Travel Inspiration The Best Things to See and Do on Your Trip to Patagonia 29th July, 2025

If you’ve booked a Patagonia hiking trip and plan to extend your stay to explore beyond your guided adventure, you’re probably wondering what else this incredible region has in store.

You might be travelling to Patagonia for the famous W Trek in Torres del Paine, or heading to El Chaltén to take on the iconic Peaks of Patagonia tour with Kandoo Adventures. Maybe you’ve even booked a guided climb to tackle the mighty Aconcagua in Argentina and want to venture to Patagonia afterwards. Either way, you’ve got some world class trekking ahead of you when you visit Patagonia.

But what about any Patagonia travel outside your organised tour? Are you planning to arrive early or stay on after the trek, and wondering what to do in Patagonia with your extra time? The answer is that this region is just as spectacular off the trail as it is on it. Other Patagonia highlights range from diverse wildlife, rugged coastlines and remote beaches to rustic towns, windswept estancias, and off the beaten track adventures. With all this and more, the wild Patagonia regions offer plenty of reasons to stick around.

Through this guide, we aim to highlight not only the jaw-dropping Patagonia landscape you’ll experience on your trek but also the many other Patagonia attractions, whether that’s spotting animals of Argentina, sipping Malbec in a mountain town, or whale watching during sunset on one of the stunning Patagonia beaches.

Where is Patagonia? Is Patagonia a country? These are commonly asked questions by avid hikers who have heard about the awesome trekking possibilities there. Many people planning their first trip are surprised to learn there’s no official Patagonia country. In actual fact, Patagonia is a vast and remote region that spans the southern parts of both Chile and Argentina, offering wildly different landscapes on either side of the border.

That said, understanding the layout of the region is key - Patagonia isn’t a single destination, but a patchwork of distinct areas, each with its own terrain, highlights, and character.

Because of this, people tend to select the Patagonia tour that suits their unique ability, interests and budget, and for this reason, we haven’t made any assumptions about which Patagonia itinerary you’ve already planned. Therefore, the following sections are organised into rough geographic locations so you can make the most of other adventures in Patagonia in one specific area, without stretching your budget or travel time.

Most guided trips within the Torres del Paine mountain range are based out of Puerto Natales, a relaxed port town with stunning views and great amenities. If you’re hiking the W Trek or O Trek with Kandoo Adventures, you’ll pass through here at the beginning and end of your journey. As a stand alone attraction, we wouldn’t class Puerto Natales as a must see city in Patagonia, but at just over an hour away by road, it’s a great base if you want the amenities of a town while visiting Parque Nacional Torres del Paine or the Grey Glacier.

As well as being home to the famous W and O treks, Torres del Paine National Park is where you can witness some of the most famous Patagonia scenery - the Cuernos del Paine - and breathtaking views over Lago Nordenskjöld and Grey Glacier - all possible at a leisurely pace. Sailing to the Grey Glacier is a particularly relaxing way to experience the Southern Patagonian Ice Field while visiting Patagonia, without needing to hike extensively. If you have an extra half day, Mirador Condor or Mirador Cuernos are both shorter hikes that offer big views.

Patagonia wildlife is abundant here, and Torres del Paine has become one of the best places in the world to spot wild pumas. Other animals of Patagonia that you can expect to see whilst visiting this region include guanacos, foxes, condors, and flamingos, even on casual drives or day walks.

One of the Patagonia activities we recommend investigating in the area are stays on estancias - traditional cattle and sheep ranches. These farm stays offer the opportunity to connect with local traditions, including horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding wilderness, as well as learning about local crafts like leatherworking or wool spinning.

If sleeping under the stars is more your thing, Torres del Paine is well known for its Patagonia eco camps. Get back to nature while sleeping in dome style lodges with panoramic views, warm interiors, and good meals, all while treading lightly on the environment. These camps are often solar-powered, built with minimal impact in mind, and perfectly positioned for early trail access and stargazing - which we have to say is an absolute must during any time in Patagonia because of the exceptionally clear skies.

El Chaltén, often called Argentina’s trekking capital, is the gateway to exploring some of the awe-inspiring landscape in Argentina. From the village, there are a multitude of hiking trails and outdoor activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, rafting and even glacier exploration are abundant.

The crown jewels of El Chaltén are Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy - both of which are included in Kandoo’s guided itineraries. Outside of a guided tour, a trek to the iconic turquoise glacial lake beneath the towering spires of Mount Fitz Roy is a challenging hike with a steep final ascent, but the reward is one of Patagonia’s most breathtaking views. If you can arrange it, sunrise here, when the peaks glow pink and orange, is truly unforgettable.

Stunning half and full day hikes easily accessible from town are the Laguna Capri, Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, and Cerro Torre trails. These routes showcase a variety of Argentine landscapes, from mirror-like lakes and wildflower filled valleys to distant glaciers and sheer granite peaks. Laguna Capri is a great shorter option with views of Fitz Roy, while Loma del Pliegue Tumbado offers a panoramic perspective of the whole range. Cerro Torre’s dramatic spire makes it highly photographed and arguably one of the best places to see in Patagonia.

Another one of the best things to do in Patagonia is to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Los Glaciares National Park. This amazing area offers the opportunity to encounter more of Argentina's natural beauty, including wildlife such as spotted condors and foxes along the trails. Keep an eye out for huemul deer in quieter areas. This unmissable national park features some of the most renowned glaciers in Patagonia, such as Perito Moreno Glacier, famous for its impressive size and the spectacle of ice calving into the lake. You can view it from walkways, boat tours, or even take a mini ice trek on the glacier itself. The vast Lago Argentino can be explored by water with boat trips to the Upsala & Spegazzini Glaciers.

