Península Valdés

On the Atlantic coast of Chubut Province, Patagonia reveals its richest wildlife. Península Valdés is one of the most important breeding grounds for Southern Right Whales; also present are Elephant Seals, Sea Lions, Magellanic Penguins, and on land, Guanacos and Rheas. The starting point is Puerto Madryn, a city founded in 1865 by Welsh settlers.

Puerto Madryn is sheltered by Golfo Nuevo and serves as the main gateway to Península Valdés. On July 28, 1865, approximately 150 Welsh immigrants landed here aboard the sailing ship Mimosa; their legacy endures in street names and the Welsh tea houses of nearby Gaiman. Today, Madryn is a coastal city with a long waterfront promenade.On the headland above the city, the Ecocentro features exhibitions about the Patagonian sea. About two hours' drive south lies Punta Tombo, home to one of the largest colonies of Magellan penguins. Puerto Pirámides, on the peninsula, is about an hour and a half away by bus. Most travelers fly into Trelew, approximately 50 kilometers south.

Bariloche is located on the southern shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi, a glacial lake at approximately 700 meters above sea level, and is completely surrounded by Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. The park, founded in 1922 and re-established in 1934, is Argentina's oldest. With its alpine-style timber and stone buildings, chocolate shops, and surrounding mountains, the city is considered the gateway to Patagonia and the country's chocolate capital.Its focal point is the Centro Cívico, built of stone and wood and inaugurated in 1940, offering views of the lake. The classic excursion is the Circuito Chico, a roughly 60-kilometer scenic drive around the Llao Llao peninsula, featuring viewpoints over the lakes. Along the way, a chairlift ascends Cerro Campanario, whose panorama is considered one of the most beautiful in the region. In winter, Cerro Catedral is one of South America's largest ski resorts; to the north, the Ruta de los Siete Lagos covers approximately 120 kilometers from Villa La Angostura to San Martín de los Andes.

In northern Patagonia, glacial lakes, forests, and snow-capped peaks line up at the foot of the Andes. The heart of the region is Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Argentina's oldest national park, with the city of San Carlos de Bariloche on its namesake lake. In summer, hiking trails, boat trips, and scenic routes like the Ruta de los Siete Lagos beckon; in winter, the ski resorts.

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is Chile's oldest, stretching from Osorno Volcano to the Argentine border. Most visitors come for the Saltos del Petrohué and the turquoise-green Lago Todos los Santos, plus hiking trails through rainforest and lava fields.