Patagonia holidays
Patagonia holidays at a glance
Our Patagonia holidays take you to a vast wilderness of windswept steppe, serrated peaks and remote fjords, shared between southern Chile and Argentina and stretching all the way to Tierra del Fuego. It’s a region of huge distances and constant contrast, from the temperate forests and volcanoes of the Lake District in the north to the icy pinnacles and glaciers of the far south.
The two headline national parks sit close to the border. On the Chilean side, Torres del Paine is spiked with granite towers, threaded with hiking trails like the famous W trek and home to turquoise lakes and the Grey Glacier.
Across in Argentina, Los Glaciares protects the Perito Moreno glacier and the jagged Fitz Roy massif above El Chaltén, the country’s trekking capital. Between them lie the gateway towns of Puerto Natales and El Calafate.
- The Valdés Peninsula on the Atlantic coast draws whales and elephant seals
- The fjords of Chile’s Aysén open up by boat and road
- The Argentine port of Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, marks the jumping-off point for Antarctica
For all its scale, Patagonia is empty enough that the feeling of being alone with nature is never far away.
Patagonia is made for the outdoors. Guanacos graze the steppe, condors ride the thermals above the peaks and, with luck and a good guide, you may spot a puma in Torres del Paine.
Whether you come to trek the classic trails, sail among calving glaciers or take in the scenery, this is a place that rewards getting outside.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Patagonia
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Build in a spare day at Torres del Paine, can wait out the clouds and catch the towers when they finally clear. It’s worth it.
When to visit Patagonia
Patagonia is famous for changeable weather, and a single day can bring sun, rain, wind and even snow. Seasons run the opposite way to the UK, and the main travel window is from spring to autumn, roughly September to April, when days are longer and milder.
Many consider December to February to be the best time to visit Patagonia. Across the region, temperatures are at their warmest and the conditions are often clear enough for breathtaking vistas of the soaring towers and turquoise lakes. There are high, persistent winds during the summer, though you’ll enjoy the least rainfall too. This is the busiest time for visitors: you’ll likely encounter other groups on hikes to the Fitz Roy massif, the W trek in Torres del Paine or in Los Glaciares National Park, whereas even during peak season, Chile’s lesser-known Aisen region remains fairly quiet.
The autumnal hues of the landscapes are stunning all the way from the Argentinian Lake District to Tierra del Fuego, and the more elusive birds and beasts of Patagonia are easier to spot with less visitors around. This is the perfect time for a puma-spotting tour in Torres del Paine National Park with an expert tracker. Temperatures begin to cool, with increased rainfall and snow towards May.
The harsh, desolate landscapes of Patagonian winter are uniquely beautiful, the serrated massifs and towers hardened by glistening ice and snow. A fair few hotels close during these months, though many National Parks remain open. Temperatures drop considerably and nights are below freezing, with storms and rainfall often obscuring the most iconic views. In the island and fjords of southern Patagonia, snow carpets the land and marks the beginning of the skiing season.
Spring welcomes warmer temperatures and landscapes blooming with wildflowers. Rainfall eases off a little after winter, and you stand good chances of spotting wildlife as there are fewer visitors in this shoulder season.
Places to visit in Patagonia
Patagonia is huge, and no two corners are alike. Most trips centre on the southern national parks, but the Lake District in the north and the fjords of Aysén reward those with more time. Here’s where we recommend spending your days.
Argentinian lake district
Hike through southern beech forest to a mountain refuge, drive the Seven Lakes Road between snow-topped peaks and end the day with hot chocolate in an alpine town. Set around Bariloche and Argentina’s oldest national park, the Lake District is northern Patagonia at its most beautiful, and its most active.
Glacier-carved valleys, temperate rainforests, fjords, turquoise rivers and jagged mountain peaks stretch for hundreds of kilometres through one of Patagonia’s last great wilderness frontiers. Aysén Patagonia and the Carretera Austral offer an unforgettable journey into the wild heart of the region.
Shimmering lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient forests and lakeside towns with an Alpine flavour – Chile’s northern Lake District is one of the most accessible corners of the country to explore. Combine outdoor adventure with real scenery and Mapuche heritage, and you’ve got one of Chile’s most rewarding regions for nature and adventure in equal measure.
Top Things to do in Patagonia
From multi-day treks to glacier sailings and days in the saddle, Patagonia is all about getting out into the landscape. Here’s what we recommend.
Accommodation in Patagonia
Patagonia’s accommodation runs from design-led lodges with mountain views to trail refugios and traditional estancias, and we hand-pick every property for location and character. Around Torres del Paine and El Calafate, we book comfortable hotels and lodges within reach of the trails and glaciers. In the fjords of the south, small expedition ships such as the Skorpios and Australis vessels let you sail deep into the country that no road reaches.
