Editor Notes: Patagonia

View from The Singular Hotel in Patagonia, one of South America's most unique stays.

First Impressions: Meeting Patagonia for the First Time

I’ve traveled to 28 countries, and Patagonia has been one of the first places that didn’t just show me beauty-it confronted me with it. Literally, the force of the wind hit me the second I stepped off the plane in El Calafate -- not a breeze, not a gust, but a full-body slam that made me grab my husband's arm and laugh.

Patagonia is untouched and wild, but also welcoming and serene. It’s a destination with many dualities like that--where luxury travel meets wild adventure, and where you can explore glaciers, jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and vast steppes without sacrificing comfort.

On my most recent trip, we were able to explore this region thanks to it being offered as a post-cruise excursion with Viking Cruises. The most memorable experience with a stay down here was at The Singular Patagonia, a heritage-meets-modern luxury hotel in Puerto Natales, Chile, and where we explored most of the region’s most spectacular highlights in style.

My Antarctica Connection: Viking Octantis Expedition

Before arriving in Patagonia, my journey began aboard Viking Octantis for an Antarctic Expedition (full story in a separate article).

This voyage typically starts from US $14,995 per person for 12-13 days, with premium suites reaching US $25,000+ per person. It’s a deeply immersive polar experience-days of ice, wildlife, and endless horizons. This doesn’t include the post-cruise excursion tour of Patagonia. It is not cheap, but it is most definitely worth it!

Viking Octantis “Gateway to Patagonia” Post-Cruise Extension

After Antarctica, the husband and I joined Viking’s 5-night fully guided Patagonia extension, which currently starts from US $4,999 per person.

What’s included

• Guided touring in El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Torres del Paine National Park.

  
  

• Hotels, internal flights, overland transfers, and border crossings handled by Viking.

  
  

• Select meals and all scheduled excursions.

  
  

• Ushuaia ➜ El Calafate flight, scenic overland journey to Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas ➜ Santiago flight before departure.

Why it’s worth it: Everything was taken care of. There was no stressful planning, no border logistics to consider, just pure immersion in Patagonia’s highlights.

Exploring Patagonia Without an Antarctica Cruise

Money aside, I also realize my extended travel comes with the flexibility of digital marketing, and I know that’s not realistic for everyone. So, I’ve uncovered other ways to make meaningful travel experiences more attainable-so no matter your profession and no matter what season of life you are in, you can weave adventure and discovery into it if you want.

Here are multiple five-star options I found:

Luxury All-Inclusive Lodges

• *The Singular Patagonia (Puerto Natales) – Industrial heritage meets modern comfort, fjord views, gourmet dining, in-house guides.

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• Tierra Patagonia – Award-winning eco-architecture, lake-and-mountain views, guided excursions, and spa. High season: US $2,250–3,000/night.

  
  

• Explora Torres del Paine – Remote-luxury pioneer with 40+ guided activities. High season: US $1,800–2,500/night.

  
  

• Awasi Patagonia – Private villas with dedicated guide and 4x4 vehicle. High season: US $2,500–3,500+/night.

Luxury Overland Tours

• Quasar Expeditions Patagonia Overland Safaris – Private 4x4 journeys with upscale lodge stays, crossing Chile–Argentina borders in style.

  
  

• Butterfield & Robinson – Active luxury trips combining trekking, cycling, and culture with five-star stays.

Private Yacht & Expedition Cruises

• Australis Cruises – Four-night sailings between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia with glacier landings and wildlife viewing.

  
  

• Custom-chartered yachts for Patagonian fjord exploration.

  
  

Luxury vs. Cost-Conscious Travel in Patagonia

Luxury Moves

• Private drivers or charters between El Calafate --> Puerto Natales for comfort and scenic stops.

  
  

• Seasonal regional flights Punta Arenas --> Puerto Natales to cut road time.

  
  

• Private guides for all-day custom excursions.

Cost-Savvy Choices

• Boutique hotels like Weskar Patagonian Lodge or Hotel Lago Grey.

  
  

• Premium intercity buses (Bus-Sur, Marga Taqsa) for US $30–45 each way.

  
  

• Mix a few splurge nights with mid-range stays and targeted paid excursions.

Best Time to Visit Patagonia

• November-March (spring/summer) more daylight hours, mild temps (50–70°F / 10–21°C), and prime trekking conditions.

  
  

• November or March bring fewer crowds but still great weather.

  
  

What to Pack for Luxury Patagonia

Patagonia is famous for having four seasons in a day—and boy did we experience them all! AND. THE. WIND! It can be exceptionally strong, especially near open plains and lakefronts, that it can knock you off of your feet. Trust me, I unfortunately speak from experience.

Even in high-end lodges like The Singular Patagonia, the outdoor conditions require preparation because, quite frankly, as mentioned before the weather is schizophrenic. That being said, my main suggested items would be:

• Layering pieces: merino base layers, fleece mid-layer, waterproof shell

  
  

• Waterproof hiking boots

  
  

• Upscale casual wear for lodge dinners

  
  

• Polarized sunglasses, gloves, and a warm hat

  
  

• Camera gear for landscapes and wildlife.

Top Highlights in Patagonia

1. Torres del Paine National Park – Granite spires, turquoise lakes.

   
   

2. Perito Moreno Glacier – Witness ice calving in real-time.

   
   

3. Mount Fitz Roy – Iconic silhouette near El Chaltén.

   
   

4. Grey Glacier Cruise – Navigate among icebergs.

   
   

5. Estancia (ranch) Visits – Patagonian lamb asado and gaucho culture (cowboys!).

   
   

6. Wildlife Encounters – Guanacos, foxes, rheas, and pumas.

Final Thoughts

Patagonia is a land of paradox - wild yet welcoming, vast yet intimate in its details. Whether you arrive after an Antarctic voyage on Viking Octantis or fly directly into Punta Arenas or El Calafate, you can shape the experience to match your travel style.

Why you actually go. Not for the photos, though you'll take a thousand. Not for the bragging rights, even though your friends will be impressed. You go because standing in front of those towering peaks or a glacier that is actually growing or those endless steppes makes you feel exactly the right size—small enough to be humble, big enough to be there.

You go because luxury doesn't always mean easy. Sometimes it means having everything you need to be comfortable while the world shows you what it looks like when it's not trying to be comfortable at all. Patagonia offers a rare combination of untamed wilderness and refined hospitality.

For the luxury adventurer, like myself, Patagonia is more than a bucket-list destination. For me, combining Antarctica and Patagonia was the ultimate adventure—a study in contrasts between two of Earth’s last frontiers. But Patagonia alone? It’s still enough to shift your perspective forever.