Recently updated on January 22nd, 2020 at 11:53 pm
Spread across southern Chile and Argentina, Patagonia encompasses some of South America’s most dramatic scenery. The soaring Andes Mountains rise up above rolling grasslands and the arid Patagonian Steppe, which lie in stark contrast to the region’s glacial fjords and temperate rainforest. But it’s not just the landscape that makes Patagonia unique. Across both Chile and Argentina, this land has its own distinct culture, heritage and way of life, which all comes together to make the region unlike anywhere else on Earth. Here, we take a look at some of Patagonia’s most extraordinary sights, and the inspirational travel videos that show exactly how captivating this region can be.
Discovering Patagonia
First, take inspiration from this video, which perfectly illustrates the contrasting landscapes and their striking colours, from the red and yellow land the guanaco graze, to the turquoise glacial lagoons.
A Journey through Patagonia
Not only does the landscape vary enormously, it also changes dramatically with the light of the day and each season. This can be seen in this time-lapse video, in which the morning light, setting sun, and night sky transform the land below.Â
Exploring the Patagonian Landscape
The real experience is getting out into the landscape, and seeing and hearing the smallest of details in each unique setting. This video captures the lesser-noticed elements of Patagonia as well as its dramatic landscape.
WHERE TO GO
Puerto Natales
As a gateway to some of Chilean Patagonia’s most majestic scenery, including Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales is a popular stop-off for travellers to the region. But the port town also has a charm of its own, with heritage exhibiting the region’s indigenous roots.
Torres del Paine National Park
Snow-capped mountain peaks, vivid blue glaciers alongside tranquil glacial lakes, and golden grassland where guanaco graze, are the scenes many people associate with Patagonia, and that’s exactly what this national park displays with wildlife that makes it a World Biosphere Reserve.
Los Glaciares National Park
On the Argentine side, there aren’t many sights more revered than that of Perito Moreno in Los Glaciares National Park. This giant glacier attracts attention worldwide for the great chunks of ice that come crashing into the water below. Encompassing as many as 50 glaciers, the national park is rightly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ushuaia
The fact that Ushuaia is the world’s most southern city is reason enough to visit. But there’s more to this Argentine town than first meets the eye; from the harbour to the area’s first settlers’ houses, the sights in this region give more of an insight into Patagonia’s past.
Tierra del Fuego
This archipelago at South America’s southernmost tip straddles both Chilean and Argentine territory. Tierra del Fuego National Park lies on the Argentine side, displaying Andean – Patagonian forest with rivers and glacial lakes in its midst.
If these inspirational travel videos have tempted you to book a trip, why not visit Patagonia with Trafalgar on the Patagonian Grand Adventure journey?
Image credits: Cover photo of Torres del Paine © iStock. Guanaco in Torres del Paine © iStock / Ekaterina Krasnikova. Perito Moreno © iStock / Nikki Bidgood.