Everything You Need To Know About Glamping In Patagonia

Everything You Need To Know About Glamping In Patagonia

When immersing oneself in the mesmerizing beauty of Patagonia, few experiences are as immersive as camping. Outdoor immersion doesn’t have to mean pitching your own tent and forgoing your own luxuries though. Over the past decade, Patagonia has transformed into a haven for “glampers” or those looking to experience breathtaking natural beauty with all of the indoor comforts and conveniences that aren’t traditionally included in the camping experience. Modern convenience and comfort meet breathtaking nature when glamping in Patagonia.

Glamping, a modern twist on a traditional camping experience, offers you the chance to combine the best of Chilean or Argentinian Patagonia with luxury hotel comforts to help inspire the family to reconnect with nature.

Sip a glass of award-winning Argentinian wine while soaking in a hot tub overlooking glaciers, or enjoy fresh, contemporary local Chilean dishes before heading back to your spacious yurt to lay your head for the night. Kuoda is the expert in Patagonian glamping, and we can’t wait to set up a magical glamping experience for you and your loved ones that you will remember long after you depart the icy wonderland of Patagonia. If you’re interested in a glamping adventure in Patagonia but are unsure where to begin – we’ve created this guide to help you better understand all that glamping in this South American wilderness destination entails.

Best Time of The Year To Go

Best Time of The Year To Go

November to March is the best time to visit Patagonia, with warmth and longer days on both the Chile and Argentina sides. Southern nights last a scant six hours, although night frosts and sleet can occur in the highlands even in summer. Mid-November to mid-December is less crowded, with spring blooms. 

Duration of The Trip

To get the most out of the experience, plan on 10-14 days at the destination. That will give you enough time to explore two different regions, visit famous glaciers, and enjoy rewarding circuit hikes through the area’s beautiful national parks. Travelers should be aware that the weather in Patagonia is highly unpredictable, particularly in spring and early summer. Weather and temperatures can fluctuate without warning and violent storms can sweep in from the Pacific. It’s helpful to pad your schedule with additional days in case you encounter inclement weather. 

Destinations To Explore

Destinations To Explore

First up on any outdoor enthusiast’s radar is Los Glaciares National Park. With over 100,000 visitors every year, the main attraction is the Perito Moreno Glacier. Traverse your way over or take a comfortable boat cruise on Argentino Lake to watch massive icebergs break off from the glacier and plunge into the water below. About 77 kilometers from Los Glaciares is El Calafate, a basecamp mountain village and the gateway to some of the best hikes in this part of the region.

If you only have time for one, ask us about what we offer for the Fitz Roy Trek. We have itineraries for hikes ranging from 1 to 3 days, where you’ll take in jagged peaks, glacial lakes, colossal glaciers, and some of the most incredible panoramas Patagonia travel has on offer.

Bariloche is another hub for the hiking-inclined, but it’s also been called Patagonia’s most charming town. It offers beautiful vistas, some of the best cuisine in Patagonia, and rustic wood chalet lodging to suit even the most luxurious of travelers. This quaint European-influenced town also hugs Nahuel Huapi, a stunning glacial lake that’s easy to access. If it’s wildlife you’re after, Ushuaia is a destination you have to consider. From this port town, you can take a catamaran out into the Beagle Channel, where you’ll spot penguins, sea lions, and cormorants in numbers you won’t believe.

On the Chilean side, Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s Patagonia will bring you so close to pristine panoramic nature that you instantly remember how humans remain an integral part of the natural world. Kuoda can help design your ideal itinerary to Patagonia, encompassing all destinations that your travel group wants to experience.

How To Get There

Reaching the “End of the World” is no small journey, but the voyage is worth it once you reach one of the getaway cities and begin your epic adventure. Most travelers looking to start their Patagonia journey on the Chilean side will fly to Santiago International Airport and take a local flight for three hours to the town of Punta Arenas, a Chilean getaway city to Patagonia, where they will be greeted by a member of the Kuoda team. Alternatively, those looking to travel to Argentinian Patagonia will fly into Buenos Aires (EZE) and take a regional flight to Bariloche (2.5 hours) or Ushuaia (3 hours). 

Amenities To Expect

Many glamping sites offer amenities like yoga classes, and chef-driven restaurant concepts on-site. Domes, cabins, and yurts often include features like balconies and terraces for guests to enjoy sweeping Patagonia views as well as amenities like WiFi, electricity, and hot water. Guests can also enjoy amenities like on-demand tea or coffee, lounge areas, and jacuzzis. 

Activities and Excursions

Activities and Excursions

World-class hiking should be a given on any trip to Patagonia, but there is actually much more to do in the region beyond the stunning circuits, with jaw-dropping mountain views (though we totally recommend you do those too!)  Here, you can visit the famous Marble Caves, caves which have formed over 6000+ years as the water melted from the nearby glaciers filling up General Carrera Lake and washing up against these solid rocks slowly carving out intricate caverns, columns, and tunnel systems. Over thousands of years, this mineral-rich glacier water also changed the color and shape of the Marble Cave formations to beautiful hues of blues, greens, blacks, and yellows.

