Patagonia!

When it comes to vacations, our National Parks are a perennial favorite.  They are both beautiful and varied and are visited by a large cross-section of people.  The US is not, of course, the only country with a national park system.  Many other countries have them as well. .  Some of these unique parks can be found in South America.

Patagonia, located at the very tip of South America, encompasses parts of  both Chile and Argentina and contains a number of parks much cherished by wilderness aficionados.  Now, I have been to Chile and will be there again in 2026, but I have not seen this wild, pristine and beautiful part of the country.  I hope to at some point, however!

Patagonia itself is quite diverse and while it is impossible to write about a“typical” national park, let’s take a look at one of them.  The Vicente Perez Rosales National Park is one park I have recently been reading about.  The oldest national park in the country, it is located in the beautiful lake district of Chile. Best known for fly-fishing and white-water rafting, it is also a great location for hiking. Its trails wind through rainforests as well as the snow-capped tops of volcanos.  Make sure you come prepared with cold weather climbing gear if you wish to visit the volcano!

Patagonia is a great place to visit with a group.  Group tours are offered by a number of companies, including  Smithsonian Journeys.  They offer a wide variety of trips focusing on cultural experiences.  This particular journey is designed for the physically fit traveler.  When planning a trip to Patagonia, remember the reversal of seasons in the southern hemisphere!