The snow and ice on usually impassable roads are about to melt allowing access to volcanoes, glaciers, vast forests, fjords and unique wildlife. Patagonia's natural beauty makes a humbling experience for any intrepid traveller. However, Patagonia is huge, we mean absolutely massive! It is home to nine national parks, covering one million square kilometres. The mountain paths, forest trails and spectacular views are endless.

Viva Expeditions has been driving across Patagonia in their expedition vehicle called Esperanza for years. These are Viva's top 5 Patagonia recommendations that shouldn't be missed.

Torres del Paine national park

Torres del Paine is home to the iconic Three Towers within the Cordillera Paine mountain group. One of the most famous walks in Patagonia, the W Trek, works its way around the Cordillera Paine, to the Grey Glacier, up the French and the Las Torres Valley.

If you are struggling for time or energy, Viva Expeditions suggests breaking the W Trek into what it calls the V and I treks. Staying at the Refugio Camp Pehoe, walk to the Mirador Grey for the best views of Grey Glacier and then trek up the French Valley.

Following this, stay at Hotel Las Torres to hike up the Las Torres valley to the Three Towers. This Las Torres valley walk can take up to 8 hours and the paths are very shingly so it demands a good solid walking shoe.

https://vivaexpeditions.com/tours/south-america/chile/torres-del-paine-w-trek

Parque Patagonia

Patagonia can be a mind-altering and perhaps an enlightening experience for those searching to reconnect with wilderness. To see rewilding in action, the Parque Patagonia has a 60,000-acre legacy. Created from one of the largest private land donations ever made it was once overgrazed grassland. Tompkins Conservation returned it to nature and in 2017, donated it to Chile's ever-expanding list of national parks.

Hiking in Parque Patagonia is an opportunity to not only escape into the wilderness but appreciate and learn from Doug and Kristine Tompkins dedication to conservationism and rewilding. A tailormade trip can be created on request.

https://vivaexpeditions.com/contact  

Tierra del Fuego

This part of Patagonia is often seen as a 'drive through' to reach Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and the busiest cruise highway to Antarctica. But, a journey through Tierra del Fuego archipelago is an incredibly rewarding experience. It is home to some of Patagonia's most astonishing wildlife, mountains and glaciers that cut through huge valleys. One glacier that shouldn't need any introduction is the Pia Glacier. This mass of ice descends into the Southern Chilean Fjordland of Tierra del Fuego and is accessible by a small ship cruise. Although late in the season, Viva Expeditions highly recommends Tierra del Fuego in March. The red Autumnal colours and unforgettable sunsets create some incredible shots.

https://vivaexpeditions.com/tours/south-america/Patagonia/southern-explorer

Remote Patagonian Coasts

Patagonia is known for its active adventurers, but it also opens its arms to slower and gentler travellers. A mix between small ship cruising and overlanding will provide the most comprehensive experience, however bouncing around in an overland vehicle is not for everybody. 

A small group cruise in Patagonia is not the Caribbean cruise that many imagine, but it is far more awe-inspiring. These cruise ships are destined for some of the near impossible to reach areas of Patagonia. A popular cruise retraces the route of Charles Darwin aboard HMS Beagle through the secluded Fuegian Archipelago. Sailing amongst the maze fjords, past glaciers, ice fields and some of Earths last remaining wild polar forests is refreshingly remote.

https://vivaexpeditions.com/tours/south-america/argentina/darwins-route-from-ushuaia-or-punta-arenas

Route 40 and the Carretera Austral

If you are short of time but want to experience Patagonia at its remotest, your adventure wishes can be granted. This journey takes you way off the beaten track, past steep mountains and vast areas of wilderness.

Along this journey, you will visit destinations that sound like they come straight from a fairy tale including the hanging glacier, the enchanted forests of Queulat and the Cave of Hands. Queulat National Park is not only incredibly beautiful it's arguably one of the most accessible. With lots of day hikes to choose from, you can get the real Patagonia experience without the huge expeditions.

Although this tour takes you to some stunning places, the complete disconnect from the outside world, a feeling of freedom and remoteness are the real highlights of this trip.

 https://vivaexpeditions.com/tours/south-america/argentina/route-40-carretera-austral

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

High-resolution images for each destination are available here – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aeflkxf0ao5sqsz/AABfVBwvGg00Qw2-fxiKdqeBa?dl=0

Please use credits provided in the picture titles.

Contact:

Saul Greenland

Saul@vivaexpeditions.com

(0064) 9 950 5918

About Viva Expeditions

Viva Expeditions is a Latin America travel specialist with over ten years' experience of routes, destinations as well as the Central and South American people and their cultures. Each employee has travelled independently or worked as a tour leader and guide reaching the furthermost reaches of the continent. The company has driven over half a million kilometres in South America. 

Viva Expeditions creates and operates its own small group holidays and overland expeditions. The company's trips include carefully designed small ship cruises, overland expeditions, tailor-made adventures and luxury escapes. Viva Expedition's holiday collection consists of 190 tours to Antarctica, South and Central America.

As proud members of Rainforest Alliance, Viva Expeditions highly values responsible tourism as a dynamic way to create better experiences for travellers while benefiting the environment and local populations.

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Founder and Managing Director Rachel Williams travels across South America year-round. You will probably find Rachel swimming in the Antarctic sea  or traveling in the wilds of Patagonia.

Rachel previously worked for five years as a tour guide in South America then worked for a wholesaler in New Zealand. She quickly noticed her colleagues had no experience of the South American continent. Driven to give others the Latin America experience she loves, Rachel launched Viva Expeditions in 2008.