Patagonia
Argentina & Chile, South America
Wind-blasted wilderness at the end of the world, granite spires, glaciers, and silence.
A vast, windswept wilderness at the southern tip of South America, Patagonia spans both Argentina and Chile. It is home to dramatic granite spires, massive glaciers, turquoise lakes, and some of the world's finest trekking routes.
Our honest take
Patagonia is for people who like walking in bad weather and being rewarded with views that make you cry. It's remote, expensive, and the wind will test you. But Torres del Paine and the Perito Moreno glacier are genuinely life-changing landscapes.
Why go
- Torres del Paine is the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Americas
- Perito Moreno glacier actively calves, you watch building-sized ice chunks fall
- The remoteness and silence are the point, this is true wilderness
Skip if you can
- Attempting the W Trek without booking refugios months ahead, they sell out
- El Calafate town itself, it's a tourist staging post, not a destination
- Driving in winter, roads close, services shut down
Things to do
Where locals eat
Whole lamb splayed on an iron cross over an open fire, the definitive Patagonian asado, cooked slowly for hours. A genuine regional tradition on both the Argentine and Chilean sides.
An estancia or asado restaurant in a Patagonian town
Southern king crab from the cold Patagonian and Fuegian waters, sweet and prized, at its best near the coast (Ushuaia, Punta Arenas).
A coastal seafood restaurant in the far south
On the Chilean side near Chiloé, curanto layers shellfish, meat, and potato dumplings cooked in a pit with hot stones, an ancient communal method.
A traditional restaurant in the Chiloé/Lakes region
Not food, but essential: Patagonians (especially Argentines) carry a gourd and thermos everywhere, sharing the bitter yerba mate. Being offered a sip is a friendly gesture.
Shared anywhere, accept if offered
Costs
Per person, per day on the ground, lodging, food, local transport and activities. Excludes international flights (see Getting there).
Torres del Paine moved to a route-based entrance fee in 2026, so the price depends on which circuit you enter (day visit, W, or Macizo Paine) rather than how many nights you stay, and the trekking circuits rose sharply. Buy in advance through CONAF and check the current rate for your route. W Trek refugio: $80-150/night. Perito Moreno: $25 entry.
Official pricingGetting there
Where to stay
Base for Perito Moreno glacier, restaurants, hostels
Hiking capital, Fitz Roy trailhead, backpacker vibe
Inside the park, book 6+ months ahead
Chilean gateway to Torres del Paine, cheaper
Good to know
- Wind can reach 100km/h, secure tents, hold onto hats
- Weather changes in minutes, pack for four seasons in one day
- Hypothermia risk even in summer if unprepared
- Border crossing between Argentina and Chile can take 2+ hours
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: August 2026.
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