| Welcome to Patagonia! | | | | pristine glaciers and fjords of remote to the |
| Patagonia is one of the most amazing places in | | | | famous Torres del Paine W Trail with the amazing |
| the world. A land with a lot of history, of | | | | view of the Cuernos del Paine and the |
| mountains, lakes, hills, beautiful flora and fauna. A | | | | Nordenksjold, Pehoe and Grey Lakes. It is a |
| missionary called Padre Agostini said: "The Paine | | | | medium level hike and usually takes four days. |
| massif is unrivaled... In its colors and form it is | | | | Torres del Paine National Park Trail system has |
| without doubt one of the most fantastic and | | | | land and water-based trails with recognized |
| spectacular sights that human imagination can | | | | recreational, scenic, and historic value. Do not |
| concieve." The Torres del Paine national park (with | | | | forget to sail on the Grey II, a small ship that sails |
| an area of 2,400 km2) is a popular hiking | | | | twice everyday to the vey feet of Grey glaciers |
| destination. There are clearly marked paths and | | | | where you will have a whisky on the rocks with |
| many refugios which provide shelter and basic | | | | millenial ices. |
| services. Views are breathtaking. Hikers can opt | | | | WHEN TO GO: September to April are the best |
| for a day trip to see the towers, walk the popular | | | | months to visit for warmer time activities. You |
| "W" route in about five days, or trek the full circle | | | | can check next week weather forecast for Punta |
| in 8-9 days. It is a national park and thus hikers | | | | Arenas here. |
| are not allowed to stray from the paths. Camping | | | | GETTING THERE: There are many direct or |
| is only allowed at specified campsites, and wood | | | | one-stop flights from major cities to Santiago de |
| fires are prohibited in the whole park. | | | | Chile and then at least 3 daily flights to Punta |
| Many visitors come each year to Torres del Paine | | | | Arenas which is 4 hours from Santiago de Chile |
| National park. Even though you may come | | | | (2000 miles). To travel by water you can take a |
| whenever you like official season is from | | | | cruise to Puerto Natales from Puerto Montt in an |
| september to april. There are many strong | | | | amazing 3 day trip by south channels. |
| reasons people keeps coming. The beautiful fauna | | | | TRAVEL TIPS: Southern weather can be |
| and flora are a delight. | | | | unpredictable. Consider taking with you and |
| A relative of the now-domesticated llama, the | | | | wearing multiple layers of clothes in response to a |
| guanaco -- Patagonia's largest land vertebrate -- | | | | wide variety of temperatures and weather |
| roams the plains of Torres del Paine. Guanacos | | | | conditions. Experiencing Patagonia on a low budget |
| live in groups, usually a single dominant male | | | | is possible, though it requires planning. From |
| accompanied by up to 10 females and their | | | | december to february room prices are higher. |
| young. Though elegantly formed creatures, | | | | September and April are more relaxed and the |
| guanacos exhibit a number of seemingly | | | | weather only slightly chillier, are just as good |
| incongruous habits. When they greet, for example, | | | | times to go. Winter months are becoming |
| the animals exchange a turkey-like gobble and | | | | increasingly popular, particularly for the sport |
| then, on occasion, vomit a wad of | | | | activities. At this time of year hotel rates drop by |
| semi-masticated grasses. | | | | as much as half. |
| There many miles of trails for backpackers, from | | | | Enjoy patagonia! |