NOVEMBER TRAVEL TREASURE: PATAGONIA
PATAGONIA
The first weeks of November, after vivid autumn leaves have turned to brown crisps and the northern hemisphere grays and chills, before we gather in the warmth of Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect time to get away. Not only , it’s considered off-peak
November is a great month to visit Patagonia. There, at the southernmost tip of South America, it’s the beginning of springtime. As snow retreats and the air warms, walking trails open up and wildflowers begin to push up from the rugged ground. Penguin chicks are hatching. Pumas emerge from hibernation. And new life graces this wild landscape.
Patagonia spans both Chile and Argentina. It’s best to spend time in each country to fully experience the range of beauty here.
Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile, and Los Glaciares National Park, in Argentina, are where you’ll find Patagonia’s most breathtaking treasures, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You’ll marvel at ancient glaciers, so old and cold, they are deep cobalt blue. Teal water shimmers in glacial lakes.
While mid-September to early May is the main touring season, November is really the best time to visit Patagonia if you want to see this remote area in its most pristine state, before most hikers and adventure travelers arrive.
Take a spectacular voyage north, from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, through remote Patagonian fjords, through the Magellan Straits, Beagle Channel, and Wulaia Bay, and around Cape Horn.
Few humans have traveled here. Instead, footprints are made mostly by Magellanic penguins.
Take a cruise through northern Patagonia’s fjords. Explore the stunning scenery of D'Agostini Sound, where you’ll see 13 prehistoric glaciers including Aguila, Serrano, and the deepest blue D'Agostini glacier. Swoop Patagonia offers tours on a small 20-passenger boat, so you can reach the most remote inlets.
Trek through thick forests. Take a puma-tracking safari. Walk along deserted beaches. Bathe in hot springs, as blue whales swim by.
Patagonia’s unique landscapes and climates are home to equally unique wildlife, including nandus, guanacos, and pudus. Patagonia puma and wild horses (bagual) are a thrill to see, as are condors and other, more exotic birds. are just a few of the oddball animals that make And November, being the quieter month before peak tourist season, is when you have more of a chance to see these beautiful creatures.
While the weather is milder in Patagonian spring and summer, it is usually windy and otherwise highly unpredictable. Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, without warning. Violent storms blow in from the Pacific. It’s a good idea to build in extra days in your schedule in case you encounter inclement weather.
Many visitors opt to pitch tents, for the most authentic experience. Or, you might stay in the geodesic domes of EcoCamp or a rustic refugio. In El Calafate and Torres del Paine, hotels normally operate from mid-September to early May.
Find ultimate luxury amidst the most breathtaking views of the otherworldly Macizo del Paine mountains at the five-star Explora, anchored at the edge of Lake Pehoé, at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. This resort is open year-round. It’s a perfect home base for treks and horseback rides through the mountains, heading to turquoise lakes, glistening glaciers, lenga tree forests, along the iconic trekking circuit known as “W.”
The most ardent foodies make a pilgrimage to La Isla, a “secret” private island in the middle of Lago La Plata, owned by renowned Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann. Mallman works magic with BBQ, in particular. He’s dazzled royalty and celebrities with his culinary artistry, and he offers a select few a chance to come and taste for themselves. It’s not easy to get here. The journey is long and rugged. And Mallmann opens his mecca up to just a handful of hungry visitors just a few times a year. If you can’t manage to book one of the few spots available, check out his book, Mallmann on Fire.
Head up to the northeast corner of Patagonia, around Golfo Nuevo, to Lower Chubut Valley, aka “little Wales beyond Wales.” The area was originally settled in 1865 by Welsh pioneers who were fleeing cultural and religious persecution.
You’ll feel like your in Wales vs Argentina when you visit the charming cities of Puerto Madryn and Trelew and the lovely town of Gaiman. Treat yourself to high tea at Gaiman’s lovely Welsh casas de té, where you’ll delight in traditional Welsh treats such as torta galesa and bara brith (rich fruit cakes), along with sweet and savoury scones, homemade, preserves, assorted pastries and a pot of perfectly-brewed tea.
The tearooms, housed in sweet old cottages, are run by descendants of the original settlers, are decorated with old family photos, paintings of Wales, and other treasures from the homeland.
Perhaps cap of your adventure in Buenos Aires. November is when the this vibrant capital of Argentina, comes to life with colorful outdoor markets and cafe society. Check out the gaucho festival and the Argentina Open Polo Championship, once called the World Series for the sport of polo.
Read more about November Treasures all this week on BeautifulNow. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.
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