Attractions of Argentina

Mendoza is one of Argentina's most popular cities for travellers, who are attracted to its laid back atmosphere, wide leafy avenues and lively cafe and bar-laden plazas. The Mendoza region produces 70% of the wine made in Argentina and it's a great place to tour some of the major wineries and do wine tasting, particularly of the Malbec grape unique to Argentina. The spectacular mountainous landscapes around Mendoza are also ideal for trekking and horse riding.

Aconcagua at 6962 metres is the highest mountain outside the Himalayas and summiting the peak is one of the great trekking challenges in the world. Whilst not a technically demanding climb, the combination of high altitude, extreme temperatures and weather conditions and a long 12 hour climb to the summit make it a difficult experience that requires a high level of fitness and stamina. The whole trek will take the better part of 3 weeks to complete, which will include several days for acclimatisation, training excursions and equipment carrying. From the trailhead, there is a trek to the base camp at Plaza de Mulas (4350m). After resting here, there are staggered moves up to Plaza Canada (4950m), Nido de Condores (5500m) and White Rocks (5980m), with load carrying ascents preceding the final move between camps. The 12 hour summit is attempted from White Rocks at first light and rewarded with stunning views down the South Face and as far away as the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.

Bariloche

Bariloche is located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by the mountains, lakes and national parks of the Lake District. The landscape attracted many Swiss and German settlers, whose legacy is most notable in the huge number of chocolate factories and shops in the town. There are numerous hills near the town, which can be climbed on foot or chairlift, which offer spectacular views of the mountains and lakes of the area, in particular Cerro Campanario, 17km out of town. The national parks offer a range of outdoor activities, ranging from skiing (in season) to trekking, biking and kayaking while the town itself is a wonderful and picturesque spot to relax for a few days, with some great bars and restaurants.

El Chalten / Fitzroy Mountains

The Fitzroy Mountains are dramatic peaks located at the northern end of Los Glaciares National Park. From a base in the frontier town of El Chalten, there are excellent trekking trails around the mountains, in particular to the base camps of Cerro Fitz Roy (3441m) and Cerro Torre (3102m). From the base camps, the views of these peaks, which attract international climbers, are spectacular and often shrouded in cloud. Laguna de los Tres is also an excellent destination, where the three main peaks of the range are reflected in the waters of the glacial lake. El Chalten is also a good base to explore the nearby glaciers, in particular the Viedma Glacier reached by a boat trip across Lake Viedma. Here you can don crampons for a trek across the surreal ice-scapes of the glacier and for the adventurous, grab a couple of ice-picks and attempt to climb a sheer wall of ice on the glacier.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Los Glaciares

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park was set up in 1960 and covers 63,000 km² of the island known as the 'Land of Fire'. The park consists of lakes, forest and tundra, set against a backdrop of ragged mountain peaks. The are open to the public includes several relatively easy hiking trails which provide a gentle introduction to the more challenging trekking in Patagonia. The coastal trail to and from Ensenada Bay is perhaps the most beautiful in the park. There is much wildlife in the park to watch out for, including Patagonian grey foxes, guanacos, sea otters, condors and other birds. The park is also the site where the great Pan-American Road ends, having begun far north in Alaska. An old steam train known as 'Tren del Fin del Mundo', which was used to transport prisoners to the penal colony in Ushuaia, can also be found in the park.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is located on the island of Tierra del Fuego, across the Straits of Magellan from the South American continent, and claims to be the world's southernmost city. Formed as a penal colony in the early 20th century, Ushuaia today is a start or finishing point for tours of Patagonia and Antarctica. The city is located on the Beagle Channel, to the south, and surrounded by the peaks of the Fuegian Alps on all other sides, which are snow-covered all year round. The old prison houses a museum on life in the penal colony and a maritime museum exploring voyages to the Antarctic. Down at the harbour, a boat ride on the Beagle Channel gives the chance to see sea-lions and numerous bird species such as albatross and cormorant as well as Les Eclereurs Lighthouse Islands. In the hills behind Ushuaia, you can trek and chairlift to the Martial Glacier for superb views of the town and the Beagle Channel.