Is Patagonia worth going?
Yes. Most beautiful place ever. A hiker’s paradise.
In Dec 2022, I visited this vast, wild expanse at the southern tip of South America. Patagonia is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, ranging from towering mountains and expansive glaciers to serene lakes and lush forests. I discovered not only the region’s unparalleled natural beauty but also its rich culinary legacy.
I can’t stress how beautiful this place is. Patagonia is a mountainous region split between Argentina and Chile. I went to the Argentina side for about 10 days in Dec 2022. I often compare it to the Pacific North West in Seattle but if I have to choose, it is Patagonia hands down because of the nature, affordability, and overall vibe.
Food
Argentine Steak
If you have read my Bueno Aires post, the food here is still steak heavy, but it also consist of other options like lamb and Milanesa. The costs are about 30% higher than Bueno Aires, but still value for money in my opinion (averages about $10-$15 for a steak when I was there).
Argentine Lamb
Lamb is more common in this region, I believe Patagonia has their own lamb so it is consisted a local speciality. I liked the lamb a lot over here.
Ceviche and Milanesa
I also had Milanesa and Ceviche.
Milanesa is one of the most beloved and widely eaten dishes in Argentina. It is a thin slice of meat, typically beef or chicken, that is breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy. It is similar to the Italian “Cotoletta” or the German “Schnitzel”, but has a uniquely Argentine identity.
The Milanesa was a bomb to be honest, I could not finish it even after a 7 hours hike.
World Cup Finals
I got caught up in the most unimaginable event of my life: Argentina winning the World Cup 2022 after a very close match with France. To be able to be a part of the celebration in Argentina, watching the match, through to the last minute penalty, with people crying beside me. Damn for a moment I wanted to wear a Messi Jersey and call myself Argentine.
Definitely a memory of my life so far. Looking at the kids in this photo, I am sure Messi and the whole Argentina football team has created history for this younger generation.
Look at this mad crowd just celebrating the win. Loved the energy, loved the people, loved the place, I swear even looking back at this 2 years later, I cannot forget this moment, that I was able to witness history and be involved in the celebrations.
Places I went to
El Calafate: The Gateway to Glaciers
El Calafate, a charming town that serves as the primary gateway to the magnificent Los Glaciares National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to some of the world’s largest glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
This is the first town you reach after flying into the Patagonia airport. I took an airport shuttle which costed like $10, and I could buy the ticket from the airport. This is like a USA town, similar to Ithaca in New York if you know about that town. There’s restaurants, bars and good enough amenities. I watched the World Cup 2022 finals here!
Perito Moreno Glacier: A Glacial Marvel
The Perito Moreno Glacier, a stunning river of ice extending 250 square kilometers, is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Located in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentine Patagonia, it attracts thousands of visitors each year due to its remarkable beauty and the unique phenomenon of glacier advancement.
This gigantic ice glacier that has not melted over decades. You can take a bus to it and also spend $20 to take a boat that will take you real close to it. Also there’s the option of doing some ice hiking at most cost. I took the boat and just walked on the bridge, in my experience the boat may not be necessary. I would have went for ice hiking if i had more money back then.
There are many tour agencies in El Calafate that offer this tour service, they pick you up from your hotel, and take you for a half-day tour, and you get to explore the glacier on your own for a few hours. There are also full-day tours that include boat rides, but I did it without a tour and everything was manageable.
The bridge viewing area has a cafe and is decently long for walking. Only 2 years later (2024) in Alaska have I seen such natural wonder. If this is your first time seeing such glacier, you will be amazed.
El Chaltén: Argentina’s Trekking Capital
El Chaltén, nestled in the foothills of the Andes in Argentine Patagonia, is renowned as the country’s trekking capital. This charming village, established in 1985, serves as a gateway to some of the most breathtaking hiking trails and landscapes in the Los Glaciares National Park.
El Calafate can get boring quite fast because it was not exactly close to hikes, so El Chaten it is! Again I had to take a bus that took a while to reach El Chalten. There’s a bus stop in town and you have to purchase the ticket there. It is a 3-hour bus ride away, and there are multiple bus companies operating this route.
Now El Chaten is a small village, food and accommodations were more expensive than Bueno Aires but still considered affordable back then. People can stay here for months to do long hikes into Patagonia. I stayed here for about 1 week and went on day hikes everyday. There are 2 main hikes that people do in El Chalten – Laguna De Los Tres and Laguna Torre. These are both around ~20km and can be done in a day. I decided to do both.
Laguna De Ios Tres
This hike takes you to the pristine Laguna de los Tres, offering breathtaking views of Mount Fitz Roy. The trek encompasses diverse landscapes, including forests, rivers, and rocky terrains, culminating in a steep ascent to the lagoon.
It was a 7 hours hike from El Chalten and the last 1 km was a mad incline of rock climbing. But at the end you get rewarded with the best view of Laguna De Ios Tres and Fitz Roy, the mountain famous in Patagonia.
This is a photo of Laguna de Ios Tres from a hill, those small dots are people! And you know what, the water is drinkable here. I saw lots of people just filling up their bottles with the water here.
Beautiful blue waters and hikers just taking a break after the long hike up. It is amazing to think that these waters are so blue and drinkable.
Views like these are abundant in the hikes surrounding El Chalten, Patagonia.
Laguna Torre
There’s also Laguna Torre, showcasing the impressive Cerro Torre and its surrounding glaciers. The journey offers a rich tapestry of Patagonian nature, from lush forests to rugged mountains. It is an easier hike (about 4 hours). It had less people, the water was more grey-ish but still, great views, floating ice bergs in the waters. I did this on my second day hike.
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado is a lesser-known hike in this region but in my opinion it is the most unique. The roads are paved very well, and towards the end it is a huge change of landscape. You could see the road leading to the end of the mountain very clearly, but the climb is… rocky.
It offers panoramic views of the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre ranges, as well as the lagoons of Los Tres and Torre. The hike is moderately challenging, taking approximately 6-8 hours round trip.
I highly recommend doing this, also takes about 7 hours.
Thoughts
I love this place, the little pity I had was not exploring Patagonia on Chile’s side. However, this area is so quaint, amazing hiking, amazing food, friendly people… I would love to live here for a good 3-6 months.
Do yourself a favour and visit this place, but coming during the summer months only. You can also make a trip to Antartica when you are Argentina (it is the only place in the world to have Antartica tours).
