Pantagonia

The Andes mountain range shows its beauty in the Patagonian provinces. Millennial silent forests with native vegetable species are extended along the shores of glistening waters. On top of the mountains, nature overflows with granite peaks and ice fields spreading their glacier tongues into lakes of unsurpassable beauty.

Imposing mammals and sea birds, half-way between real life and fantasy, spend certain seasons on the rough coasts of Patagonia where they complete part of their life cycle. Seals colonies play on the islets and sandbanks. The world’s most important southern elephant seal continental colony is located in Peninsula Valdés. Every year, southern right whales come to Nuevo and San José gulfs to breed. Patagonian hares, “ñandúes” (South American ostrich) and “guanacos” run about the steppes, and the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world is located in Punta Tombo. This life cycle repeated since time immemorial, unfolds itself in front of the astonished visitors’ eyes.

In the south, Tierra del Fuego and the World’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, are the gateway towards the vast and mysterious Antarctica.

Provinces: La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego

Activities in Pantagonia

Adventure Tourism
This is an ideal area for camping, hiking, and trekking because of its several national parks, mountains, and forests. Climbing mounts Tronador and Lanín and the upright walls of mounts Torre and Fitz Roy is a classical activity which represents a challenge even for expert mountain climbers.

There are many winter sport resorts and mountain retreats around this area, and golf courses in the city of Bariloche and its surroundings. Windsurfing may be practiced in Bahía Serena; and if you are properly dressed, you can trek on glaciers and mountains. The fast flowing rivers of the Patagonia are ideal for rafting and canoeing.

Scuba diving can be practiced in Puerto Madryn and Puerto Pirámides and you may also take part in "scuba diving baptisms" organized by diving centers for beginners. Sailing, water skiing, and windsurfing, as well as sunbathing and swimming in hidden and virgin beaches are other appealing activities.

In Tierra del Fuego, trips on sledges pulled by Siberian Huskies are organized. Sailing boats and ships navigate through the Beagle Channel and other straits surrounding Tierra del Fuego to the Island of the Estados, Cape Horn, and the Antarctica.

Sport Fishing
Continental Fishing: Patagonia, one of the most extensive unspoiled areas on the planet, has large glacier lakes and rivers with rapids of cold, clear waters. Fed by the heavy snowfalls in the Andes, these waters provide rich fishing grounds for rainbow, brown, and brook trout, amid a scenery of spectacular beauty. Most of these fishing spots are located within national parks, and their headwaters are in the heights of the imposing Patagonian Andes with their volcanoes, deep valleys and glaciers. The cold, clear waters of rivers, creeks, rapids, and lakes are suitable for fly-fishing, spinning, and trolling. Only fly-fishing is permitted in the many streams and rivers of the Patagonia. Patagonia offers fishing enthusiasts the privacy of a preserved environment, while Argentine hospitality makes visits to this beautiful region of the country an unforgettable experience.
Specialized companies supply equipment and advice.

Maritime Fishing: There are excellent places on the Patagonian coast to fish bass, hake, and corvina. Sharks weighing 100 kilos or even more can be caught in Bahía San Blas. An unusual characteristic of these waters is that they are deep on the coast, and only equipment normally used on boats can be used here. Other interesting fishing places to the south are San Antonio Oeste by the San Matías Gulf, the San Jorge Gulf, and the mouth of river Gallegos.

Trips and Leisure
The impressive whales: At the beginning of the austral winter, whales regularly come to the San José Gulf and the Nuevo Gulf to perform the ritual which perpetuates the species. Scientists know each of them individually and also know if they return every year. Catapulted by the strength of their massive tails, whales leap practically clear off the water, displacing tons of water and foam as they crash back into the sea. A charming spectacle.

Enjoy unusual fauna: Watch and take pictures of whales, killer whales, penguins, seals, sea elephants, and birds. Walk along the sandbanks at low tide and enjoy the coastal flora and fauna. Look for shells and sea snails.

Some suggestions: Bathe in the sulphur waters of the Termas de Copahue, 190 Km away from Zapala, which are well-known for their therapeutic qualities. Watch the birds in the Laguna Blanca National Park, 42 Km away from that city. Visit the Mapuche Indian groupings, most of which are on the shores of Lake Rucachoroi. Sail on the lakes in modern launches and catamarans.

At night: Try your luck in the casinos of San Martín de los Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche, Viedma, Esquel, Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Comodoro Rivadavia and El Calafate.