Travel & Cruise Guides and Tips | Fine Travel New Zealand

Explore the Natural Wonderland of Patagonia

Written by Fine Travel | 22/09/14 20:30

Fjords, glaciers, forests, awesome! The natural wonderland of Patagonia is a sight to behold. Nested between Argentina and Chile, Patagonia offers you the opportunity to witness diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and captivating cultures. Trace the journey of the legendary explorers on an adventurous Patagonian voyage.

MUST SEE SIGHTS

Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a great place to start your holiday. Known as the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires serves as the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina. Explore the museums and art galleries during the day and relax for an authentic lunch in a local café. The Recoleta area is a must-see destination for history, architecture, and culture. Don’t miss the Recoleta Cemetery, the burial site for Eva Perón, or La Casa Rosada, the historic presidential palace. Imagine yourself walking through the cobblestoned streets of the San Telmo district, or the bohemian La Boca district. At night, enjoy a traditional tango performance and dinner at a popular tango house.

Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost urban center of the world and the capital of the Tierra del Fuego island. From Ushuaia, enjoy a spectacular excursion tour of the Beagle Channel on a small boat or cruise ship. Get your camera ready to witness the sea lions, whales, birds, and many other wildlife species that call this area home. The scenic views by ship boast white-capped Andes peaks and glaciers. The End of the World Train from Ushuaia takes you to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, where one-of-a-kind wildlife and natural landscapes make for one of the most remote, yet beautiful environments in the world. Ushuaia is also the closest cruise port of call to Antarctica.

Cruising through Cape Horn National Parkgets you up close to an unspoiled natural frontier. Look up 1,400 feet to take in the power of the Cape Horn rising from the wavy ocean waters where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans collide. Weather permitting, your ship will sail through Cape Horn and offer you spectacular panoramic views of South America’s southernmost tip. Want to know where where Charles Darwin landed in 1833? Well, Wulaia Bay is the place. Visit here for some history and nature, as you walk through the Magellanic forests.

Ready for some more cruising sights? After you navigate past Cape Horn, you will have the opportunity to experience the Magdalena Channel for some unique wildlife, including penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and Andean condors. Arriving at Magdalena Island brings you closer to a colony of over 120,000 Magellanic penguins!

On the edge of the Straight of Magellan lies Punta Arenas, a metropolis with a unique blend of urban and rural, ruddy and grand. Visit the Cerro La Cruz viewpoint to witness the breathtaking views of "the city of the red roofs.” Here you can see the Straight of Magellan, as well as the city’s colorful tin roofs and orderly streets. Punta Arenas is often the starting point for excursions to the Chilean Antarctic region.

Travel by land from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine National Park, home to an unspoiled 700-square-mile World Biosphere Reserve. Pictures cannot capture the unparalleled beauty of the turquoise blue lakes, ice-blue glaciers, jagged mountain peaks, and flowing rivers and waterfalls. Horseback-ride and hike through the park’s forests and along the lagoons for a fun day of adventure!

Santiago is known as the sophisticated and cultural capital of Chile. Make it a priority to visit the Plaza del Armas, which is the tradition city center, as well as the Palacio de la Moneda and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Bella Vista district hosts La Chascona, the former home (and now museum) of Pablo Neruda. If you like wine, travel to a Chilean winery for a private tour and tasting. Toast the memories you’ve made on this spectacular adventure!

Other highlights of Patagonia include:

  • Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Agostini Sound - Águila Glacier (Tierra del Fuego) 
  • Puerto Varas, Chile
  • Puerto Montt, Chile
  • Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile
  • Valparaiso, Chile

Travel through Patagonia to experience one of the most isolated, yet beautiful, places in the world. Rich in culture, history, and natural wonders, this region creates a one-of-a-kind backdrop for a spectacular adventure. Don’t forget to pack variety of clothing, as the weather can change in an instant.

Plan your Patagonia land and cruise voyage to create unforgettable memories of a lifetime!