Patagonia can be overwhelming. Even the planning stages of a trip can involve weeks of poring over maps and guidebooks to try to single out the best sites in the region. However, seeing Argentinian Patagonia does not have to have to be so time-consuming or expensive if you know where to start.

What you'll need:

• A general idea of what you want to see.

• A good guidebook with clear maps of the region is a must for anyone planning a trip to the area.
• At least two weeks in the area.
• Warm clothes
• A few key Spanish words and phrases.
• A great sense of adventure!

Mountains, sea, or steppe? In Patagonia, it's not really a choice of which to see, but rather when to see it. Heading off from Buenos Aires with a stuffed backpack, an empty camera, and an eager appetite for adventure, I hoped to see all three. The legendary size and remoteness of the region, however, made it impossible to do a thorough exploration of all three in the three weeks that were available to me, so I chose to focus on the mountains, with, unavoidably, a few days of travel through the steppe.

After narrowing the focus of the trip, it becomes much easier to make a list of sites to see. The northern reaches are dominated by ancient Patagonian forests that are very reminiscent of my native Pacific Northwest. It's a green, natural place, famous for whitewater rafting, trout fishing, and hunting.

San Carlos de Bariloche, generally referred to simply as Bariloche, is known for it's artisan chocolate, great skiing in the winter, and world-class trekking opportunities. The geography of the city, moreover, is beautiful enough to merit days of enjoyment on its own. Bariloche's main street is located on the rocky shores of crystalline Lake Nahuel Huapi. To top all this off, Bariloche is home to the most developed tourist infrastructure in Patagonia, home to beautiful hotels, well-equipped hostels, and guided activities to help you take full advantage of your time there. Kayaking, horseback riding, and boat rides are some of the other popular day trips from the city.

To the north and south of Bariloche are many still-small mountain towns for the tourist looking to relax in a more tranquil environment. San Martin de los Andes is the Northern end of the Seven Lakes Route, a gorgeous day-long excursion from Bariloche that goes through Villa La Angostura and along a winding road loaded with views of, as you could probably guess, seven beautiful lakes. To the south is the hippie town of El Bolsón and beyond that is Route 40, one of the most remote highways in the world. Route 40 is often touted as being "legendary," "unforgettable," or "mythical," but don't let that fool you; those words are substituted for other, more fitting words such as "empty," "unforgettably long," or "mythically boring." It winds through an endless steppe, which is geographic jargon for dead grass and sheep in all directions for hundreds of miles.

El Calafate, the home base for glacier viewing, is the next most developed city along the Andean side of Argentine Patagonia. Upon arrival, you'll question this description, as the town hardly matches up to countless tourist traps here in the US, but the city, don't forget, is not what you're there to see. Cascading down from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are a number of the world's most approachable (and dare I say, impressive) glaciers. They can be seen in one or two day trips from the town with only some warm clothes and a camera. Glacier treks are a fun option for people who want to get right out onto the glaciers and see what they are really like. Blue ice caves and glacial streams show the glaciers' active side and some even call this the best part of their trip to Patagonia.

Heading out from El Calafate, the route splits, forcing more decisions, but resulting in some of the most memorable sights of the trip. To the North is the tiny town of El Chaltén that showcases the mountains Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, some of climbing's ultimate challenges. The area around the town can be done in a single day, but due partly to weather, but also in part to the beauty of the area, it can be enjoyed for 4 days or more with a tent and sleeping bag.

To the West, just across the border with Chile, is Torres del Paine National Park, a mountain formation completely separate from the Andes that houses another set of world famous granite climbing walls, Patagonian wildlife, and a more developed trail and refuge system.

To the South lies Ushuaia, the southernmost city on the planet (according to Argentines), a somewhat contested status, due to a more southerly Chilean military base. Regardless, Ushuaia is a full-featured destination city, with skiing in the winter, a train to the tip of the island to see the Faro del Fin del Mundo (Lighthouse at the End of the World), and extensive backpacking trails.

For those readers who decide to make the trip to Patagonia, I wish you luck and good weather! Remember to go prepared for anything, but do not stress out; Patagonia is not quite as wild as it was when the first explorers set foot there. It is common to find hiking and outdoors stores with any equipment that you may need to replace (or buy for the first time), and you will not be likely to find yourself completely alone on the trails for more than a few hours. The geographical remoteness of the region has, ironically, made it more attractive to tourists and reduced its separation from the rest of the world. This may take away from the experience for those looking to leave behind all traces of civilization, but it makes for a much more social environment in bustling hostels and cozy refuges. And it is worthing pointing out that more tourism gives rise to more of the resources and comforts that anyone can appreciate. Buen viaje!