"Patagonia is the place that makes you feel small in the best possible way."
Patagonia occupies the southern tip of South America — a vast, windswept region of glaciers, granite towers, fjords, and steppe that stretches across the bottom of Chile and Argentina. It is one of the last great wilderness areas on earth, and one of the most beautiful. The scale is almost incomprehensible: Torres del Paine National Park alone is larger than Rhode Island, and it is just one corner of a region that extends for 1,000 kilometres.
Patagonia rewards investment and planning. The finest lodges — explora, Awasi, Estancia Cristina — book out a year in advance for the peak summer season (December–February). The weather is notoriously unpredictable; four seasons in a single day is not a cliché. Pack layers, bring waterproofs, and embrace the wind. It is part of the experience.
"The Torres at dawn — three granite spires turning gold in the first light. Worth every step of the hike."
TastesOf Editorial
At a Glance
What Not to Miss
Torres del Paine, Chile
The granite towers of Torres del Paine — three vertical spires rising 2,800 metres above the Patagonian steppe — are one of the world's great natural spectacles. The W Trek (4–5 days) and the full Circuit (8–10 days) are among the finest multi-day hikes on earth. The light here, particularly at dawn and dusk, is extraordinary.
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Home to Perito Moreno — one of the world's few advancing glaciers, a wall of blue ice 5 kilometres wide and 60 metres high, constantly calving into the Lago Argentino. The sound of the ice breaking is unforgettable. El Chaltén, the trekking capital of Argentina, is also within the park.
Kayaking the Fjords
The Chilean fjords — a labyrinth of channels, islands, and glaciers stretching for 1,500 kilometres — are one of the world's last great wilderness areas. Multi-day kayaking expeditions through the fjords, camping on uninhabited shores, are among the most extraordinary adventures available.
Estancia Life
The traditional sheep and cattle estancias of Patagonia offer a window into a way of life that has changed little in a century. Several have been converted into luxury lodges — with horseback riding, fly fishing, and asado dinners under the stars.
Fly Fishing the Río Serrano
The rivers of Patagonia — fed by glacial meltwater, cold and clear — hold some of the world's finest wild trout. The Río Serrano, the Río Baker, and the lakes of the Chilean Lake District are legendary among fly fishermen.
The End of the World — Ushuaia
The southernmost city on earth, at the tip of Tierra del Fuego, is the gateway to Antarctica and one of the most dramatic settings in the world. The Beagle Channel, the Martial Glacier, and the Tierra del Fuego National Park are all extraordinary.
Where to Stay
explora Patagonia
Iconic LodgeThe original luxury lodge in Torres del Paine — a beautifully designed building on the shores of Lago Pehoé, with an extraordinary excursion program and guides who know the park better than anyone. The benchmark for Patagonian luxury.
Awasi Patagonia
Ultra-LuxuryEight private villas in Torres del Paine, each with a dedicated guide and vehicle. The most exclusive and personalised experience in Patagonia.
Estancia Cristina
Remote LodgeAccessible only by boat across Lago Argentino, Estancia Cristina is one of the most remote luxury lodges in South America — with extraordinary glacier trekking, condor sightings, and a silence that is absolute.
The Verdict
The world's last great wilderness — plan a year ahead, pack for all weather, and prepare to be humbled.