FIVE SPECTACULAR PLACES IN PATAGONIA ARGENTINA FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Argentina is a hub for some of the most exciting things to do around the world. Besides the more popular things that Argentina is known for like football, tango, and wine, the country is also a playground for adventurous souls. Its diverse landscape — from dry deserts to subtropical jungles and almost-Antarctic Patagonia — only helps its cause as an outdoor travel destination. Here is a quick rundown of five spectacular tours and places in Argentina for adventure in the Patagonia region that are sure to satiate the outdoor enthusiasts:
1. Bariloche
Its magnificent mountain range, lush forests, and blue lakes make Bariloche a perfect outdoor destination. The things it has to offer may not leave your hair standing on end, but you will be at crossroads on what you want to do first. The lake city offers plenty of water activities such as rafting, kayaking, and scuba diving, but land-based programs such as mountain biking, hiking and climbing aren’t very far away either. Even better, take it to the air with paragliding to enjoy the scenic spectacle that Bariloche is. When you’re done, sample their famous chocolates!
Adventure highlights:
- Ski down the majestic Cerro Catedral while overlooking breathtaking views of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
- Summit Cerro Llao Llao at 1,025 meters for the sweeping views of Nahuel Huapi National Park.
- Kayak in the calm, blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, surrounded by lush mountainsides.
2. El Chalten
Looking for the trekking capital of Argentina? Then you need to visit El Chalten in the middle of Los Glaciares National Park along the Chilean border. El Chalten. also known as Smoking Mountain or Peak of Fire. is the proclaimed trekking capital of Argentina with hundreds of kilometers of trails that wind over and around mountains, glaciers, as well as rivers.
Adventure highlights:
- Take on the Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy trek which offers breathtaking views of mountain lakes such as Laguna de Los Tres.
- Explore the Glacier Huemul and gaze at the clear blue iceberg-dotted waters of Laguna Huemul.
- Try whitewater rafting along the De Las Vueltas River where Cerro Fitz Roy towers above the canyon.
3. El Calafate
Glaciers and idyllic vistas of the Argentina Patagonia are what makes El Calafate a must-visit when you are visiting Argentina. The small rural town is situated along the shoreline of Laguna Argentina and is the premier off point for people traveling to Los Glaciares National Park. The area surrounding El Calafate is packed with interesting sightseeing opportunities from Laguna Nimez Reserve with 80 species of birds to La Leona Petrified Forest that exhibits a lunar landscape loaded with petrified trees, dinosaur fossils, and intriguing rock formations.
Adventure highlights:
- Take a catamaran ride on Laguna Argentino and view the surreal blue ice sheets of several glaciers.
- Kayak along the Upsala Canal for an adventure of a lifetime.
- Strap-on your crampons and hike Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers still growing in the world.
- Shear a sheep or ride a horse in the Argentina Patagonia or take a trek to Los Perros Waterfall while spending the night at an estancia.
4. Ushuaia
Want to visit the southernmost city in the world? Then a stop at Ushuaia is in order. This small community sits off the southern coastline of Isla Grande Tierra del Fuego and is an economic as well as touristic hub for southern Argentina. A former penal colony, Ushuaia sports incredible views of the Beagle Channel and boasts easy access to Tierra del Fuego National Park which is the southernmost national park in the world.
Adventure highlights:
- Get high on adrenaline while shredding at Cerro Castor Ski Resort.
- Scale the Martial Glacier to experience panoramic vistas of the Beagle Channel and the Argentina Patagonia.
- Kayak the Beagle Channel for a bygone experience with idyllic scenery as well as wildlife watching that includes penguins, dolphins and sea lions.
- A trip into the Tierra del Fuego National Park will have you climbing Cerro Guanaco.
5. Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn may not be on everybody’s radar when touring Argentina. The sleepy, deep-water port town springs to life in the summer months when the water temperature increases and the beach area sees many visitors. Situated on the Golfo Nuevo formed by the Valdes Peninsula and Punta Ninfas, Puerto Madryn boasts a large community of whales that surface off the Valdes Peninsula from June to September.
Adventure highlights:
- Swim with massive sea lions while scuba diving or snorkeling off of Punta Loma.
- Walk with penguins at Punta Norte on the Valdes Peninsula — a must do between September and April when the little tuxedo-dressed birds appear.
- Take on acrobatic flights above the waters of Golfo Nuevo as you try kitesurfing in Puerto Madryn beach.
- Kayak in the Gulf of San Jose, next to sea lions, elephant seals, whales, and dolphins.
As you can see, there is more adventure and excitement in Argentina than a football match in Buenos Aires. With all of the outdoor activities available in the Patagonia Region of Argentina, the area can make dreams come true for adventure seekers that want more from life than just zip lines and tourist attractions. Plot your course of adventure from the above activities and get yourself an airplane ticket! Soon you can be on a glacier, in the ocean or just trekking through one of the world’s most incredible natural landscapes.
Guest Post by Rasmus Juul-Olsen, Founder of Bookmundi.com. Rasmus was an avid traveller in Nepal before founding Bookmundi.com, a global travel booking portal.
