Things to do in Patagonia, Argentina

Discover Patagonia on this trek in Los Glaciares National Park. Explore the park on foot, and trek on glaciers with crampons. Learn about the flora and fauna from your guide along the way, and sail in front of a glacier on Argentino Lake. This unmissable experience begins at the “Bajo de las Sombras” Port, within Los Glaciares National Park. Take a boat to cross the Brazo Rico, to the west coast. After crossing, take a rest stop and meet your guides who will brief you on the activity. Strap on your crampons and trek along the glacier, following along with your licensed guides. See unique ice formations and learn about glacier ruptures and the natural life of the region. Return to the refuge through the Magellan forest where you can enjoy your lunch (not included) with a view of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Return through the Brazo Rico of the Argentino Lake, sailing in front of the glacier. You can also enjoy the view of the Perito Moreno from the catwalks: another way to see and appreciate its immensity.

Depart from your hotel in El Calafate at around 10:30 AM and set off for the Perito Moreno Glacier located inside the Los Glaciares National Park. Travel to the west end of the Magallanes Peninsula and enjoy plenty of time to explore this natural ice formation. Begin your tour of the national park by strolling along a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) network of boardwalks. Admire the glacier from multiple perspectives as you climb up to different levels and balconies. Spend 2 hours exploring the runways and use this time to eat a packed lunch or make a stop in at one of the restaurants. Go on an optional 1-hour boat ride in front of the northern wall of the glacier. After the tour, return to El Calafate via the same route and arrive in the evening.

Start the tour with a pickup from your hotel in El Calafate around 7:00 AM to undertake the 47km route to the Punta Bandera Port where your boat departs at 9:00 AM.  The first part of the trip takes place in the north arm of the Argentino Lake before crossing into the Boca del Diablo, the narrowest part of the lake. Then, go to the Upsala and Spegazzini channels where you can view the respective glaciers. The Upsala Glacier is the largest on Argentino Lake and can be seen from about 20km away. The Spegazzini Glacier is the highest and you can also see the Dry, Heim Sur, and Peineta glaciers. After entering the Spegazzini Channel, a 300-meter path will be crossed without difficulty through the forest along the coast of the lake making stops at viewpoints overlooking the entire Bay of Glaciers.  Arrive at the Spegazzini Refuge where you can enjoy an optional 3-course lunch with drinks, visit the shop, and contemplate the landscape from the terrace.  For those who enjoy walking, the mountain path offers a 700m trek of medium difficulty through a wooded path with natural viewpoints of the Spegazzini Glacier ending at the landing point. Return to the boat and head back to El Calafate where you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel.

Start the tour in the local tourist dock and board a modern and comfortable boat. Set sail and cross the wide Ushuaia Bay until you reach the Beagle Channel through Paso Chico. Then, navigate around the Bird's Island where you can appreciate species of the Tierra del Fuego's seabirds such as skuas, black-browed albatross, steam ducks, cauquenes, cook seagulls, and gray seagulls. After that, reach Sea Lion Island which also belongs to the Bridges Archipelago and is inhabited by 2 different species of sea lion. Arrive at the Les Eclaireurs (The Illuminators) Lighthouse where you will find imperial and rocky cormorants colonies. Hear the story of the collapse of the SS Monte Cervantes in 1930. Next, continue sailing East into the wonderful landscapes of the Beagle Channel surrounded by stunning mountain ranges. Admire both Puerto Almanza on the Argentina coast and the Puerto Williams Naval Base on the Chilean coast. After that, head onwards to Martillo Island, also known as Penguin Island where you will have the opportunity to observe a colony of Magellanic and Papua penguins in their natural habitat. Make the return journey back to the dock, where your tour will end. 

Set off on a full-day trip along the famous Road of the Seven Lakes route from San Carlos de Bariloche. Relish in unparalleled views of the countryside. Visit the true mountain village, Villa La Angostura, characterized by its stylized Alpine-wood architecture.  A few kilometers later, the Road of the Seven Lakes begins, passing by the beautiful Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico lakes. Each with a unique landscape and surrounded by ancient, leafy forests, marvel at unmatched natural beauty. Once in San Martin de Los Andes, situated on the shore of Lake Lacar, explore the area at your own pace. Return to your hotel in Bariloche.

