Glaciers, peaks, whales and Wales: travel through Argentina and Chile to experience South America's most epic adventure.
Flight-hopping isn’t the way to really see a region. This is especially so when considering one as vast as Patagonia – shared by Chile and Argentina, striding over the Andes and touching two oceans. With this in mind, myself and a friend hitched our way down Argentina’s Ruta 3, from the southern edge of Buenos Aires province to the Magellan Strait, in search of a more intimate look.
And we saw plenty. The 3,045-kilometre highway runs parallel to the Atlantic coast. We dropped in on the Welsh Patagonians to see where their ancestors first landed in 1865, explored Punta Tombo and its massive penguin colony, marvelled at the cormorants and porpoises at Puerto Deseado, and visited San Julián, where Magellan met his ‘giants’.
He named them ‘Patagones’, thus baptising this region with its mythic name.Drake landed there, too, and hanged a mutinous crewmember. Cheerier British connections were found in the topography (Brunswick Peninsula, Bridges Island) and names of estancias (Harberton, Ponsonby). There were links to France, Yugoslavia, Nazi Germany, Australia and Italy. It’s no wonder Patagonia’s rich history inspired Bruce Chatwin to write his famous travelogue.
We ended our epic ride on the back of a lorry (well, four lorries) at the Los Glaciares national park, camping beside the emerald-hued waters of Lago Argentino. After traversing mile upon mile of arid steppe and wind-blasted hinterland, the Perito Moreno glacier was the photogenic frozen finale. But, for me, the trip was its own reward. As naturalist WH Hudson advised: if you’re feeling infirm, down or desperate, “Try Patagonia!” It might just cure you.
ARGENTINA’S WILD COAST
DURATION: 10 DAYS
Esta historia es de la edición April 2016 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 2016 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Vermont, USA
The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup
Unique North America
See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips
The call of the Rockies
From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?
Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens