Back

Explore Patagonia’s Welsh heritage

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Discover the legacy of the formidable Welsh community in Patagonia - teas, museums, choirs. 

The huge, wild expanses of rough grasslands and desolate, arid hills inland from the Atlantic Ocean in Argentine Patagonia, along with a harsh climate, was enough to put off European immigrants in the early years of colonisation.  But from mid 19th century onwards, hardy farmers from the UK, especially Wales, observed similarities with their homelands and moved into the valleys and plains to farm and to rear sheep.

Seeking religious freedom, the Welsh aimed not only to sustain themselves through agriculture but also to create a “little Wales beyond Wales” away from the pernicious influence of the English.

The Patagonian landscape here really does recall the Cambrian mountains; tree-sheltered-farmhouses; disused railways; chapels and cottages could have been transported wholesale from present-day Wales. For the Welsh visitor, a stay here is imbued with nostalgia, for the rest of us, it is a monument to courage and an enterprising spirit.

There is little remaining of Welsh culture in Puerto Madryn and Trelew, the pleasant main port and principal town of the region. But smaller settlements such as Trevelin have jealously preserved their Welsh heritage,  taking pride in the determination of ancestors, with Welsh choirs, museums, cemeteries and, famously, Welsh teas, served in the picturesque village of Gaiman, which hosts an annual Eisteddford in October.

Holidays Explore Patagonia’s Welsh heritage

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

Ibera Wetlands in Argentina

Private Journeys

Argentina

Argentina Wildlife: Tropical wetlands and Patagonia

12 days from £6,850pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Rainbow over the Tierra del Fuego

Private Journeys

Chile / Argentina

Patagonia cruise: Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn

13 days from £5,450pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

0 1 2 3 4 5