Monday, May 28, 2018
Whether you crave adventure, off-the-beaten-path exploration, or simply want to roam while taking in the spellbinding, near-mythical mountain and glacier vistas the area is renowned for, Patagonia, Chile, does not disappoint.
Located at the base of South America, Patagonia spans more than one million kilometres squared – it occupies almost half of both Chile and Argentina’s land mass – and in Chile, Patagonia begins in the Araucania region and extends to the country’s southern-most tip.
While it’s brimming with seemingly endless experiences for every kind of traveller, here are four standout options:
Mountain Views
As stunning as they are to behold, hiking these rough, glacier-topped, towering mountains presents countless opportunities for up-close viewings of glistening waterfalls, flowering meadows, cobalt blue glacial lakes, dense forests, and terrain so diverse it can only be described as otherworldly.
Whether you prefer day-long hikes, a week-long trek or a driving tour to take in the majesty of Patagonia’s mountain range, we highly recommend visiting Torres del Paine, Chile’s most popular national park named after its three stunning 2000-meter granite towers. Teeming with killer views and challenging trails, there are hiking options available to suit every adventure lover’s physical ability.
Wildlife
It’s here in one of the most remote corners of the earth that you’ll find nature at its most elemental, with mixed topography, vast stretches of surreal landscape, and more than 500 species of roaming, native wildlife.
Renowned as a bird lover’s paradise, the area is also home to many larger animals, including guanacos, condors, rheas, penguins, the grey fox, wild horse, deer and the elusive and highly sought-after puma. Those looking to spot the largest land carnivore in Patagonia – as well as condors, guancanos, rheas and more – are most likely to catch a glimpse while on safari with Terra Incognita Ecotours at Torres del Paine National Park. With designated trackers, an African Safari-style approach is employed throughout a meticulously planned seven-day tour, designed with comfort, adventure, exploration, and eco-tourism in mind.
Glaciers
Capturing the imagination like few other destinations can, it’s for good reason that Charles Darwin waxed poetic about this region and its multitude of surreal glaciers, ice fields, fjords, and the fast-flowing rivers that surround them.
While there’s no shortage of spectacular options worth exploring, Grey Glacier, located in Torres del Paine National Park, is dubbed one of the most impressive ice specimens in the world. Excursions are plentiful and lead adventurers of all skill sets across the 270 kilometre glacier for an unmatched and truly unforgettable hiking experience. Additional standouts: The San Rafael Glacier, Pia Glacier, Jorge Montt Glacier, Queulat Hanging Glacier, and the O’Higgins Glacier, each with its own unique and very visit-worthy attributes.
Flora
A place synonymous with diversity, Patagonia is a mecca of plant life. In the Torres del Paine region, vegetation varies from steppe and pre-Andean shrubland to Andean desert and the Magellanic deciduous forest, all of which are impressively able to withstand the area’s harsh winds, low temperatures and high precipitation.
However you choose to explore this magnificent area, you’ll be amazed by the impeccable scenery, wildlife, and adventure options that continue to draw and captivate explorers from all over the world.