Idyllically situated in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina’s Santa Cruz province, the village of El Chaltén is known as Argentina's trekking capital. It is a popular haven for outdoor enthusiasts with hiking opportunities abound for both advanced and beginner trekkers. Just an hour’s walk can lead you straight to the treasures of Los Glaciares National Park, which range from great glaciers to towering rocky summits and rolling forests. Founded in 1985, the town got its name from the Tehuelche word meaning ‘mountain that smokes’, because of the clouds that persistently sit atop the great peaks. The Perito Moreno Glacier and the Laguna de Los Tres, a picture-postcard mountain lake with the snowy backdrop of Fitz Roy peak, are the most visited sites.
Situated deep in Patagonia’s snow-capped vistas, on the southern shore of Lake Argentino, El Calafate has become a key stopover for travellers headed to nearby Los Glaciares National Park. This icy wonderland is best known as the home of spectacular Perito Moreno glacier – a massive, shifting ice cap composed of dozens of smaller glaciers. Take a glacier tour, a helicopter ride, or a 4x4 excursion; hike and boat to your heart’s content; or visit one of the traditional ‘ranchos’ (estancias) to learn more about local culture (another great spot for this is the Centro de Interpretacíon Historico). A wonderful selection of restaurants and boutiques adds appeal; make sure to try the ‘alfajores’ cookies. Drink vodka, watch a movie, and learn all about ice at the impressive Glaciarium.
This former fishing port, situated in the Patagonian region of southern Chile, has blossomed into a tourist haven. This trendy town offers boutique beers, wine tastings and famous brand shops catering to the international set, but it has lost nothing of its relaxed pace in the process. From Puerto Natales, visitors can take a trip to the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine with its impressive rock formations and ice field (the third largest in the world); travel by ferry through the Chilean fjords; or visit the prehistoric caves at the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument (where the remains of the giant ground sloth were found in 1895).
Situated in Chile’s Patagonian region, Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Covering 227,298 hectares, the park encompasses granite peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, grasslands and turquoise lakes. Its most recognizable landmark is the three granite towers of the Paine Massif, which rise above the surrounding landscape. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including guanacos, pumas, Andean condors, foxes and the endangered Chilean huemul. Visitors can explore the area through an extensive network of hiking trails, with opportunities for trekking, wildlife viewing, photography, horse riding and boat excursions. Located near Bernardo O’Higgins National Park and Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, Torres del Paine forms part of a spectacular wilderness region spanning southern Chile and Argentina.
As previously described
As previously described
As previously described
As previously described
