Travel Month – April
Hello fellow travelers!!
During our weeklong spring break in April, we decided to take a nine-day trip to Chile, a country in South America. Chile is situated in a narrow strip of land between the Southern Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains. This trip will mark our first visit to the continent of South America and a trip focussed on hikes. We, including another family arranged our itinerary through Knowmad Adventures, who handled all our arrangements except for the flight bookings. Typically, the best time to visit Chile is from October to April.
Day 1 : Santiago
We arrived in Santiago, the capital of Chile, early in the morning and were greeted by our travel guide. A bus was waiting to take us to our boutique hotel Magnolia, located near the city center. After dropping off our luggage at the hotel reception, we went for a walk to get a feel for the city in the early morning. Following breakfast, we visited the beautiful Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral.
Next, we took a cab to Parque Metropolitano de Santiago and rode the funicular up the hill. From the top, we enjoyed a stunning view of the city and visited the Statue of the Virgin Mary at the summit of San Cristóbal Hill. We spent a couple of hours exploring the park before descending via the cable car. Although there were many other attractions in the park, we didn’t have time to see them all. On our way out, we enjoyed our first delicious Chilean lunch at one of the park’s restaurants.
Day 2 – Torres Del Paine National Park
We had an early morning three-hour flight to Puerto Natales, a city in Chilean Patagonia closest to Torres del Paine National Park. This park is renowned for its impressive “Torres del Paine” rock formations: the Torre Central (2,800 meters), Torre Sur (2,850 meters), and Torre Norte (2,248 meters). As a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the park boasts hundreds of bird species, numerous mammals, and the planet’s third-largest ice field.
Our hotel for the next five days was Hotel Explora, an all-inclusive accommodation (including the daily activities) located within Torres del Paine National Park. The hotel, an hour and a half drive from the airport, was situated beside a blue glacier lake overlooking the Paine Grande. After settling in, a guide introduced us to various activities available over the next few days, primarily hiking. We had the option of half-day or full-day excursions. Half-day activities offered morning slots starting at 7:30 am and afternoon slots beginning at 2:30 pm.
Day 3 : French Valley Hike
We decided to embark on the French Valley hike, covering a total distance of 12 miles (20 km). This moderately challenging hike was the perfect way to test our abilities, especially for kids and non-hikers like myself.
The French Valley forms the central arm of Torres del Paine’s renowned W Trek and can be completed as a day hike. We met our tour guide, Mona, in the hotel lobby around 7:30 am. From there, a 20-minute boat ride provided by the hotel took us to the trailhead on the other side of the lake. The boat trip offered stunning views of Paine Grande and the Paine Horns. Following Mona’s advice, we dressed in layers to accommodate the rapidly changing weather conditions. We brought snacks, water, lunch prepared by the hotel, and hiking poles provided by the hotel. The hiking poles proved invaluable on the varied trails.
It was a windy morning when we began our hike at 8:30 am, giving us a firsthand experience of the notorious roaring forties. The trail offered a variety of terrains, from well-marked paths to rocky sections and some steep climbs. Hiking the French Valley is not just a physical endeavor, it’s a journey into one of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes. From the beginning, the peaceful beauty of Lake Pehoé’s turquoise waters set a tranquil tone for the day. The combination of rugged mountains, serene forests, and majestic glaciers made the experience both humbling and exhilarating. We encountered sunshine, rain, and snow all in a day.We returned to the hotel around 6:30 pm, exhausted but feeling accomplished
Day 4: Scenic Drive and a short hike
We decided to take it easy today, still recovering from yesterday’s hike. For our morning activity, we opted for a scenic drive around the park with another guide, Papo. He took us around the park to different view points that offered stunning views of the Torres (towers), glacier lakes, waterfalls, and some wildlife, including a herd of guanacos roaming the grassland.
We returned in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we chose to go on another short hike. Based on the activities selected by guests, the hotel assigns tour guides to groups and handles all the logistics flawlessly. Our guide, Jon, greeted us in the lobby and drove us to the trailhead. This was a three-hour hike with breathtaking views. As we were still recovering from the previous day’s hike, the guides suggested that a short hike would be beneficial in preparing us for our next big adventure instead of taking a full day of rest.
Day 5: Base of the Towers hike
Today, we decided to split into two groups for different hikes. My husband opted for the challenging Base of the Towers hike, while we two chose a half-day hike on the Los Bosques Trail, followed by a barbecue hosted by the hotel. On our trail, we spotted some puma (mountain lion) footprints, which was quite thrilling and scary! We reached an old barn which is now used to host barbecue, and by the time we arrived, lunch was ready to be served.
The Base of the Towers hike (Mirador Torres) is one of the most iconic and rewarding treks in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. This challenging yet immensely satisfying hike leads you to the base of the towering granite spires that give the park its name. It is part of the famous W Trek. This strenuous hike covers 14 miles (24 km) and involves an elevation gain of about 900 meters (3,000 feet), with significant inclines, especially in the final ascent.
Day 6 : Glacier Grey hike
On our last day in Torres del Paine National Park, we chose to embark on the Glacier Grey hike, the third leg of the famous W trek.
We started early at 7:30 am from the hotel, taking a boat to the trailhead on the other side of the lake. This moderately strenuous hike covers 7 miles one way. Our goal was to reach the final point by around 1:00 pm to board a catamaran for an up-close view of the glacier. The challenging aspect was the timing—missing the boat would mean hiking back.
The Glacier Grey hike offers an unforgettable adventure through one of Patagonia’s most stunning landscapes. This trek leads you to the awe-inspiring Glacier Grey, a massive ice field that forms part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the third-largest freshwater reserve on the planet. About halfway, we reached the first lookout point, offering a distant view of Glacier Grey. As we got closer to the glacier, the trail became more rugged with some elevation gain. We made it on time just 15 minutes before the catamaran arrived. The boat ride gave us breathtaking views of the glacier and an iceberg for the next two hours. It was a perfect ending to all our hiking activities!
Day 7 : Horseback Riding
Our flight back to Santiago was scheduled for the afternoon, giving us ample time to enjoy horseback riding with the Gauchos (cowboys) in the morning. It was another incredible experience! The hotel arranged for our drive to the stable where we were given some instructions and gears. Once we were ready, we started our hour-long ride. Horses usually follow each other. The Gauchos and our guide Ginger ensured the horses stayed on the designated trails. This adventure, coupled with the stunning backdrop made it a truly unforgettable experience!
Last but not the least, on our return flight from Puerto Natales to Santiago, we were treated with stunning views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.
Day 8 – Valparaiso
Before our evening flight back to the US, our final destination was the port city of Valparaíso. Located approximately a 2-hour drive from Santiago, it is celebrated for its colorful hillside neighborhoods, historic architecture, and bohemian ambiance. Valparaíso is particularly renowned for its steep hillsides embellished with vividly painted houses and street art, crafting a picturesque and lively setting.
Some Travel Tips:
- Check if you need a visa to enter the country.
- Spanish language is more prevalent here.
- Carry some Chilean Peso. Most places take card.
- Take layered clothing as the weather changes frequently.
- For easy access to the trails, it is better to stay inside the national park.