Solo Female Travel in Patagonia – Why are women choosing Patagonia to travel solo?

Patagonia has a way of calling out to the explorer in all of us. But if you’re a woman traveling solo, that call might feel both thrilling and a little daunting. And hey, that’s totally natural. Because this isn’t your average getaway—this is Patagonia. The land of glaciers, granite peaks, howling winds, and quiet moments that stay with you forever.

So here’s the good news: you can absolutely do this. And we’re here to help.

Patagonia is a dream destination for solo female travelers because:

• It is challenging enough to awaken abilities you didn’t know you had.
• It is an international destination with travelers from almost all over the world.
• You can travel any time of the year and find solitude (even during summer, the high season).
• People are friendly, and women in Argentina are used to traveling alone.
• You can also join a group of solo women and travel together. We organize solo female group trips, and they are very popular. We call it “Women’s Patagonia Retreat: Explore, Hike and Connect”. It starts in Buenos Aires and from there, you visit El Calafate and El Chaltén in Patagonia, Argentina.

Reports of reputed publications in the world like Forbes, New York Times and Skift are sayíng about solo female travel:

• Most solo travelers in recent years have been women.
• Solo travelers are moved by adventure and the quest for freedom and self-discovery experiences.
  There is a new travel trend called “female adventurer” according to Forbes and Skiift.
• In 2025, Buenos Aires was chosen by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the 9 top solo travel destinations for women.

Women are choosing Patagonia to travel solo because the destination combines adventure activities with self-discovery and the possibility of experiencing the freedom of nature exploration.

Micaela is our Marketing Manager at Say Hueque. She was experiencing a lot of changes in her life (she separated and moved to Chilean Patagonia, back to Buenos Aires) and felt she needed time to recharge in a place connected to nature. She decided to make a solo 10-day trip to Patagonia in March 2023.

This is her story in 5 questions:

“At that moment, I was going through a lot of changes in my life: I had moved to a new place, started a new job, and was building a new routine. I felt I needed a space to reconnect with myself, and El Chaltén was the perfect place to do just that. I didn’t plan it far in advance; I just knew I needed to be somewhere surrounded by nature, hiking, breathing fresh air, and taking time for myself, and I went”.

Not at all! I had already traveled solo around Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. My very first solo trip was to Chile, and since then, I got hooked and never stopped. I love traveling with friends and family, but there’s something magical about traveling alone. It opens your mind and puts you in this learner’s mode, where every place, every person, and every trail becomes a chance to learn, grow, and connect deeply with yourself and the world.

It’s so hard to pick just one moment! But more than a single instant, I’d say the best part was meeting other solo travelers. On the first day, we were all strangers, and by the last day, it felt like we had known each other forever. We even still keep in touch and have visited each other since.

The worst part? I caught a cold on the last day and felt a bit off, but honestly, even then, I didn’t feel alone. The friends I made during the trip were there for me, and that’s also a beautiful part of traveling solo; you end up building your support network along the way.

ALL THE TIME! You’re never truly alone. On the trails, there’s this hiking community vibe where people look out for each other. I chose to do several hikes on my own, trusting that if anything ever happened, someone would be there to help—and that I would also be there to help others if needed. It’s like an unspoken code among hikers.

And in general, Patagonia is an incredibly safe place. It’s rare to hear about crime there, which allowed me to walk around and explore with complete peace of mind.

What I remember the most about traveling alone in El Chaltén is how every day felt like a small adventure waiting to unfold. I loved sharing mate (our special national tea) and stories with other travelers after long hikes, swapping trail tips and laughing about the day’s adventures. I became close friends with a girl from Germany, and our deep conversations and cultural exchange made the trip even more special. Walking surrounded by stunning mountains gave me a unique sense of freedom that I will never forget. And every evening, I would return to the hotel with that tired but happy smile you only get after a day well lived.

Go for it! You won’t regret it. Traveling solo is a transformative experience that fills your soul. Patagonia is a safe and breathtaking destination where you can truly learn, grow, and enjoy at your own pace. It will open your mind, boost your confidence, and you’ll meet amazing people along the way. It’s the kind of trip that stays with you forever 🙂

Cynthia’s solo trip started with an early flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate.

“My flight reached El Calafate at 9 am. I had booked a direct transfer to El Chaltén, but I had to wait until 1 pm. In the meantime, I bumped into a couple from Rafaela in Santa Fe province (like in the middle of the country), a boy traveling from Buenos Aires alone, and a girl from Rosario, another city in Santa Fe”.

She met a girl in the transportation to El Chaltén:

“While traveling in Las Lengas minivan, I met another girl traveling alone for the first time, so we started to chat and I asked her to come with me to the Chorrillo del Salto Waterfall, a 1-hour hike that can be easily done from any hotel. We got along well, and it was a relief not to have to stay at the hotel because I didn’t want to go on solo hiking”.

