This past November, Patagonia, fly-fishing and empanadas became a first in the story of my life. I was lucky enough to follow the advice of a colleague who made it to this part of the world last year seeking the exotic beauty and adventure stories that have made the Patagonian Andes so enchanting among outdoors travelers.
» You are browsing Adventure Travel
Patagonia is one of the most extreme places on Earth. The mountains reach high, the climates drop low, the land stretches long, and the population is sparse. For these reasons, and many others, it is one of the mostly highly sought locations for outdoorsmen around the globe. And if you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll be more convinced when it hear it from the mouth of one of the most well-known adventurers in our current day and age – Bear Grylls.
Sitting aboard my cozy LAN flight from Buenos Aires, I enjoyed some of Argentina’s famous chocolates, a nice cup of tea and anxiously awaited our arrival into Bariloche. With each turn of the engine my inner outdoorsman began to emerge and I could feel us approaching those beautiful Andes Mountains. When the wheels finally touched the runway I rushed out of the plane, eager to catch that first sight of the Andes and Lake Nahuel Huapi bordering Bariloche. One glance was inspiration enough to quickly get to a hostel, drop off my bags, and head out into the rugged outdoors.
Remember those days at summer camp where you stepped onto campus and the biggest problem was trying to decide what activity to do first? That is exactly the sensation I got when I first arrived at Aguas Calientes in Puyehue Chile. Right across the border in the lake district of Patagonia this community has been formed for the travelers looking for a way to get into nature, experience a fun and friendly atmosphere with an endless number of activities, and of course relax in the soothing hot springs.
Jujuy is a north-western province of Argentina, known for its beautiful terrain and aboriginal customs. Located just 84 kilometers from San Salvador de Jujuy, the provincial capital, is the small town of Tilcara (which means “shooting star” in the Quechua language of the Incas). Here you can find Argentina’s history goes back beyond Diego Maradona or Gauchos. Here is a place even older than Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ancient song “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”. A short walk from the town lies the fortress of Pucará de Tilcara, rebuilt ruins that were once occupied by farmers of the Late Incan Empire over 500 years ago, ruins that may be even 1,000 years old in places.
