Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

Advantages: An out of this world experience.
Disadvantages: It's a bit far but most certainly worth it.

The Torres del Paine National Park lies to the extreme south of Chile, in the Chilean Patagonia. To be precise, in the XII Región of Magellan and Chilean Antarctica (Chile is divided into 12 regions). The province is known as "Ultima Esperanza" (Last Hope). Hope is not a word I would use. Reality is more like it. Hopeful Reality. Or perhaps Realistic Hope. I am afraid Patagonia has stolen my senses, and senses I did not have a lot. So do forgive ...
...left it somewhere there, wandering the Patagonian plains, lakes, forests and mountains. It is an area roughly 242,242 hectares large and was officially declared a National Park in 1975, and from this date to today, has been administrated by the National Forestry Service of Chile (Conaf). On the 28th of April 1978, the United Nations recognised it as a World Biosphere Reserve. Thank Goodness! This has enabled many endangered species to recover and ... Read review

Advantages: Stunning scenery
Disadvantages: Long flights

Trekked around the Torres Del Paine National park as part of "Trek Patagonia" a charity trek organised by Mencap. I had always wanted to visit Chile and was able to combine raising over £3,000 for Mencap with seeing one of the most beautiful areas of Southern Chile. The park is a few hours drive from Punta Arenas which is one of the last stops before polar expeditions and the local wildlife includes penguins.The park is well organised with several ...
...with each group and all fitness levels were catered for. The trek to the 3 peaks was hampered by cloud, but the best part for me was a trek to the Grey Glacier. We sat and ate lunch facing the glacier watching chunks of ice thousands of years old dropping into the water- Magical.Glacial lakes and condors provided some of the views as we trekked. The treks would be within most peoples ability but is rugged terrain, so maps are essential and local ... Read review