Opening to Tourism
Since the advent of democratic regimes in Chile and Argentina about thirty years ago, Patagonia has opened up to tourism. The region has modernized and organized itself to offer visitors quality services, both in terms of hospitality and receptive agencies.
Sustainable Tourism
Concerned with preserving its natural and cultural riches, Argentina and Chile in particular are working to ensure that Patagonia engages in sustainable tourism development. Initiatives are being implemented to minimize environmental impact and promote responsible tourism that respects local populations.
Between Glaciers, Fjords, and Pampas, a Land of Extremes
Patagonia is a harsh land with vast expanses where access can prove difficult. The tourist season is short due to harsh and windy winters.
The Chilean side of Patagonia is characterized by a multitude of fjords cutting into the western coast. The northern part, mainly covered by ice, stretches over Chile and Argentina. It is home to the third largest continental glacier in the world, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, from which many glaciers flow, such as Perito Moreno or Grey Glacier.
The eastern slope, in Argentina, offers a striking contrast with its immense stretches of desert pampas that extend to the Atlantic Ocean and Tierra del Fuego to the south.
Stay at an Estancia: An Authentic Experience
Plan your trip to Patagonia to discover life on an estancia, a vast agricultural estate typical of the region. Many estancias, mainly dedicated to sheep farming, easily exceed 10,000 hectares in size and share the region. The gauchos, Argentine cowboys, protect the sheep from puma attacks and gather the animals once a year for counting, shearing, and castrating the young males.
The Wildlife of Patagonia: A Wild Treasure
Patagonia is a true biodiversity sanctuary, home to exceptional and varied wildlife.
In the desert expanses and arid steppes, you can spot guanacos, elegant camelids, close relatives of llamas, moving in herds. These graceful animals are often accompanied by rheas, birds resembling ostriches but smaller, which roam the plains at high speed.
On Magdalena Island in the Strait of Magellan or at Punta Tombo, south of the Valdés Peninsula, Magellanic penguins form noisy colonies along the beaches, while elephant seals and groups of sea lions lounge on the shores. The Patagonian waters are also the playground of orcas and southern right whales, offering unique opportunities to observe them up close.
Wake up early to witness the takeoff of the Condors as soon as the sun triggers the first thermals. In the woods, it is not uncommon to encounter huemuls, endangered Andean deer. Spend a day tracking pumas in Torres del Paine park, an opportunity to photograph these felines in their natural habitat.
Trip to Patagonia: Our Top Must-Sees
- Torres del Paine Park: a natural gem with two-tone mountains in magical colors.
- Glacier Park: Perito Moreno Glacier, a vast continental glacier.
- Valdés Peninsula: Whale and orca watching, penguin colony.
- Ushuaia: legendary city of Tierra del Fuego located on the Beagle Channel.
- Fitz Roy Park: hikes around this legendary peak.
