Adventure

Provocative and extreme, Argentine Patagonia displays, in its magnificent and varied geography, offers that captivate even the most novice and challenge those who make adventure a way of life. Expert guides in the various disciplines and all the necessary equipment to enjoy each experience invite adventurers from around the world to experience Patagonia without limits. Argentine Patagonia is a land of extremes, where man has always tested his physical prowess and emotions amidst untamed landscapes, surrounded by unparalleled beauty. An extensive calendar of tetrathlons, marathons, challenges to imposing volcanoes, and the most outstanding high-performance competitions take place throughout the region, inviting the most daring athletes from around the world to accept this great challenge each year.

Paragliding and gliding

In the province of Río Negro, “Cerro Catedral,” “Cerro Otto,” the “Anfiteatro,” and the surrounding areas of lake Puelo and “Cerro Piltriquitrón” in El Bolsón offer ideal weather conditions for the adventure of paragliding during the summer. Villa Traful, San Martín de los Andes, Aluminé, and Chos Malal in Neuquén invite aerial adventurers to try their hand at paragliding and gliding at the “Aero Club de los Andes.”

Climbing the Andes, mountaineering and ascent to high peaks

“Cerro Tronador,” “Cerro Catedral,” and “Cerro López” in the province of Río Negro; “Cerro Alvear” and “Monte Olivia” in Tierra del Fuego are tempting alternatives for enjoying untamed mountains. The heights of Neuquén also provide great challenges. The stunning Lanín Volcano, “Cerro Domuyo”—the highest peak in Patagonia at 4,709 m—, Tromen, and “Cerro Corona” are all attractions that appeal to climbers and adventure lovers. From Santa Cruz, the majestic Fitz Roy—one of the most difficult peaks in the world—and “Torre” entice those who are up for the ultimate challenge.

 

Ice climbing

Armed with crampons, ice axes, or tractels, you can overcome waterfalls and streams that freeze in winter, as well as imposing glaciers. In Santa Cruz, the Perito Moreno, Viedma, and “Torre” glaciers invite you to take on the challenge of climbing their icy walls. For the most experienced adventurers, one option is the Argentine peak of “Cerro Tronador,” between December and March, in the province of Río Negro. In Tierra del Fuego, the wide variety of qualities and consistency levels of the ice attracts experienced climbers.

Rappelling and climbing

“Cerro Catedral,” “Cerro Otto,” and “Cerro López” on the outskirts of San Carlos de Bariloche, and “Sierras Grandes” in the province of Río Negro; the cliffs of the City of Neuquén; the mighty walls of San Martín de los Andes, Junín de los Andes, Villa Pehuenia, and Villa El Chocón in Neuquén, and the Piedra Parada Protected Natural Area in Chubut invite rappelling and rock climbing lovers to discover the most impressive landscapes of Argentine Patagonia. Climbing activities are available in the mountains of the Lihué Calel National Park in La Pampa.

Rafting, kayaking and canoeing

Rafting in the Aluminé, Ruca Choroy, and Huam Hum rivers, with their varying degrees of difficulty on rides surrounded by rocks, mountains, and the incredible Valdivian rainforest, awakens visitors’ adrenaline in Neuquén. Strong emotions and easy rides are combined on trips along the Limay, Manso, and Azul rivers in the province of Río Negro. In Chubut, the Corcovado river is an ideal spot for rafting, with excursions tailored to different difficulties. In Santa Cruz, “Rio de las Vueltas” in El Chaltén is an ideal spot for rafting.

For kayaking, nothing beats the legendary Beagle Channel and lake Roca near the end of the world in Ushuaia, the mighty “Negro” river, and the beauty of lake Nahuel Huapi in the province of Río Negro. In Chubut, you can explore the waters of the gulfs in Puerto Madryn and Puerto Pirámides, the winding Chubut river in Los Altares and Piedra Parada, and the crystal-clear waters of lake Puelo National Park (PN – “Parque Nacional”).

The Limay river, the Chimehuín river, the splendid lake Lacar in Neuquén, and the Lapataia Bay in Tierra del Fuego also offer canoeing among magical landscapes. Along its entire course, the “Negro” river offers canoeing and other nautical activities in a beautiful natural environment that can be enjoyed year-round. In La Pampa, the Colorado river provides the setting for canoeing and outings that are organized from the localities of La Adela, Gobernador Duval, and Casa de Piedra.

Windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing

The winds, lakes, and the Patagonian sea converge to offer a wide variety of water sports. On the Atlantic coast in Puerto Madryn, Playa Unión, and Rada Tilly in the province of Chubut, and on the expansive beaches of Las Grutas, El Cóndor, and Playas Doradas in the province of Río Negro, vacationers enjoy windsurfing and surfing in the waters of Patagonia. Crystal-clear lakes such as Lacar, Nahuel Huapi, and Musters also attract windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Trekking

Patagonian geography seduces trekking lovers. Both the least demanding and the most extreme circuits offer the challenge of venturing through mountain ranges, skirting lakes, climbing higher and higher on hills and mountains, walking on glaciers, delving into the heart of National Parks and Reserves, reaching remote mountain refuges, discovering uniquely beautiful forests, hidden valleys and lagoons. Amidst landscapes of extreme whiteness in winter or under the intensely colorful light of spring and summer, testing one’s emotions and physical prowess encapsulates the pleasure of exploring the deep Patagonia and achieving new and challenging goals each time.

Routes, roads and trails

The most varied Patagonian settings and landscapes offer endless possibilities for lovers of mountain biking, horseback riding and 4×4 safari vehicles. Adrenaline rushes, at every step, in fascinating circuits between the Andes Mountain Range and the Atlantic Ocean. Crossing the plains and the Pampas cliffs from side to side, going deep into trails that run through lenga and myrtle forests, reaching remote beaches, salt flats, and dunes, crossing bridges and rushing rivers, you can discover the most incredible corners while riding horses, on bicycles adapted for Patagonian surfaces, or in modern 4×4 safari vehicles.

Sand yachting

Sand yachting is the star of adventure in Rada Tilly, in the province of Chubut, and on the extensive beaches of El Cóndor and Playas Doradas, in the province of Río Negro.