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A traveler in Patagonia, Argentina: from Perito Moreno to Fitz Roy
- Félicie
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
My turn… 🌍😍 🐴
What if we went on a trip to Patagonia?
It may all have started with an image. A photo by Céline Frers of the famous Mount Fitz Roy, seen a year ago in Aude Pollet 's lovely boutique. An image that stayed somewhere, that slowly made its way.
So when my boyfriend asked me in January, "Where would you like to go?", the answer came almost naturally: "To Argentina!"
Patagonia, gauchos in ponchos on the pampas… images that are a little blurry, but that I'd been dreaming about for a long time. For his part, a trekker at heart, he longed for wide open spaces, raw nature, and mountains stretching as far as the eye could see. And so, for nearly three weeks, we set off to discover this fascinating country. This month, it's my turn to take you on a journey, this time to Patagonia!
El Calafate: at the gateway to Patagonia, in the far south of Argentina
And off we went, me with cravings for riding boots and empanadas , him with images of treks and Malbec filling his head…Each of us got what we wanted.
And what a discovery. The region of El Calafate and El Chaltén is a true end of the world: the endless Ruta 40 , the omnipresent wind, snow-capped peaks in the distance, almost unreal turquoise blue lakes… and, from time to time, an isolated estancia, battered by the elements, where you can put down your suitcases.
The horseback ride along the shores of Lago Argentino, with its almost lagoon-like reflections, is a truly suspended moment. The silence, the sheep, the light… and our riding guide, Margarita, her long brown braid flowing in the wind, so elegant in an Oxford shirt and gaucho trousers tapered at the ankle – she almost made me like Barbour jackets!
Then back to the fireside, as night falls, and a delicious parilla accompanied by a glass of Malbec.
Perito Moreno: I walked on the glaciers of Patagonia!
And that wasn't all…
The next day, my first iceberg. And my first walk in crampons to set foot on the famous Perito Moreno glacier, which we first discover by boat, realizing that it is still nearly 50 meters high.
Then came that walk, a little surreal, like walking on the moon: icy ridges, crevasses, pools of a blue almost too beautiful to be real… All this on my 47th birthday. It's hard to imagine anything more memorable!
Fitz Roy: at the foot of the magic mountain
And to finish in style, we rejoin Ruta 40 , following the Andes mountain range towards Mount Fitz Roy. We gradually approach it, until we finally discover it "for real". The road itself is already a spectacle: the landscapes that gradually unfold (Céline Frers' famous photo takes on its full meaning!), and the time spent in El Chaltén, the village it overlooks from its height of almost 3,500 meters.
Almost as impressive as the hike up to the glacial lakes that surround it. I have to admit that this trek – 20 km, over 7 hours, nearly 1,000 meters of elevation gain – was a real feat for me. But what a reward at the end: this iconic Patagonian peak, its granite summits reflected in the turquoise waters of Laguna de los Tres, MAJESTIC!
And what about Patagonian craftsmanship in all of this?
One doesn't necessarily think of crafts when faced with such a barren landscape, and yet these vast territories were inhabited for millennia, long before the arrival of European explorers. Indigenous peoples, among them the Mapuche, lived in close connection with a harsh nature that had to be understood and tamed. Their beliefs, as well as their crafts, were largely inspired by it. In their weaving, one often finds geometric patterns, particularly diamonds, which evoke the land, balance, and pathways. This heritage is found in ponchos, blankets still made today in Patagonia, but also in the work of silversmiths, very present in traditional jewelry, where the same geometric patterns and this connection to the land sometimes reappear.
So, as you can see, I highly recommend a trip to Patagonia! To find my favorite addresses, hotels, and restaurants, check out my address book. here .
Back to reality… my Parisian suggestions this month, a far cry from Argentina and Patagonia…
An exhibition : A day in the 18th century at the Museum of Decorative Arts , not only because I have always been a fan of this century but also for the staging which is both modern and poetic.
A restaurant : Babi . Looking for a sophisticated, festive, and cool dinner? This is the perfect spot, especially if you go for the second seating at 9 pm. I loved it! A very young and professional team, great music, and delicious, creative dishes to share. Reservations are recommended!
A new product from Voyageuses for an Argentinian touch: A white leather belt with topstitching like the Gauchos!
And to complete this pseudo-cowboy look, new Paisley scarf colours in Naram by Voyageuses, turquoise or watermelon , ideal for summer!
I promise, in the coming months, you'll get the rest of my trip to Argentina, to the North of the country and to Buenos Aires…
See you soon!
Félicie 🐆
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Travel diary Argentina, Patagonia
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