Patagonia Tours, Trips & Holidays
Sweeping landscapes, snow capped mountains and pristine wilderness. These are all images that come to mind when thinking about the incredible region of Patagonia. An area of such stark beauty it must be seen to be believed, Patagonia truly is a nature lovers dream destination. Sharp peaks cut through the horizon, glistening blue lakes sit snug within the mountains and glaciers can be heard creaking and crashing in the far distance. Home to some of the world’s best hiking trails including the famous W Trek, the Torres Trek and the strenuous Huemul Circuit, Patagonia does not disappoint when it comes to breathtaking scenery. If you like it wild and untamed, a holiday to Patagonia might just be your ultimate adventure.
Group Tours of Patagonia with Tucan Travel
Patagonia is not a country in itself, and this can cause confusion among travellers when searching for travel advice. The geographical region of Patagonia straddles both Argentina and Chile, with around 10% of Patagonia belonging to Chile and the remaining 90% to Argentina. If you wish to explore the highlights of Patagonia, you will likely spend time in both Chilean Patagonia and Argentinian Patagonia. Access to Patagonia is from Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Patagonia, meaning you have the perfect opportunity to combine both cosmopolitan cities with the rugged landscape that the mountains offer. Want to explore more of Chile or Argentina? Tucan Travel offer a range of tours that dive deep into these wonderful countries. If you have longer to travel, why not add on time in Brazil? This fascinating country offers the incredible Iguazu Falls as well as cultural hotspot Rio de Janeiro.
Best places to visit in Patagonia
1. Torres del Paine National Park
Located in Chile’s Patagonia region, Torres del Paine acts as poster boy for the iconic images you see in Patagonia, with its towering mountains and crystal blue lakes. With one of the most beautiful natural skylines in the world, the park welcomes adventurers eager to experience the rugged allure of Patagonia. Encompassing more than 180,000 hectares, the national park acts as base for the numerous hiking activities in the area. Meaning Towers of Paine, the park was named after the three granite peaks that rise from the Paine Massif.
2. Perito Moreno Glacier
Located within Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the top attractions in Patagonia as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The incredible ice formation is around 30 kilometres in length and is fed by the Patagonian Ice Field; the third largest freshwater reserve in the world. Covered in a hue of white, blue and grey, the glacier continually creaks and cracks as it advances by around 2 metres each day. If you’re lucky you will experience the calving process, where huge chunks of ice break off due to the pressure and crash in the water. Standing beneath the impressive glacier truly is a highlight of Patagonia.
3. Lake Pehoe
Lake Pehoe sits within Torres del Paine National Park, with its crystalline waters and mountainous backdrop creating a postcard perfect image. Quite aptly named after the tehuelche word for “hidden”, the lake is more than 10 kilometres wide with the ferry to cross it taking around one hour. Widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Pehoe is a site for sore eyes come sunrise and sunset. The lake is surrounded by various flora, as well as grazing wild guanaco, making it great for photography lovers.
4. Los Glaciares National Park
Another popular destination, Los Glaciares National Park is located in the Argentinian side of Patagonia. The area is home to many animals and birds such as condors and buzzard eagles. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and contains one of the most popular attractions in South America; the Perito Moreno Glacier. In fact 30% of Los Glaciares is covered in ice! Los Glaciares is by far the largest national park in Patagonia, with some incredible hiking trails available for travellers.
5. Isla Magdalena
A small island located on the Strait of Magellan, Isla Magdalena can be accessed via boat and seen on a day trip from Punta Arenas. What makes this remote and largely untouched island so special? With an estimated 120,000 Magellanic penguins, it has one of the largest penguin colonies in the whole of Patagonia! It is possible to disembark on the island and walk among the penguins, getting up close and personal to the wilderness of South America.
6. Ushuaia
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the Beagle Channel, this once sleepy town is officially the world’s most southern city. Colourful houses are dotted along the streets, home to some 60,000 people. While small in size, Ushuaia has grown into a tourist hotspot and is the base for most Antarctic cruises. Highlights in the area include Tierra del Fuego National Park and the scenic Lago Roca. For those who love scenic landscapes paired with that overwhelming feeling of standing at the ends of the earth; Ushuaia is for you.
