Ep 155 w/ Shafik Meghji - A Deep Dive Into Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia in South America

Ep 155 w/ Shafik Meghji - A Deep Dive Into Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia in South America

Author: Voyascape Media September 9, 2024 Duration: 1:02:19

Welcome to episode 155! This week, Shafik Meghji rejoins me for a second time to discuss travelling in Patagonia. In this episode, we will touch on Cordoba, Argentina's second city, and why it isn't on the traveller's radar for travel in Argentina.


We discuss the best times to travel to Patagonia, the issue of over-tourism, and the different entry points into the region. We explore the landscapes and attractions of Patagonia's Argentine and Chilean sides, including the Peninsula Valdes, Welsh Patagonia, Los Glaciares National Park, and the Lake District. Patagonia can be expensive, but we mention the affordability of travelling by bus in the region and highlight the Tren del Fin del Mundo, the southernmost railway on earth, and travelling by boat in Chile to reach Patagonia.


Shafik talked us through his previous travels to the region when he visited Ushuaia, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica. Shafik has travelled in the region for the last two decades and was based in Buenas Aires for a year in his younger days. He is an expert in the region, and I am so glad to get his thoughts on Patagonia. Thanks, Shafik, for coming to the show; we will get that hat trick in!


Takeaways

  • Patagonia is a vast region spanning the southern halves of Argentina and Chile, known for its dramatic landscapes and wilderness.

  • The best times to visit Patagonia are spring + autumn to avoid the peak summer crowds.

  • Overtourism is a concern in popular spots like Torres del Paine.

  • Comfortable buses offer amenities like meals + entertainment.

  • The End of the World Train in Ushuaia, Argentina, was built by convict labour + is now a tourist attraction.

  • Ushuaia is the main port for ships to Antarctica, and visiting Antarctica is a popular tourist activity.

  • Cordoba, Argentina's second city, is known for its beautiful architecture, universities, and surrounding natural attractions.

  • Travelling independently in Patagonia is possible with some planning, and the public transport network is reliable.

  • Train travel in Europe is a great way to explore the continent.



Shafik Meghji

Website

Instagram


Winging It Travel Podcast
Website

Credits
Host/Producer/Creator/Writer/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Podcast Art Design - Swamp Soup Company - Harry Utton

Support Winging It
Buy Me A Coffee - Here

Merch Store - Here

Buy My Digital Travel Planner - Here

Affiliate Links

If you book anything using my resources link below, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.

https://www.wingingittravelpodcast.com/resources

Thanks!


Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network


Every Monday, James Hammond sets off with a microphone, and the resulting audio feels less like a planned production and more like you’ve been handed a pair of headphones in the middle of an adventure. Winging It Travel Podcast, from Voyascape Media, is built on the idea that the most compelling stories aren't found in guidebooks but in the unplanned moments and raw reactions that happen along the way. You’ll hear the crunch of gravel underfoot on a remote trail, the bustling chaos of a foreign market, and the genuine conversations that unfold when plans fall apart. This approach transforms each episode into a deeply personal journal entry, documenting not just places, but the cultural and human textures that define them. It’s a documentary of feeling as much as fact. While the soundscapes are cinematic, the heart of the podcast lies in its authenticity-the slight breathlessness from hiking up a volcano, the surprise at a strange local delicacy, the quiet reflection after a long day navigating unfamiliar streets. The journey covers the societal layers and personal transformations that travel sparks, making it about more than destinations. Tune in weekly to find yourself completely immersed, feeling as if you’re right there beside James, figuring it all out as you go.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Winging It Travel Podcast
Podcast Episodes
One Epic Day in Tikal: Exploring Guatemala’s Ancient Mayan City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:06
One Epic Day in Tikal: Exploring Guatemala’s Ancient Mayan CityIn this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I take you deep into the Guatemalan jungle for an unforgettable one-day adventure through Tikal National Pa…