I really want to go to Patagonia. I’ve done some reading on it that said January is one of the best times to travel there and that you should book your trip a year in advance. It doesn’t look like I’ll be going to Patagonia in January 2013 at this rate, but maybe January 2014? One can hope. I would ideally fit Argentina and Chile into one trip, but I’m not sure if that is realistic. Any tips?
kd likes 
Yes January is really good time to come. Rain less 😉 If you would like to make a trip from Chile Patagonia to Argentina there exist really nice way: Lake Crossing to Bariloche. This map http://www.visitchile.com/en/tours/lake-crossing-to-bariloche-7-days-6-nights-map.htm shows how this looks 🙂 Ofc you can go from Puerto Montt same by bus – its about 7 hours. I was traveling like this and its really amazing!.
Thanks for the advice. Did you travel independently or with a guide?
independently – its becasue I live in Puerto Montt (orginally Poland) 🙂 I saw lots of people traveling alone in this places. All is really good prepared for tourists. But if you want to be more sure better take a guide 🙂
January is really a good time to come here (I live in Neuquen, Argentina)! I suggest you to go to Junín de los Andes (Parque Nacional Lanín is beautifull) and Cholila, in Chubut is a magic place!
Thanks for the advice! Do you think I should learn Spanish for my trip?
It would be useful… but I´m sure you´ll make you to undestand! What places are you planning to visit?
I guess I should figure that out. I haven’t had a chance to really look in detail on it yet, but I aim to gather that information this fall to plan for a trip in January 2014.
You have to visit Villa La Angostura, Villa Traful, Villa Pehuenia, Ushuaia, El Calafate… Try to visit the national parks, Lanin (which is a volcano!), Los alerces, Nahuel Huapi… Patagonia´s a great place to adventure!
Thank you! I will definitely be looking those up.
I traveled from Santiago to Puerto Montt by bus. Do it overnight and pay for the nicer amenities. No problem. I also spent time in Bariloche. It is an amazing town. If you are around, rune the Carrera de Miguel. It is a fun 10K. Here is my race report: http://roryseiter.blogspot.com/2008/03/10000-meters.html
Oh a 10K? good job! I can barely handle a 5k haaha. I have somehow managed to get sick before the past two times I’ve traveled by plane, so I’m not sure if I can handle that. I would imagine a trip to Patagonia would include a lot of hiking, so I would need to ramp up my exercise before the trip.
I want to go as well, but having been all over the world I’ve never been anywhere where I need to book a year in advance. I suppose if you want to have a specific room in a specific popular lodge somewhere, or do something really really popular. Guess what I’m saying is I doubt seriously whether you actually have to book things a year in advance for Patagonia.