She discovered the girl who was also traveling alone had the same fears as her:

“This is the thing when you travel alone, especially as a woman: If there is another woman in your situation, there is are great chance she is having the same fears as you.

The important thing when you travel alone is not the fear, of course, but the open state of mind that going on solo travel puts you in. This is great because fear decreases and you allow yourself to improvise, deal with the unexpected, and make interesting new friends!”

Read the complete story of Cynthia’s trip, her favorite hikes and travel tips.

Plan your trip between October and April to catch the sweet spot—longer days, milder weather, and most trails open. Spring brings wildflowers, summer means clear skies, and autumn? A riot of golden colors and fewer crowds.

Layers, layers, and more layers. Patagonia can hit you with all four seasons in a single afternoon. You’ll want:

• A windproof & waterproof jacket

• Thermal base layers

• Solid hiking boots

• Sunscreen & lip balm (yes, even with the chill)

• A good backpack + reusable water bottle

• A sense of humor when the wind hits you sideways

Always carry some cash (especially in remote areas), and have backups of your passport and travel insurance saved both digitally and physically. A local SIM card or roaming plan will keep you connected, but remember: there’s beauty in going offline, too.

Distances here are epic. Literally. So travel smart:

🚌 Buses: Affordable, comfy, and scenic. Great for getting from town to town.

🚗 Car rentals: Give you the freedom to roam. Perfect for detours and photo stops.

✈️ Flights: Ideal when time is tight. Jump between major hubs like Bariloche, El Calafate, and Ushuaia.

• Hostels & Guesthouses: Budget-friendly and great for meeting fellow wanderers. Look for female-only dorms for added comfort.

• Boutique Lodges: For when you want a cozy fireplace, a glass of Malbec, and views for days.

• Eco-lodges & Campsites: Perfect for travelers who want to sleep with nature, not just near it.

A must. Trek the iconic W or O circuits, spot guanacos and pumas, and catch sunrises that’ll make you tear up (in the best way). Trails are well-marked, and you’ll meet others on the same journey.

One of the few advancing glaciers in the world. Walk its icy surface or watch chunks of blue ice crash into the water. Join a group tour if you want to connect with others, or go solo and just listen.

Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, Pucón… these towns mix charming culture with epic hikes, kayaking, chocolate shops, and thermal springs. Yes, please.

We get it—safety is key when you’re on your own. Here are some basics to keep you empowered and protected:

• Share your itinerary with someone back home

• Trust your instincts—always

• Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas

• Use female-only dorms when possible

• Keep a list of emergency contacts handy

• Be assertive with boundaries, and don’t be afraid to say no

Also, don’t be shy about asking locals or hotel staff for advice. Patagonians are proud of their land and happy to help

Women’s solo travel is already a trend in the travel industry. Local operators and travel experts are trying to offer new experiences, focusing on what they have learnt from former female travelers.

Here is what Juliana Mayer, our Destination Management Sales at Say Hueque, has to say about women traveling in groups to Patagonia.

It’s a growing niche, and it seemed appropriate to reflect it on a Say trip as well. We’ve already done women-only trips for several agencies, and we understand the needs and know how to do them.

We’re also part of WTL (Women Travel Leaders), and that provides even more inspiration and new ideas.

Let them discover incredible places and people. Achieve that bond and community with the group of women traveling. Let it help them get to know each other better, connect with themselves, and make it a transformational trip.

At the same time, let them learn about the realities of women in Patagonia and feel empowered.

Yes, twice. The first time was to Europe when I was about 23/24. It was one of the best trips of my life. I loved being able to feel the freedom that comes with traveling alone and enjoying it.

My advice would be to be in a “good place of mind”—that’s 100% necessary—and enjoy it. Always research where you’re going, let someone else know where you are, and stay in touch. Always be alert (not afraid, but cautious and attentive).

Read more about the Women’s Patagonia Retreat Trip.

🌟 Embrace flexibility. The weather might change your plans. That’s part of the fun.
📸 Document your journey. Journaling, photography, a personal blog—it’s your story, your way.
🌎 Be kind to the planet. Patagonia’s fragile. Pack out what you pack in, and choose eco-conscious tours and stays.
👋 Make new friends. You’ll find fellow travelers on buses, in hostels, on trails. Some might become lifelong pals.

If you’re dreaming of Patagonia but feeling unsure, leap. You’ve got this.

At Say Hueque, we’ve been helping solo travelers like you explore our backyard for over 20 years. We know the trails, the tricks, the cozy corners, and the spots that’ll make your heart skip. We’ll help you build a trip that’s authentic, inspiring, and 100% you.

So pack your boots. Your curiosity. Your playlist. Patagonia is waiting.

And we’ll be here when you’re ready. 🧡