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Trekking in Torres del Paine
Patagonia's premier national parks in Chile and Argentina, including Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy areas
Guidebook to trekking Chile's 10 to 11-day Torres del Paine Circuit, one of the world's great treks. Also included are a shorter Half Circuit (4 to 5 days), further treks and day walks in the Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks, centred around Puerto Natales. Includes information on linking routes, travel and accommodation.
Seasons
December-April. January-February is high season, when most visitors arrive, so can be a little crowded. Overall, March is best.Centres
Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine, and also the base for short trips to the Balmaceda Glacier and Sierra Baguales. There are multiple bases in the national park itself.Difficulty
No technical difficulties, but the Torres del Paine Circuit is a long and, at times, remote undertaking from which there is no convenient exit point half way through. Sudden changes in weather, gale force winds and torrential rain can turn it into a far more difficult undertaking.Must See
The magnificent granite spires of the towers (Torres), and distinctive, banded form of the horns (Cuernos); vast glaciers (Grey, Tyndall and Dickson) spilling out from the largest sheet of ice in the southern hemisphere outside Antarctica; unspoilt southern beech (or lenga) forest; rich and varied animal and birdlife; remote valleys and immense, cloud-streaked skies.-
Overview
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A guidebook to 8 walking and trekking routes in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park and Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park. Exploring the beautiful scenery of Patagonia, the routes are suitable for trekkers with some experience.
The routes are presented as 4 multi-day treks, ranging from 3 to 11 days in length, and 4 shorter day walks. The 10-day, 141km (88 mile) Torres del Paine circuit (or ‘O’) and 5-day, 71km (44 mile) half circuit (or ‘W’) are detailed with side trips to the ‘towers’ and the Valle Francés. A 4-day, 39km (24 mile) trek in the Cerro Fitz Roy area of Los Glaciares National Park is also described.
- Sketch maps included for each walk
- Detailed information on accommodation and facilities
- Advice on planning and preparation
- Highlights include excursions from Puerto Natales and El Calafate
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By Rudolf Abraham
Rudolf Abraham (www.rudolfabraham.co.uk) is an award-winning travel writer and photographer specialising in Central and Southeastern Europe. He is the author of 14 books, and his work is published widely in magazines.
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