Field notes

Routes, seasons, park rules, wildlife and gear in Patagonia and the Andes, from the guides who work there.

Patagonia

Patagonia Itinerary: 5 to 14 Days, Planned by Local Guides

Patagonia itineraries for 5, 7, 9 and 14 days in Chile, from guides who live in Puerto Natales: day by day, with a weather day and honest trade-offs.

Matías Córdova · 8 min read

Patagonia
Torres del Paine Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Trip
How to plan Torres del Paine, from local guides: getting there, when to go, the 2026 park pass, refugios, the W vs the O and the winter guide rules.
Matías Córdova · 15 min read
Patagonia
Torres del Paine Without Camping: A Hotel-Based Plan
Torres del Paine without camping: a hotel in Puerto Natales, guided day hikes to Base Torres and Grey Glacier, and the park rules to know, by local guides.
Matías Córdova · 9 min read

Patagonia
O Circuit Torres del Paine 2026-27: Reopening and Rules
Is the O Circuit open for 2026-27? What CONAF has confirmed, the rules after the 2025 storm, John Gardner Pass and if you need a guide, by local guides.
Matías Córdova · 6 min read
Lake District
Climbing Volcanoes in Chile: Routes, Seasons and Gear
How to climb Villarrica, Osorno, Lonquimay and Llaima: difficulty, summer climbs vs winter ski descents, gear, fitness and guide rules, by local guides.
Matías Córdova and Diego Costa · 13 min read
Patagonia
Hiking Boots or Trail Runners in Patagonia: A Guide's View
Boots or trail runners for the W Trek, O Circuit or Base Torres? A Torres del Paine guide on terrain, wind, water and what the research says.
Matías Córdova · 9 min read
Aysén
Las Horquetas Trek: Cerro Castillo's 4-Day Traverse
Las Horquetas trek in Cerro Castillo, Aysén: stages, campsites, season, park rules and how it compares with the W Trek, written by a Patagonia guide.
Matías Córdova · 11 min read
Patagonia
Puma Tracking in Torres del Paine: Season, Ethics, Odds
Puma tracking in Torres del Paine: the best months (April to November), where pumas live, the 2025 viewing rules and honest odds, from a local guide.
Matías Córdova · 12 min read
Central Andes
Skiing in Chile: Resorts, Season and How to Plan
When to ski in Chile, how to choose between Valle Nevado, Portillo and the volcanoes, plus altitude, road chains and backcountry, from a local instructor.
Diego Costa · 14 min read

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