The stunning and vast wilderness terrain emblematic of Patagonian Chile is the stuff of legend.

Couple this with the ingredients that make Chile so welcoming to foreigners – it’s safety, stability, accessibility, and generous hospitality – it’s no wonder that Chile has been crowned “South America’s leading adventure tourism destination” for seven consecutive years in a row (2015-2021) by the World Travel Awards. 

While global travel remains tricky to plan amid the pandemic, there are several factors unique to Chile that make Patagonia a best bet. Here are 10 reasons to plan your travel to the Patagonia Frontiers wilderness ranch this year.

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Patagonia This Year

10. Safety first: Chile’s high vaccination rates.

Among Chile’s many distinctions, it’s been lauded for its impressive pandemic response: Over 90% of Chile’s population over 18 years old has been fully vaccinated with two doses. Third doses are already underway for eligible adults, and children 6 and older are receiving a first dose. 

9. At long last, Chile is open. 

As of November 1, the country is open to vaccinated travelers. While you’d be prudent to secure vaccine validation at least 4 weeks before flying, you can travel to Chile with evidence of a negative PCR test. View our recent blog, How to Travel to Chile: Advice for Foreign Travelers for a firsthand account on how to successfully navigate Chile’s travel requirements.

8. Your own private Patagonia.

Our unique location – accessible only by boat – means it's just you, us, and the wilderness. The western sentinel to over 400 square miles of navigable lake waters, the Patagonia Frontiers ranch is a private gateway to a wide mountain wilderness encompassing the national parks of the Northern Patagonia Icefield and adjacent ranges. The embodied impact of this splendid isolation can’t be overstated: you can trek for days through ancient forests, pristine lake and river valleys, and glaciated mountain passes without encountering another tourist.

7. Authentic gaucho culture.

We believe nature-based tourism should benefit the people and communities who live here. This includes honoring the traditional way of life of our gaucho (Patagonian cowboy) neighbors, who accompany our trips as guides and horse packers. Our signature hiking and horse trekking route, the Gaucho Way, follows their traditional backcountry route and represents both this legacy within the mountain landscape and a distinctive, gracious culture. 

6. Reverse season mountaineering training. 

There are over 1,600 square miles of glaciers in our backyard, and our private access makes for an uncommon wilderness classroom. Peaks vary in similarity from the North Cascades Mountains in the Pacific Northwest to the giants of the Alaska Range. The reverse season training opportunity by virtue of our southern latitude is a compelling bonus for anyone in training for an Aconcagua, Denali, Elbrus, or other Northern Hemisphere climb. 

5. Proximity to Patagonia National Park & the newly completed Route of Parks.

Although remote, our nature conservancy ranches are at the nexus of Chile’s Route of Parks (Ruta de los Parques), a storied and ambitious conservation project that connects some 17 national parks along the 1,500-mile Carretera Austral. This includes our beloved neighbor in the Aysén Region, Patagonia National Park, recently cited in TIME's 2021 list of the World's 100 Greatest Places. 

4. More room to roam. 

As shared in this recent letter from our founder, we markedly expanded Patagonia Frontiers wilderness classroom adjoining the Laguna San Rafael National Park and adjacent to the Patagonia National Park. With some 5,000 acres of pristine wilderness under our stewardship, this represents a significant advance in our vision of safeguarding Patagonia wildlands and expanding outdoor education while being an ally for surrounding parks and communities. 

3. Pandemic digital detox.

For many of us, a reflexive adaptation to Covid conditions has been an uptick in screen time – whether for study, work, or social connection – with all is unintended consequences on our wellbeing. Patagonia Frontiers is a place to disconnect from devices and reconnect to wild places in nature and within yourself. The vastness of the landscape encircling the Patagonia Frontiers ranch, coupled with the absence of people (as well as sound or light pollution), inspires cosmic perspective-taking. 

2. Patagonia’s distinctive wildlife.

While Patagonia’s landscapes can steal all the thunder, its astonishing flora, fauna, and wildlife are equally striking. The splendid isolation of our 5,000-acre ranch supports a thriving ecosystem populated by endangered Huemul (South Andean deer), foxes, and the solitary puma. Depending on the season, you can catch glimpses of migrating parrots, Magellanic woodpeckers, and Andean condors. (View our wildlife photos for recent sightings.) 

1. Every trip supports wilderness conservation.  

Living in Patagonia and traversing its wild landscapes inspired our founder’s fierce devotion to protecting its last wild places. And we’re passionate about inspiring the same in our guests. As a mission-driven organization, every adventure embodies Patagonia Frontiers’ education and community goals while supporting wilderness conservation.  

Earlier this month, we received our wonderful work crew, who is busy preparing to welcome visiting explorers, students, and guests. We’d hope you’ll feel motivated to join us, and if you are, we’d love to hear the reasons why. 

WE ARE CURRENTLY BOOKING TRIPS AND ENROLLING PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022-2023 SEASON AND INVITE YOU TO GET IN TOUCH TO PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE. 

By Welling Savo Justin

Welling Savo Justin is a freelance writer and native of Seattle (USA) based in Pucón, Chile, whose latest Patagonia Frontiers adventure was with her husband and their children, ages 7 and 10 years old. Founded in 1999, Patagonia Frontiers connects people with wilderness through education, conservation, and adventure. We offer education and mountaineering programs as well as multi-day trekking, horseback trips, and climbing in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.