Things to do in Southern Argentina

The diverse terrain and striking landscapes of Southern Argentina attract many visitors seeking adventure and natural beauty. Travellers can explore the turquoise lakes of Patagonia's Lake District, and visit Argentina's chocolate capital Bariloche on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi. With skiing in the winter and a fine summer selection of water sports, camping, fishing and hiking, boredom is simply not an option.

The wild and beautiful desolation of Patagonia is not to be missed. On the Atlantic coast, visitors can admire the dramatic cliffs along the beaches of Las Grutas, and observe penguins, elephant seals, rheas, sea lions and endangered southern right whales in Reserva Faunística Península Valdes: one of South America's finest wildlife reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Majestic peaks and ice blue glaciers attract intrepid travellers to Western Patagonia, where the massive Glaciar Perito Moreno is the star of southern Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Visitors to Argentina can head for the end of the earth, the southernmost tip of the Americas, as they cross the Magellan Strait to reach the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Here, one can visit Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and enjoy activities such as trout fishing, hiking, skiing and kayaking.

Patagonia photo

Patagonia

Adventurous travellers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the Co…

Patagonia

Adventurous travellers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the Colorado river, south of Buenos Aires, across to the southern tip of South America. Many people visit the famous wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdesgo between July and April, where southern right whales, elephant seals and other rare marine mammals come to breed in their thousands. However, those going further south should visit only in the summer months if they wish to avoid temperatures that plummet to -13F (-25C).

In villages along the valley of the Río Chubut, visitors can explore the cultural legacy of the Welsh pioneers, and nearby at Punta Tombo lies the continent's largest penguin colony. Keen fly-fishermen come from around the world to test their skills in the region's rivers, the best known of which is the Río Gallegos. On the western fringe, along the Andes, visitors will find the most impressive of Patagonia's great lakes and national parks. The Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, home to the aquamarine gem of Lago Belgrano, has excellent trekking possibilities, as does the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Here visitors will find one of the world's natural wonders, the vast Perito Moreno Glacier, a great river of ice that breaks off into Lake Argentino.

Tierra del Fuego photo

Tierra del Fuego

This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south, the region doesn't reach the extreme …

Tierra del Fuego

This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south, the region doesn't reach the extreme temperatures of neighbouring Patagonia. The principal tourist destination is Ushuaia, a base for those visiting the dramatic Canal Beagle, trekking in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, and hiking the mountain ranges of southern Tierra del Fuego, with its magnificent scenery of lakes, snow-capped peaks and beechwood forests. Ushuaia is also the place to go if travellers want to visit Antarctica, since many ships depart from there to visit colonies of penguins, seals, sea lions and seabirds. The Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is another drawcard, the area hosting a few small ski resorts, both downhill and cross-country. Visitors to the north of the island are usually keen fly-fishermen heading to the Río Grande, the world's best brown-trout river.

Website www.tierradelfuego.org.ar/

Perito Moreno Glacier photo

Perito Moreno Glacier

Situated in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 squ…

Perito Moreno Glacier

Situated in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The spectacular, blue-white ice formation is one of the only glaciers in the world that is growing, at a rate of seven feet (2m) per day. Enormous chunks of ice break off into the water with deafening crashes, creating icebergs and large waves. Perito Moreno is also world renowned for its unique rupturing process, where high pressure causes the dam of ice to crack and shatter, sending icebergs downstream. Ruptures like this occur on average every four to five years, although sometimes as often as every other year. The closest town to this natural wonder is El Calafate in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province, which is about two hours' drive away.

Website whc.unesco.org/en/list/145/

Las Grutas photo

Las Grutas

One look at Las Grutas' beautiful beaches will show why it's become one of Argentina's most popular resorts. A dramatic landscape of cliffs and plateaus shield hidden strands and c…

Las Grutas

One look at Las Grutas' beautiful beaches will show why it's become one of Argentina's most popular resorts. A dramatic landscape of cliffs and plateaus shield hidden strands and caves, giving way to gorgeous sea views. Each beach is numbered from zero to seven, with zero being the closest to downtown. The town boasts some of the warmest waters in the country and a rugged coastline ideal for paragliding, hiking and scuba diving. Las Grutas itself is small, with a few hotels, restaurants and spas, but it's great for exploring surrounding areas such as San Antonio Oeste, Puerto Madryn, Sierra Grande and Punta Tombo.