Chile trip | Puma spotting in mythical Patagonia

Buenos Aires is undoubtedly one of South America’s most popular cities, a metropolis with a strong identity of its own and a population of over 10 million. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions. In the ‘Microcentro’, you’ll find stately buildings, shopping boulevards and, of course, landmarks such as ‘la Casa Rosada’ and ‘Avenida 9 de Julio’ with its towering obelisk. In the old neighbourhoods of ‘La Boca’ and ‘San Telmo’, you can soak up the atmosphere of days gone by, when Italian and Spanish immigrants in search of a better life settled here in the late 19th century. La Boca actually offers the traveller just two streets that are somewhat touristy, and yet you simply must see the colourful little houses here. Of course, Buenos Aires is also known as the birthplace of Queen Máxima and Pope Francis.
San Telmo is the neighbourhood of antique shops and tango performances. It was in these neighbourhoods that this seductive dance originated. In the upmarket ‘Recoleta’ district, alongside exclusive shops and beautiful buildings, you’ll find the spectacular Recoleta Cemetery. Among others, Evita has her mausoleum here.
Palermo is home to extensive green parks and gardens. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood have been on the up in recent years as nightlife districts with excellent restaurants and cosy wine bars. You’ll also find luxury boutiques and designer shops there.
Buenos Aires’ newest district, Puerto Madero, is certainly worth a visit; the old warehouses now serve as shops and restaurants, and amongst the modern buildings, the city’s architects have preserved large cranes and important historic buildings from the former harbour as monuments.

Located in the Pampa lowlands of Argentina, Buenos Aires province, meaning 'good air', is the country's largest province. Although the province bears the same name as the city of Buenos Aires, it does not include it. The current provincial capital is La Plata, a thriving cosmopolitan city. The province offers spectacularly beautiful natural landscapes, including a stunning Atlantic coast, numerous rivers, sparkling lagoons and the Sierra de la Ventana mountain range. Visitors can explore the cities of Mar del Plata, La Costa Partido, Villa Gesell and Miramar. Sample a range of exceptional wines along Argentina's world-famous wine route; and enjoy a trip to a gaucho ranch to experience the life of the gaucho, with traditional music, dancing, delicious food and horse riding. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the world's best Argentine beef in one of the many steakhouses scattered across the province.

Those who think of Argentina almost certainly think of the Pampa with its gauchos (South American cowboys), horses and empty plains. Just outside bustling Buenos Aires, this part of Argentina begins. Here you will find the typical Argentine gauchos and you can possibly take part in various activities such as horseback riding, carriage rides, cycling or just walking around the beautiful terrain. You will also enjoy typical Argentine meals and the sport Polo in this area.

Santiago de Chile lies in a valley surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Andes. It is one of the most European cities in Latin America and is one of the few cities in the world from which, within an hour’s drive, you can find yourself on a ski slope or on a beach by the sea.
Santiago de Chile is also close to Chile’s wine regions, where the world-famous Chilean wines are produced. The city itself boasts many monuments and beautiful parks. Be sure not to miss the statue of the Virgin Mary atop ‘Cerro de San Cristóbal’. The view over the city from here is spectacular. You’ll find cosy restaurants and bars in the colourful Bellavista district and the bohemian Lastarria district, amongst others.

Torres del Paine is one of South America’s most beautiful nature reserves. During the scenic drive to Torres del Paine, you’ll travel through the pampas and along the Patagonian Andes, where you’re almost certain to spot nandus, the South American equivalent of the ostrich. Torres del Paine is a paradise for nature lovers. Pointed granite peaks, emerald-green and cobalt-blue lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and a wealth of wildlife await you.
The impressive landscape of Torres del Paine is dominated by the Paine massif, where the jagged, 2,800-metre-high granite peaks are the iconic feature of Torres del Paine.
If you visit Torres del Paine by car, you may not be able to reach every part of the park, but fortunately you can organise hikes, horse-riding tours and even boat trips to reach the more remote areas. One of the best-known hikes in the park takes you to the famous Torres Base.

Remote and stunningly beautiful, Patagonia stretches across part of both Chile and Argentina and offers some of the most awe-inspiring hiking trails in the world. It is made up of several regions, each with its own unique beauty. Southern Patagonia, with its icy landscapes and geometric granite peaks; central Patagonia, a wilderness of rainforest and coastal plain; and northern Patagonia, where the cobalt lakes and lush valleys of the Lakes District and Araucania converge.

The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world stretching over 7000 km. The southern tip of this majectic mountain range lies south of Llullaillaco in Argentina and Chile and is home to the southern Andean steppe. It is a unique ecoregion defined by its cold desert climate and tough grasslands. Some of the larger mammals that have adapted to this harsh environment are the puma, the Andean fox and two relatives of the llama: the vicuña (Peru's national animal) and the guanaco.

