South America — Southern ConeSouthern Hemisphere Summer (dec–Mar)Adventure SeekerBackpackerSolo-FriendlyWeekend Warrior
Patagonia is the trekking trip that makes people rebuild their whole travel style around hiking. Torres del Paine on the Chilean side delivers the granite towers and the classic W Trek; cross into Argentina and El Chaltén gives you Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, with the Perito Moreno Glacier — one of the few glaciers in the world still advancing — a few hours south near El Calafate. Weather turns on a dime down here regardless of season, so the gear list matters as much as the itinerary.
📌 Quick Facts
Best time to visit: Nov–Mar (Southern Hemisphere summer; Dec–Feb is peak, warmest, and busiest)
Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP) and/or Argentine Peso (ARS), depending on which side you’re on
Visa: Not required for US passport holders for tourist stays up to 90 days in either Chile or Argentina
Language: Spanish
✨ Top Experiences
The W Trek through Torres del Paine National Park
Perito Moreno Glacier trekking near El Calafate
Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre day hikes from El Chaltén