PATAGONIA TREK
WHAT TO EXPECT
Patagonia’s national parks are immense spread over 800,000 square miles and two countries. Chile’s world famous Torres Del Paine National Park is the bucket list destination, but Argentina’s Glaciares National Park may be as scenic and as trek worthy as its better known sister. You just have to work harder to experience it.
Unlike Torres Del Paine where the minute you drive into the park there is a drop dead glorious panorama of mountain spires and lakes, Glaciares is more subtle. It requires pounding the trail on arduous day hikes to reap visual payoffs that are completely worth the sweat and boot leather. The views of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre with their attendant lakes, glaciers and rivers are as good as it gets in Patagonia and perhaps anywhere on the planet.
YOUR GUIDES
NEW COPY REQUIRE FOR THIS SECTION: Your head guide is Rich Manterfield, an Englishman from Sheffield. After college, he took a trip to Italy’s Dolomites to guide for 6 months and stayed there for 7 years. Enchanted by the beauty of the mountains, he knew he needed something much wilder. So, he departed for Greenland and has never left.
Rich is a qualified UIMLA International Mountain Leader, and has been guiding wilderness treks and dog sled expeditions across Greenland for years. It is one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth. It is one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth. He feels totally at home under the sun setting over Greenland’s silent wilderness, or under the Aurora Borealis doing its sky dance above a remote camp in the wild. Rich will show you where to catch trout and find clams to add to delicious dinners. Depending on the size of the group, Rich will be accompanied by an assistant guide.
Question? Ask Us Anything • +1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919
MEALS ON THE TREK
Chilean and Argentinian cuisine is diverse with traditional foods shaped by the land, climate and the sea. Along the coast you'll be able to experience succulent Patagonian shrimp, King Crab Pie "Chupe de centolla" and local family favorite "Rabas Fritas" fried squid. You may encounter a a street food vendor selling "Sopaipillas" a pumpkin based snack that looks like fried dough which can be sweet or savory. Both are delicious. This is also the land of the Empanadas, which are all like delicious pastry presents just waiting to be enjoyed.
As you venture out into the beautiful expanse that is Patagonia you'll stay in Refugios, hostel-style lodges that all offer various food options based on location and local proteins. You may find regional speciality "Cordero al palo", or split roast lamb cooked over an open flame that will make your mouth water. Meals near that Torres del Paine may also have a Guanaco fillet "Filete de quanaco", a local game deer. If your Refugio is near fresh water you may dine of local fresh water trout in a butter sauce.
Anywhere you dine, you might pair your meal with a delicious Calafate Sour, made from a grape based spirit Chilean Pisco and the indigineous calafate berry.
EDDIE TALKS...
"Summer nights in Greenland are like nothing you have ever seen. It’s never completely dark, with the midnight sun low on the horizon, creating an eerie and magical sensation. And if you’re lucky, you’ll have front row seats to most wonderful light show in the universe, the Aurora Borealis’ beautiful sky dance.”
Question? Ask Us Anything • +1.775.833.9700 • 1.800.231.1919
LODGING IN TOWN
The trip starts with a night in Punta Arenas’ La Yegua Loca Hotel. Built in 1929 and run by third generation Croatian pioneers, it sits on a hill with a panoramic view of the Magellan Straits. The eight antique filled rooms are themed around estancia trades – carpenter, dairyman, orchardist and coachman. The next night in Puerto Natales, the group stays at Noi Indigo, a creative adaptive reuse of a factory designed by noted architect, Sebastian Irarrazaual. The rooftop pools and sauna blend well with the watery wonderland views of Ultima Esperanza.
LODGING ON THE TREK
Patagonia's lodging is comprised of quaint Refugios (Reh-Foo-Hee-Ohs). These mountain lodges are scattered all over the Torres del Paine and offer some of the best views you'll ever encounter in any lodging. With dorm style arrangements, bathrooms, showers, power, hot meals and adult beverages. It's like cosmopolitan camping with a twist. You're meals will vary and will almost always be comprised of locally sources veges and proteins. Refurios have a unique charm whereas one night you'll be nestled in a forest with a tree house like feel and another take in grand views of a Lake Nordenskjold or you'll sit outside in a valley taking in the grandeur of the Andes, turning the end of each day into an adventure all by itself.
TRAVEL BY BOAT
Boats are an important part of exploring Patagonia as rivers become pathways to explore the beauty not accessible any other way. You'll cruise up the Esperanza to reach the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, home to the second largest polar ice field on the planet. You'll cross the Serrano River by Zodiac Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers and board the infamous Grey Lake Catamaran for a scenic cruise to the Grey Glacier.
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." - Helen Keller