Patagonia, An incredible Adventure in the South!

There are places in which nature has done a marvelous work like Patagonia, an incredible adventure in the south. Patagonia jagged peaks are considered to be amongst the most magnificent, and dangerous, on earth. They resemble both the explorers and natives who inhabited the area, and were able to survive in these harsh landscapes.

Patagonia and its beautiful landscapes captivate and leave anyone breathless.

Origin of the name

Today there are several hypotheses regarding the name of this geographical region. Magellan spent the Winter of 1520 in San Julian. One of the hypothesis states that the name Patagonia would come from a very popular cavalry novel. Magellan would have read it, and the monstrous character “Pathogon” seemed much like the local natives of San Julian. In his contact with the aboriginal population, Magellan would have related the appearance of these with the fictional character. 

But the most commonly accepted version says that the origin of the term “Patagon” (Patagonian = Big Paws), is because the people were very tall and had long feet. For example, Spanish sailor and historian Martín Fernandez de Navarrete recalls the story of first encounter with Europeans and Aborigines. He said that all of them were taller than the tallest man in Castile. And that they were called Patagonians because their feet were misshapen, although not disproportionate to their stature.

Location

Patagonia is a region at the southern end of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. You find Andes Mountains, lakes, fjords, and glaciers in the west and deserts, tablelands and steppes to the east. Patagonia is bounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. There are bodies of water that connect them, such as Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage.

Best season to visit:

An important factor to consider when to visit Patagonia relies on the weather you will have during the year:

It is better to go hiking from December to February.

• In January and February, it is sunny with little rain.
• Most pleasant time with warmer weather is from March to April. 
• From June to October is the winter time. Extremely cold, but it’s ideal to go skiing.
• September to November: Perfect time to practice water sports.
• December to February: Best time to go hiking.
• Looking forward to taking pictures of the exotic fauna? Then, you should come in September – November to March – May.

Some details you need to know before getting there:

A lot of the amazing sites in Patagonia require some effort to get to them. Make sure you’re prepared. Don’t rock up with brand new hiking shoes, pack light. Think carefully about what gear you need — tents, camping stoves, food, clothing. Do some practice hikes at home to get yourself used to hiking with all your gear. It will make the experience immensely more enjoyable.

You can experience all four seasons in the space of an afternoon. Pack layers for the changing weather around you. Bring from shorts to winter gear. Be prepared for the rain and high winds at a moment’s notice. Then there’s the sun. The ozone layer is particularly thin over Patagonia. Protect yourself by wearing a hat and plastering on the sunscreen.

Patagonia is expensive — budget carefully. There’s so much to do and see, and accommodation and transport, even by bus, are expensive. Then there’s the myriad excursions available, from kayaking alongside glaciers to visiting Magellanic penguins on remote islands. So, if you’re traveling on a tight budget you need to plan carefully and prioritize.

Patagonian cuisine is identified by striking colorful presentation and its intense and rich flavors. It includes delicious meat and seafood dishes flavored with interesting spices, and is accompanied by fine wines and followed by delicious desserts. Lamb is the local specialty. Be sure to try some while you’re here, either costillas de cordero (rack of lamb) or bife de cordero (lamb steak). The preferred way to cook it here is by roasting or grilling.

Interesting Sites you shouldn’t miss:

• Calafate is a town with trails to hike, mountains to climb, lakes to paddle all around, and glaciers to visit (obviously). You can check out icebergs, local flora and fauna, caves, and nature reserves right next to town.
• Perito Moreno Glacier is a 70-meters-thick slab of brilliant blue ice. If you’re feeling truly adventurous, take a tour out onto the glacier to do some ice trekking.
• Torres del Paine is one of the most famous national parks in the world. It’s known for its amazing Patagonian landscapes and endless hiking opportunities. Tour companies will take you in trucks across the steppe and into Chile at Cancha Carrera before heading south to Torres del Paine National Park.
• In Magdalena Island you can see the daily lives of more than 200,000 Magellanic penguins eating, bathing, and raising their young.This island is home to the largest penguin colony in Chile.
• Magnificent Lake District in Chile is an absolutely gorgeous region to travel around. Sparkling lakes and rivers lie beneath snow-capped volcanoes and mighty mountains, with charming villages and towns. Here we have the cities of Chiloé, Puerto varas, Puerto Montt, Osorno and Frutillas.
• Bariloche is found in south-west Argentina, in the heart of the country’s lake district. Nestled on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi and its corresponding national park offers travellers thrilling outdoors activities.
• Tierra del Fuego is in the very south of Argentina. Known as one of the world’s final frontiers. This breathtaking spot is home to the town of Ushuaia, called ‘the end of the world’.

Lake District – Patagonia Chile

Finally…

There are different routes you can take to start this incredible journey in Patagonia region. Plan your trip in advance to make sure you get to visit all the places you have heard to enjoy the unique fauna. Since there are lots of places to visit and many activities to do, even a month would not be enough to get to half of them.

There is no doubt that Patagonia is the perfect stop to all nature lovers. Find more information about this an other places you can visit in South America in our blogs. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Blog. If you want to know more about tours in Peru visit our website.

“With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra Lake