017. Half a year has passed since returning from Nepal. It's time to embark on a new journey! The mouse cursor, which rotated a three-dimensional map of the Earth in search of potential places to travel, froze over the southern part of South America: rugged coasts (remembered Norway), mountains, lakes, nature - it all looked promising ...

But it was in these parts, called Patagonia, that the heroes of Jules Verne's novel "Children of Captain Grant" went and found a lot of exciting adventures! I wonder if it is possible, 150 years after the journey of Paganel and his friends, to visit Patagonia on their own and for a sane amount of money?

A short search on the English Internet (there is not much detailed information in Russian) - and all the necessary information was collected. As it turned out, Patagonia is very popular among fans of hiking in our time. The most picturesque places in Patagonia include the El Chalten National Park, located in Argentina, and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

Lovers of comfort are recommended El Chalten - there you can stay in the town of the same name El Chalten, live in a hotel, take light daytime walks around the neighborhood, and dine in restaurants in the evenings. The history of the founding of the town of El Chalten is interesting: it so happened that there is no agreement on the state border between Argentina and Chile in that place, so the Argentines fussed and built locality to stake out territory behind them. Over time, the town has become a famous tourist center. The main attraction of the El Chalten National Park is Mount Fitzroy (3405 m).

In another national park - - there is practically no civilization, there are no towns like El Chalten. But nature and animal world more varied. They write that tourists can even meet a cougar if they are lucky (who exactly is lucky, tourists or a cougar is not specified, however, South American cougars seem to be considered less dangerous than their northern relatives). The central part of the Torres del Paine park is occupied by the Paine mountain range, the peaks of which are almost 3000 meters high. Along the southern slopes of the massif passes the path of the tourist route "W-track", so named because the path repeats the shape of the Latin letter W. The route is about 70 km long, its passage takes 5 days. There is a longer 8-day itinerary, the so-called "O-track", which circumnavigates the entire Peine massif. In the warm season, several camps operate in the national park, where tourists can stay overnight in houses with shared rooms for 8-10 people or in their own tents (putting tents outside the camps is prohibited). In terms of picturesqueness, Torres del Paine is not inferior to El Chalten.

In the mountains of Patagonia, there is the third largest (after Antarctica and Greenland) ice massif of the Earth, forming 47 large glaciers. You can get very close to some of the glaciers, in some places they even arrange excursions with a walk along the surface of the glacier.

Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentinean Patagonia. The height of the ice layer above the water surface is about 60 meters

Travel to the other side of the world with mountains, lakes, glaciers and pumas - who can resist such a combination? So, we decided to go to Patagonia 🙂 April should have been a good month for the trip: it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, there are not so many tourists, but the cold has not yet arrived. We had enough free time and finances to visit only one of the national parks, and after some deliberation, we opted for Torres del Paine - away from civilization and closer to nature. Now let's talk about how to get there - maybe readers who want to visit Patagonia on their own will find this information useful.

As of 2017, there are no direct flights from Russia to Argentina or Chile (and indeed to South America), so you will have to fly with a transfer at one of the airports in Western Europe or in Istanbul. Prices bite - options were offered costing from 50 to 70 thousand rubles for a round-trip ticket in economy class with a flight from St. Petersburg or Moscow. Probably, in the high summer season from December to February, the flight is even more expensive. We bought tickets from the Dutch airline KLM: we flew to South America with a connection in Amsterdam, and back from with a connection in Paris (the return flights were operated by Air France on behalf of KLM). Travel time one way is approximately 3.5 + 13 hours.

Argentina, Chile and many other South American countries allow Russians visa-free entry for up to 90 days, which greatly simplifies travel preparation.

From Buenos Aires to Patagonia can be reached by domestic flight to small town(El Calafate), flight time - about 3.5 hours. This route is operated by the Argentine airline Aerolineas Argentinas and the Chilean-Argentine-Brazilian Latam. The main attraction of El Calafate is the Perito Moreno glacier, the photo of which was given above. Tourist buses run from the city to the glacier.

