Chile 2025

Chile, the gateway to Patagonia, along with Argentina, had been on our wish list for 20 years. Finally, this year, we made it. We had a few days in Santiago, sampling the sights, climbing Santa Lucia, getting the Funicular up San Cristobal and of course drinking “Terremoto” in the famous La Piojera bar.

After a few days in Easter Island, we then flew down to Puerto Natales in Patagonia where we swapped 30 degree sunshine for an icy 80 mph wind! A bit of a shock to the system, but good preparation for things to come. How nice to sit in a lovely, warm local restaurant enjoying the dish of the day (steak of course) with a Calafate beer! From there we entered the Torres del Paine National Park where we stayed at the stunning Rio Serrano hotel in the park itself. Driving round the park we got to see Patagonia at its best in the sunshine. The highlight was our mammoth 8 hour trek to the base of the three towers (part of the W walk). We booked a guide and joined 2 other walkers for what was a tough slog (especially over the boulder field for the last third), but with good weather which was very lucky. We got to the top just as the clouds started to come down and were only able to enjoy the view for about 5 minutes before they disappeared in the cloud and the rain started. The rain didn’t stop and it was a very wet descent! But back in the minibus the guide had a picnic prepared with beers and lots of food, so that was a fine end to an unforgettable trek.

Hard to describe and the photos, though good, don’t seem to capture the size and beauty of the Chile side of Patagonia and the Torres del Paine. It is a magical place. Spent so long gazing at amazing scenery and eating picnics in the most beautiful of spots. Heaven.