With the lakes glistening, the trout running and the days stretching late into the evening, it’s hard to believe we were skiing just 6 weeks ago! We enjoyed an unforgettable winter down here in Patagonia. The most snowfall in 12 years meant fabulous skiing,
snowboarding and ski touring. We skied in eight different resorts from Central Chile to Argentine Patagonia, offpiste
on smoking volcanoes and huttohut touring with guests from North America and Europe – all left enchanted by the unspoiled mountains and friendly, passionate culture, and stoked by the huge amounts of powder! It’s not too early to start thinking
about fulfilling you ski dreams in the summer of 2006. Learn more about our ski programs.

Still buzzing from the winter, we’re now diving headfirst into summer. With three Patagonia Travel Company trips out exploring as I write today, we’ve kicked the season off in full force!

From now until March, we have a number of exciting adventures, from trekking expeditions to wine tours. It’s not too late to join in! Contact us with your dreams for a Patagonia adventure this year.

Where is Patagonia? Poets, gauchos and troubadours have said Patagonia exists only in the mind. But cartographers agree it generally exists in the wild land south of the 40 th parallel in Chile and Argentina – the cone at the bottom of the Americas. Click here to see a map of Argentina.

FitzRoy Fundamentals – Not only did Robert FitzRoy have to deal with the treacherous waters of the Southern Seas as captain of HMS Beagle. Onboard he had a confident young passengernaturalist named Charles Darwin who went on to change the way we see life on Earth. Darwin didn’t get all the glory though; what is perhaps Patagonia’s most famous and stunning peak is named for Captain Robert. In the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, Mt. FitzRoy a giant granite tower that stands like a beacon above the Pampas. Long heralded by alpinists as one of the toughest rock climbs in the world, FitzRoy’s beauty is best appreciated at sunrise or with a threeday trek around its base. Check out our Trekking in the Deep South itinerary.

Empanada – the perfect snack? It’s like a homemade meat and veggie pie you can eat with your hands! The empanada is a staple of the Patagonian diet because it’s warm, filling, nutritious and delicious. From jamón y queso (ham and cheese) to cordobés (ground beef, boiled egg, olive, raisins and spices), you’ll find all kinds, always homemade, and for sale everywhere. Which is your favourite?

Palermo Chic – Don’t miss the chance to check out Latin America’s hippest neighbourhood during your stay in Buenos Aires. Home to trendy boutiques, innovative bistros, galleries and lovely inns, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood together make up the fashion, style and design hub of the Paris of the Americas.

Remote Valleys of the Andes – It’s not often you have the chance to paddle from one country to the next, let alone from the height of a continent to the ocean. Our Manso to the Pacific expedition combines whitewater rafting, horseback riding and trekking and takes you through a pristine valley with sandy beaches, temperate rainforest and big rapids, as you drop from Argentina to the Pacific Coast of Chile. It’s a classic and groundbreaking expedition. Contact us for a full itinerary.

Malbec – Mendoza’s best: Like many countries, Argentina produces topquality Merlots, Syrahs and Cabernets. However, the gentle plateau beneath the Andes’ east slope is also producing the world’s best Malbec wine. It’s a soft and juicy red that makes the perfect accompaniment for Argentine classics like pizza, pasta and red meat. The city of Mendoza oozes charm, with rural vineyards, fabulous restaurants and the distant peaks setting a dramatic backdrop. Join us on a tour of boutique bodegas in this lovely region.