Guest Post: Trekking Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Patagonia is quickly becoming one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world, and those who are already familiar with the South American region will know why. The area stretches out towards the bottom of the earth, and in its reach proudly bears some of the world's most breathtaking scenery. It is often described as one of the world's last few places that truly feel undiscovered, an observation justified by the rich greenery and snow tipped mountains that tell little of human interference.
A popular destination in many unforgettable gap years, many use the iconic natural offerings of Patagonia as a wonderful backdrop for a relaxing break, while others choose to experience the dramatic mountain ranges and lakes up close and personal.
While South America is usually praised for its rich culture, the Patagonian region doubtless provides scenic beauty in its natural assets. Trekking these often testing pieces of nature is a popular activity among visitors from around the globe, and one of the most popular trekking routes is in the Torres del Paine National Park.
The Torres del Paine trek physically guides participants through what is to many others just beautiful scenery. Trekkers are guided through valleys and along mountain ranges, witnessing lakes and glaciers along the way. The 'W' route (named after the 'W' shape from a birds-eye of the route) is the most popular of all the options, often taking around four days to complete. In this amount of time, participants will face the elements as they trek the dramatic ranges and camp overnight in various exciting places. Patagonian activity authority 'Swoop Patagonia' mention that guests often stop for lunch next to the crystal blue lakes. The trek passes through some of the natural assets that allow for various activities, these include kayaking in the area's testing rivers and ice hiking on the iconic glaciers.
Part of the Torres del Paine's charm is that it caters for different types of holiday makers. While many trekkers enjoy the adrenaline rush of the aforementioned activities, others prefer less strenuous pass times within the journey. This could include horse riding on the ranges or simply taking in the scenery from an advantageous perspective and relaxing.
Trekkers that use the national park are among the few that get to closely observe Patagonia's wildlife. Among the mountain ranges can be witnessed the mighty Condor, that boasts the largest wingspan of any land bird, stretching to an impressive 3.2 metres! Also roaming the region are Pumas, the largest of the area's predators, the endangered Huemul deer, and Guanacos, of which there are thought to be 1,500 in Torress del Paine alone.
It's clear that this particular trek can be enjoyed by both adrenaline junkies and those who are looking for something less challenging. Other treks and timeframes are available, for example, some treks offer a larger circuit that last as long as eight days. For more information on these options visit Swoop Patagonia . It is recommended to visit the park in the Patagonian summer, which is between late December and February, as this is when the weather isn't as harsh and the daylight hours are longer.
About the author: This guest post is written by Luke Thomas, on behalf of Swoop Patagonia, a leading online authority on all things Patagonian. From trekking guides to the best Kayaking spots, these guys can help you plan an amazing adventure holiday in this beautiful area of South America. The photos in this post have the rights reserved, and are not available for purchase on this website (beontheroad.com).
A popular destination in many unforgettable gap years, many use the iconic natural offerings of Patagonia as a wonderful backdrop for a relaxing break, while others choose to experience the dramatic mountain ranges and lakes up close and personal.
While South America is usually praised for its rich culture, the Patagonian region doubtless provides scenic beauty in its natural assets. Trekking these often testing pieces of nature is a popular activity among visitors from around the globe, and one of the most popular trekking routes is in the Torres del Paine National Park.
The Torres del Paine trek physically guides participants through what is to many others just beautiful scenery. Trekkers are guided through valleys and along mountain ranges, witnessing lakes and glaciers along the way. The 'W' route (named after the 'W' shape from a birds-eye of the route) is the most popular of all the options, often taking around four days to complete. In this amount of time, participants will face the elements as they trek the dramatic ranges and camp overnight in various exciting places. Patagonian activity authority 'Swoop Patagonia' mention that guests often stop for lunch next to the crystal blue lakes. The trek passes through some of the natural assets that allow for various activities, these include kayaking in the area's testing rivers and ice hiking on the iconic glaciers.
Part of the Torres del Paine's charm is that it caters for different types of holiday makers. While many trekkers enjoy the adrenaline rush of the aforementioned activities, others prefer less strenuous pass times within the journey. This could include horse riding on the ranges or simply taking in the scenery from an advantageous perspective and relaxing.
Trekkers that use the national park are among the few that get to closely observe Patagonia's wildlife. Among the mountain ranges can be witnessed the mighty Condor, that boasts the largest wingspan of any land bird, stretching to an impressive 3.2 metres! Also roaming the region are Pumas, the largest of the area's predators, the endangered Huemul deer, and Guanacos, of which there are thought to be 1,500 in Torress del Paine alone.
It's clear that this particular trek can be enjoyed by both adrenaline junkies and those who are looking for something less challenging. Other treks and timeframes are available, for example, some treks offer a larger circuit that last as long as eight days. For more information on these options visit Swoop Patagonia . It is recommended to visit the park in the Patagonian summer, which is between late December and February, as this is when the weather isn't as harsh and the daylight hours are longer.
About the author: This guest post is written by Luke Thomas, on behalf of Swoop Patagonia, a leading online authority on all things Patagonian. From trekking guides to the best Kayaking spots, these guys can help you plan an amazing adventure holiday in this beautiful area of South America. The photos in this post have the rights reserved, and are not available for purchase on this website (beontheroad.com).
