Where to go in Argentine Patagonia

Located in the province of Santa Cruz and on the shores of Argentina’s biggest lake, Lago Argentino, El Calafate is one of the country’s most-visited destinations. Founded by sheep ranchers in the early 20th century, it is today a gateway for Patagonian adventure and the base for seeing the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier. The incredible spectacle is one of the biggest freshwater reserves in the world, and at almost 5 kilometres long, it’s the only glacier that is still advancing. But El Calafate is more than just the Perito Moreno, so don’t zoom through just yet. Take a few days to explore what Los Glaciares National Park and Lago Argentino have to offer, from boat excursions and stays at remote and lovely estancias, to hiking and enjoying the wildlife around Lake Nimez. Back downtown, don’t miss out on the Glaciarium museum - and end your visit with a chilled drink in Argentina’s first ice-bar. During your stay, keep your eyes open for the Calafate bushes the city is named after: legend has it that whoever eats the berries from these bushes is guaranteed to return one day!

There's no mistaking El Chaltén as a mecca for hikers and outdoors lovers. All around town, there are travellers (and locals) donning daypacks, trekking boots and poles, and looking at the surroundings, it’s easy to understand why. Located within the Glaciers National Park, the Patagonian village boasts deep-blue, shimmering lakes encircled by jagged mountains and snow-capped peaks, which couldn't be more ideal for exploring on foot. Among the most famous of the hikes is Laguna Torre and the Cerro Torre viewpoint but the absolute star of El Chaltén is the Laguna de los Tres, an adventurous trail ending in a staggering view of the iconic Mount Fitz Roy, the inspiration for the Patagonia clothing brand’s logo no less. The best part is that almost everyone can conquer the trail - or part of it. And when your leg muscles are crying out for a break, worry not: this gem of a place is a paradise to just lay back and soak in the views.

The charming mountain town of Bariloche is most famous for its breath-taking scenery, and quite rightly so. The so-called 'South American Switzerland' is ringed by enormous azure lakes, snow-kissed mountains, and the gorgeous Nahuel Huapi National Park, home to two million acres of nature in its most raw form. A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, there are countless opportunities for hiking, trekking, camping and biking. But if you’re not the adventure type, worry not: it’s equally heavenly for just settling back and relaxing. Hop on a cable car to the summit of Cerro Campanario for 360-degree views, or drive the scenic Seven Lakes Route for Insta-worthy vistas. And the cherry on top? Bariloche happens to be Argentina’s chocolate capital - don’t leave without stopping by Mamuschka downtown. You can thank us later.

Nicknamed “The End of the World”, Ushuaia is the southernmost city on earth and the capital of Argentinian Tierra del Fuego, an otherworldly archipelago separated from continental South America by the famous Strait of Magellan. The remote yet welcoming city - once home to a penal colony - is cradled between mountains one side and the icy Beagle Channel to the other, and serves as a base for exploring the dramatic Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is a fascinating place in its own right however, and a visit to the local museums, especially Museo Marítimo y Presidio, is a must. Glacier Martial is also accessible from Ushuaia and worth visiting for its views out to the Bay, while the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park offers varied hiking trails and stunning nature. But of course, no visit to this untamed part of the world is complete without a voyage on the Beagle Channel. Cameras at the ready for mind-blowing views as you cruise around the different islands, loop around the famed Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, and enjoy wildlife sightings. And if a day trip out on the channel doesn’t feel immersive enough, jump aboard a multi-day luxury cruise between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas in Chile.

A chunk of rugged, mostly treeless land reaching into the South Atlantic Ocean, you might be surprised to find that Peninsula Valdes is a haven for wildlife. You just have to turn your eyes to the water! The peninsula is the meeting point of two currents, creating a nutrient-rich habitat for swathes of marine life including multiple whale species. From the craggy cliffs, beaches or bobbing along the coast, you could witness orcas beaching in the hopes of catching a sea lion for lunch, get incredibly close to colonies of elephant seals and Magellanic penguins, and watch southern right whales spouting just off shore. Its waters also hide a number of shipwrecks for fantastic diving excursions. Do a little exploring inland, meandering across the vast steppe and pink salt lakes, and keep a look out for pockets of guanacos, hairy armadillos and lesser rheas, or thousands of nesting seabirds and flamingos in the coastal wetlands.