Few ways of travel allow you to get as close to a new country as on foot. By slowing down your speed and forcing yourself to concentrate on every step you take, trekking is a radically different way of experiencing a destination. Hiking holidays have rapidly grown in popularity over the past few decades, reflecting a […]

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Rising out of the Beagle Channel and ringed by the snowy, white peaks of the Martial Mountains in the north, Ushuaia certainly feels at the far edge of the South American continent, if not the world. An embarkation point for cruises through the fjord systems of Chilean Patagonia to Punta Arenas and out along the […]

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How plants survive some of the most inhospitable climates on the planet has long been of great interest to scientists. Species such as acaena magellanica, otherwise known as buzzy burr, manage to exist – against the odds – in harsh, challenging conditions on the sub-Antarctic islands. Buzzy Burr (acaena magellanica) This perennial species, referred to as […]

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With its verdant green forests of araucaria and alerce, the Lake District, Chile makes a striking visual contrast with the drier parts of the north of the country. But the tenth region of Chile isn’t just defined by its beauty: it’s also a prime destination for hiking and outdoor activities. Full of national parks and […]

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Hailed as the largest donation of privately-owned land in history, one million acres (404,000 hectares) were pledged to the Chilean government on March 15 by Kris Tompkins, former CEO of clothing brand Patagonia.

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Considered the world’s southernmost indigenous group, the Yaghan people once paddled through the remote, isolated channels of Tierra del Fuego in the very south of Patagonia. But the arrival of Europeans to South America saw a culture that had learned to survive in some of the most extreme conditions on the planet practically driven to […]

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From the sharp peaks of the Andes Mountains to the windswept plains of the pampas, Patagonia is a region containing a variety of ecosystems and habitats, making it an excellent place for a holiday observing wild animals. But how do you go about planning a vacation where you’re guaranteed to catch a glimpse of an elusive […]

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Tucked deep into the fjords of the Aysén Region of Chile, the San Rafael Glacier receives far fewer visitors than other more famous glaciers in Patagonia. But this huge block of ice, 230-ft. (70m) in height and covering 2.5-miles (4km) is an awe-inspiring sight and one of the final remaining – and rapidly disappearing – relics […]

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While Patagonia might be better known for its landscapes of pampas and mountains, the region is still rich in plant life. As a result of the extreme weather conditions that are found here, the native Patagonia flowers that we’ve handpicked for this list are as hardy as they are beautiful. But given how rare some of these […]

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Ruins set deep in thick jungle; granite towers that pierce the Patagonian sky; miles upon miles of blinding white salt flats: these are the incredible adventures that await in South America. We’ve compiled our favorite places for the most intrepid, where an adventure – and incredible scenery – is always guaranteed. 1. Torres del Paine […]

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