At first glance it all seems the same, but it isn’t. […]
At first glance, Patagonia all seems the same: vast areas of ice, in isolated destinations in the far south of the continent.
But visiting this immense region, between Chile and Argentina, means encountering a challenging geography, in distant lands that go far beyond Bariloche and the Lake District, just to name two Patagonian destinations popular among Brazilians.
It’s not hard to find destinations in Patagonia with a big city feel. So, you need to know what your footprint is.
CHILE OR ARGENTINA?
If the idea is to travel through urbanized areas, those with chocolate shops and wooden houses, in the best style of Campos do Jordão, Barilcohe or El Calafate, both in Argentina, are sufficient and require little effort from the traveler.
But to see isolated lands, in one of the areas with the lowest population density on the planet, your trip must change tone (and temperature).
THE Chile It contains the most isolated and inhospitable version of Patagonia, where you can sail on the third largest continental ice sheet in the world, an area of 21,000 km² with attractions such as Laguna San Rafael National Park and the Exploradores Glacier, in Campos de Gelo Norte.
Already the Argentina It has an extensive area of over 930 thousand km², made up of the provinces of La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego, where there are destinations well known to Brazilians (even if only through photos) such as Bariloche, El Calafate and Ushuaia.
IS IT EASY TO REACH?
No, it’s not easy to get there.
In ArgentinaPatagonia has a flatter terrain and roads that, in themselves, are worth the trip, such as the Ruta Nacional 3 to Tierra del Fuego and the iconic Ruta 40 road, with access to El Chaltén, the Argentine trekking capital, and to El Calafate, leading to Los Glaciares National Park.
Already inside Chilewell… In Chile, Patagonia has its own rhythms and requires patience from those travelling by land.
Crossed by fjords and glaciers, the road icon of Chilean Patagonia is the Carretera Austral, a road more than 1,200 kilometers long, between the Lake District and Aysén, in the eastern sector of Chilean Patagonia.
Considered one of the greatest feats of Chilean engineering, this route requires caution on the part of the visitor, such as renting a 4×4 vehicle and reducing speed, especially on narrow stretches of loose gravel.
AND DO YOU HAVE AN ANIMAL TO SEE?
In ArgentinaInsects are more dispersed or concentrated in areas such as Punta Tombo, the largest continental colony of Magellanic penguins, 175 kilometers from Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut, or on the Ushuaia islands, whose excursions tend to have guaranteed animals.
The various nature reserves and 11 national parks are ideal places for animal watching in Argentine Patagonia. However, the traveler must pay tickets or make long journeys to find the animals.
Node ChileAnimal life is more present and can be seen more easily, on the sides of the roads, along the paths or even in front of the hotel doors.
One of the perfect destinations to observe the local fauna is the Torres del Paine National Park, in the Magallanes Region, where animals such as guanacos, emus and even pumas are not disturbed by human presence and can be seen from a few meters away.
This is where Tierra Patagonia is located, one of the remote hotels in the region, known for its menu of activities included in the rates, chosen by guests in individual meetings with guides specialized in topics such as geology, local culture, fauna and flora.
They usually call them excursions, but they are like little expeditions in Patagonia.
Departures for the next day are chosen by guests in informal meetings in the hotel lobby, based on weather conditions, the guest’s physical fitness and the difficulty level of the itineraries.
IT IS COLD?
YES, Gentleman. Don’t be surprised if, in the middle of summer in January, small drops of snow fall on the streets of Ushuaia, in Argentine Patagonia.
In the mountainous region, for example, summer is freezing, with an average annual temperature ranging between 8 ºC and 10 ºC, decreasing as the traveler heads south.
Also be prepared for the bad mood of Patagonia. In the space of a few hours you can have sun, rain, drizzle, wind, cloudy weather, clear skies and snow. On the other hand, summer is known for the longest days, reaching up to 17 hours of light.
IS IT EXPENSIVE?
Both the Argentine and Chilean sides tend to have higher prices than the rest of their respective countries, mainly due to the distances and isolation of the region.
So be prepared to spend 30 to 40% more than other tourist destinations in Argentina and Chile.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
