When should I go?
The best time of year to hike the circuit is November to April. There is relatively little difference in precipitation across this period although the earlier you go, the more likely you are to have lots of snow up at the pass which makes the going harder.

You are likely to experience cold evenings and mornings but mild daytime temperatures – Torres del Paine is basically at sea level and you are on the same latitude, roughly speaking, as Birmingham. However, the proximity of the Patagonian icefields means that you can expect weather to change rapidly from warm sunshine to cold rain and and wind.

How active?
This is a moderate to challenging trip.

Seven consecutive days hiking: some strenuous over varied terrain including snow, rivers, glacial end-moraine and muddy slopes.

If the weather is fair then you can consider this a medium grade walk. In bad weather it is a hard walk.

You must be used to hill walking to enjoy this holiday.Some distances are long but porters carry your main bags throughout the walk.

How comfortable?
First class small hotel with twin/double en suite rooms outside the park.
Two nights in Patagonia’s mixed, communal refuges.

Five nights’ camping. Tents are pitched and meals cooked for you.

Your luggage is portaged in Torres del Paine.

How independent?
You will be part of a small guided group, 8 maximum. We also offer private and tailor made departures.

Who is it for?
In general this holiday attracts people in their 30s, 40s and 50s, though there’s no barrier to younger and older. Broadly speaking, there is usually a 70:30 mix of solo travellers/friends and couples.

Clients on this holiday are used to longer walks in the UK or in an Alpine environment. But do not necessarily have much experience of longer treks. Most clients would consider this holiday a challenge.

How responsible?
Pura Aventura is passionate about the places it visits. To help preserve the integrity of these destinations we:

Keep groups small to minimise environmental impact
Work directly with local businesses and organisations to directly benefit local economies. We use small, locally owned hotels and restaurants. We know the owners except in the large cities.
Work with local guides so that our holidays are more interesting for clients and more beneficial locally.
Make payment to suppliers before our clients arrive.

Why us?
Pura Aventura was founded because of a chance meeting in Torres del Paine so it holds a special place in our hearts.

Torres del Paine is unique because within a relatively small area, you find every aspect of Patagonian scenery: mountains, lakes, glaciers, forests and grasslands.There is really no other place you can see such variety in such a compact area.

Our way
On this trip we take you on the famous ‘Circuit’ route which takes you from river meadows and grasslands, over a mountain pass to the glaciers and back past lakes and mountains.

In order to do this walk you need to leave behind the hotels and lodges in the south of the park and head into the wilderness areas of the north. Whilst you have to sacrifice some creature comforts, but the guides, porters and even your own chef make it relatively comfortable and civilised.

Walks are generally between four and five hours each day although on one day you can be walking for up to eight hours. This walk is suitable for anyone who enjoys good Alpine walking.

You stay in tents mainly with two nights in refuges/mountain huts during the walk. They are not luxurious but they do allow you to shower each day and to enjoy a hot meal and glass of wine at night.

You have a team of porters carrying your overnight things so that you can walk with just a daypack.

Your guides are experts in this area, and the Park in particular. They therefore know how to pace the walk, when to sit tight and wait for weather to clear and when to head out.

This highest part of the route is around 1,300m, most of it is just above sea level.

The park is at roughly the same relative latitude as Manchester. Summer daytime temperatures are usually comfortably in the mid-teens celsius. There’s an average of 16 hours daylight in the summer months so the pace can be relaxed.

“It certainly helps their enjoyment not having to carry a full pack and I appreciated the opportunity to stop for photographs, look at the wildlife and so on.”

Useful Links

As you already know, Pura Aventura is dedicated to safe and responsible travel. The links below provide useful content and more information about Chile. Please call us of any special requirements on 01273 676 712.

Country Information

FCO

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides useful travel advices on Chile.

BBC News

BBC News provides useful information about Chile. Read more about it.

Official Government website

Find out more about Chile, by visiting its official governement website.

Prepare your holiday

Health

Before you go on your holiday to Chile, please ensure you have the correct vaccinations. Check out the NHS website for advices and visit your GP or a travel clinic.

Currency Exchange

For the latest information on the Chilean Peso currency, visit the ICE website.

Weather

To know the forecast in Chile, visit wunderground.

Pura’s Amazon shop

Find out our own Chile selection in Amazon.co.uk for a wide range of travel essentials, such as books, gadgets, clothing, etc. in preparation for your upcoming holiday.

Train ticket

If you are leaving from the UK, and want to be easy in your mind before you leave, book your train ticket or airport hotel now.

Flight deals

Find the best flight deals for your holiday to Chile with Kayak, Expedia, Vayama and Opodo.

Maps

If you are going to one of our Chile self drive holidays you will perhaps need to know more about the car traffic. Maplandia provides good maps.

Ferries & Trains

Whether your doing one of self drive holiday in Chile, have more information about ferry timetables and bookings or train timetables and bookings.