South America’s a delicious ice cream cone, especially its Lower Southern Cone – Patagonia.
The continent of South America is shaped like a generously served lopsided ice cream cone. So, the top ‘bowl’ end of this rich, sweet, creamy dessert is where the hot and humid countries are aptly located. Whether you’re in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, or Ecuador, you can never have too much ice cream!
But what of the ice cream leaky cone itself? What enchanting mysteries does it also conceal? At the pointy end towards Antarctica, it’s cooler and more temperate, but just as edible. So, neighbouring Chile and Argentina make up the Lower Southern Cone of Patagonia. Crispy, intriguingly textured, and surprisingly gratifying, this shared region deserves small methodical bites of explorations.
Over coming months, we will unveil several road trips, designed by our Patagonian expert (and ice cream enthusiast) Ben Price. Each region represents the perfect bite sized holiday experience. Or if you’ve got a serious appetite for adventure, ask us about the best back-to-back road trips for self-drive enthusiasts.
1 – Lake District & Volcanoes
“Wrought by fire and water, Chile’s Lake District is where the Andes erupt in sapphire lakes, emerald forests, and snow-capped volcanoes like Osorno and Villarrica. Kayak under smoking craters, soak in thermal hot springs, or hike through primordial valdivian rainforests—this is Patagonia at its most explosively beautiful.”
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Volcano Ascents – Summit Villarrica (or ski it!) for lava-tinged sunrise views.
✔ Lake Hopping – Glide across Lake Todos los Santos to Petrohué Falls.
✔ German Charm – Sip kuchen (cake) in Puerto Varas after your adventures.
Craving Volcanic Adventures?
→ Dive Deeper into the Lake District
→ Self-drive? Explore Our Patagonia Road Trips
2 – North Carretera Austral & Chiloé
“Where Chile’s wild north meets myth, the Carretera Austral’s untamed rivers and the Island of Chiloé’s stilted palafitos (houses) weave a tapestry of nature and folklore. Spot blue whales, wander UNESCO wooden churches, and feast on curanto—a seafood stew cooked in a dugout pit.”
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Pumalín Park – Trek through temperate rainforests to hanging glaciers.
✔ Chiloé Mystique – Meet local brujos (witches) and penguins on Chepu’s foggy coast.
✔ Off-Grid Luxury – Stay in remote lodges like Tierra Chiloé.
Ready for Myths & Wilderness?
→ Uncover Chiloé’s Secrets
3 – South Carretera Austral & Chelenko
“South of Coyhaique, the Carretera Austral unravels into Tolkien-esque realms: the turquoise chaos of Chelenko (General Carrera Lake), where marble cathedrals rise from the waves, and the Baker River—Patagonia’s wildest rafting route—thunders through emerald valleys.”
Drawn to Untamed Landscapes?
→Want to Plan your self-drive in Carretera Austral?
4 – Patagonia’s Route 40
“Argentina’s legendary Ruta 40 is a 5,000km odyssey through Patagonia’s soul—where guanacos outnumber people, and the horizon stretches into eternity. Cruise past the Fitz Roy massif, dusty estancias, and the lunar badlands of Cueva de las Manos.”
Inspired to Hit the Road?
→ Plan Your Route 40 Adventure
5 – Los Glaciares National Park
“Where ice giants reign: Los Glaciares is a land of 300 glaciers, including the thunderous Perito Moreno. Trek to Fitz Roy’s spires, sip mate with gauchos, or boat past icebergs the size of apartment blocks.”
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Perito Moreno – Watch icebergs calve with a roar!
✔ Fitz Roy Sunrise – Hike to Laguna de los Tres for iconic views.
✔ El Chaltén – Argentina’s “trekking capital” with cozy craft breweries.
Ready to Walk with Giants?
→ Discover Los Glaciares
6 – Patagonian Fjords & Icefields
“A labyrinth of misty fjords and towering blue glaciers, Chile’s southern coast feels like the edge of creation. Sail past sea lions, cruise the Balmaceda Glacier, or camp where the only sound is ice cracking under a full moon.”
