Patagonia travel guide

SherryStay Destination Guide

Patagonia

Glaciers, granite peaks, and the end of the world — South America's great trek.

Argentina & Chile

About Patagonia

Patagonia is the end of the world — the wild frontier at the southernmost tip of South America, just before Antarctica, spread across both sides of the border between Argentina and Chile. This is not a single city but an immense region, as large as whole countries: an expanse of snow-capped peaks, blue glaciers, clear lakes and fierce winds that shape everything. There is no "downtown" here and no shopping malls — only small, scattered towns that serve as bases for heading out into nature. And that is exactly the rhythm: you drive or bus from town to town, stop in nature reserves, set out on a trek to a viewpoint over a glacier or a lake, return to sleep in a cabin or small hotel, and the next day carry on to the next point. Patagonia is not a destination where you tick off sights — it is a slow journey into one of the last untouched spaces left on earth, a place where the landscape is the only hero. Come with good boots, windproof layers and patience for the long roads — the reward is a rare sense of truly being at the edge of the world, small before mountains, ice and a sky that stretches to the horizon.

Sherry's Take

Split your stay between El Calafate (the Perito Moreno glacier) and El Chaltén (the treks) — three hours apart, two different worlds. And pack a windproof layer: the Patagonian wind is no legend.

Best For

TrekkersNature loversAdventureBig trip
Go in
NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch
Avoid if possible
JuneJulyAugust

Where to Stay

El Calafate

Base for the Perito Moreno glacier; airport, restaurants

El Chaltén

Argentina's trekking capital, at the foot of Fitz Roy

Puerto Natales (Chile)

Gateway to Torres del Paine

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1At Perito Moreno, the boardwalk trails alone (park entry only) are no less spectacular than the pricey boat tours.
  • 2In El Chaltén the big treks start right from the village — free, no guide, no transfers.
  • 3Domestic flights in Argentina fill up — book early; they're cheaper than the long drives.

Getting Around

  • 1Buenos Aires ↔ El Calafate flight is about 3 hours.
  • 2Bus El Calafate ↔ El Chaltén — about 3 hours, several departures a day.
  • 3Crossing to Chile (Puerto Natales) — bus + border, plan a full day.

Most Common Mistake

Cramming Patagonia into three days. The distances are enormous and the weather changes by the hour — you need buffer days, or you'll see buses instead of peaks.

Ideal Stay

57 nights

Combine with
  • Buenos Aires
  • Ushuaia
  • Santiago

Hotels Sherry Recommends

Useful Local Hotel Phrases

Spanish
  • HelloHolaOH-la
  • Good morningBuenos díasBWEH-nos DEE-as
  • Thank youGraciasGRAH-syas
  • PleasePor favorpor fah-VOR
  • Check-inRegistro de entradareh-HEES-tro deh en-TRA-da
  • Check-outSalidasa-LEE-da
  • HotelHoteloh-TEL
  • ReceptionRecepciónreh-sep-SYON
  • BreakfastDesayunodeh-sah-YOO-no
  • Wi-FiWi-Fiwee-FEE
  • TaxiTaxiTAK-see
  • AirportAeropuertoah-eh-ro-PWER-to
  • MountainMontañamon-TAH-nya
  • HelpAyudaah-YOO-da
  • How much?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-to KWES-ta
  • Where is...?¿Dónde está...?DON-deh es-TA