8 Must-Know Things About Patagonia Adventure Travel

The name Patagonia itself screams adventure. It calls to mind images of craggy mountain peaks, rushing, untamed rivers, and wide, open, unspoilt nature. In a location so pristine and inspiring, you’d have to be deliberately trying to not have a good time. And in a location so full of opportunity and possibility for life-changing experiences and encounters, adventure is never hard to find. Is it really any wonder why there’s an entire outdoor brand named after this place?

Traveling Patagonia will expose you to some of the most remarkable scenes our world has to offer.

So that’s that. You can already picture yourself rappelling down cliff faces, kayaking along wild rivers, and ascending immaculate glaciers. But hold your horses for a second there, Indiana Jones. You can’t just charge full speed ahead into Patagonia without the proper preparation (or without the proper guide to show you the way). And that’s because in a region so wonderfully breathtaking, it can also be quite unforgiving.

Unpredictable weather patterns, unique topographic variations, and unfamiliar environmental characteristics all mean that there are a few things you’ve gotta know before your Patagonia travel adventure.

What to know before Patagonia adventure travel

1. Choose your program provider wisely

Here’s the thing: you CAN travel to Patagonia independently, plan everything yourself, carve your own path, and have a wonderful time. The question is, should you do that?

Patagonia isn’t for the faint of heart, and while there are opportunities for novice campers, backpackers, and hikers to have a fulfilling experience, there’s a good chance you might feel in over your head while doing pre-departure research. Forging into Patagonian wilderness without a clue as to what’s ahead of you is a situation best saved for the experts.

That’s why it’s important to go on Patagonia hiking trips or trekking tours with a reputable and respected program. You’ll want to choose a program that has experience in such difficult terrain, and who has your best interests in mind (not just dollar signs in their eyes). Read the fine print about inclusions, check out reviews, and ask as many questions as you want or need before making a decision.

Looking at those peaks, it becomes obvious why you’ll want (and need) a guide for Patagonia trekking tours.

2. Budget for accommodations

Your launching point into Patagonia will be El Chaltén in Argentina. It’s small, but since it’s so frequently traversed by those on their own Patagonia adventure trips, this town knows how to accommodate foreign travelers. You can expect a dorm bed in El Chaltén to run approximately $30 per person per night. That’s not exactly cheap, but when you take the views into account, it’s downright priceless.

For those who like the challenge of roughing it, keep in mind that there are lots of camping options too. There is a huge demand for accommodation during the summer, so it’s recommended to book at least a month in advance. (Of course, if you choose to travel through an organized program or tour, all those details will be worked out for you. Score!)

3. There are limited payment options

This is a basic tip, but often the most overlooked. If you’re heading to Patagonia from a western country (or any heavily-populated area in general), you’re probably used to fast and convenient payment methods, and easy access to ATMs. So used to it in fact that you might forget that convenience doesn’t exist everywhere else in the world.

In El Chaltén, there is limited access to ATMs, but there are a few places that do use and accept credit cards. Don’t test your luck though—always carry cash with you to avoid awkward situations and to be able to access the travel essentials you’ll need (like empanadas, for instance).

4. You NEED the proper gear

If you’re headed out on Patagonia adventures, there’s a pretty good chance that you have your heart set on hiking or climbing some truly unmatched landscapes. Please don’t tell us you were planning on doing so in your flip flops and a tank top. If plan to tame Patagonia, you need to be properly geared up. That means carabiners, harnesses, belays, and more—and if you're going to climb, keep in mind that the advanced terrain requires that you bring climbing gear with you.

However, unless you’re ultra-experienced, you’ll most likely be climbing with a guide through a climbing company (climbing is generally not recommended for beginners or non-confident climbers without a fully-qualified guide); they should be able to provide gear for you, but contact them ahead of time to see if there’s anything you need to supply on your own. If you’re doing Patagonia adventure travel through a program provider, they will also provide you with the gear you’ll need.

Don’t forget a cozy jacket or coat, as well. It gets downright chilly at the altitudes in Patagonia.

5. Choose your departure date wisely

If you’re wondering when to travel to Patagonia, that’s good. Your experience will differ depending on what time of year you decide to travel, so it’s important to do the research required to choose which time of year is best for you and your travel goals. Plus, there’s that whole northern hemisphere/southern hemisphere seasonal difference going on.

Traveling Patagonia from May to September is quiet, as a lot of companies and local establishments board up and leave for the winter. If you’re looking for a fun summer getaway from North America or Europe, you may need to reconsider your travel plans.

The area generally begins to get busier in October as the southern hemisphere begins to enter the summer season, with the peak period being in January and February. Between November and February is when to travel to Patagonia if you want the best and most accessible experience, so make sure your program dates fall within that range.

6. Forget the mountains and check out the wildlife

While you’re staring in awe at Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, you might forget to stop and look around at what else your adventure in Patagonia has to offer you. For example, there's some incredible wildlife to be seen in Patagonia: flamingos, guanacos (part of the llama family), viscacha, foxes, and pumas. Keep that GoPro handy just in case you bump into a new furry friend.

