We recommend the best tours in Patagonia Argentina, the ones you absolutely must do if you’re visiting the south of Argentina.
Argentine Patagonia is one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America, both for international travelers and locals. That’s because it offers a wide variety of nature tours and excursions for all tastes.
Whether you’re traveling with family, as a couple, or solo; whether you love adventure or prefer something more relaxed — you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in this vast region in the south of the country.
There are countless options for trekking, sightseeing, and outdoor adventures. Here’s a list of the 12 best tours to experience the very best of Patagonia in key spots like Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chaltén, Bariloche, and Puerto Madryn.
Table of Contents
Best Tours In Ushuaia
1. Beagle Channel Navigation
The Beagle Channel is a natural strait that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, separating the main islands of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It’s named after the HMS Beagle, the British ship that explored the area in the 19th century.
The tour lasts approximately 4.5 hours. It departs from Ushuaia’s tourist dock and passes through Paso Chico, Bird Island (home to native Fuegian birds), Sea Lion Island (inhabited by sea lions), and the Les Éclaireurs lighthouse.
The journey continues to Martillo Island, where you’ll find a penguin colony with Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. On the return, you can spot the half-sunken ship Monte Sarmiento. There are departures in the morning and early afternoon. Warm clothing is recommended.
🔎 There are several options for sailing the Beagle Channel. Check out our article to explore the different alternatives.
2. End of the World Train and Tierra del Fuego National Park
The Tren del Fin del Mundo (Train of the End of the World) travels the route used by the prisoners of the Ushuaia prison when they were taken to cut the trees of the forest, whose purpose was to obtain wood that served as heating in the houses. Currently, this train is used for tourist purposes, preserving those wagons that were used years ago.
This excursion includes a guided tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will see native flora and fauna, with the possibility of adding a ride on the southernmost train in the country. Needless to say, we recommend adding the train option. Riding a steam engine inside the National Park is a great way to end a 4-hour hike.
🏨 Check out our article with recommendations on where to stay in Ushuaia and book your ideal hotel.
3. Esmeralda lagoon trekking
The Esmeralda Lagoon trekking is one of the most popular hikes in Patagonia Argentina, for us a must to do in Ushuaia. It is a lagoon of glacial origin, famous for its intense green color, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the Patagonian forest. The hike is not intense, recommended if you are traveling with children.
The excursion starts in the Fuegian valleys and after two hours you will arrive at the lagoon, crossing forests. A picnic with empanadas and hot drinks is included. It is advisable to wear comfortable clothes, warm clothes and good company, the walk is enjoyed by itself.
📷 Book here the excursion to the Esmeralda Lagoon from Ushuaia.
The best tours in El Calafate
4. Hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Walking on the Perito Moreno glacier is one of the activities that everyone wants to do, at least once in a lifetime. For us, one of the best tours in Patagonia Argentina.
The excursion begins by crossing the Rico Lake by boat. Upon arrival the mountain guides explain some important things about glaciology and give you crampons to walk on the ice. From the shore of the lake begins the trekking: the tour lasts about an hour and a half, and in that time you can see crevasses, sinkholes, ice caves, and small glacial lagoons. On the way back, you go through the forest to the refuge.
I highly recommend this excursion if you are in good physical condition (and if you are under 65, which is the age limit). Walking on one of the most famous glaciers in the world is something you can rarely do, and the feeling of being on the ice is hard to explain. Not to be missed.
📷 Book here the hike over the Perito Moreno glacier, a fascinating adventure.
🔎 Take a look at our recommendations where to stay in El Calafate and choose your ideal place.
5. Excursion to El Chaltén from El Calafate
If you want to make a getaway from El Calafate to El Chaltén, then this full day excursion is ideal. On the way along Route 40 to El Chaltén, the bus travels along part of Route 40, bordering Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, at which time it stops at the viewpoint to admire the Viedma glacier and the Torre and Fitz Roy hills. A dream postcard!
Upon arrival in El Chaltén, it is time for a brief visit to the Interpretation Center and, once arrived at the Operational Base, there is free time for hiking. El Chaltén is known as the trekking capital of the world and has more than 20 official and marked trails, so you have several paths to choose from. We recommend you to do part of the trekking from Laguna Los Tres to the viewpoint.
The excursion includes lunch, sandwiches, fruit and drinks, and a map for you to navigate at your leisure.
6. Visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier, a classic excursion in Patagonia Argentina
This excursion allows you to admire one of the jewels of the Argentine Patagonia, the imposing Perito Moreno glacier with its immense ice wall.
The main route is along the footbridges, which are right in front of the glacier. From there you can see its full dimension, and if you are lucky, some landslides.
There is free time to walk around at your own pace, take pictures or sit and have a drink looking at the ice. If you like sailing, you can add a boat ride on Lake Argentino, to contemplate the glacier walls up close and listen to the roar of the ice chunks that break off the glacier into the lake.
It is a quiet excursion, takes most of the day and is suitable for any age.
🔎 Check out our article on how to visit the Perito Moreno glacier, with all the information you need to plan the tour.
The Best Tours In El Chaltén
7. The Fitz Roy Trekking
The Fitz Roy trekking in 2 days is the most complete experience to do in Patagonia, if you like adventure. The excursion includes the bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén, where the self-guided trekking route starts.