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Cruise the Fjords – Skirt the Southern Ice Field via Puerto Natales.
✔ Remote Lodges – Wake to glaciers outside your window at Tierra del Fuego.
✔ Marine Wildlife – Spot dolphins and Andean condors.
Yearning for Frozen Solitude?
→ Venture into the Fjords
7 – Torres del Paine National Park
“No photo prepares you for Torres del Paine’s granite towers, glowing at dawn above turquoise lakes. Whether you trek the W Circuit, stalk pumas with a guide, or unwind at your preferred accommodation.”
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ The W Trek – 5 days of iconic vistas (or try the shorter Base Towers hike).
✔ Wildlife Safaris – Spot guanacos, foxes, and elusive pumas.
✔ Luxury in the Wild – There are several Lodges for you to choose from.
Dreaming of Paine’s Peaks?
→ Unpack Torres del Paine
8 – Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia & Cape Horn
“For an extraordinary ‘Jules Verne’ journey to the uttermost end of the world, Tierra del Fuego rewards imagination with reality. Sail past mythic Cape Horn, trek windswept trails where the Andes plunge into the sea, or explore Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city, where adventure whispers from every cobblestone. Yes, the weather is capricious, but that’s why the bravest explorers are drawn here.”
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Sail to Cape Horn – Follow the path of 19th-century explorers (and spot albatrosses!).
✔ Train to the End of the World – Ride the vintage Tren del Fin del Mundo into Tierra del Fuego’s wild heart.
✔ Ushuaia’s Hidden Gems – Sample king crab empanadas, kayak the Beagle Channel, or toast with calafate sour cocktails.
Ready for Your Antarctic Gateway Adventure?
→ Explore Our Ushuaia & Cape Horn Tours
→ Prefer a tailor-made trip? Contact Us to craft your perfect “end of the world” itinerary.
9 – Argentina’s Patagonian Coast
*”Where the Atlantic meets the wild, Route 3 traces Argentina’s Patagonian coast—a wind-whipped Eden of orcas breaching in Punta Norte, elephant seals clashing on beaches, and sheep ranches fading into the horizon. This is Planet Earth come to life, with a side of mate and lamb asado.”*
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Valdés Peninsula – Witness orcas “strand hunting” (May-Dec) and Magellanic penguins.
✔ Ruta del Fin del Mundo – Drive to Cape Virgenes’ lonely lighthouse and fossil-rich cliffs.
✔ Gaucho Culture – Stay at estancias like La Angelina, where sheepdogs outnumber guests.
Ready for Coastal Wilds?
→ Explore Patagonia’s Atlantic Coast
10 – Wild Welsh Patagonia
*”In 1865, Welsh refugees traded coal mines for Patagonia’s wide-open skies—and forged a frontier where tea houses sit beside estancias, and chapel hymns echo in Cwm Hyfryd (‘Lovely Valley’). Today, you’ll find their legacy in buttery scones, fiery sunsets, and dinosaur fossils underfoot.”*
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Welsh Villages – Sip té galés (Welsh tea) in Gaiman or tour Bethel Chapel’s history.
✔ Paleontological Treasures – Hunt for titanosaur bones near Trelew’s Egidio Feruglio Museum.
✔ Starry Nights – Sleep at estancias like Bryn Crwn, where the Milky Way dazzles unpolluted skies.
Fancy a Cuppa in the Colonies?
→ Unearth Welsh Patagonia’s Secrets
Above all, squeezed between two oceans and split by the Andes, the Southern Cone embraces vast horizons and limitless possibilities. Unvanquished by the conquistadores, Patagonia has developed in isolation unlike the rest of South America. Its backcountry has also lured brave pioneers, hardy Welsh settlers, Wild West outlaws, and even Che Guevara on a pre-revolutionary jaunt. The Lower Southern Cone of Patagonia remains yet one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
So, does this uncharted region appeal to your sense of adventure and desire for endless space and unmetered time? If so, then talk to us. We’d certainly love to listen to how you see yourself here, ice cream cone and all.