Patagonian expedition vessel with wood panelled cabins and relaxation areas, offering all-inclusive cruises that combine adventure with home comforts.
Comfortable expedition vessel giving unparalleled access to a remote region, with well-appointed cabins, several cosy lounges and unlimited meals and drinks.
These first-class cruise vessels offer excellent service and spacious elegance on scenic crossings between Chile and Argentina.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Patagonia
Discover turquoise lagoons, icy white mountains and rugged wilderness with our Patagonia group tours, Private Journeys and tailormade holidays.
Group Patagonia Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Charito: Pure Patagonia
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · Buenos Aires
12 days from £3,685
Lapwing: Patagonian Odyssey
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · Tierra del Fuego · Buenos Aires
14 days from £6,673
Nandu: Peaks and plains of Patagonia
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (north) · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · Tierra del Fuego · Buenos Aires
20 days from £5,526
Penguin: Extremes of Chile
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Atacama Desert · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park
14 days from £5,022
Sandpiper: Atlantic to Pacific in style
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park · Santiago and the vineyards
19 days from £7,062
Tailor-Made Patagonia Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Active Chile: Hiking, cycling and kayaking in the lake district and Patagonia
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (north) · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park
13 days from £4,500
Active Chile: Trek in Torres Del Paine
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park
13 days from £4,070
Active Patagonia: Classic treks in Argentina and Chile
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · Buenos Aires
14 days from £5,030
Luxury Chile and Argentina: Simply Patagonia
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · Argentinian lake district · Buenos Aires
13 days from £12,800
Patagonia cruise: Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia · Valdes Peninsula and Atlantic Patagonia · Buenos Aires
13 days from £6,250
Self-drive Argentina: Patagonia, lake district and Perito Moreno
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park
16 days from £4,500
Signature Argentina: Patagonia, lake district and Iguazú Falls
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side
13 days from £4,950
Signature Chile: Atacama Desert to Patagonian glaciers
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Atacama Desert · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park
12 days from £6,050
Signature Patagonia: Glaciers of Chile and Argentina
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Tierra del Fuego · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · Torres del Paine National Park · Argentinian lake district · Chilean Lake District (south)
17 days from £8,250
Signature Patagonia: Highlights of Patagonia
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Valparaiso and Vina del Mar · Chilean Lake District (south) · Argentinian lake district · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · Torres del Paine National Park
13 days from £7,700
Value Argentina: Explore Patagonia
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
13 days from £3,250
Value Patagonia: Journey to the glaciers
Places visited: Torres del Paine National Park · Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (south)
14 days from £4,000
FAQs about visiting Patagonia
Patagonia is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- What should I pack for a Patagonia holiday?
Essential items include a waterproof jacket, walking poles for trekking, layers for changing weather conditions, and a reusable bottle to minimise plastic waste. Camera-ready equipment is crucial for capturing the stunning views. We strongly recommend packing for all weather conditions, regardless of season.
- What currency is used in Patagonia?
Argentine pesos in Argentina and Chilean pesos in Chile. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas and often preferred for larger purchases. Credit and debit cards work in main towns, though cash is recommended for small purchases and personal expenses in remote areas.
- How physically demanding are Patagonia holidays?
Activity levels vary greatly depending on your chosen itinerary. While some experiences like boat trips to glaciers, require minimal walking, multi-day treks demand good fitness. Day walks offer middle-ground options, and many stunning views are accessible within walking distance of vehicle drop-off points.
- What about meals and dietary requirements?
Most tours include group meals featuring local cuisine at carefully selected local restaurants. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice. Some remote locations have limited options, but our local guides ensure appropriate arrangements.
- How do I get to Patagonia?
Most visitors fly to Buenos Aires or Santiago, then take connecting flights to regional airports like El Calafate, Punta Arenas, or Puerto Natales. Some itineraries include overnight flights, and we arrange all transfers, including any departure date flexibility needed for weather delays.
- Is wifi available throughout Patagonia?
Wi fi is available in most hotels and towns, though connections can be slower and less reliable than in major cities. Remote areas and some national parks have limited or no connectivity, which many visitors find enhances their travel experience.
- What about altitude considerations?
Most of Patagonia is at relatively low altitude, but some hiking trails reach elevations where acclimatisation becomes important. Our local guides monitor conditions and adjust itineraries as needed for your safety and comfort.
- Is Patagonia good for solo travel?
Absolutely. Meet like-minded travellers on our expertly led group tours. It’s a great way to make new friends. What’s more, there is no single supplement to pay if you’re willing to share a room with a member of the same sex (even if final numbers mean you end up with a room of your own.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
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Journey Latin America is proud to support non-profit foundation Rewilding Chile. Ben Westwood talks to Executive Director Carolina Morgado about protecting Patagonia through creating and expanding national parks, nurturing threatened species and supporting a conservation culture.