If you have time to kill and are looking for things to do in El Calafate Town, be sure to visit some of the fantastic restaurants and try delicious local dishes like lamb stew or Patagonian trout. The interactive Glaciarium museum is also worth a trip. As one of the few glacier museums in the world, it is doing important work in educating visitors about climate change, highlighting glaciers’ vital role in ecosystems, and inspiring environmental awareness and action.

If you’re continuing beyond the traditional trekking areas and are looking for untamed beauty and a true retreat from it all, this region offers a Patagonia experience hard to find elsewhere. Stretching into the subantarctic zone, it rewards the adventurous with glacier streaked landscapes, mossy lenga forests, and jagged coastlines whipped by southern winds.

Dientes de Navarino Trek (Navarino Island) is one of the most southerly multi-day circuits in the world. With barely marked trails, unpredictable weather, and rugged ascents, it’s a wild, remote challenge for experienced trekkers craving solitude. The scenery is dramatic with craggy peaks, beaver-dammed valleys, and endless skies.

Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, is a destination in its own right, famed as the anchor point for anyone going on to explore Antarctica. Hotels in Patagonia aren’t always the go-to choice for adventurous travellers, but in Ushuaia, many offer access to the region’s famous thermal springs, the perfect way to unwind after a trek. With amazing seafood, maritime museums and an edge of the world atmosphere, Ushuaia is worth spending some time in before heading home.

Just outside Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park offers beautiful short and medium length hikes through subpolar forests and around lakes backed by distant, snowy peaks. Trails like the Cerro Guanaco bestow you with panoramic views over the Beagle Channel and are a perfect way to experience the region without committing to a full expedition. If you take a boat trip along the Beagle Channel, you can see penguins, sea lions, albatross, and cormorants, where the landscape shifts between dramatic cliffs and glacier tipped fjords.

This region is home to some of the least disturbed ecosystems in South America, with unique flora and fauna adapted to extreme southern conditions.

This northern stretch of Patagonia is wild, rugged, and ideal for if you’re looking to extend your Patagonia trip beyond the headline parks. The Carretera Austral is a scenic road winding through remote valleys, forests, and fjords. It links some of Patagonia’s most underrated landscapes, where you can find solitude and the raw Patagonia nature you might be imagining when booking your trip.

Often described as a quieter alternative to Torres del Paine, Cerro Castillo National Park is similarly great for multi-day treks, passing through dense lenga forest and over open ridgelines with views of spectacular aquamarine glacial lakes. The Laguna Cerro Castillo trail is a standout for a one or two day hike with epic scenery.

Another stunning trail is the Jeinimeni–Laguna Verde, part of the Chacabuco Valley (within Patagonia National Park). On this trail, you can weave through surreal desert like rock formations, contrasting lush forest, plus more alpine ridges. You can expect a visual feast, and this trail is a brilliant option if you’re an adventurous hiker and love variety.

The region is full of untamed rivers, thundering waterfalls, and primordial fjords, offering countless opportunities to stop, explore, and connect with nature. If you’ve got more time to spend in this area and are up for some white knuckle activity, try whitewater rafting in Futaleufú. In fact, there’s a plethora of river adventures here and paddling enthusiasts can find kayaking, paddle boarding and canyoning amongst other overland adventures too. Wild camping under skies full of stars is a beautiful way to stay in this stunning region and what we’d class as Patagonia camping at its rawest and most rewarding - perfect for those willing to go the extra mile (or kilometre).

If you’re flying into or out of Buenos Aires and fancy some diversity in landscape from mountains, head east to Patagonia’s coast. This is a great way to enjoy the wildlife in Patagonia without hiking. Here, you can breathe the sea air roaming wild beaches and quiet coves along the coast, a contrasting but scenic alternative to trekking networks.

Península Valdés is a UNESCO site famous for marine life where, depending on the season, you might see southern right whales, penguins, elephant seals, and even orcas. The nearby town of Puerto Madryn is a great base for exploring this area and also offers relaxed beach town vibes. If you’re feeling active, try snorkelling with the sealife or sea kayaking for up-close views. Slightly further south, Punta Tombo is home to over a million Magellanic penguins, a lovely day trip from Puerto Madryn.

If you travel to Patagonia during the height of the southern summer and want to bookend your Patagonia trekking with some beach time, Las Grutas in the Río Negro Province is the most famous beach town in the region. Known for having the warmest waters on the Patagonian coast, thanks to its sheltered location and rocky seabed that absorbs the sun, this coastal town has a classic summer holiday feel. Find great restaurants, beach bars, and a friendly atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after days of trekking.

Whether you’re drawn to wildlife, solitude, or the thrill of discovering something few others see, Patagonia always seems to have more to offer. So if you’ve scheduled extra time into your trip outside of your guided trek, we hope we’ve shown here how spoiled for choice you’ll be for how to fill your time.

The best time to visit Patagonia depends on what you’re chasing, but for trekking, wildlife, and exploring beyond the beaten path, the months between November and March strike a near-perfect balance of weather and access.

Choosing a reputable trekking company like Kandoo Adventures ensures your journey is not only safer but also more environmentally conscious, as experienced guides understand the terrain, logistics, and ethics of wilderness travel. All our trips are carbon offset as standard, too. When you travel in Patagonia, Kandoo advocates the Leave No Trace principles: pack out all waste, stay on trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife. We also encourage you to be respectful of local culture and communities, many of whom rely on the land for their livelihoods.

If you’d wondered: what is Patagonia famous for? We’re sure you’ll be left in no doubt after finding out more here. Wild, raw nature, spectacular peaks, pristine water and diverse ecosystems are just some of what you can expect. Patagonia trips have a way of turning into so much more than you planned, inviting you to explore further, stay longer, and come back again.