The Andes mountain range shows its beauty in the Patagonian provinces. Millennial and silent forests with native vegetable species extend along the shores of glistening waters. At the summit of the mountains, nature overflows with granite peaks and ice fields spreading their glacier tongues into lakes of unsurpassable beauty. In the south, Tierra del Fuego and the World's southernmost city, Ushuaia, a gateway towards the vast and mysterious Antarctica.

Impressive mammals and sea birds, half way between real life and fantasy, spend certain seasons on the rough coasts of Patagonia where they complete part of their life cycle. Colonies of seals play on the islets and sandbanks. In the Valdés Peninsula the sea elephants have the only continental enclave in the world, a magical place where the southern whales regularly come to the Nuevo and San José gulfs to breed. Patagonian hares, ñandúes (South American ostrich) and guanacos run about the steppes and the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world nest at Punta Tombo. This life cycle repeated since time immemorial unfolds itself in front of the astonished eyes of the visitor.

Its numerous national parks, mountains and forests make it an ideal area for camping, hiking and trekking. The climbs of the Tronador and Lanín mountains and the scaling of the vertical walls of the Torre and Fitz Roy mountains are considered to be classical, and constitute a challenge to expert mountain climbers.

There are numerous winter sport resorts and mountain retreats. Around Bariloche also there are golf courses; windsurfing may be done in Bahía Serena. Adequately dressed, you can trek along the glaciers and mountains.

In Tierra del Fuego, excursions with sledges pulled by Siberian Huskies are organized. Sailing boats and ships navigate through the Beagle Channel and the other straits of Tierra del Fuego to the Island of the Estados, Cape Horn and to the Antarctica. The rapid flowing rivers of Patagonia are ideal for rafting and canoeing.

Aquatic sports : Scuba diving in Puerto Madryn with the chance of participating in "scuba diving baptism" organized by diving centres for beginners. Sailing, water skiing and windsurfing. Sunbathing and swimming off hidden and unspoilt beaches.

Specimens of red deer and European wild boar were brought to these forests for hunting purposes.

Fishing of trout in the lakes, rivers and streams of Patagonia. Specialist companies supply equipment and advice.

There are excellent places on the Patagonian coast for fishing bass, hake and corvina. Sharks weighing 100 Kg. or more can be caught in San Blas bay. There is an unusual characteristic here: the waters are deep at the coast and equipment normally used only on boats can be used here. Other interesting fishing places to the south are, San Antonio Oeste, by the San Matías gulf, the San Jorge gulf and the mouth of the river Gallegos.

The whale spectacle: At the beginning of the austral winter the whales regularly come to the San José gulf and the Nuevo gulf to carry out the ritual which perpetuates their species. The scientists know them individually and know if they return each year. Catapulted by the strength of their massive tails, the whales leap practically clear of the water displacing tons of water and foam as they crash back into the sea. A charming spectacle.

Enjoy unusual fauna: Watch and take pictures of the whales, killer whales, penguins, seals, sea elephants and birds. Walk along the sandbanks at low tide and see the coastal flora and fauna. Look for shells and sea snails.

Some suggestions: take the sulphur waters of the Termas de Copahue, 190 Km from Zapala which have well known therapeutic qualities. Watch the birds in the Laguna Blanca National Park, 42 Km from that city.

Visit the Mapuche Indian groupings, most of which are on the shores of lake Rucachoroi. Sail on the lakes in modern launches and catamarans and try your luck in the casinos of San Martín de los Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche, Esquel and El Calafate.

San Carlos de Bariloche is known for its exquisite gastronomy offering curantos (a mixture of shellfish, meat and vegetables cooked on hot stones), cheese or chocolate fondues, venison and wild boar, trout and fish farm salmon and nothing less than 130 varieties of chocolate.

A pleasure for those with a sweet tooth. Wild and locally cultivated fruit have allowed the development of small artisan industries making cakes and jams. Trevelin still offers traditional Welsh cakes. Asados (roasts) of lamb in Patagonia. Try crab in Ushuaia, a giant crab from the waters of the Beagle Channel.

Asados (roasts) spit roasted lamb and stuffed shoulder of lamb.

Fish and shellfish from the Atlantic coast.

Cheeses from the lower valley of the river Chubut.

Tea, black Welsh cakes (made from raisins, walnuts, orange peel, brown sugar and cinnamon).

Fruit flavoured sweets, jams and home made bread.

Hotels in marvellous locations.Llao Llao, La Cascada, and Tunquelén hotels beside lake Nahuel Huapi. Pampa Linda hosterly beside the Tronador. Mountain Place Lago Espejo hosterly on the Route of the Seven Lakes. Bahía Manzano resort, La Posada and Las Balsas hosterlies in Villa La Angostura.Cuyen Co hosterly by lake Correntoso. The estancias Puerto Lussich on the banks of the Quillén, La Primavera and Arroyo Verde beside lake Traful. The bungalows Paihuén by Lácar lake and Lago Lolog by Lolog lake. Paimún hosterly near the lakes Paimún and Huechulafquen. Villarino hosterly facing the lake bearing the same name. Los Notros hosterly facing the Perito Moreno glacier and estancias near the lakes Argentino, Buenos Aires, Posadas, San Martín and Viedma. Petrel and Kaikén hosterlies beside lakes Escondido and Fagnano in Tierra del Fuego.

Mapuche artisan work.

Silver work, musical instruments and knitted lamb's wool articles in Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut.

Regional food. Chocolates, jams, smoked foods and patés.

Pullovers, candles and ceramic work from San Carlos de Bariloche, and Lenga wood carvings from Ushuaia.

Shells and sea snails.