Expedition members should be keen walkers or have previous trekking experience. Due to the rugged nature of the terrain we have to carry our own prucksacks around the Torres del Paine circuit. A good standard of fitness and previous backpacking experience (carrying a rucksack with all your food, clothing and camping gear) are essential for this holiday. If you don't have this experience at the time of booking please ensure you do some backpacking before the expedition commences.

Winter skills including use of an ice axe and crampons will be needed for the volcano ascents but as we will only be on easy snow slopes any customers without such skills can be instructed during the expedition. It is not essential to have these skills before joining the expedition

Volcan Villarrica

On this type of expedition there are inevitably a few hardships. Clients must be able to carry a full camping rucksack (15-20kg) on the circuit of the Torres del Paine and up to the refuge on Lanin. These walks will be over rough mountain paths and possibly in adverse weather conditions. Even though we travel to Patagonia in the summer it may be cold and it is likely to rain at least once. All members must be prepared to work as a team when it comes to pitching tents, cooking and carrying communal gear.

If you want a holiday with endless hot sunny days southern Patagonia is not the best place to go! However it does get its fair share of good weather between occasional periods of rain and persistent strong winds. Rainfall and temperatures are similar to those at home during summer, although perhaps a bit more like southern England than Scotland. Further north in the Andean Lake District the climate is very pleasant with plenty of hot and sunny days, though a spell of rain is possible here too. On the mountains it will naturally be a bit colder and windier with conditions like those at home in the mountains in April or May.

Flights from London to Punta Arenas via Santiago cost from ?800. We can arrange these for you through our travel agents, Journey Latin America (ATOL 2828), at very competitive prices. We make no charge for this service and many customers find it convenient as we then all fly out on the same plane. 

If you prefer you can arrange your own flights to fit in with the expedition itinerary. Please note that if booking flights yourself it is better to pay only a deposit in the short term in case we do not have sufficient fully paid customers to run the expedition.

Glacier Grey in the Torres del Paine Park

Visas are not needed by British citizens, but you need a full passport valid for six months from the date of travel. If you will not be travelling on a British passport you must let us know at the time of booking.

All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation in an emergency. We recommend having insurance for baggage, personal liability and cancellation as well. If you would like further advice please ask.

In the towns and villages which we stay in we use small and comfortable family run hotels with private bathroom. While in the national parks we will be staying in tents most of the time, on a mixture of organised and wild camping grounds, though we may occasionally make use of huts. Modern lightweight tents and stoves are provided by us. Customers normally help with establishing camps and preparing meals.

This is an adventure holiday and all clients will be exposed to an element of risk by taking part in this itinerary. While we take all reasonable precautions to reduce risk it is neither possible nor desirable to completely eliminate these additional risks. It is important that you understand the risks involved before signing our booking form. We have identified the following areas as the principal additional risks of this itinerary. This is not a fully inclusive list - please ask if you would like to see a more detailed risk assessment of this itinerary before booking.

Driving, hotels and general safety : In Chile driving, fire safety standards and general safety standards are not as high as in Europe.

Minor slips and falls : due to steep, uneven and unstable ground.

Remoteness : You will be up to three days walk from medical help for periods of time.

Mountain Hazards : In certain places you may be subjected to a slight risk of rock slips. In stormy weather there might be a slight risk of avalanche. There are also slight risks from bad weather, volcanic activity and steep snowy ground on the volcanoes of the Lake District.

Chile is a well developed country and the standard of health and hygiene, particularly in Patagonia, is generally as good as at home. You would be unlucky to get an upset stomach or diarrhoea but it is possible. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid and polio are recommended. The country is very safe and relaxing to travel in; theft and muggings are no more likely than they are in most of Britain. Everyone who visits this part of South America is overwhelmed by how much like a part of Europe it is.

A magnificent view of the Cuernos del Paine and Paine Grande across  Lago Nordenskjold.

The Torres del Paine national park is the best place in South America to see several unusual animal species including the ?ndu or rhea, the guanaco and the puma, though the latter are rarely seen even here. The rhea is very like the ostrich in lifestyle and physical form. There are two species in South America; it is the smaller of the two that can easily be seen in the Torres del Paine. The guanaco is one of the two wild relatives of the llama. At the turn of the century they were almost made extinct through hunting and grazing pressure, but nowadays they are abundant in the park. There are also many species of smaller bird in the park, including species of geese, duck, swan, ibis, flamingo parrot and cormorant. We will almost certainly see the magnificent Andean Condor too - this is the most reliable place in the Andes to see one.

Elsewhere on the trip we will visit a colony of Magellanic Penguins outside Punta Arenas (cost included in our price). On the steppes of Patagonia we will probably see flamingos and on the coasts sea-lions are a possibility.

Our expeditions are designed to be small and flexible. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but as far as possible will adapt to the plans and aspirations of the members. We will consult you when planning the details of the expedition.

Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is necessary due to illness or bad weather.

The minimum number of customers we need to run this expedition is four. The maximum size of the expedition will be eight customers plus leader.

At the time of printing the expedition leader had not been chosen. Please call nearer to departure if you require further details. All our expeditions are led by a suitably qualified and/or experienced European (normally British) leader.

As usual we'll arrange a day in the autumn when expedition members can get together and meet their leader. For our trekking expeditions these days are usually held in the English Lake District. We make no charge but you'll need to pay your own costs - food, travel and accommodation.

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