Family Travel in Patagonia and Beyond

Travelling with children in Chile and Argentina

We are Patagonian specialists and we have spent many years exploring the wilds of southern Patagonia with our own families, including very young children. We know what works when travelling with children and multi-generational families in remote areas and, along with our team of locally based experts, you are supported every step of the way from the planning stage to the trip itself. Whether you are looking for wild camping frontier-style or you dream of seeing whales and penguins in their natural habitat we can plan and arrange your perfect itinerary. Hiking, kayaking, riding, biking and learning experiences such as cooking are among the endless possibilities.

Custom travel for families

We have been welcoming families with children of all ages to Patagonia for over 25 years.

As parents ourselves we take great care in the planning of these trips recognising the important family memories that they create. Each family itinerary is as unique and special as the families who join us. We promise age-appropriate suggestions taking the needs of children into account while ensuring the itineraries stay interesting and engaging for all members of the group.

Our custom itineraries for families incorporate not only Patagonia, but other areas throughout Chile and Argentina. These trips can incorporate as much (or as little) adventure as you are comfortable with, your preferred accommodation style and the areas you want to explore. In short a tailor made trip to suit all your needs. We pride ourselves on our ability to analyse the specific needs of our clients and come up with an attractive, realistic and practical itinerary.

Local knowledge

Travel in Patagonia can be hard to organize without local knowledge. For many of the families who visit us, knowing we are local and on hand to deal with any hiccups gives them the confidence to consider an area they might otherwise have missed.

We realise travel with children has its own challenges and we endeavour to take the stress out of the experience both in the planning stages and during the trip itself.

When designing family itineraries we consider the suitability and practicality of accommodations, activities and transfer times and this can only be achieved with extensive personal knowledge and experience. We only recommend the areas we know and have visited personally with our own children, these first hand reviews have shaped our itineraries.

Patagonia is child-friendly

We may be biased but we feel there is no better place for children to experience nature at its most raw and awe inspiring. With a well-planned and sensible itinerary and armed with a good pair of binoculars, children will love the freedom and excitement that comes from travelling in this superb natural playground.

Patagonia and beyond

We specialise in family travel to Patagonia but we can also incorporate other parts of Chile and Argentina such as the inimitable Iguazu Falls and Argentina’s north west, the Atacama Desert, the Lake District, Tierra del Fuego and more. We can also recommend suitable Antarctic voyages for families. We spend time working with you to design a uniquely personal experience for your family based on the ages of your children and your travel style and budget.

Hiking with children

During our Patagonia trips we have encountered a wealth of different fitness levels and abilities. Our aim is to build an inclusive experience that will satisfy all family members, from the very young to those who are older. We discuss your requirements at length and make practical suggestions on which hikes would work best for you. There are many options from gentle wildlife-laden walks through grassy valleys to some of the Park’s more remote hikes in the high mountain areas such as the W trek (although we would likely recommend a few tweaks to this particular itinerary depending on the ages of your children). Safety is always our priority and we build alternative plans into every itinerary to ensure options are available in case of bad weather. Again, this is hard to do when travelling independently as it could entail changing transfers and other services. Our locally based logistics team will be on hand throughout your trip to ensure you and our team of expert guides are fully supported. Our family itineraries generally include daily vehicle support with a dedicated driver to ensure full flexibility and spontaneity can be maintained during your time in Patagonia leaving you free to relax and enjoy the adventure.

Camping

Camping is possible and highly recommended for families. Whether you want to experience wild camping, frontier-style with pack horses and all the gear provided or whether you prefer to camp close to showers and decent bathrooms, we can arrange it. To keep things simple we include all the equipment and provide a cook to prepare the meals.

Estancia stays

Estancia stays are rewarding for families. They offer a unique insight into Patagonian culture and depending on the time of year children can witness local customs such as shearing or moving of sheep. The estancias we use offer a genuine warm welcome and plenty of space for the kids to wander making the experience a very special one.

Family unplugged

The tip of South America is an excellent destination for children to encourage them off their mobiles and tablets and into nature. Chile and Argentina are among the continent’s safest countries and there are a wealth of diverse landscapes and activities to suit all ages.

Example family adventures

To give you an idea of what is possible, we have outlined some of our favourite family options below. These include a few exciting multi-sport trips in and around Torres del Paine and elsewhere in Patagonia and some options further north such as the Atacama Desert and the north west of Argentina. These areas are excellent options for trips between June and August when schools in the northern hemisphere are on their breaks.