The Los Glaciares National Park is located in Santa Cruz province, situated in southwestern Argentina and is known for its stunning natural beauty. Glacial lakes, towering mountains and majestic glaciers merge into an impressive spectacle of nature. It is Argentina's largest national park, covering more than 7,000 square kilometres. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts many, spectacular glaciers. The Perito Moreno glacier can be admired in the southern part of the park and is one of the most famous glaciers for its dynamic changes. In contrast, granite peaks and forests characterise the northern part of the park. From here, you can explore the mountain village of El Chalten, enjoy the views of the glaciers with their ice falls in Lake Argentino and discover the different types of Patagonian forests, steppes and unique vegetation that cover the landscape at high altitude.

El Chaltén is a paradise for both novice and experienced hikers and is therefore often referred to as the ‘trekking capital’. The whole village is geared towards hikers and has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. There are various categories of walking trails to explore the enchanting landscape of Fitz Roy National Park. Just an hour’s walk takes you straight to the treasures of Los Glaciares National Park, which range from vast glaciers to towering rocky peaks and rolling forests. The famous Fitz Roy is located within the national park.
A comprehensive overview of possible walks (with detailed descriptions) can be found on the El Chaltén website: www.elchalten.com
* Entry fees for the national parks in El Chalten must be purchased online. This can be done in advance or on arrival at the starting points of the hiking trails. A credit card or debit card must be used for the purchase. After payment, the system will generate a QR code which must be available at all times and can be shown at checkpoints along the routes. We recommend purchasing the passes before arrival to ensure a smoother entry process. https://ventaweb.apn.gob.ar

Chile's southern Patagonia is known for its stunning blue glaciers, vibrant forests, waterfalls, aquamarine lakes, rivers and towering sharp peaks. The heart of this sparsely populated and rugged region is the Torres del Paine National Park surrounded by pristine lowlands. You can hike through the rugged landscapes, watch the many penguins, or ride horses through the breathtakingly beautiful steppe. Chilean Patagonia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable adventure.

The Argentine part of southern Patagonia is a phenomenal place. It is known for its icy, windswept landscapes, vast remote empty Patagonian steppe and diverse wildlife. This picturesque remote landscape is home to the region's main highlights: the Torres del Paine National Park that overflows into Chile and Los Glaciares National Park, both of which contain deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and ancient forests. Visitors to this area can enjoy some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, including: the annual whale encounter on the rugged Valdes Peninsula and the stunning Patagonian ice fields with colossal glaciers. Popular activities include hiking, camping, whale watching, mountaineering, climbing and horse riding.

Central Chile is home to the capital, Santiago, as well as a number of fantastic off-the-beaten-track destinations and stunning natural attractions. Pichilemu is one of the continent’s premier surfing destinations, whilst Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its beautiful hilly surroundings, colourful buildings and historic harbour areas – is one of Chile’s most popular places to visit.
For outdoor and adventure enthusiasts, the region offers a number of excellent ski resorts (such as Valle Nevado and Portillo), incredible hiking trails in the waterfall-rich Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve, and some attractive coastal destinations, such as Renaca, Viña del Mar and Cobquecura. Cobquecura also offers easy access to Loberia Island, which is famous for its impressive flora and fauna, including large numbers of sea lions and seals.

Located in southern Argentina, Santa Cruz province is dominated by the Andes and the ice fields of Patagonia to the west and meets the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The indigenous people are the Telhuelches, who remained independent until the end of the 19th century due to almost three centuries of colonialist expansion in the region. Santa Cruz's natural highlight is the Los Glacieres national park - in particular the Perito Moreno glacier, which thunderously collapses every few years in an impressive spectacle. The town of El Calafate is the main gateway to this icy wonderland, while the nearby village of El Chaltén is an excellent hiking destination at the foot of Mount Fitzroy. Puerto Deseado, at the mouth of the Deseado River on the province's east coast, is a small fishing village with dramatic scenery and rich coastal wildlife. You will find dolphins, sea lions and both the southern rock penguin and the Magellanic penguin, among others.

Chilean Patagonia, which stretches from just south of the Lake District to the southernmost tip of South America, is known for its barren seascapes, huge glaciers, vast fjords, beautiful valleys, shimmering lakes and steep, snow-capped mountains. Visitors can look forward to spotting penguins, hiking through rugged landscapes, kayaking among huge icebergs and horseback riding across the steppe. Highlights include: the remote Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael and the Parque Nacional Bernado O'Higgins and the more popular Torres del Paine National Park, as well as the southern section of the popular Carretera Austral, one of the most beautiful roads and most incredibly scenic drives in the world. Don't miss the chance to discover the sheer beauty of the southern Patagonian ice fields.

Located in the southern Andes of Patagonia, between Chile and Argentina, lies the second largest contiguous extrasolar ice field in the world. The South Patagonian ice field covers an area of 13,000 square kilometres and is 350 kilometres long. This vast icy expanse is home to 49 glaciers, including the Tyndall, Grey and Montt glaciers in Torres del Paine National Park and the O'Higgins and Pio XI glaciers that fall within Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Visitors can look forward to climbing the rugged hills and hiking the icy trails. Enjoy the amazing views of the frozen mountains. Adventure lovers and thrill seekers can take on the challenge of climbing Mount Fitz Roy, one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. Don't miss the chance to see the most famous glacier of the ice fields: the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier.