Patagonia attractions

With a surface area of 210 square miles (338 square kilometers) and extending over the Chilean border, Nahuel Huapi Lake is Argentina’s largest. At the heart of the Lakeland region, visitors come to explore the beaches, islands, and lakefront towns of Nahuel Huapi against a backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Only reachable via one of Patagonia’s most iconic treks, Laguna de los Tres is an ultra-marine lake with a backdrop of jagged mountains. The glacier lake sits in the shadow of Mt. Fitz Roy, a mountain that threatens one of the planet’s most-challenging ascents. The trek to the lake is 1 miles (25 kilometers long.

Overlooking the icy waters of Beagle Channel, Estancia Harberton offers a glimpse into the history and wildlife of Tierra del Fuego. The oldest residence in the area, the still-working property dates back to 1887 when it was established by English missionary Thomas Bridges and remains in the hands of his descendants.

Despite its position at “The End of the World,” Patagonia has been inhabited by humans for more than 12,000 years. Just outside of El Calafate, the Walichu Caves (Cuervos Galicho) pay testament to the primitive humans that dwelled here—the cave walls are embellished with drawings depicting daily life in the region, including scenes of hunting, foraging, and art.

The spectacular natural landscapes surrounding the small town of El Chaltén have earned it the accolade of Argentina’s hiking capital—and the trail leading to Laguna Torre makes it easy to see why. The name refers to the hiking route and the glacier lake, which forms part of Los Glaciares National Park.

In Ushuaia’s former prison, the Maritime Museum explores the significance of sailing and the sea in the southernmost city in the world. Antarctic explorations generally left from the city, and the museum offers insight into how polar expeditions took place in bygone years. It’s one of four museums housed within the old prison.

The Garibaldi Pass, at just under 1,500 feet (450 meters) above sea level, is tame by mountain pass standards. The views, however, are anything but tame. A sweeping panorama takes in the 60-mile-long (97-kilometer-long) Lake Fagnano, the Magallanes-Fagnano fault between the Scotia and South American plates, and neighboring Chile.

Arrayanes Forest (Bosque de Arrayanes), named after the rare Arrayán trees that grow along the northern shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, is Los Arrayanes National Park's star attraction. Covering more than 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) along the Quetrihué Peninsula, it’s a picturesque spot for hiking and wildlife watching.

One hundred million years ago, before Patagonia was peppered with glaciers and snow-capped peaks, it was a vast plain of lush forests where dinosaurs roamed. La Leona Petrified Forest—a 2,000-acre (810-hectare) depression in the Earth that’s amazingly frozen in time—pays testament to this epoch, giving you the chance to walk through prehistoric Patagonia, complete with huge trees and dinosaur bones.

Celebrate your visit to the world’s southernmost city by exploring the End of the World Museum (Museo del Fin del Mundo). The museum focuses on Ushuaia’s natural and Indigenous history, with collections of taxidermy, weaponry, furniture, and various mementos from travelers throughout history.

At the meeting point of two countries and two national parks—Argentina’s Lanin National Park and Chile’s Villarrica National Park—Lanin Volcano is one of Patagonia’s highest mountains. A popular side trip from Bariloche or San Martin de Los Andes, the snow-covered volcano is known for its perfectly conical peak and challenging summit hike.

With exhibits spanning more than 14,000 years of human history, El Calafate Historical Interpretation Center gives you a glimpse into the rich anthropological heritage of Patagonia. Highlights include fossilized skeletons of dinosaurs discovered in the area and recreations of prehistoric cave paintings.

Perched atop El Calafate’s nearest peak, with access to a vast stretch of snow-blanketed slopes and rugged mountain trails, Calafate Mountain Park offers a host of adventures. Skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling can be done in winter while hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking in summer.

Jagged snow-covered cliffs and dense woodlands unfold along the hike to the Huemul Glacier, named after the rare huemul deer often spotted in the area. Looking out over the Lake of the Desert (Lago del Desierto), it’s one of the most accessible glaciers in El Chaltén village and a popular Patagonian hike.

Discover the fascinating world of paleontology at the Museum of Paleontology Egidio Feruglio (MEF) in Trelew, Argentina. Dedicated to studying and exhibiting ancient life, MEF boasts a rich collection that spans millions of years. The museum takes visitors on an archeological adventure from towering dinosaurs to marine reptiles.

