Family Adventures in Patagonia
Chilean and Argentine Patagonia is an incredible destination with spectacular scenery, wildlife and a plethora of activities and outstanding trekking, especially during the main season from October through to April.
For families, especially with slightly older children, there are many activities that can be considered.
Here are some ideas you might wish to consider:
Argentine Patagonia
El Calafate
El Calafate is the main town in Southern Patagonia and where you will find the airport. It sits on the shore of Lake Argentino and has a good offer of hotels as well as restaurants.
Some of the nearby attractions which are family friendly are visits to the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. An hour’s drive from Calafate and you can get close to one of the glacier’s walls on a series of walkways. How far you walk is up to you and near the walkways are facilities with a restaurant and toilets. There are options of boat tours too.
There are also sailing tours on Lake Argentino that can include visits to other glaciers or even an estancia visit. For the more active there are also kayaking and horse riding options.
There is also the Glaciarium which is a modern glacier interpretation centre, open from October through to March every day from 09:00 am to 08:00 pm.
El Chalten
El Chalten is a small town that nestles into the Andes a 3-hour drive north of El Calafate. It sits at the main trailheads for treks into the Glaciares National Park. You can do day treks from the town, so it’s a good option for families (whether doing a self-guided or private guided trek) as it gives you flexibility on how far and how long you trek.
There are also possibilities of sailing tours on Lake Viedma as well as kayaking and horse riding.
San Carlos de Bariloche
A one hour 45 minute flight north of El Calafate is San Carlos de Bariloche. Situated next to emerald coloured lakes and snow-covered volcanoes, this town is beautiful. The town has an alpine feel as it was settled by Swiss/Germans, giving it a particular charm as well as a legacy of chocolate factories. There is a wide offer of accommodation and activities can vary from sightseeing to trekking, kayaking, or rafting. A good multi-activity option to consider, which can be tailored to suit the family’s needs, is the Bariloche: Hike, Bike and Kayak, our multi-activity adventure holiday option.
A very scenic and entertaining way to travel to the Chilean city of Puerto Varas is via the one- or two-day Cruce Andino/Andean Crossing.
Chilean Patagonia
Puerto Varas
Across the border from Bariloche is the Chilean town of Puerto Varas, situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue under the watchful gaze of the conical snow-capped Osorno Volcano.
Also known as the City of Roses, the town has much to offer. There are museums nearby that reflect the history of the mid-19th-century Bavarian colonists. The local gastronomy and beers reflect this influence. There are also opportunities for farm visits as well as more active pursuits such as trekking, cycling, rafting or kayaking. Both the Chile Patagonia Lake District Multi Activity and the Active Adventure Holiday, Chile Lake District, Puelo Valley programmes are worth considering for families.
Aysen region
The Aysen Region is well off the beaten track. The main airport is Balmaceda, which is a 40-minute flight south of Puerto Montt. Spectacular scenery away from the crowds, the North Patagonia Adventure Aysen Chile is one to consider for families with a choice of different treks, boat excursions, horse and bike rides, a canopy excursion and even the chance of a bit of fly fishing.
Torres del Paine National Park
The Torres del Paine National Park is a 5-hour drive north from Punta Arenas Airport. A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the park is known for its granite spires and blue lakes. It is also well known for its trekking routes, notably the Paine W and the Paine Circuit also known as the “O”. There are many options for accommodation in the park but they do fill up quickly and due to the high number of visitors the park authorities will only allow visitors in if their accommodation is pre-booked. Good options for families are all-inclusive adventure packages which include activities of different difficulty levels. Good options are the Hotel Las Torres or the Hotel Tierra Patagonia.
Plan your Patagonia family holiday
If you are considering a family holiday to Patagonia then do get in touch with us at Andean Trails and start planning your Patagonian adventure.
