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Unesco World Heritage in Patagonia

Patagonia is the region of the country that has the largest number of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO. The UNESCO World Heritage List is a legacy of monuments and sites of great natural and cultural wealth that belongs to all of humanity. The Sites inscribed on the World Heritage List fulfill the function of landmarks on the planet, as symbols of the awareness of States and peoples about the meaning of those places and emblems of their attachment to collective property, as well as of the transmission of that heritage to future generations. What are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Patagonia area?

What are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Patagonia area?

We have four amazing places in Patagonia, that were declared Unesco World Heritage. Check one by one, what are the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Patagonia:

Unesco World Heritage Site in Patagonia: Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares National Park is located in the southwest of the province of Santa Cruz, has an area of 726,927 hectares and was created to preserve an extensive area of continental ice and glaciers, the southern Andean-Patagonian forest and samples of the Patagonian steppe. It is the most extensive of the National System of Argentine Protected Areas. The park is divided into North Zone and South Zone, to the north it is accessed from El Chaltén, and to the South Zone from El Calafate. Added to the mountains and glaciers is the attractiveness of the subantarctic forests dominated by lenga, sour cherry and many shrubs such as notro or ciruelillo and calafate, which offer showy and colorful flowers. This park can be visited all year round and offers a large number of activities to do and be amazed by the majestic surroundings. Trekking on the ice, sailing, hiking, climbing, fishing, are some of the options offered by the Park and allow you to know places such as: Perito Moreno, Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. Lake Roca, Cerro Chaltén or Fitz Roy area, Viedma Glacier, Chorrillo del Salto, Patagonian Ice Field, Lago del Desierto, and centennial forests, glaciers and streams. It´s one of the highlights in Patagonia with the Perito Moreno Glacier as a must-see.

Unesco World Heritage Site in Patagonia: the Peninsula Valdes

Another amazing Unesco World Heritage Side in Patagonia is the Peninsula Valdes. Located in the province of Chubut, it enters the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, forming the Golfo Nuevo and the Golfo San José. In its 4,000 km2 inhabits the most varied birdlife of the Patagonian coasts. The undisputed star of this natural sanctuary is the Southern Right Whale (which arrives every year between June and October). But she is not alone. It is accompanied by dolphins, killer whales, sea lions and elephants, Magellanic penguins and a great diversity of birds and terrestrial fauna. Sparsely populated by man, this arid land in which the full blue of the sky merges with the intense blue of the waters, is the territory of guanacos, choiques and numerous species of seabirds. On the rocks along the coast, cormorants spread their wings and sea lions take long naps in the sun. The sea elephants also join in the rest, slowly dragging their enormous bodies. And at the tips of the Peninsula, where the seas are open and disturbing, the magnificent killer whales reign. The extension of Peninsula Valdés requires a full day to visit Puerto Pirámides – the only town in the place – and get to know some of the most important points for observing marine fauna. Strategic points for the observation of birds and marine fauna.

The Island of the Birds. Located about 800 meters from the coast, it is inhabited by a large number of birds – flamingos, white herons, kelp gulls, cormorants and black oystercatchers – that can be seen with high-powered binoculars and the assistance of the local wildlife warden.
Punta Norte. During the southern spring, an important colony of elephant seals arrives at this site. And all summer long, it is safe to meet sea lions here. Between October and April you can also spot, with a little patience and a little luck, the killer whales that come to the shore in search of food. Caleta Valdés. Another ideal site for observing elephant seals.
Punta Cantor. Important rookery for sea elephants and refuge for several species of birds. Thin tip. On this beach, surrounded by deep cliffs, cormorants and other species of native birds are often found, along with elephant seals.
Puerto Pirámides. During winter and spring it becomes an excellent whale viewpoint. In summer and autumn, the landscape is dominated by an important colony of fur sea lions.

Unesco World Heritage Site in Patagonia: The Cave of the Hands (Cueva de las Manos)

This protected area is located in the Cañadón del Río Pinturas – basin of the Deseado River – between the towns of Perito Moreno and Bajo Caracoles, in the Province of Santa Cruz, and is accessed by national route No. 40. It protects a group of elements of archaeological value, where the best known are the paintings with an antiquity of more than 7,500 years. The area is of particular interest since over the years it has kept its physiognomy practically intact, which allows us to measure the life of the Patagonian man in remote times. The greatest attention in the area is focused on the diversity of figures and artistic compositions that arise from the observation of the walls and eaves of the canyon, in which activities associated with guanaco hunting and rituals, among other things, can be inferred. Guided excursions lead to discovering the paintings of 800 hands and hunting scenes, in the midst of the spectacular canyon of the Pinturas River Valley.

Unesco World Heritage Side in Patagonia: Los Alerces National Park

Los Alerces National Park is located in the west of the province of Chubut, close to the city of Esquel. It has an area of 259,570 hectares belonging to the Patagonian Forests ecoregion. The Park is home to a thousand-year-old forest with exceptional universal value, as larch is the second longest living species on the planet, and because of the particular natural beauty of the environment. It is considered vital to protect some of the last continuous patches of practically virgin Patagonian forest that are home to numerous species of flora and fauna, endemic or in danger of extinction. The park’s vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests and, at higher altitudes, mountain pastures located under the rocky peaks of the Andes.

Inside the park there are unmissable places to visit and activities to do such as, the amazing Millennium larch, Rivadavia Lake and Green Lake, Cerro Alto El Petiso, Arrayanes River, Hidden Lagoon, Villa Futalaufquen, Irigoyen waterfall, Tío Mindo waterfall, Cerro Alto El Dedal, Lake Krügger, Lago Verde and more. The park is an amazing place to be visited.

Tours to visit Patagonia

We have many, because Patagonia area is a must-see when you visit Argentina and Chile. One of my favorite tours is the Visiting Patagonia, a great itinerary from Buenos Aires and including Peninsula Valdes, Ushuaia and of course El Calafate and glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park.

Another great tours to visit the glaciers in Patagonia are:

#103 – Enjoying Patagonia Tour – 12 nights

#108 – Buenos Aires & Complete Patagonia – 15 nights

#102 – Patagonia Adventure Tour – 14 nights

Other suggested tours to visit Argentina, including the Unesco World Heritage sites in Patagonia, Argentina

We have round 150 tours to visit Argentina and South America. In just 10 days, or more (or less). Take a look at our complete list by clicking on the image below. It´s our list of Tours to visit Argentina