Start the first section of the tour in the Quetrihue Peninsula where you will visit the Arrayanes Forst.  After a quick walk, arrive at Bosque de Arrayanes where you will stay for 45 minutes and cross the forest on a path that is 2625 feet (800m) long. This part of the trip culminates in the mythical cabin that functions as a tea house. From there, boardoard the catamaran and resume your tour as you head to Bahía Anchorena. After several minutes of navigation, the catamaran will arrive at Puerto Anchorena. Once off the boat, begin your tour of the island. Among the possible activities, you can take the historical route, which is a 1-hour walk where you will have access to information related to the history of the island and its flora and fauna. The other option is to trek to Piedras Blancas on a 5-mile (8km) route. You can also visit Toro Beach, where you can see cave paintings, or the recreation area where you can take a break and even eat lunch. It should be noted that the island has a confectionery stand, where passengers have the opportunity to have lunch or a snack.

Discover the National Capital of Trekking on a private or shared guided day trip from El Calafate El Chaltén. Let yourself be amazed by this mountain town as you discover incredible landscapes and walk part of its trails. Start the morning with pickup from your hotel in El Calafate. Relax on the trip to the town of El Chaltén which is 220 km from El Calafate. Cross the Santa Cruz River and make a rest stop for a few minutes at Estancia La Leona where you can buy homemade cakes and a hot drink. Continue to El Chaltén, bordering Lake Viedma with its homonymous glacier. Take in stunning views of Cerro Chaltén (also known as Fitz Roy) and Torre on clear days, as well as the Viedma Glacier with its impressive icebergs. Upon arrival at Chaltén, have 5 hours to explore and enjoy this small mountain town. Enjoy a 700-meter guided walk to the Mirador de Los Cóndores viewpoint and visit the Chorrillo del Salto with a 300-meter walk over flat terrain. From September to April (subject to weather conditions and the presence of ice and snow), have the option to cover part of the trail to Fitz Roy Laguna de Los Tres and reach Laguna Capri, where you can have lunch on its beach. Return on a self-guided road that has no detours (8 km round trip). To return, meet at a previously arranged meeting point for the drive back to El Calafate, arriving at approximately 8 PM.

Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park and ride the End of the World train. Enjoy the comfort of transportation from your hotel in Ushuaia, and take in the incredible views as you learn the history of the park. Depart from Ushuaia and head towards Tierra del Fuego National Park. On the way, you will be able to appreciate the wonderful views of lakes, lagoons, and rivers as you travel along National Route 3. There will be a stop to enjoy the panoramic views of the Beagle Channel, the Ushuaia Peninsula, and the Bridges, Willie, and Les Eclaireurs archipelagos. After crossing the Pipo River Bridge, arrive at the End of the World Station. Here, board the train to travel the last 7 km of the original 25 km that the prisoners traveled 100 years ago. While crossing the Toro Canyon and the Pipo River by the Quemado Bridge, be enchanted by the extraordinary landscape. In Lapataia Bay, find molluscs, mussels and traces of the ancient native people who inhabited the region. Walk along the footbridge and feel like you're at the end of the world. From here, the end of National Route No. 3, start your return to Ushuaia.

Start the tour in the local tourist dock and board a modern and comfortable boat. Set sail and cross the wide Ushuaia Bay until you reach the Beagle Channel through Paso Chico. Then, navigate around the Bird's Island where you can appreciate species of the Tierra del Fuego's seabirds such as skuas, black-browed albatross, steam ducks, cauquenes, cook seagulls, and gray seagulls. After that, reach Sea Lion Island which also belongs to the Bridges Archipelago and is inhabited by 2 different species of sea lion. Arrive at the Les Eclaireurs (The Illuminators) Lighthouse where you will find imperial and rocky cormorants colonies. Hear the story of the collapse of the SS Monte Cervantes in 1930. Next, descend into Puerto Karelo to see the authentic shelly deposits (conchero's) of Yamana peoples. Enjoy a guided hike here which lasts takes approximately 20 minutes, finishing at a panoramic viewpoint where you can capture excellent photographs. On the return journey, marvel at the incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges and sumptuous vegetation which surround the city of Ushuaia.

Embark on a guided hike to the spectacular Laguna de Los Tres. Hike from El Chaltén along the popular trail. Start with pickup from your hotel in El Calafate. Travel along Route 40 bordering the Argentino Lake to the town of El Chaltén. Once here, start on your trek to Laguna de los Tres. You will have approximately 8 hours to complete the trek. Walk through a variety of landscapes, enjoying the scenic views all around you. Hike through beautiful woodland and enjoy the beautiful views of the Río de las Vueltas Valley, crossing forests and streams, until you arrive at Laguna Capri. Make your way to Camping Poincenot and the Rio Blanco. Admire the views of the imposing mountain Fitz Roy at the Mirador del Fitz Roy. Afterward, head back on the same path to the start point, where your transportation will be waiting to take you back to El Calafate.