December 15, 2023
5 minute read
Among the many highlights of our small-group Explorations Patagonia: Edge of the World tour are visits to the region’s UNESCO sites: Torres del Paine National Park and Perito Moreno Glacier. These are just two of the places of unparalleled beauty that you'll experience in Patagonia… and here are some fun facts to pique your interest even more!
One of South America’s most spectacular national parks and wildly popular with hikers, Torres del Paine National Park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978.
It holds over 700 square miles (1813km2) of pure amazement, with mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers, cliffs, waterfalls, fjords, forests, and grasslands all within its boundaries. It’s got loads of wildlife, including guanacos (related to llamas), pumas, foxes, huemul (South Andean deer), wild horses, condors, eagles, hawks, rheas, and owls. So many photo ops!
Glaciers, as we know, are huge masses of thick, dense ice that develop over thousands of years. They form on land and are in constant – if very slow – motion. Patagonia is home to hundreds of glaciers, the most famous one being the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is an astonishing 19 miles (30.5km) long and, on average, 240 feet (73m) tall.
Covering nearly 100 square miles (259km2), this enormous blue-and-white mass sits in the turquoise waters of Argentino Lake, flanked by soaring mountains. It’s a very active glacier, moving up to six feet (1.8m) a day, with huge pieces of ice calving (breaking away) frequently. So, far from being silent, the glacier actually makes quite a bit of noise, with all the creaking, cracking sounds of shifting and breaking ice.
These UNESCO sites are just two of the incredible experiences awaiting you in Patagonia. If you’re an adventurer at heart, our small-group Patagonia: Edge of the World tour is the perfect journey. Read about tour highlights or listen to tales from the tour’s designer, Samantha Kern, about her experience on our Travel Unpacked podcast!
UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It’s a special agency of the U.N. dedicated to promoting peace through international cooperation in the arts and sciences, education, and culture.
These are sites marked as protective zones, meant to be preserved for posterity because of their cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Countries nominate their sites for designation, and an international committee evaluates their global significance. Currently, there are 1,199 World Heritage Sites, spanning 168 countries.