Skip to main content

There was an unexpected issue forwarding you to "Twitter" for authentication. Please try again later.
×

Road-Trip in Patagonia: El Chalten to Torres del Paine

 

It's hard for many people from the "Old World" to envision the vast people-less places of the Americas, especially the closer one travels to the poles.  It's equally empty in northern North America (Alaska, the Yukon and Northwest Territories) as it is in southern South America (Patagonia).  

There are stretches of road in these remote areas regions where you might not encounter a petro station for hundreds of kilometers (don't worry, signs will warn you in advance so you'd need to be a fool to run out of gas).  No towns, often not even a rancher, to be found as far as the eye can see.

When visiting Patagonia, we made a rather long drive from Argentinian Patagonia to Chilean Patagonia.  A trip of about 500 kms in a region that stretches thousands of kilometers.  It was one of the most remote places I've ever traveled.  Besides the paved roads (most of surprisingly good quality), a few fuel stations and a border crossing (Argentina to Chile -- lots of paperwork!), we encountered only 2 small towns along the entire journey.  Mostly our companion was the empty steppe.  And the wind -- it was darned windy.  Oh, and a few guanacos and rheas.

Here are some of the sights from that drive, which I hope you enjoy!

Leaving El Chalten in the rear view mirror.....
01 El Chalten

Some scenes of the Andes across Lake Viedma....
03 El Chalten Lago Viedma and its glacier
04 El Chalten . Lago Viedma and Cerra Tora05 El Chalten Lago Viedma and Fitzroy

And along Rio la Leona, filled with glacial melt-water....
06 El Chalten11 El Chalten

The steppe.....
07 El Chalten12 El Chalten13 Leaving El Calafate

Views of the Andes across Lake Argentina....
08 El Chalten09 El Chalten10 El Chalten

Our most elevated and panoramic view of the vast, empty steppe....14 Leaving El Calafate15 Leaving El Calafate16 Leaving El Calafate

And hours later, our first views of towers of Torres del Paine17 Leaving El Calafate

Some wildlife spotted along the way, including a herd of guanacos....18 Guanacos

And several incredibly stupid rheas, flightless birds of Patagonia.....19 Rhea20 Rhea

Finally we arrive at Torres Del Paine.  More on that visit soon!
21 Torres del Paine

Attachments

Images (21)
  • Leaving El Chalten
  • Views of Andes across Lake Viedma
  • Views of Andes across Lake Viedma
  • Views of Andes across Lake Viedma
  • Views of Andes across Lake Viedma
  • Rio La Leona
  • Rio La Leona
  • The Steppe
  • Views of the Andes across Lake Argentina
  • Views of the Andes across Lake Argentina
  • Views of the Andes across Lake Argentina
  • The Steppe
  • The Steppe
  • The Steppe
  • The Steppe
  • The Steppe
  • First view of Torres del Paine
  • Guanacos
  • Rhea
  • Rheas
  • Torres del Paine

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

Add Comment

Comments (1)

Newest · Oldest · Popular

Such a magnificent and beautiful place. I think the vast remoteness adds to the appeal of Patagonia. One of my top bucket list places to visit some day. Thank you for the awesome pictures.

Traveling Canuck

 

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×