Another must-see while in Patagonia is viewing Petito Moreno Glacier, where you’ll have the opportunity to watch giant chunks of glacial ice slide into emerald green waters. Wildlife lovers will love seeing a colony of Magellanic Penguins in Tierra Del Fuego island, swimming with sealions, or if it’s in season – going whale watching in Puerto Madryn and seeing some of the over 3,000 Orca whales looking for their next meal. Try your skills at whitewater rafting in the beautiful region of Futaleufu, Chile.

If you’re looking for an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience, take a helicopter over Torres Del Paine for a truly breathtaking moment that promises incredible views as you get aerial views of just how surreal Patagonia truly is. 

What to Wear

Even if you’re traveling to Patagonia during summer, that is, December or January, you still need winter attire and hefty outdoor gear. Patagonia is located in the very south of South America where the Atlantic and Pacific winds meet, so it’s one of the windiest regions in the world. If traveling in the winter months, or North America’s summer months,  remember to bring extra thick socks and plenty of layers. Bring boots, a rain jacket, and a water bottle for more advanced hikes and surprise weather conditions. 

Dining

Most of the lodges on private reserves offer full room and board, and employ talented chefs who take advantage of locally-sourced ingredients like white strawberries, rhubarb, seaweed, Patagonian honey, and gamier specialties like guanaco and Patagonian hare or lamb. From the sea, try South American king crab, snook-and-hake ceviche, conger eel, robalo, hake, and oysters. To seal the deal, pair local delicacies with a bottle of reserve Chilean or Argentinian wine. 

Glamping Options

• Patagonia Camp

Patagonia Camp

Photo Source: patagoniacamp.com

Patagonia Camp is an excellent option for a stunning encounter with nature while enjoying a luxurious holiday. Stay at a yurt with a hot tub and recover from a day’s hike while enjoying the fabulous views of Lake Toro and the distant Paine Massif. The kids will love all of the activities that are included, like trekking, kayaking, and stargazing. Located just south of the park on the shores of Lake Toro, Patagonia camp offers four or five excursions to choose from each day, as well as a vast variety of off-the-beaten-track excursions or options for private excursions.

Paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing can be done independently at the lake with the site providing all needed equipment for guests. Additionally, guests can even enjoy an on-site traditional quincho where they put on a weekly barbecue with wine tasting. The atmosphere is great for those who want privacy, with a more intimate and secluded vibe than other glamping options.

Patagonia Camp has 20 yurts, all with views of Toro Lake and the Paine massif. 12 deluxe yurts, 5 deluxe + jacuzzi yurts, plus 3 suites/family yurts are available. All yurts have either king or twin beds, an en suite, a private terrace or balcony, central heating, electricity, and hot water, and are decorated with handmade local furniture. Suites are larger than deluxe yurts with a lounge space and an outdoor jacuzzi. Family yurts have two bedrooms and an outdoor jacuzzi. 

• Eco Camp

Eco Camp

Photo Source: ecocamptravel.com

EcoCamp is a geodesic dome hotel tucked in the middle of the park. Accommodations range from basic to over-the-top, two-story heated tents that boast private terraces, private bathrooms, and ceiling windows facing upward to the Patagonian sky. Domes are immersed in lenga forest, dotted around the site, and interlinked by wooden walkways. They are made to resist the Patagonian elements and have ceiling windows to look up at the starry night sky.

Standard domes offer more basic accommodation but are cozy and snug. Superior and suite domes are larger, with private bathrooms and heating. Suite dome lofts have even more space and a mezzanine level with an extra bed, so they are perfect for families or groups of friends.

Eco Camp is located in the park within walking distance of the trailhead of the Base of the Towers trek and offers three excursions to choose from each day. Travelers have the option to take a multi-day hike on the W or Full Circuit trail with some of the nights at the camp. For wildlife enthusiasts, the camp offers dedicated puma programs to experience the incredible animals in the wild. For wellness lovers or those looking to unwind before or after a long day of trekking, yoga classes and massage treatments are available.

At the eco-camp, guests can enjoy a more communal atmosphere, including family dinners with the group from the day’s excursion. Eco camp is particularly committed to being eco-friendly, with many measures to reduce its impact on the park.

Kuoda’s expert team of travel designers is here to ensure that your glamping experience in Patagonia is comfortable, custom-tailored, and most of all – a magical experience that fully takes advantage of the incredible scenery, activities, and experiences available to visitors to this incredibly breathtaking destination. We can’t wait to hear from you! Reach out to us today and we’ll get started on crafting the glamping trip of your dreams.

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