In Patagonia, intercity bus service is well developed, and it will not be difficult to get from El Calafate to the desired national park. El Chalten is located 3 hours from El Calafate, Torres del Paine is a little further: first you need to make a 5-hour drive to the Chilean town (Puerto Natales), crossing the Argentine-Chile border on the way, and then use the bus route Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine, specially designed to transport tourists to the national park. At least two Patagonian bus companies can book tickets in advance online: Bus-Sur has a booking page on their website, and Turismo Zaahj accepts requests by email.

Patagonia can also be reached via Santiago, the capital of Chile. Latam and budget airline Sky Airline, offering tickets at an attractive price of $50. From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales can be reached in 3 hours by intercity bus. In 2017, it is planned to open an airport in Puerto Natales itself, after which it will become even easier to get to this town.

Tourists who have a lot of free time can arrive in Puerto Natales by ferry. From the city of Puerto Montt (Puerto Montt) to Puerto Natales there are ferries of the shipping company Navimag. The ferry cruise takes 4 days, and judging by the photos available on the Internet, the views are spectacular along the way.

To hike in the Torres del Paine National Park, it is necessary to reserve places on the Internet in tourist camps on your route even before the trip. Since 2017, such pre-reservation has become mandatory, as the national park administration, concerned about the increasing number of tourists, decided to limit the flow of visitors to a fixed number of places in the camps. Now tourists who do not present a reservation for each night of their stay in Torres del Paine may not be allowed into the park.

Scheme of the "W-track" route in Torres del Paine National Park. Buses from Puerto Natales stop at Laguna Amarga and Pudeto. The track can be reached: from Laguna Amarga - by minibus or on foot, from Pudeto - by boat to the Peine Grande camp

Tourist camps in Torres del Paine are divided between the companies Vertice Patagonia, Fantastico Sur and the non-profit organization CONAF, which manages reserves and national parks in Chile. Vertice Patagonia and Fantastico Sur offer guests accommodation in a hostel house or in a tent, hot showers and meals, which are paid separately and cost like lunch in a not the cheapest restaurant. The CONAF camps are free, but they only have a place for a tent and a toilet. Reservations for any camp can be made on the respective company's website.

We had no problems with reserving places in the camps - another plus of traveling outside the high season. The prospect of spending the night in dorm rooms did not arouse enthusiasm, so we decided to go with a tent - it's more interesting and romantic. As for food, in the battle of the wallet with the backpack, the backpack won a convincing victory, and in order not to carry additional weight in the form of food during the trip, we booked breakfasts, lunches and dinners in tourist camps - since such an opportunity was provided, it made sense take advantage of her.

When looking at information about Chile, we were very interested in the city (Valparaiso): unique architecture included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, narrow streets on steep hills, historic funiculars - and all this on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. I wanted to definitely visit Valparaiso, so a stop in this city was added to the trip plan. Valparaiso is a two hour bus ride from Santiago. Buses leave two or three times an hour, we booked tickets with Turbus (the site is in Spanish, but everything was clear).

Our final itinerary included the following:

1. Flight to Buenos Aires, sightseeing.
2. Flight to El Calafate, trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
3. Moving to Puerto Natales.
4. Walking a 5-day W-Track in Torres del Paine National Park.
5. Return to Puerto Natales.
6. Transfer to Punta Arenas.
7. Flight to Santiago, trip to Valparaiso for 2 days.
8. Return to Santiago, sightseeing, flight home.

Everything you need for such a trip: flights, transfers, hotels - you can book via the Internet, without even getting up from the couch. We only had the following minor problems:

• The online payment for the Vertice Patagonia camps did not go through. A day later, everything was fixed by itself - apparently there were some temporary problems with the site.
• For some reason, the Bus-Sur bus company's online booking form did not work. We complained to them via e-mail (in English, because we do not speak Spanish) - they responded promptly, prepared a reservation with payment by PayPal, after payment they sent a voucher, upon presentation of which a ticket is issued at the bus station ticket office.
• Aerolineas Argentinas, as we found out experimentally, needs to book tickets from an American website. On the European website of the airline (it looked more modern), Russia was not in the list of countries, and when choosing any other country, payment with cards of Russian banks did not go through. There were no problems with payment in the American version.