7. El Calafate
El Calafate is the gateway to the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park. Situated on the border of Lake Argentino, the town is named about the calafate, a small bush with yellow flowers and blue berries which is common throughout Patagonia. El Calafate is a great stopping point for a range of hiking trails in the region, and the town itself home to a range of charming artisan markets and traditional restaurants. For wildlife enthusiasts, flamingos are regularly seen flocking to the shores of Lago Argentino.
8. Fitz Roy Massif
Bordering Argentina and Chile, Mount Fitz Roy is a photographers dream, with its jagged skyline and impressive structures. Carved by the weather over millions of years, Fitz Roy was created from fused rocks resting deep in the earth. The barron mountain has little to no plants on the surface due to the extreme climatic conditions, while the odd eagle soars above. Due to the sheer size of the mountain, a large part remains undefined and belongs to neither Argentina or Chile. Seeing the grand scale of Fitz Roy on a clear day is a highlight of any Patagonia holiday.
9. El Chalten
With a tiny population and huge canvas of unspoiled nature, El Chalten is the ultimate destination for those keen on the outdoors. Named Argentina’s trekking capital, the sleepy town is the base for many magical walks, each viewpoint of mountains and glaciers even more spectacular than the last. The town itself offers charming restaurants and small shops, but the excitement starts once you get into the nature that surrounds it.
10. Punta Arenas
This charming city is the urban capital of the Magallanes and gateway to Patagonia, with an airport located a mere 22 km from the city. It is amongst the biggest cities in the region, with a population of some 130,000 people. Due to its location, Punta Arenas has a subpolar oceanic climate, with pretty stable temperatures throughout the year. Located close to the small island of Magdalena, a boat ride to the island brings you close to the largest penguin colony in the south of Chile.
11. The W Trek
Considered one of the best hikes in South America, the W trek is named after the shape it takes during the 80km route that winds through Torres del Paine National Park. Walking through spectacular valleys, along Lago Grey and Mirador Britanico, the route provides incredible views of the granite peaks that so aptly give the park its name. It is possible to camp along the way, waking up to the sounds of nature and unspoilt scenery surrounding you.
12. Tierra del Fuego National Park
Accessed from the town of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park consists of waterfalls, forests, mountains and glaciers. It is known for its biological diversity and is home to a range of vegetation and flora. Hiking trails here offer superb views of the Beagle Channel, as well as the snow-capped mountains that dominate the backdrop. This is also where you can ride the “End of the World Train” – a replica of the prison train that once transported wood and other materials from the forest to the city prison.
Why Tucan Travel
Spanish Speaking Tour Leaders
Patagonia is one of the most remote corners on earth, and travellers can face many challenges when trying to get around. Group tours with Tucan Travel are the perfect way to explore Patagonia and ensure you don’t miss out on any of the highlights. We have expert knowledge of the region and passionate Spanish speaking tour leaders who will introduce you to the best of the region. With such vast distances between the towns and cities, travellers can face long travel days and packed buses, especially in high season. The Tucan Travel trucks are perfectly designed for covering long distances on sometimes rough terrain.
Custom Built Overland Vehicles
The custom built vehicles boast comfortable forward facing seats, tables at the rear, plenty of headroom to store daypacks, power sockets to charge your electronics and panoramic windows; the perfect accessory for Patagonia! To us, long travel days mean bonding with your new travel family, sharing stories and enjoying the incredible ever changing landscape of Patagonia.
Award Winning Company
We partner with local accommodation suppliers, ensuring that we support local businesses and your money is going back into the communities. We are proud of the authentic tours we run and have even picked up numerous awards for our amazing holidays all over the world, including South America’s Leading Green Tour Operator in the 2018 World Travel Awards.
We are passionate adventure travelers who want to share the world and our travel experiences with everyone…
