Patagonia Travel Guides & Itineraries

You could spend a lifetime in Patagonia and still not see it all. But that won’t stop me from trying!

If you’re also trying to navigate the enormity of Argentina’s Patagonia, this travel guide will help.

Below you’ll find some FAQ’s answered to help you get your bearings, followed by all of my Patagonia travel guides and itineraries.

I couldn’t pick a favorite destination if I tried but Peninsula Valdes’ wildlife, El Chalten’s mountains, and the national parks of the northern Lake District all rank very high.

A woman stands with arms outstretched on a rock in front of a lagoon

Yellow retama flowers in the forefront in Villa Traful

QUICK NOTE: This post contains affiliate links and Sol Salute may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Patagonia at a Glance

Provinces: La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego

Geographical Overview: Where to go in Patagonia?

Patagonia is immense and houses its own major destinations within itself. I have guides for all of the main destinations, scroll to the bottom of this guide to see all of my articles divided by region.

North Patagonia: Lake District – Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, San Martin de los Andes, The 7 Lakes Route
North Patagonia: Corredor de Los Andes – 2 hours south of Bariloche you’ll discover the Comarca Andina (El Bolson, El Hoyo, Lago Puelo, etc) + Cholila, Esquel, Trevelin, Los Alerces National Park, and Gualjaina/Piedra Parada
Atlantic Coast: Wildlife and steppe on Patagonia’s coast in Puerto Madryn, Peninsula Valdes, and Las Grutas
South Patagonia: El Chalten & El Calafate – The land of glaciers and epic hiking
South Patagonia: Ushuaia – The end of the world in Tierra Del Fuego

When to visit Patagonia?

The summer months have the best weather and longest daylight hours for the hiking and outdoor sports Patagonia is famous for.

Late Fall and early Spring have great weather and smaller crowds. To see fall foliage in its full splendor visit in April.

Winter in Patagonia is a winter wonderland with the best Argentina ski resorts and snow sports from July through September. Avoid the final two weeks of July when Buenos Aires takes its winter school break (bringing high prices and huge crowds).

What to pack for Patagonia?

In Patagonia you can easily experience all four seasons in a single day. Pack strategically and focus on layers you can mix and match for different weather and destinations.

A durable hiking pant: I love these flexible hiking pants because they work both in Buenos Aires and hiking in the mountains. They hold their shape and you can wear them over and over.
Upper body layers: A base layer, fleece, puffer coat, and a windbreaker/outer shell.
Hiking boots: If you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, especially in Ushuaia, a water proof hiking boot is the best option (a MUST for Ushuaia, I’d say). For other areas and in summer, you can get by with a hiking shoe. I wear these boots and these shoes by Danner, I swear by them.
Hat: The wind is strong in Patagonia, avoid baseball caps. Pack hiking hats that have a chin strap for the sun and a beanie for warmth.
Hiking Poles: You 100% want hiking poles, I have this cheap pair and they’re fantastic.
SUMMER: Pack light layers for warmth, it can get chilly at night. Bring a swimsuit to jump in the lakes or your hotel pool.

Gear Rental: Don’t want to pack boots for just two hikes or worry about your hiking poles in a carry on? There are places that rent gear in every destination.

Laundry: Pack less and wash, for 5-10 dollars a load you can leave your dirty laundry to be washed in the same day or for next day in every single city/town in Argentina. Search “lavanderia” on Google Maps. There are no self-wash laundromats here. Don’t leave delicates or anything that can shrink as it will be washed in very hot water.

How to get around Patagonia?

The distance between major destinations in Patagonia is immense and the scenery can be sparse.

Whenever possible, I recommend flying. Look for direct flights whenever possible. There are regular flights that connect El Calafate and Ushuaia, for example. However, Bariloche and El Calafate are only connected with direct flights in summer. So you may have to backtrack to Buenos Aires, which while inconvenient, it is still often the most convenient option.

Buses are always an option to consider instead of flying but keep in mind that the distances are very long and the scenery will not be as exciting as you’re anticipating. It’s a desert out there.

Check Plataforma 10, Busbud, and Central de Pasajes for tickets/schedules. Keep in mind that some buses are also seasonal, like Marga Taqsa’s bus connecting Bariloche to El Chalten/El Calafate.