Backpacking in Chile's Patagonia - Alumni

Patagonia's Torres Del Paine National Park is quite literally the image that most people conjur into their heads when they imagine Patagonia. On this trip you will embark on the park's hardest and longest established route, the "O", and immerse yourself in the backcountry of one of the world's most fabled regions.

Established in 1959 the park is centered around the Paine massif which was carved by glaciers and errosion over millions of years. Your trek will be a circle around the massif allowing 9 full days of hiking over new terrain every day. Additionally, there will be opportunities to explore up many of the valleys that lead from the primary trail to the base of the Towers. We can promise that no one will suffer from a lack of hikeable terrain on this trip!

Few people in the world have the opportunity to visit this stunning area and even fewer are able to immerse themselves in the backcountry. April is on the shoulder season for Patagonian hiking so you can expect cooler termperatures but also smaller groups in the backcountry. Your hike will take you through regions of Patagonia inhabited by guanaco (a llama relative), puma, fox, and many more creatures. With some luck, you may see some of these locals along the trail.

For this expedition, NOLS enlists the support of Camps along the trail that provide meal services. This will keep your pack lighter as you are only carrying your personal essentials, tents, and sleeping gear. In addition to lighter packs, it means sitting down for hot meals that you didn't have to cook and leaving the cleanup to others!

Walk through the foothills of the mountains with your fellow NOLSies and camp in tents under the stars. This is the Patagonia that inspired conservationists to take a stand and protect some of the world’s last wilderness areas.

*You’ll sleep outdoors and carry a pack in remote terrain on this trip.