Travel Tales: Patagonia on My Mind!

By Pam Walker

Have you ever thought about going to Patagonia in the winter? No, not the Patagonia clothing factory. I am referring to the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. The popular months to travel here are in the South American summer months of December through March. But this year I decided to try winter!

Our summer is not the best time to go as some hotels are closed, but those that are open offer a spectacular experience of the high Andes and the flora and fauna of that season. In winter, you can catch a glimpse of the eluxive Patagonian Pumas, numerous Alpacas and Guanacos, as well as many of the smaller animals such as the smallest deer in South America called the Huemul.

There is an amazing group of hotels that do stay open all year round due to their popularity. The Explora group has wonderful properties in Argentina near El Chaltén and also in Chile in Torres del Paine National Park and the recently formed Patagonia National Park which was donated to the government of Chile by the late Douglas Tompkins and his wife Kristine.

Tompkins Conservation is still alive and well, and Kris maintains a wonderful museum in the Park which is probably one of the best in the world, with displays on our planet and the changes and challenges that humanity is responsible for. Aside from the many amazing hikes at this particular Explora, it is well worth going just to visit the museum. It is also wonderful to see the huge herd of Guanacos that inhabit the area as they challenge each other for mating rights as well as just grazing on the grounds and hills alongside the valley where the lodge and museum sit.

All of the Explora hotels are well worth visiting in winter. Weather is variable so while it will be cold, some days will have snow and others not. At the Explora in Torres del Paine, you can hike to Grey Lake and see icebergs float by that have broken off from the Grey Glacier. There is also a hike to Lake Sarmiento where the edge of the lake is are actually made of thrombolites, some of the oldest sediments in the world dating back to 3.5 billion years. Sarmiento Lake is also one of the most acidic lakes in the world. Battery acid is a 1 on the pH scale and vinegar is is a 2 to 4 on the same scale. The waters of Lake Sarmiento has a pH of 9! There is so much more to see during winter in Patagonia. It is one of my favorite places in the world. So if you want to go, don’t limit yourself to its summer months only.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@ walkeradventures.com