Patagonia Region
Argentina’s Patagonia Region covers the enormous southernmost region of South America and is home to remote farming communities, dramatic landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. Patagonia is almost mythical in its reputation, having attracted adventurers, cowboys, recluses and even Welsh farming communities for much of the 20th century. Today, hikers, bird watchers, climbers and photographers continue to make the pilgrimage to the Americas’ southern tip.
Follow one of Argentine Patagonia’s two main arteries to discover the region by road. Today, the RN-3 and RN-40 highways are paved, but reading the stories of Bruce Chatwin, Che Guevara or Butch Cassidy you’ll see that Patagonia has changed much in recent decades. The sense of adventure remains, despite the asphalt, and exploring by car will allow you to discover the national parks, penguin colonies and Welsh villages of the region at your own pace.
El Calafate is among the larger cities of Patagonia and a base for exploring the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. While you won’t feel the isolation of Patagonia’s great unknown, you will have resources at your fingertips for all your adventure sports needs. Buy or rent equipment, find comfortable accommodation and arrange guides to take you to the towering Monte Fitz Roy, the Los Glaciares National Park and the iconic Torres del Paine across the border in Chile.
Further south, Argentine Patagonia comes to a rugged conclusion close to the city of Rio Grande. Located on the island of Tierra del Fuego, this is about as close to Antarctica as most people get and truly feels like the end of the earth. Whale watch off the coast or enjoy soaking up the local culture in the city.
Despite its remoteness there are numerous ways to reach Argentine Patagonia, each with its own benefit. Travel overland to experience the people and landscape of northern Patagonia on your way to the attractions in the south or fly to El Calafate or Rio Grande from the capital. Train travel is an exciting way to meet people and move at a slower pace. While accommodation is today plentiful in the towns and cities, pack a tent for a back-to-basics experience in one of Patagonia’s majestic national parks.