Argentina Vacations: Buenos Aires And The Edge Of The World

Sometimes when you hear the world Patagonia the first thing that comes to mind is a line of really cool but often unaffordable clothing. Jokingly referred to as Patagucci, Patagonia has maintained a standard in outdoor clothing, apparel and gear for travelers and outdoor adventurists over the past many years. Their shells, fleeces, long underwear, hats, snow pants, gloves, etc will prepare you for whatever adventure you are looking for in the wilderness.

This high quality outdoor gear company took its name from the real Patagonia, the region containing the southernmost portion of planet Earth. The name comes from a name Magellan used to describe the native people he found living on Tierra del Fuego, patagon. He probably wasn't correct in his use of nomenclature however the term stuck and now Patagonia is famous as being one of the most striking and harsh landscapes in the world. Patagonia is divided into Chilean Patagonia and Argentinean Patagonia. Both are shockingly beautiful and worth a visit. Actually it is relatively easy to get from one to the other. The southernmost city of any size in Chilean Patagonia is Punta Arenas while the southernmost city of any size in Argentinean Patagonia is Ushuaia. There are regular ferries that shuttle back and forth between the two. Getting on a boat is also a fabulous way to get a different perspective of the icescape surrounding you. You're guaranteed to be glued to the decks and the windows gawking at the scenery.

Important places to visit in Argentinean Patagonia go a lot further than Ushuaia. Ushuaia is an important destination for seeing the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego and offers breathtaking views. You will also want to visit El Chalten, home to Viedma Lake which was formed by a glacier and has a steep and rugged western shore. You can do treks of Mount Fitz Roy on your way to Lagoon Los Tres. You also won't want to miss El Calafate where you are just a short distance from the most famous glacier in the world, Perito Moreno Glacier. This enormous glacier is accessible and an exciting way to get up close and personal with such a powerful natural phenomenon. Large chunks of ice break off from the glacier on a daily basis and crash loudly into the lake. These interruptions are a tremendous contrast to the immense silence that the region seems to have.

It is also recommended that you visit Puerto Madryn and the Valdez Peninsula. You can take a tour and catch sea lions sunbathing on the rocks. Don't leave your camera at home! Excursion possibilities are endless in this vast and wild environment. So look into an Argentina vacation that offers in depth exploration of Patagonia. Consider linking your Argentinean Patagonia vacation with a trip to southern Chile. Both regions have a lot to offer their visitors.

Before you know it you won't think of expensive waterproof jackets anymore when you think of Patagonia. Instead you'll have bright vivid memories of a fantastic unforgettable vacation to this amazing part of the world.