So - we booked tickets, hotels and places in tourist camps. In addition to the already available equipment, the following were bought: a light tent, sleeping bags with the funny name Cat’s Meow and a comfort temperature of about 0 ° C, compact inflatable mats weighing 450 grams, allowing you to sleep on the ground even at sub-zero temperatures. Now all that remained was to look forward to the day of departure.

Argentina has not yet been spoiled by Russian tourists, and the more it is attractive to them. No joke to say, almost 20-hour flight. Such a journey is far from being affordable for everyone. Perhaps, if not for such remoteness, then the Latin American countries would be among the first in the routes of Russian travelers. Believe me, there is something to see and something to be surprised. Today we'll show you how to plan independent travel to Argentina.

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Routes to the natural attractions of Argentina are always planned as an independent, separate trip that requires calculation of time and budget.

More detailed information Read about the most in our article.

Many of the travelers consider this place the main natural attraction of Argentina. It's hard to argue. It is difficult to surprise northern Russians with glaciers and snow of Patagonia, salty lakes and mountains of Salta are not a novelty for connoisseurs, but Iguazu Falls will amaze even experienced ones.

They are located on the border of Brazil and Argentina and can be reached from both sides. A plane ticket from Buenos Aires will cost you around $300-400 round trip. On the bus, you will spend a little less money, but the road will take almost 18 hours. The choice is yours.

Already when approaching, you will see, or rather, guess that you see the main waterfall "Dragon's Throat". From the green mass of trees, steam will swirl, rising into the sky. The town of Iguazu itself is the opposite of the prim capital, small, truly Latin American with brick-red earth underfoot.

The national park is open to visitors from 8 am to 6 pm. Having bought a ticket, to which the card is attached, you can take a special train to the main waterfall. True, there are several trains in the park, but it is easy to figure out the routes. Signposts are placed on the trails to help tourists, and park employees are always willing to help.

Observation platforms are arranged both on the upper path and on the lower route. From the upper path, a stunning panoramic view of all the cascades opens up, and you feel like a bird, and from the lower path, you can watch the walls of water from below, fully realizing the impotence of a person in front of this power.

El Calafate and El Chalten

In the southern part of Patagonia, in the El Calafate area, about 4 hours of flight from Buenos Aires. An additional baggage inspection is carried out here, as you enter an environmentally friendly area with its own rules. The main goal of all visitors is the Los Glaciares National Park with a unique natural attraction, the Perito Moreno Glacier. Remember: there are restrictions on entrance tickets, and they are sold only upon presentation of a passport. The park is open until 18:00. Buses to the glacier leave 2 times a day (08:15, back at 16:00, and 13:00, back at 19:30).

It would seem, what can surprise the icy land? But starting the walk from one observation deck to the other, you gradually begin to understand why the step is slowing down. Ice power is amazing! Fans of mountaineering and trekking immediately purchase tickets to El Chalten. The town itself is located on the territory of Los Glaciares, in its northern part. Transfers to El Chalten run 3 times a day (08:00, 13:00 and 18:30).

The bus will bring you to the administration building, where you will be briefed and familiarized with possible routes. I must say right away that for the completeness of all sensations, physical endurance and dexterity are very important here. In order to be transported to the pages of the novel "Children of Captain Grant" not mentally, but personally to verify the beauty of the local nature, you should even overcome yourself.

The color and magic of Argentine cities

Salta. A resort, vibrant Argentine city, founded at the end of the 14th century, as a resting place for trade caravans heading to Buenos Aires. The picturesque and fabulous beauty of the place attracts with its history. Pilgrims come here to bow to the healing statue of the Virgin Mary, located in one of the halls Cathedral Salts. And for tourists, one of the most popular trips from this town is the “Train in the Clouds” (a trip to a town lost at an altitude of 4000 meters, which takes 14 hours).

Salta is connected by air to both Buenos Aires and Cordoba, and by bus to many other Argentine cities.

Cordoba. The second largest Argentine city after the capital. For connoisseurs of architecture, it will be more attractive than Buenos Aires, as the flavor of the colonial era is preserved here with greater authenticity.

Mar del Plata. Known for lovers beach holiday Argentine resort, located 400 km from the capital. Length and variety coastline attracts both connoisseurs of solitude and party-goers.