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One of the best hiking regions in the world is the
PATAGONIAN ANDES
Many are under the impression that South America is dangerous. Not so. The risks of theft or personal assault are greater in Europe or North America.
Patagonia ...
The very name evokes. Inspires a wild, exotic urge to explore.
AT A GLANCE
PATAGONIA 
 The orange area is Patagonia, southern Chile & Argentina. Click the map for larger version.
- most famous is the Paine trek
- but Patagonia offers much, much more
- great variety: arid desert, lush tundra meadows, rich rainforests, smoking volcanoes, towering granite spires, some of the largest ice fields on Earth
- here are the world’s most southerly established treks
- parts are similar to south island New Zealand and the Coast Range in BC, Canada
- 5 hiking districts (North to South):
- The Araucania
- Lakes District
- Central Patagonia
- Southern Patagonia
- Tierra del Fuego
- most of the best hikes are challenging
- independent, self-sufficient hikers will love it
- hiking season is Nov-Apr. Feb-Mar is the best weather
WHY WE LIKE THIS REGION
- South American Explorers club
- sparsely inhabited. There are places here never ever seen by any man.
- travel in Argentina is still relative inexpensive. Chile, not so much.
- glaciers at low elevation (no risk of altitude sickness)
- some treks have alpine huts (refugios) providing meals & basic supplies. But most require you carry a tent.
- steaming thermal springs
- easy-to-climb volcanoes
- The Lake District called “Switzerland of South America”
- few biting insects at higher elevations
- few dangerous animals of any kind
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CONSIDERATIONS
- conversational Spanish almost essential
- Argentina is less expensive and more welcoming than Chile. (Be aware that Chile charges an expensive reciprocal tourist visa fee for some nationalities if you arrive by air.)
- access to The Lake District is easy by bus from Santiago, Chile. Or, better, from Bariloche, Argentina.
- transportation to distant southern Patagonia, however, can be problematic
- check the map for airports. Most hikers fly via Santiago, or, better, Buenos Aires.
- the more time you have for your trip, the better, in this part of the world. Logistics are time consuming.
- the trails are busiest Jan to mid-Feb
- the west coast is too WET, even for us. Stay inland.
- In fact, the major downside to Patagonian hiking is the weather. Wind, cold, rain. Be prepared for everything.
- Public transport is limited to some of the best hikes. (It nearly killed us getting to Cerro Castillo.)
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BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
Trekking in the Patagonian Andes by Lonely Planet has opened this region to international hikers. Most keep this Bible close and compare notes every chance they get.
BEST HIKES IN PATAGONIA
The volcanic Lake District is the most accessible, popular destination. But Paine is by far the best hike. Followed by nearby Fitz Roy. Your first trip to Patagonia should be built around these.
Our other recommendations:
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