If you’ve always dreamed of traveling Patagonia but the thought of all that climbing and hiking is starting to make you nervous, don’t worry...the ocean holds some incredible sights as well. Patagonia offers some of the best whale watching in the world, and is home to prime breeding zones between June and mid-December. The mountains are cool and all, but seeing the largest mammals on earth is sure to breathtaking as well.

If you’re feeling nervous about hiking, then get out there on the water during your adventures in Patagonia instead.

7. You can get up close with dinosaurs 

Well, kinda. In addition to the awesome wildlife, Patagonia is home to some of the biggest and best-preserved dinosaur fossils in the world! Patagonia was once home to dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period (a casual 65 million years ago), just before they went extinct and when they were at their largest in size.

If you’re fascinated by the history of dinosaurs and are craving to learn more, be sure to plan excursions to museums or archaeological dig sites for some really dino-mite adventure tours. Patagonia?...You mean Cretaceous Park?

8. You’ll love the anthropological history 

Archaeologists at heart will love Patagonia adventure vacations, but so will the anthropologists out there. One interesting tidbit: There are records of water-based tribes living in the Patagonia region, who used canoes to navigate the waterways around Tierra del Fuego.

They apparently used to cover their bodies in animal oil and fats to protect themselves from the harsh environments. We don’t recommend you try out this method yourself, but you should take advantage of the opportunity to dig deeper into the indigenous and anthropological history of the area. Patagonia trekking tours have more to offer than just beautiful views!

Popular programs for Patagonia adventure travel

So your interest is piqued and you want to know more about how to find Patagonia adventure tours? Check out some of our top picks below. 

1. Adventure Guide Program in Patagonia with Pure Exploration

Pure Exploration’s adventure program in Patagonia is stacked. The format of the course is straightforward, but you will be moving around quite a bit, ensuring that you will constantly have new landscapes to explore and be inspired by. You will walk away with outdoor instructor certifications in hiking, rock-climbing, and international wilderness first aid, ensuring your place as a future leader in nature!

Expect four weeks focused on developing hiking and bush skills, four weeks focused on developing rock-climbing skills (both top-roping and leading) and one week learning, understanding, and practicing medical skills, including pre-hospital emergency care. Plus more!

• When? 12 weeks; November-January, February-April
• More info: Learn more about Pure Exploration

2. Skiing in Patagonia with Putney Student Travel

If you weren’t scared off by the sound of winter in Patagonia, venture into the region in the midst of July for a snowy 15 days of adventure travel. Patagonia, you’ll find, offers some of the best ski slopes in the world!

Prior to setting out on your skiing adventure, you’ll have a stopover in Buenos Aires, where you’ll get to try out beef asado and listen to a live tango orchestra. From there, you’ll head to El Calafate and Perito Moreno Glacier. Your time with Putney Student Travel will round off with a trip to Ushuaia, where you’ll spend a week skiing and enjoying the winter wonderland around you. The included excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park is not to be missed!

• When? 15 days; July
• More info: Learn more about Putney Student Travel

3. Semester in Patagonia with Outward Bound

For those looking for college credit coupled with adventures in Patagonia, look no further than a semester in Patagonia with Outward Bound. This program lasts for 72 days from January to March, and (unexpectedly) includes trips through Florida and North Carolina. You can count on the varied regions and terrains to kick your adventure skills into overdrive.

A cool perk of this program is that you’ll also have the opportunity to support service projects within your destinations, adding a feel-good vibe to your Patagonia travel. An epic, multi-country adventure served with a side of altruism? Sign us up!

• When? 10 weeks; January-March
• More info: Learn more about Outward Bound USA

Next steps to Patagonia adventure trips

Now that you have the inside scoop and know where to have the most epic adventures in Patagonia, it's time to choose who you want to travel with! Choosing an adventure tour program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:

• Choose from the best adventure travel abroad programs in the world. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program reputation, and how the adventure at stake matches your preferences. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right adventure tour for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on unplanned travel (in addition to tour costs and airfare). You can even raise a little extra money if you want to travel further afield when your program ends. Learning how to raise money for a trip fast will serve you (and your wallet) well!
• Get prepared! Preparing for climbing and adventure travel in Patagonia is as fun as it sounds (eight essential to do's here!). With the days 'till departure dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. (Like travel insurance, for instance.) Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.

Taking adventure tours Patagonia-style will be a dream come true!

When traveling Patagonia, you’ll probably want to test the limits of your GoPro.

After all that, you must be more than ready to get started on planning for Patagonia travel tours and for all the incredible things you’ll be able to see and do. Make sure to lace up your hiking boots, pack all the right equipment, and book your flight for the right time of year. If you follow our advice (and get a little help from some of the best providers out there) you’ll be equal parts excited and prepared for the trip of a lifetime. Now fill up your backpack and get Patagone!

Get Matched with 5 Patagonia Adventure Travel Programs for FREE

This article was written with help from Pure Exploration. Their Patagonia Adventure Guide Program offers an epic 12 weeks in one of the most impressively diverse landscapes in the world. Dramatic glaciers and endless mountain ranges will set the scene for an itinerary chock-full of rugged wilderness. Applications are now open for both November and February departures.