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Chilean Patagonia
Sculpted by the elemental forces of nature, Patagonia is a region of breathtaking, rugged beauty that provides numerous opportunities for walkers, trekkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
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4 Holidays
- Enjoy a tour of the vibrant Latin city of Santiago
- Trek the spectacular W Route of the Torres Del Paine – Patagonia’s most famous hiking route
- See the iconic Torres del Paine from the Las Torres Viewpoint
- Stay in the stunningly located Eco Camp
- Experience the remarkable sights and sounds of the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier
- Explore the landscapes and wildlife of wild and windswept Tierra Del Fuego – the very southern tip of South America
- Take a boat trip on the Beagle Channel to view the last lighthouse sailors see before reaching Antarctica
Flight inclusive from £7665, Land only from £6375
- View the giant moai statues of Easter Island
- Walk to the top of the three main extinct volcanoes that comprise Easter Island
- Visit the quarries where the giant statues were made
- Stay in a geodesic dome at the award winning EcoCamp in the heart of Torres Del Paine National Park
- Enjoy walks and boat rides for close up views of the highlights of the Torres del Paine
- Take a guided tour of Chile’s laid back capital of Santiago
Flight inclusive from £8485, Land only from £7285
- Enjoy seven days of excellent walking, taking in all the highlights of the spectacular Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks
- Visit the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier
- Stay in high quality accommodation throughout including the award winning Ecocamp in the Torres del Paine
- Discover Santiago with a city tour and a full day walk in the Andes to San Francisco Glacier
Flight inclusive from £7245, Land only from £5995
- Our trek completes the entire circuit of the Torres del Paine
- This is a fully supported trek, leaving you just to carry a small day sack
- On trek, you will have high quality tents and equipment
- Good paths and campsites with no altitude issues make for a superb trekking experience
- After the trek you stay at the award winning EcoCamp Patagonia for two nights
- A tour of the vibrant Latin city of Santiago is included
Flight inclusive from £5855, Land only from £4695
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Introduction
Patagonia is a vast geographical region covering over a million square kilometres. It encompasses the southern tip of South America, spanning both Chile and Argentina. The Colorado River marks the northern boundary of Patagonia whilst Cape Horn, part of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, is the southernmost point.
The varied landscapes of the region are never more dramatic and breathtaking than those found within the Torres del Paine National Park. Here, the Patagonian Andean mountains are formed mainly from granite and have been carved by over 12 million years of glacial action into turquoise lakes, tumbling glaciers and spectacular jagged rock towers such as the iconic peaks of the ‘Horns of Paine’. Torres del paine is a World Biosphere Reserve, preserving fragile eco-systems inhabited by an abundance of wildlife including guanacos, òandus, pumas, condors and flamingos. It is also renowned for its many miles of good walking paths and is home to one of the classic circuit treks of the world - Torres del Paine Circuit Trek - a circumnavigation of the spectacular glaciers and spires of the Paine Massif. The shorter W trek, takes in the main highlights of the Circuit and can be combined with walks at Tierra del Fuego on the tip of Argentine Patagonia.
The stunning scenery extends east into Argentine Patagonia where the Los Glaciares National Park is also studded with iconic mountains such as Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre as well as the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier. Our Complete Patagonia walking holiday provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the best of both parks and to appreciate the true majesty of this spectacular region.
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Key Facts
- Size of region: 240,000 km2
- Currency: Chilean Peso
- Power supply: 220-240 Volts
- Sockets: Two flat-pin or three flat-pin plugs (Argentina). Two round pin (Chile)
- Language: Spanish
- Time difference: GMT -4 hours (Chile)
- Visas: British nationals may visit Chile as a tourist with a valid passport without a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days.
- Popular dishes: Asado (barbequed beef or lamb) and empanados (small pasties)
- Popular drinks: Both Argentina and Chile are renowned for the quality of their red wines.
- Did you know: The explorer Magellan named the region after the native people there. He used the word Patagón, or giant, to describe the group, who were an average height of about 6 feet tall, much taller than the Europeans of the time.
- FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice
Climate
When is the best time to travel to Chilean Patagonia?
Our climate charts will give you a guide to the weather conditions of Chile.
Chile's seasons are
the reverse of the UK, with summer during the months of December to March. This
is thought to be the optimum time to travel to Patagonia, but this is also when
the wind tends to be strongest. Temperatures are in the mid teens to twenties.
This is also the busiest time of year for tourists in Patagonia so do book
ahead if you want to travel during these months as hotels and flights fill up
quickly. Travel in spring and autumn can be just as good as although
temperatures will be lower, the wind also tends to be reduced. The months
of June to September should be avoided in the centre and south of Chile, as
heavy snowfall can block access.
If you can't make the dates of our group departures, then take a private
departure on dates to suit you, or we can create a Tailor Made holiday to Patagonia,
especially for you and your family or friends.