Martillo Island: What You Need to Know About Seeing Penguins in Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, Argentina is known for being the southernmost town on the planet and for the dramatic scenery of Tierra del Fuego—but did you know that you can also actually see penguins here? Martillo Island, located near Ushuaia, is home to multiple species of penguins during the austral summer, who flock to this island to breed and raise their chicks. So if you want to see these feathered cuties for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Martillo Island, the only place to see penguins in Ushuaia.
10 Day Chile Itinerary: From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia
Chile stretches over 2,600 miles across South America, from the otherworldly sand dunes of the Atacama Desert in the north to the stunning fjords of Patagonia in the south. There’s a LOT to see and do in this dynamic country, but you can pack in a ton of adventures, even if you just have a short period of time. Here’s the ultimate 10 day Chile itinerary to make the most of your time in this beautiful corner of our planet.
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.
Glacier Grey Hike: How to Hike to the Largest Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is, perhaps, best known for its namesake rock spires, but it has so much more to offer than that. For example, Glacier Grey, found in the western part of the national park, is a massive hunk of ancient ice, measures a whopping 270 square kilometers and feeds its own stunning glacial lake. While Torres del Paine is best known for its epic backpacking trips, like the O and W Trek, you can still experience some of its natural wonders, including Glacier Grey, on a (long, but doable!) day hike. Here’s everything you need to know about the Glacier Grey hike, one of the most underrated day trips in Torres del Paine National Park.
Mirador Base las Torres Trail: How to Hike to the Iconic Towers in Torres del Paine National Park
Mirador Base las Torres offers one of the most iconic views in Chile and arguably, all of South America—the rugged spires of Torres del Paine, towering above the electric turquoise waters of Lago Torres. But you’ll DEFINITELY have to work to enjoy these views—in order to get here, you’ll need to hike 6.3 miles (10.1 km) up an incredibly steep and rocky trail to the shores of the lake. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s everything you need to know about the Mirador Base las Torres trail, the best day hike in Torres del Paine National Park.
The ULTIMATE W Trek Packing List
The W Trek, also known as the W Circuit, is one of the most iconic hikes in Patagonia, passing ancient glaciers, alpine lakes, and some of the most rugged mountains on the planet in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. This hike is absolutely epic, but can also be epically confusing to pack for. It’s kind of a choose-your-own adventure, with hikers being able to choose how many days they want to be on the trail; whether they want to camp with their own gear or stay in equipped tents or hostel beds; and whether they want to make their own food or eat meals prepared at the mountain refugios along the way. Sound a bit confusing? It is! But luckily, my husband, Justin, and I recently hiked this incredible trail and have put together a complete packing list for everything you need to bring along for the W Trek, whether you’re staying in mountain refugios and eating food that’s prepared for you every night or whether you’re bringing all of your own gear and food.
The W Trek in Patagonia: Everything You Need to Know
The W Trek or the W Circuit is arguably the most iconic hike in Patagonia—and for good reason! This famous hike, which snakes through Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, passes ancient glaciers, electric blue alpine lakes, and impossibly jagged mountain peaks. While this hike is absolutely incredible, it’s not exactly the most straightforward to plan—there’s limited (and expensive!) accommodations along the trail, a confusing array of transportation options that you need to take to get to and from the park, and multiple variations of the hike that you can choose from. So if you’ve got your eyes set on hiking the W Trek in Patagonia, here’s everything you need to know about planning and executing your trip.
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.