Patagonia is the region at the southern end of South America, shared by Chile and Argentina, comprising of the southern section of the Andes Mountains and the deserts, pampas, and grasslands to the east. It is one of the few regions that shares a coastline with three oceans, with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south.
People travel from all over the world to marvel at the Andean paradise of this area with its icy beauty, rugged, towering mountains, and pristine lakes and rivers.
Both Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia boast abundant wildlife, from soaring Andean Condor, to the meandering herds of the llama’s close cousin – the Guanaco, and for the very lucky, the elusive Puma. Fill your days, hiking, horse trekking, rafting, all the while soaking in the jaw dropping views.
Patagonia combines spectacular scenery, exotic wildlife and unique culture into a destination that is rapidly gaining attention in the Australian market.
Who goes to Patagonia
Typically, adventure travellers who are looking for an active holiday. Whilst you can go hardcore and embark on intense treks, there are plenty of softer adventure activities on offer too. Travellers generally spend more on experience than accommodation, so often they take advantage of the luxury properties in the area for part of their journey but spending the bulk of their money on excursions. Demographically, travellers tend to be older couples or families (i.e. with adult children) and groups of friends. However, there is certainly great appeal for the younger market too with all the adventure activities on offer. Australia sees a good number of participants in the Patagonia International Marathon each year which is a great spectacle for the region.
How to get to Patagonia
Access from Australia is via Santiago with Qantas/LATAM and then onto Punta Arenas. There are a range of cruises available starting/ending in Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Puerto Natales and Ushuaia. As Patagonia is such a large area spanning Chile & Argentina (separated by the Andes), road travel is required for most itineraries, especially to take in major attractions such as El Calafate, Torres del Paine and the lakes.
Top 10 things to do in Patagonia
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina
- Trek Torres del Paine
- Visit the Perito Moreno glacier
- Cruise the Fjords of Tierra del Fuego
- Hike from El Chalten to see the impressive Mount Fitz Roy and other lofty peaks tower above you.
- Explore the stunning lakeside town of Pucon for spectacular volcano views and activities for adventurers of all tastes
- Sample chocolate and craft beer in Bariloche to get a taste of how Argentine Patagonia differs from the Chilean side; enjoy the mountain scenery and embark on the iconic lakes crossing
- Pamper yourself with a stay at luxurious Explora, Tierra, Singular or Awasi properties
- Watch Orcas beach themselves on the Valdes Peninsula
- Travel the stunning Carretera Austral and see the hanging glacier at Queulat and marble caves at Puerto Rio Tranquilo
- Ride horses with a real-life gaucho
How to book Patagonia
When booking a holiday to Patagonia it is important to get a clear idea from the client how active they are, what their tolerance is to crowds, and what standard of accommodation & service they are expecting. The shoulder seasons around winter (Sept/Oct & March/Apr/May) can offer the best experience for those looking to avoid the crowds and have the added bonus of calmer winds; but the temperatures are obviously much lower and there are road/trail and accommodation closures that need to be taken into consideration. So, it’s important to understand if your clients have particular treks etc. in mind as the main trails will only be open during the warmer months and will always be busy.
For those looking for an off the beaten track experience during peak season there are a multitude of trails and attractions that can still give you a great experience without the crowds. And if trekking isn’t the main attraction fjord cruises are a great way to see the scenery from the water and easily combined with road transport.
As the area is geographically diverse and has the Andes in the middle of it, understanding these things is crucial to tailoring the right itinerary for your clients and demonstrating the benefit of booking with a travel agent right from the outset. This is a remote part of the world and having access to local 24/7 emergency numbers and support throughout the enquiry, booking & travel periods really pays off.
How to learn more about Patagonia
Eclipse Travel can arrange training sessions for agents wishing to learn more about our Patagonia program either in person or via webinar. Email your travel designer or enquiry@eclipsetravel.com.au to arrange this or ask any questions about the destination.