The hike is without a guide, but it can be done perfectly because the route is very well signposted. The first section is easy, it goes along the Blanco river up to the Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint. Afterwards, you will reach a fork: you can continue towards the Laguna de los Tres ( I recommend doing it if you are in good physical condition, because it is steep) or continue quietly to the base camp.
We sleep in double tents already set up. Everything is organized: dinner, breakfast and two picnic lunches. The next day we walk back to El Chalten, and from there by minibus back to El Calafate.
The excursion is very well organized, which gives you peace of mind as you don’t have to worry about food or setting up the tent, this is included.
📷 Book here the excursion from El Calafate to climb Fitz Roy in 2 days.
8. Excursion to Lago del Desierto from El Chaltén
This is the other excursion we recommend you to do from El Chaltén. Lago del Desierto is a lake of glacial origin located north of El Chaltén. The excursion is a nice boat ride that will take you most of the day.
The boat trip on the Desierto Lake is ideal to discover the Huemul and Crestón glaciers.
The boat arrives at the Vespignani glacier area, where there is free time to walk, rest and enjoy the scenery. If the weather is good, you can see the north face of Fitz Roy. Before returning to El Chaltén, tea and cookies are offered. There is also a half-day option, with less free time on the glacier.
📷 Book the excursion to Lago del Desierto from El Chaltén and enjoy this Patagonian paradise.
The Best Tours In Bariloche
9. Circuito Chico in Bariloche
The Circuito Chico is the most classic excursion in Bariloche and one of the best tours in Patagonia Argentina, as it covers the main attractions in the surroundings of the city. In a short time you will get to know the city and its surroundings, ideal if you are with your family or if you want a short but memorable tour.
The tour goes along the Nahuel Huapi Lake and makes several stops at panoramic points. The most outstanding is the Cerro Campanario, where you can go up by chairlift (entrance fee is not included) to have one of the best views of Bariloche. You will also pass by the famous Llao Llao Hotel and the Moreno and Escondido lakes.
It is an easy excursion, with little walking time, and perfect to do with children or older people. If it is your first time in Bariloche, it is worth it.
📷 Book here the excursion through the Circuito Chico in Bariloche.
🔎 Check out our article with all the activities to do in Bariloche.
10. Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest
The excursion to Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest is a good plan to do with friends or family if you are in Bariloche. The tour starts in Puerto Pañuelo, and you can choose to be picked up or go to the meeting point.
First you will visit Victoria Island for a quiet walk through the forest. Afterwards, you will continue sailing to the Quetrihué peninsula to visit the famous Arrayanes Forest, whose tall trees with cinnamon-colored trunks will surprise you.
The excursion is half day and there is the option of adding a lunch on board if you choose the VIP mode. It is a relaxed activity, well organized and recommended for all ages and in any season of the year.
📷 Book here the excursion to visit Victoria Island and the Arrayanes forest from Bariloche.
11. Tronador Volcano
Cerro Tronador is a volcano of almost 3500 meters high located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. It is so called because of the noise caused by the detachment of ice from its glaciers.
The excursion departs from Bariloche and travels along the route that borders the Gutiérrez and Mascardi lakes until it enters the Andes Mountain Range. Along the way, several stops are made: crossing the Manso River, passing by Los Rápidos camping site and visiting the heart-shaped Piuke Island viewpoint.
Then we continue to Pampa Linda, a mountain refuge where there is free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon you will reach the Ventisquero Negro glacier, at the foot of Cerro Tronador, where you can see blocks of ice falling off the mountain.
It is a long but quiet hike, ideal for those who enjoy the mountain trails and landscapes of the south. Suitable for all ages.
📷 Book here the excursion to Tronador Volcano from Bariloche.
The Best Tours In Patagonia Argentina, Puerto Madryn
12. Whale watching in Puerto Madryn
This full day excursion from Puerto Madryn tours the Valdes Peninsula with several stops to learn about its marine and terrestrial fauna. After entering the natural reserve, you will visit the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Interpretation Center, where the tour begins.
In Puerto Pirámides there is a boat trip to watch southern whales. It is important to clarify that whale watching is not guaranteed, it depends on the time of the year, the currents, the winds and many climatic factors. Anyway, the best time to see whales is from June to December.
We continue to Caleta Valdés, where three stops are made: in the cove itself, in the viewpoints of Punta Cantor (with elephants and sea lions all year round), and in the penguin colony, where from September to April you can see Magellanic penguins.
In this area, if the weather is good, it is possible to see killer whales. In Puerto Pirámides there is a boat trip to watch southern whales. It is important to clarify that whale watching is not guaranteed, it depends on the time of the year, the currents, the winds and many climatic factors. Anyway, the best time to see whales is from June to December.
Along the way you can see other native animals such as guanacos, maras, foxes and armadillos. The last stop is at Punta Norte, where from September to December there are elephant seals and, from December to May, sea lions.
The excursion lasts approximately 10 hours with free time for lunch (I recommend bringing a snack, as it is not included). It is subject to weather conditions, so I advise not to schedule another activity for the day.
📷 Book here the excursion to visit Península Valdés from Puerto Madryn, which includes whale watching.
