An Amazing Argentinian Adventure!

Cerro Torre, Patagonia, Argentina

When you think of Argentina, what comes to mind?  For many people, the answer might be wine.  It might be the seemingly-European streets of Buenos Aires, or it might even be the country’s financial struggles that seem to arise every decade or so!  One thing it almost certainly isn’t, though, is adventure tourism—but maybe it’s time for that to change.

The region of Patagonia is located at the country’s southernmost reaches, where the continent-long Andes Mountains come to an end amidst deserts and grasslands that seem to spread infinitely, as far as the eye can see.  This is one of the world’s most striking landscapes, and what makes it all the more powerful is the fact that it remains in a relatively natural state.  If you’re dreaming of a wilderness adventure to a destination that is somehow both beautifully familiar and strikingly alien, Argentina’s Patagonia might be your place.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina

 The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of many located in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, and almost certainly the park’s most famous.  Hiking the glacier can be physically taxing, but is an incredible experience.  Trekking across the full glacier can take up to five hours, but it’s the best way to grasp the true immensity of Perito Moreno, one of South America’s last still-growing glaciers.

Los Cuernos, Patagonia, Chile

For those who want to take their adventure to the next level, hiking the W Circuit might be the way to go.  This trip, which generally lasts between four and five full days, will bring you across glaciers, around lakes, and through forests.  This hike will take you past Los Cuernos (“The Horns”), granite mountain peaks whose appearance is true to their name, as well as Nordenskjöld Lake, a picturesque water body of nearly iridescent blue-green that is sure to take your breath away.

Perhaps the most magical part of any Patagonian adventure is not the scenery itself, but rather the fact that the only people you’ll meet here are looking for the same thing you are.  Patagonia attracts true adventurers from all over the world, and here a kindred spirit you are sure to find.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Argentina map. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.











The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our Argentina GPS Map.

Screen Capture from our Argentina GPS Map.

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Hiking Peru's Inca Trail

The 4-day Trek is the Experience of a Lifetime

We've been hitting the Caribbean pretty hard this week on our blog, so we thought we'd take a break and head inland to Peru.

Picture of Machu Picchu, by GPSTravelMaps

At 39 kilometers (~24 miles), the Inca Trail may not seem like much of a four day hike, but considering that it winds it's way through the Andes and up and over three passes of nearly 4,200 meters, it more than earns it's nickname, "The Inca Trial." It's not all grueling climbs though. Hikers cross and follow beautiful rivers, look down on cloud forests, and view amazing vistas. Oh, and don't forget visiting the several amazing ruins you'll see along the way, culminating with Machu Picchu.

The Incas were one of the most amazing pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas. Machu Picchu is a testament to their power, ingenuity, and technology. The city is believed to have been built around 1450 AD and abandoned in 1572 AD. The Spanish conquistadors never found this site, and consequently it is considered to be one of the most intact Incan cultural sites. Yale professor Hiram Bingham was led to Machu Picchu by an 11 year old Quechua boy and Bingham spent several years excavating the site. He unfortunately also removed thousands of artifacts. But the beauty and majesty of Machu Picchu is still available for all to see.

Before You Go...

Pick up our Peru map. To our knowledge, this is the only map of the entire country of Peru with topographic detail of the Sacred Valley available for your GPS. The contours are spaced 100 meters apart for the region of Machu Picchu and Cusco, allowing you to view the terrain while exploring Cusco and Machu Picchu or while hiking the Inca Trail if it is on your itinerary.

In addition to the contours of this region, other geographic features are included in the map: park boundaries for the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, as well as the Sacsayhuaman ruins outside of Cusco; the Inca Trail is displayed within the map so you can chart your progress while hiking; national and local roads with road names and labels; rivers and streams; lakes; airports; campsites; and many more!

A screen capture from our Peru GPS Map.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.