Patagonia Santa Monica. However, in August 2015 PETA released new video footage showing how sheep were treated cruelly in Ovis 21 farms. Horse riding is available all over Patagonia, but for those seeking an adventure, the Puelo valley between Cochamó in Chile and Lago Puelo in Argentina has become something of a classic; specialists Ride World Wide and In the Saddle offer a variety of itineraries along the valley.

This dramatic cape looks out over the Atlantic and the Strait of Magellan – the Estancia Monte Dinero is open to visitors and runs the cosy Al Fin y Al Cabo cafe-bar at the foot of the lighthouse, with sweeping views over the ocean.

more. Patagonia has since moved its sourcing of wool from Australia to South America and the cooperative Ovis 21. Let’s get into more details and simplify this for you. [34], In June 2016, Patagonia released a set of new wool principles that guide the treatment of animals as well as land-use practices, and sustainability.

South of Bariloche are a string of pleasant towns, including El Bolsón – a former hippy hangout, and still popular with Argentinian campers – and Cholila, where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid bought a ranch (you can visit Cassidy’s log cabin there). This question makes the original question of ‘Where is Patagonia’ much more difficult to answer. Patagonia covers some 400,000 square miles – roughly one and a half times the size of the UK – and visitors need to plan ahead. Patagonia covers some 400,000 square miles – roughly one and a half times the size of the UK – and visitors need to plan ahead. Argentinian Patagonia is generally defined as the land south of the Rio Negro, which meets the sea near the town of Viedma. Patagonia offers some of the world's best whale-watching and Puerto Madryn is the place to glimpse them. For the newly arrived, such emptiness can be as impressive as the sight of Patagonia’s jagged peaks, pristine rivers and dusty backwater oases.

That is a good start. Further south, at Puerto Deseado, you can see rockhopper penguins, five species of cormorant and Commerson’s dolphins in the estuary, and a huge seal colony at Cabo Blanco. From Bariloche to Cabo Virgenes it’s 2,300km; Audley Travel can arrange a 14-day car and accommodation package for £4,295 per person, including all flights and a 4WD vehicle. Reforestemos Patagonia is attempting a reforestation campaign, the largest such initiative in Chilean history. With an area of about 260,000 square miles (673,000 square kilometres), it constitutes a vast area of steppe and desert that extends south from latitude 37° to 51° S.

Coated in mountains, forests, lakes, glaciers and more, the rugged region has been attracting keen hikers for decades.

Dubbed as the Serengeti of the Southern Cone, the 690-sq-km Parque Nacional Patagonia features Patagonian steppe, forests, mountains, lakes and lagoons. From Esquel, the steam-powered La Trochita train – aka the Old Patagonian Express – still has weekly departures, but most only go 20km, to Nahuel Pan. There’s another huge Magellanic penguin colony nearby.

It's About Money", "Patagonia CEO: This Is Why We're Suing President Trump", "Patagonia Will Donate the $10 Million It Saved From Tax Cuts to Environmental Groups", "Patagonia gave $10m from 'irresponsible tax cut' to eco causes", "Patagonia joins The North Face in Facebook ad boycott", "Outdoor Company Patagonia: Down from brutal force-feeding", "Patagonia's 'Sustainable Wool' Supplier EXPOSED: Lambs Skinned Alive, Throats Slit, Tails Cut Off", "The Cleanest Line: Patagonia to Cease Purchasing Wool from Ovis 21", "Want Ethically Sourced Wool? The park is an extremely popular hiking destination with many marked paths and refugios that provide basic services and shelter. America del Sur hostel, El CalafateSimple, clean rooms in a wooden villa, five minutes’ walk from the town centre.• From £20 for a bed in a four-berth dorm, +54 29 0249 3525, americahostel.com.ar, Hostería Canela, EsquelThis homely B&B is a tranquil bolthole just outside the town.• from £105 per double, +54 29 45 453 890, canelaesquel.com, Estancia Don José, Rio MayoOn a working guanaco farm, this country house has comfortable rooms and there’s a quaint cottage set apart from the main house.• £168 per double B&B,+54 29 71 5624 9155, turismoguenguel.com.