General

Food

  • Alfajores - One of my all time favorite cookies
  • Chorrillana - Local dubbed it as Chile’s version of greasy food; it's like a pontine
  • Lucuma - Beloved fruit in Chile although it’s from the Andes
  • Paila marina

Puerto Natales

  • Most people here were either coming or going to Patagonia (mostly for Torre del Paine)
  • Many supermarkets and gear shops around town

Torre del Paine

Most people were doing it from East to West, but I did it from West to East to avoid the crowds. The only caveat is you have to carry all your belongings over the hill on the first day.

W Circuit

  • I spent 5 days and 4 nights reserve cabins and shelters in advance
  • I started my trek by taking a bus to Pudeto. Then take the Catamaran ferry across Lago Pehoe to Refugio Paine Grande. Trekked towards Refugio Grey to spend my first night.
  • Bring proper hiking shoes or boots!

Refugio Grey

  • Huge cafeteria and nice dorm spaces
  • Drop your stuff off and go see the Grey Glacier!

Refugio Paine Grande

  • Stroll around Mirador Lago Pehoe
  • Mirador Valle Francés was closed due to poor conditions for me

Cabañas Los Cuernos

  • The cabin shook a lot at night due to the winds but was otherwise warm
  • Hot tube was cool but don't forget to scoop all the bugs out before using it...

Refugio Torre Norte

  • Dorm only had triple bunks
  • Valley is fairly steep and very windy to cross
  • They take the trash out by mules so take the trash with you if you can
  • Pack a flashlight if you plan to wake up in the middle of the night to trek towards the base of the Towels trail

Punta Arenas

Food

Things to do

Magdalena & Marta Island

  • Solo Expediciones - 4 hour speedboat tour included
  • Isla Magdalena to observe Magellanic Penguins in their natural habitat. It’s one of the largest colonies in South America so it smelled like penguin poo.
  • Isla Marta to see sea lions and birds (seasonal)

Santiago

Food

  • Peumayen - Ancestral Chilean food is very unique! The portions looked small, but it was a lot and they vacuum packed my leftovers for me.
  • San Camilo Bakery - Their alfajores are so good! There are many branches
  • Santa Isabel - Supermarket

Valparaiso

Food

  • J. Cruz M - I had chorrillana here. This bar was in a back alley and a bit hard to find, but the decor was unique.

Things to do

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