Stretching for 607 square-miles (977 square-kilometers) from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to the western shores of Viedma Lake, Viedma Glacier is Argentina’s largest glacier. As the centrepiece of the UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park, the glacier features towering icebergs and jagged ice cliffs.

Sitting between the Spegazzini Glacier and the Upsala Glacier, the remote Onelli Glacier is an icy expanse that tumbles down into Onelli Lake. Spectacular scenery and fewer crowds are guaranteed if you choose to trek the glacier, which is only accessible by foot.

Thickly forested with diverse trees that include the native araucaria, laced with dozens of lakes, and home to the cone-shaped Lanín Volcano, Lanín National Park is a Patagonian treasure in the Argentine state of Neuquén. Travelers flock here to enjoy some of Argentina’s best hiking, kayaking, sport fishing of salmon and trout, and camping.

Devoted to studying the marine animals and birds of South America’s Tierra del Fuego region, the Acatushun Museum is an impressive testament to the region’s biodiversity. More than 4,000 specimens are on display in the natural history museum, including the complete skeleton of a humpback whale.

Museo Akatushun on the grounds of Estancia Harberton serves as a base for ongoing scientific research into Tierra del Fuego’s dolphins and other wildlife. The collection includes skeletons of more than 2,700 marine mammals and 2,300 seabirds, as well as underwater tableaus with taxidermied animals.

You don’t have to venture far from Ushuaia to experience Patagonia’s wild landscapes—the icy passes and rocky peaks of the Martial Glacier lie within walking distance. Easily accessible from the town, scaling the glacier affords panoramic views over the Martial Mountains, the Beagle Channel, and the “End of the World.”

An iceberg-inspired feat of architecture rising up over the shores of Lake Argentino and framed by snow-capped peaks, the Glaciarium is a fitting setting for a museum devoted to Patagonia’s glacial landscapes. Learn about the region’s unique geology and environmental concerns through multimedia displays and interactive exhibitions.

On the banks of Lake Argentino and surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Los Glaciares National Park, Estancia Cristina offers luxurious lodges and traditional Argentine hospitality. Dating back to 1914, the family-run ranch is still a working sheep farm, set on a 55,000-acre (22,000-hectare estate in a remote corner of the national park.

Located on the southern shore of Argentino Lake, Nimez Lagoon Nature Reserve (Laguna Nimez Reserve) is framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountains and serves as a haven for the region’s wildlife. The beaches and marshlands of the reserve harbor more than 80 species of Patagonian and migratory birds.

One of the natural wonders of southern Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, Isla Martillo is most famous for its resident Magellanic penguins, hundreds of which call this small island in the Beagle Channel home. Some boat tours let you disembark and walk among the birds on the pebble beach, from which you can admire views of snow-capped mountains.

Traful Lake (Lago Traful) lies in Nahuel Huapi National Park in Patagonia. The lake flows into the Traful River, which empties into the Nahuel Huapi Lake. It's known for its 335-foot (102-meter) high glacier cliffside viewpoint, Mirador del Traful, which offers a complete view of the lakes and valleys.

Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean on a peninsula, Punta Tombo is a nature reserve where the most famous residents are Magellanic penguins. Roughly a million of these birds flock here to mate and nest annually, but it’s also home to oystercatchers, cormorants, seals, and guanacos.

So-called because of the majestic condors that frequently fly over it, the Mirador de los Cóndores is one of El Chaltén’s most popular lookout points. The natural balcony offers panoramic views of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two of the hiking hot spot’s most impressive mountains, and Rio de las Vueltas valley.

Just a quick drive from Ushuaia, Argentina, Vinciguerra Glacier is a Patagonian pearl that hiking enthusiasts don’t want to miss on their trip to the “end of the world.” Situated in the Martial Mountains, an invigorating hike around the glacier takes you past a brambling stream, lush greenery, and, best of all, the ethereal ice caves.

Located on the northern coast of Argentina’s Patagonia region, Puerto Madryn is the gateway to Valdes Peninsula, a popular marine wildlife viewing destination. The peninsula is home to a large population of the endangered southern right whales, dolphins, elephant seals, penguins, and more. Puerto Madryn is also a jumping-off point for exploring Punta Tombo, Argentina’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins.