Argentina offers such a diversity of different landscapes from its glaciers and granite cliffs in the south to the multi-coloured hues and salt flats of the deserts to the north that make it a wonderful place to discover on foot.
Argentina tends to be thought of for its superb horse-back riding because of the vast ranches here where the gauchos roam the plains but the dramatic scenery is equally rewarding if you take to hidden trails in the foothills of the Andes on foot.
In the far south you will find the dramatic lakes and vast glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park as you head up from El Calafate to the small community of El Chalten, Argentina’s home of hill-walking and mountaineering, dominated by Mount Fitz Roy and surrounded by a mixture of challenging and easy terrain with some spectacular vistas.
There are no truly luxurious lodges here but accommodation is cosy and comfortable and the food is hearty – just what’s needed after a day outdoors. Even El Calafate itself offers some wonderful hiking from a remote working ranch reached only by boat across Lago Argentino – perfect for hikes over the deserted Patagonian steppe.
This area is only a short drive over the border into Chile from the iconic landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, also an amazing region for hiking with the W circuit and some beautiful wilderness lodges and camps making El Chalten and Torres del Paine the perfect combination for trekking fans in Patagonia.
Still in Patagonia but following the Andes north you find the stunning picturesque vistas of the Lake District around Bariloche. A mecca for skiers in winter who head up to Cerro Catedral, famous for its chocolate makers and characterised by its cosy wood chalet buildings, you might almost think yourself in the Alps.
The lakes themselves are just beautiful and we prefer to head out of town along Nahuel Huapi Lake towards the shores of Gutierrez Lake to a very special family run lodge in the most delightful remote setting where you can hike even up to the summit of Cerro Catedral itself in summer. You may prefer to walk by yourself rather than with a guide but in any case, the ranch’s golden labradors will show you the way!
Another favourite region of ours is the stunning deserts and wild rugged landscapes of the Puna in Northwest Argentina, accessible from Salta. Try an alternative hiking trail originally used by the Incas (and you are unlikely to meet another soul other than locals, compared to the famous Peru Inca Trail!) through the Andes from Tilcara to Salta where you have a chance to stay in very traditional local communities, traverse unique desert landscapes interspersed with dramatic gorges, forest of giant cacti and even regions of mountain rainforest.
Wherever you wish to head to, we will make sure you have all the supplies you need, be it for a day with a beautiful picnic or barbeque or for several days camping in the wilds, accompanied by wonderful and charismatic mountain guides.
By Marcela Kunova - 20th April 2017
Nicola Shepherd, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, organises unusual trips for HNW and UHNW clients ranging from birthday parties at an Indian Maharajah's palace to reliving Sir Vivian Fuchs's 1950s expedition to the South Pole. Citywealth caught ...
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