Three Breathtaking Sights of Patagonia

Patagonia is home to a diverse range of landscapes, meaning that it can offer a variety of fantastic sights in one area. Our tours will take you to parts of Chile and Argentina, providing a wide range of activities on land and sea. You could find yourself hiking through the Atacama Desert in northern Chile or sailing from the Argentinian town of El Calafate on a cruise to the Los Glaciares National Park.

But what can you expect to uncover in Patagonia? Here are a few things to add to your ‘must see’ list.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located just a short distance from El Calafate and is sure to be a highlight of your trip. It is one of the only glaciers in the world that is regularly showing signs of growth and is nearly 100 square miles in size. Because more and more water is always being added, the glacier has a tendency to rupture every four or five years, causing the ice to break and water to come flooding through the dam. This particular ice formation is popular with tourists because the rate at which it calves is very high. This means that you are likely to see large chunks of ice breaking off and floating along the surface of Largo Argentino.

The glacier is named after Argentinian explorer Francisco Moreno, who was affectionately called Perito, which means ‘expert’ in Spanish. During your visit to the Los Glaciares National Park will have the option to get a closer look at the Perito Moreno Glacier on a boat tour or even get to set foot on it as part of a glacier trek.

Towers of Paine

Also known as the Horns of Paine, these three peaks are from where the Torres del Paine National Park gets its name. Situated within the Cordillera Paine mountain range, the three Towers of Paine are an impressive sight. Due to the fact that few people have ever been able to summit these jagged granite rocks, their heights are still estimated, however, all three are thought to be well over 2,000 metres tall.

During your time in the park, you will get to see the Torre Sur, Torre Central and Torre Norte from some excellent vantage points. Perhaps the best views are on offer from the ‘base of the towers’, a picturesque lakeside spot where everything is laid out before you.

Birds of Prey

Patagonia is alive with some fantastic wildlife; on land, in the sea and in the skies above. Large mammals like pumas, foxes and guanacos (a member of the llama family) may be more elusive, but there’s a good chance that you will get to see some birds of prey flying over your head during your time here.

You’re most likely to catch a glimpse of Andean condors circling as they search out their next meal, but there are other birds of prey to look out for too. The Chimango Caracara, American kestrel and black-chested buzzard eagle all have year-round residences in this part of the world.

Your Patagonian adventure is sure to be packed with exciting activities and there will be many more highlights to add to the ones listed above. If you would like to learn more about our tours in Chile and Argentina, contact us today.