8 Highlights That Make Patagonia Collection An Epic Unique Journey - Chile Nativo

8 Highlights That Make Patagonia Collection An Epic Unique Journey

Brazilian travel writer Daniel Nunes lists his favorite experiences in the 14-day multisport trip crossing 4 National Parks

Epic. Dazzled by the spectacular scenery of the rock towers of Torres del Paine in front of me, I couldn’t find a better word to define that 2-week multisport adventure that was just finishing. What an epic journey, I thought, still tired but absolutely ecstatic with the 4-hour hiking up the base of “las torres” under snow. After that once-in-a-lifetime route exploring Southern Chile, not only walking but also cycling, kayaking and rafting, I said again what I´ve been repeating as a travel journalist who has wandered to more than 50 countries: Patagonia is the most beautiful place on Earth.

The new Patagonia Collection Route was created by Chile Nativo, Amity Tours and Birds Chile to connect the fabulous natural areas from Temuco to Paine in which these three leading travel companies are experts. Touched by the moving experience of being part of one of the first groups to cross Patagonia from North to South with them, I listed the emotional highlights of my trip:

1) Start the trip hiking 12k under monkey-puzzle trees at Sierra Nevada Trail. The 20-meter high (60 feet) ancient araucarias are surrounded by green lakes and volcanoes of the Conguillo National Park, close to Temuco. Later on, it was great to be welcomed, at eco-friendly La Baita lodge, by cute Lava dog (and drink pisco sours by the fireplace). 

2) Cycling for 2 days in a row watching 4 volcanoes at the same time in the horizon, from Pucón and Villarica area to Petrohué in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. I was afraid it would be too hard to face the 2 series of 70k bike rides, but the e-bike made the journey soft. The hot tub at the end was exhilarating.

3) Meeting locals to live authentic experiences. It was special to be blessed and having a cooking class with Mapuche indigenous leader Isabel Naguil, in her home at Foye Mapu, in Panguipulli. Later we volunteered as rewilding workers in the wetlands of Llanquihue Lake and learned basket weaving with native Kawesqar in Puerto Natales.

4) Hiking to the crater of Chaitén, one of the 90 active volcanoes in Chile, was the highlight of our trip to Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park. The trail was short, only 5k, but steep: we took 4 hours to face the 600-meters elevation until reaching its mouth and back. On the top, it was amazing to see the smoke leaving the ground – remembering us there is fire under our ground.

5) Meeting Kris Tompkins while walking in the Alerces Trail. The inspiring US conservationist behind the creation of the Route of the 17 National Parks in Chile was visiting, at the same time of us, the Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park – named after her husband. Besides chatting with Kris, I had the chance to visit the cool, new museum in Caleta Gonzalo Lodge area.

6) Arriving in Torres del Paine National Park hiking was superb. It was my third time in the most beautiful of the parks, and for sure the most impressive arrival. We did a 13k hike from Estancia Lazo cattle ranch to Weber Bridge, a trail with striking views of Paine Massif on the shores of Lagunas Verde and Honda. When we reached the Toro Lake Lookout, a rainbow appeared – the first of four rainbows in four days there! From there we could see the “merengue” tents of Riverside Camp, our brand-new glamping sweet home by the Serrano River.

7) Paddling in Patagonia rivers. First, we enjoyed a fun class 3-4 rafting in Petrohué River, watching Osorno volcano in the Lake district close to Puerto Varas. And in Paine we paddled kayaks in beautiful Grey Lake, with the granite peaks of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos in the horizon. Fantastic!

8) Hiking 16k under snow to contemplate the Paine Towers. The weather was cloudy when we started the most challenging and beautiful hike of Patagonia Collection journey, to Base Las Torres. It seemed that we would have a frustrated end. Once we got there, the clouds went away and we celebrated watching Torres del Paine at the fullest to finish in great style our epic journey.

SY Joyce Kan
SY Joyce Kan
2023-03-07
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Amazing trip! We joined the Torres Del Paine 7 day O trek tour - note that this tour is not a complete O Trek but skipping the part from Camp Frances to Las Torres, which worked in our favour as our holiday is limited and we won’t miss much. Our guide, Debbie was knowledgeable and amicable, and very passionate about hiking. Unfortunately I fell sick during the hike and wished to leave a day earlier than planned. Debbie and Chile Nativo quickly rearranged transportation for us and was very helpful. Throughout the whole process Chile Nativo was very responsive. We had a memorable journey and I would highly recommend Chile Nativo.
Jim Garvin
Jim Garvin
2023-03-02
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Fantastic experience! We were booked with Chile Nativo via Swoop and had a wonderful experience. Our guides, Tim & Lucile, were awesome. We really enjoyed their company. They were very knowledgeable about the region (the history, animals, landscape, etc). Highly recommend.
Olivia Evans
Olivia Evans
2023-02-15
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I booked the independent, self-guided Torres Del Paine trek with Chile Nativo’s help and was so glad I did. When I looked to book on my own, everything was all reserved in Torres Del Paine and Chile Nativo was the only agency that could help me find a spot still. To still be able to go on the trip when I wanted to go, to not have to spend so much time planning all the logistics, to get a local’s recommendations on the best way to do the trek…but STILL get to do the trek on my own was amazing and worth every penny. In particular Paolina at the agency was incredibly helpful. I would recommend this agency to anyone looking to hike in Torres del Paine.
Chiloe Natural (chiloenatural)
Chiloe Natural (chiloenatural)
2023-02-10
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Serious, professional, and friendly Tour Agency in Puerto Natales that will cater your needs in Patagonia and Torres del Paine.
Kevin Jobst
Kevin Jobst
2023-01-27
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Hiking in Torres with Pepa is like walking with your smartest and wisest friend. She has an incredible depth of knowledge in everything from mycology to government, from geology to history. She is fiercely passionate about conservation and our planet and has dedicated her life to making our world a better place. Our two porters Filipe and Bastian were both incredibly strong and highly professional. Always in the know on where to set up the tent, they picked the best spot in every site we were at. Also, they were an absolute blast to hang out with after the long days hiking. I cannot recommend this particular team highly enough and if you are passionate about the environment, making the world a better place, learning everything there is to know about glaciers, mushrooms, Patagonia, the history of Chile, magma intrusions and edible berries request them by name. Thank you to all three of you for making our experience so special and I hope our paths cross again.
Brad Smith
Brad Smith
2023-01-15
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Our Torres Del Paine Plus trip was fantastic! A great crew of newly-made friends, guided by Izabella “La Professora”, on a journey beyond expectations. What a great time, a balance of hiking and touring. DO NOT miss the pumas!!! I will definitely go with the Chile Nativo team again, and thanks to Nestor & Juan too!
Senga Simpson
Senga Simpson
2023-01-09
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Excellent service. Thank you Vicky
Lukas Winegarner
Lukas Winegarner
2022-11-28
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Camilo is ledged! Chile Nativo is extremely experienced and knowledgeable - I would highly recommend booking directly through them. We were a group of 8 doing the O 7 day hike and everything was great! Thanks to Camilo & Tomas and all of our porters!

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