PATAGONIA – Friendly Notes

DISCOVER PATAGONIA

Patagonia is a land of lore and legend. Whether you’re planning on ticking off some of the area’s best-known sights, or prefer to lose yourself in the wilds of the pampa, Patagonia is an unforgettable destination and a must-see place.

Patagonia is shared by Argentina and Chile. The region comprises the southern section of the Andes mountains and the deserts, pampas and grasslands to the east. Patagonia is one of the few regions with coasts on three oceans, with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south.

A classic road trip that has grown in popularity as a unique, adventurous way of visiting Argentina & Patagonia, Ruta 40 is one of longest in the world – and one of the most sensational.
By hiring a car and driving it yourself, or even taking the buses that now travel most of the distance, it’s possible to embark upon an extraordinary 3,107-mile (5,000km) adventure where you’ll encounter the diverse, wild landscapes that stretch the length of this country.

Plan your trip and…Enjoy your stay!

BARILOCHE AND THE 7 LAKES REGION

You’ve arrived in Patagonia’s Nahuel Huapi National Park, 1,680 kilometers (1044 miles) from Buenos Aires. Bariloche is one of the most breathtaking places in Argentina. You’ll find incredible views, lakes, streams, meltwater rivers and mountains. Enjoy the fresh air and the landscapes that undergo radical change each and every season. The lush green from the generous summer sun, the unmissable colors of the fall foliage, the explosion of life in spring and the bright white snow during our winter months.

The cozy city centre of San Carlos de Bariloche will give you a complete idea of the reason why is the Argentine Capital of Chocolate. In the main road you will find more than 20 different shops chocolate home made…make a stop in everyone and you will never get tired!

Bariloche will fill you with energy and peace. Experience an adventure bursting with emotions. Enjoy every day a different hiking in the beautiful mountains and explore the secret corners of the route of the 7 lakes (San Martin de Los Andes, Villa La Angostura).

Discover Bariloche https://www.barilocheturismo.gob.ar/en/about-bariloche

NATIONAL PARK LOS GLACIARES

The National Park “Los Glaciares” is located in the region known as Andes Australes in the Argentine territory, to the southwest of the province of Santa Cruz on the border with Chile. It was created in 1937 to protect a vast region dominated by glaciers, bordered by native subantarctic forest and an important number of endemic species of plants and animals. This unique natural wonder in the world has been declared a “World Heritage” by UNESCO in 1981.

The name is due to the presence of numerous glaciers that originate in the great Southern Patagonian Ice Field – the largest ice sheet in the Southern Hemisphere after Antarctica – which occupies almost half of the Park.
Also known as Southern Patagonian Ice, it feeds 47 large glaciers, of which 13 descend towards the Atlantic basin. There are also more than a hundred smaller glaciers, independent of the Patagonian Ice Field.
While the large masses of ice are usually found on our planet at more than 2500 meters above sea level, the glaciers of the province of Santa Cruz have their origin at only 1500 meters above sea level and descend to 200 meters above sea level, allowing a unique access and visualization in the world. The melting of this immense water system originates the two great lakes Argentino and Viedma, which pour their waters into the Atlantic Ocean crossing the entire province through the Santa Cruz River.

There a lot of activities to do in this area: hiking in the mountain around El Chalten, kayak, navigation and mini-trekking on the glacier, Perito Moreno Glacier.

The most important stop are: El Chalten and Calafate where you can have a base to go in the national park.

Official Website: https://www.elchalten.com/v4/es/parque-nacional-los-glaciares.php

PUERTO NATALES & THE NATIONAL PARK OF TORRES DEL PAINE

Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and the eighth wonder of the world in 2013, Torres del Paine National Park is undoubtedly a world-class tourist attraction that delights for so many reasons that it becomes difficult to put it into words. What do you think if you give a chance to this incredible place and discover for yourself why it is described as one of the most beautiful corners on Earth?

Located just 154 kilometers northwest of Puerto Natales (CHILE) and 399 kilometers from Punta Arenas(CHILE), this 227,298-hectare sanctuary was founded under the name of Lago Gray National Tourism Park on May 13, 1959, when the main activity of the area was still Livestock and tourism were relegated to a few adventurers. Just on April 30, 1970, the park adds 11,000 new hectares to its protected terrain and is baptized as it is known today: Torres del Paine National Park.

Those who decide to visit it, will be able to find an exceptional geography of majestic massifs, turquoise lakes, icebergs, rivers, lenga forests and extensive pampas visited by guanacos, ñandúes and pumas. It is a privileged landscape that opens its doors to thousands of tourists every year, receives them with clearly marked paths and numerous alternatives of supply and lodging to make of your stay an absolutely wonderful experience.

If you are equipped with light and waterproof clothing, nutritious provisions, good company and adventurous spirit, your next vacation in Torres del Paine Park can be an extraordinary experience. For everything to be perfect, just remember to plan with time the routes you want to do, book accommodation and transport, and keep in mind the season in which you travel.

Tours & Escursions from Puerto Natales: http://gocalafatechalten.com

Official Website of the National Park: https://torresdelpaine.com/en/atraccion/torres-del-paine-national-park/

PUNTA ARENAS (MAGALLANES REGION) 

Punta Arenas is the capital city of Chile’s southernmost region, Magallanes and Antartica Chilena. The city was officially renamed as Magallanes in 1927, but in 1938 it was changed back to “Punta Arenas”. It’s the largest city south of the 46th parallel south.
The Magallanes region is considered part of Chilean Patagonia.

Dont loose the opportunity to visit the Reserva Magallanes (Conaf) and navigate to Isla Magdalena and Isla Marta.

In the waters you should find the Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii). Magdalena Island is a protected area known as Monumento Natural Los Pinguinos of 97 hectares, which also includes the tiny Marta Island nearby.

Punta Arenas is very well connected by airplane from the north of Chile and by bus with the nearest cities of Puerto Natales and Ushuaia.

HOW TO MOVE BETWEEN PATAGONIA CHILENA & ARGENTINA?  

We highly recommend to move in Patagonia depending with the time to spend you have during your holidays.
Rent a car, jump in a bus is a classic option if you have time to spend in patagonia.
But if you want to optimize your holidays we highly recommend the internal flights in Argentina and Chile that connect you between the north and the extreme south in less then 4 hours.
For the internal flight in Chile we recommend the company JetSmart: https://jetsmart.com/cl/es/

For the internal flight in Argentina we recommend Aereolinas Argentinas: https://www.aerolineas.com.ar/welcome