The Ultimate Patagonia Packing List
With its unique wildlife, technicolor lakes, and rugged mountains, it’s seriously STUNNING and has some of the most unique opportunities for outdoor adventure in the world! It’s also known for something a bit less fun—incredibly dynamic and unpredictable weather, which can make packing for this special corner of the planet a bit difficult. Not to worry, though—my husband, Justin, and I just wrapped up two months adventuring all over Patagonia, figuring out exactly what you should bring with you. So, here’s our ultimate Patagonia packing list, with everything you need to make the most of your time in this jaw-dropping land of ancient glaciers and stunning fjords. Not to worry, though—my husband, Justin, and I just wrapped up spending two months hiking and adventuring all over Patagonia, figuring out exactly what you should bring with you—and what you can leave at home. Accordingly, here’s our Patagonia packing list, with everything you need to make the most of your time in this jaw-dropping land of ancient glaciers and stunning fjords.
Two week Patagonia Itinerary (with Ideas if You Have More or Less Time!)
Patagonia is one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited—rugged mountains, abundant wildlife, and some of the most spectacularly colored lakes on the planet. But it’s also HUGE—encompassing the southern tip of both Argentina and Chile, Patagonia stretches for over 730,000 square miles! So, if you don’t have YEARS to explore this massive area, it can be hard to know where—and how—you should spend your limited time here. But not to fear! After exploring this special part of the planet for over two months, I’ve put together the perfect two week Patagonia itinerary—with lots of ideas on how to tailor your trip if you have more or less time here.
7 Best Hikes in Patagonia
Patagonia is known for its rugged mountains, technicolor lakes, and world-class hiking trails. Honestly, there’s so many incredible hikes here, it can be a bit overwhelming to try and pick which places to explore in your limited time here. My husband, Justin, and I recently spent two months exploring Patagonia and getting as many kilometers under our hiking boots as we possibly could. And, after all our adventures, we put together this list of 7 of the best hikes in Patagonia, so you can experience the best of what this special corner of the planet has to offer.
Laguna Torre Trail in El Chaltén, Argentina
The teeny mountain town of El Chaltén in Patagonian Argentina is known for its epic hikes, including the Laguna Torre trail. This incredible trail offers jaw-dropping views of the impossibly blue Glacier Grande and the spiky towers of Cerro Torre, one of the most iconic mountains in the area. Hiking around El Chaltén has recently gotten a bit trickier these days, so if you want to experience these spectacular views for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about trekking along the Laguna Torre trail.
Laguna de los Tres Trail in El Chaltén, Argentina: The Best Hike to See Mount Fitz Roy
El Chaltèn, Argentina is home to Mount Fitz Roy, arguably the most famous mountain in all of South America. While Fitz Roy towers over the town of El Chaltén, the best way to experience the mountain is on foot, climbing along its slopes to see its alpine lakes, glaciers, and iconic spires. The best trail to do so is the Laguna de los Tres hike, which takes you up to a jaw-dropping viewpoint of Fitz Roy and two of its stunning lakes, Lagos de los Tres and Sucia. So if you want to experience one of the most iconic hikes in Patagonia for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about the Laguna de los Tres hike in El Chaltén, Argentina.
Hiking the Perito Moreno Glacier: Everything You Need to Know
The Perito Moreno Glacier, found in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, sprawls a whopping 97 square miles, making it one of the largest glaciers on the planet. Seeing this behemoth of ancient ice is a must-do on any Patagonia itinerary—and, luckily, Los Glaciares has plenty of walkways that you can enjoy up-close-and-personal perspectives of the glacier. So if you’re planning a trip to Patagonia any time soon, here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Visiting Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay from Buenos Aires, Argentina: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re visiting Buenos Aires for a few days, you might be considering heading across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay—I mean, who doesn’t like visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus getting a new passport stamp? During my husband, Justin’s and my recent month-long stay in Buenos Aires, we did just that—and are breaking down everything you need to know about visiting Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires, including how to get there and what to do.
10 Incredible Things to Do in Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, located at the southern tip of Argentina, is quite remote—in fact, it’s known as the southernmost city on the entire planet! And while Ushuaia may not exactly be the easiest place to get to, the city still has plenty to offer visitors, from epic hiking and killer beers to spotting some adorable penguins. So if visiting this unique corner of the planet is on your bucket list, here’s 10 incredible things to do in Ushuaia, Argentina, the End of the World.
Laguna de los Tempanos Hike: The Best Trail in Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, located in Argentinian Patagonia, is frequently referred to as the "End of the World"—and has the otherworldly-looking scenery to boot! With epic mountains and ancient glaciers, Ushuaia is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on the entire planet, including Laguna de los Tempanos, a stunning glacial lake at the base of jagged mountains. If you want to visit this incredible place for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Laguna de los Tempanos trail, the most incredible hike in Ushuaia.
13 Awesome Things to Do in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
Puerto Iguazu is a fairly small town, surrounded by dense jungle and located along the border of northern Argentina and southern Brazil that’s become something of a tourist hotspot. The reason? It’s considered Argentina’s gateway to Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world! So, if you’re looking to explore this magical corner of the planet for yourself, here’s 13 incredible things to do in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina.