Torres del Paine peaks beneath glowing clouds

Region of southern Chile & Argentina

Patagonia

Granite towers, glaciers calving into turquoise lakes, and a wind that reminds you how far you've come.

Photo: Marc Thunis / Unsplash

Patagonia is not a country but a vast region at the very tip of South America, shared by Chile and Argentina. The Andes split it down the middle: to the west, Chile's damp fjords, rainforests and ice fields; to the east, the endless Argentine steppe, where the horizon never seems to end.

People come here for landscapes that feel almost unreal. The granite towers of Torres del Paine turn rose-pink at dawn, the peak of Fitz Roy rises above the village of El Chaltén, and the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier sheds blocks of ice into the lake with a thunderous roar.

Distances are great and the weather can change several times a day, so Patagonia asks for time and a good plan. Then it opens up in all its quiet scale — and after a long day on the trail, dinner at a window facing the mountains is the finest reward.

Why go

01
Torres del Paine
A national park on the Chilean side, with its famous granite towers, glacial lakes and guanacos grazing the steppe. It's home to the W and O treks, though the park can also be explored on day hikes from a comfortable base.
02
El Chaltén and Fitz Roy
Argentina's self-styled trekking capital, where trails lead straight from the village into the mountains — to Laguna de los Tres beneath the wall of Fitz Roy, or to the glacial lake below Cerro Torre. Most are day hikes, with a warm bed waiting at night.
03
The Perito Moreno Glacier
In Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, the glacier's wall rises straight out of Lago Argentino. Watch from the walkways and viewpoints, approach by boat or, with a guide and crampons, step out onto the ice itself.
04
The Carretera Austral
The road through Chilean Patagonia, winding past fjords, hanging glaciers and pristine forests. Along the way lie the Cerro Castillo massif, the turquoise General Carrera Lake with its marble caves, and villages where time moves more slowly.

Ways to travel

Ways to experience it

Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.

Adventure & active travel
The W trek in Torres del Paine, day trails from El Chaltén, glacier walking, kayaking in the fjords and a journey along the Carretera Austral.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Lodges with windows onto the peaks at the edge of the national parks, estancias on the steppe and cosy cabins by the lakes.
Tailor-made journeys
Border crossings between Chile and Argentina, domestic flights and a buffer for the weather — so the route stays flexible.
Wildlife & nature
Guanacos and rheas on the steppe, condors above the cliffs and, in the Beagle Channel near Ushuaia, sea lions and seabird colonies. Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.
Small-group adventures
Treks in a small group with experienced mountain guides — especially welcome on the longer Torres del Paine routes.
Honeymoons & special journeys
Remote stays with glacier views, a glass of wine by the fire and landscapes shared by just the two of you.

Patagonia

Journey inspiration

Illustrative ideas for how a tailor-made journey could look. Not bookable packages: no prices, dates or inclusions are implied.

0110–12 days
Towers and glaciers
Several days in Torres del Paine with day hikes, a crossing into Argentina and the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate.
Tailor-made journeys · Exceptional stays & escapes
Plan something like this
0216–21 days
Both sides of Patagonia
The W trek in Torres del Paine, the trails of El Chaltén, the Perito Moreno Glacier and a finale in Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel.
Adventure & active travel · Small-group adventures
Plan something like this
0314–18 days
The Carretera Austral, unhurried
A journey along Chilean Patagonia's great road: the country around Coyhaique, Cerro Castillo, the marble caves of General Carrera Lake and the fjord coast.
Adventure & active travel · Tailor-made journeys
Plan something like this

Planning your journey

When to go

The main season generally runs from around November to March — long days, but windy and busier. October and April are often quieter, and in autumn the steppe and forests turn warm shades. In winter some lodges and routes close. The weather here is unpredictable in any season.

How long to allow

Ten to twelve days suit one side of Patagonia; for both, allow two to three weeks at least. Leave a spare day for the weather — wind or cloud sometimes rewrite the plan.

Natural combinations

Patagonia combines beautifully with Buenos Aires or Santiago, and on a longer journey with Peru. The Iguazú Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil, make another natural addition.

Areas to explore

Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales
The heart of Chilean Patagonia — granite towers, lakes and trekking trails.
El Calafate and El Chaltén
Argentina's glaciers and the trails around Fitz Roy.
Aysén and the Carretera Austral
Fjords, lakes and forests in Chile's most remote corner.
Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia
The continent's southern edge, the Beagle Channel and mountain forests.

General guidance only. Weather, seasons and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

Sample journey