If you will be studying abroad in South America, you should definitely consider backpacking in Patagonia! I did a week-long backpacking trip through Torres del Paine National Park in Chile on the O-Trek; a well established backpacking route. Here are my tips and tricks so that you can have the most successful experience ever!!
What is the O-Trek and what is the W-Trek?
→ The O Trek is a 7-8 day long circuit in Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)
→ The W Trek is it’s shorter (and better known sister) that is 4-5 day long trek
When?
→ The best time to do this is between December - March. So if you’re studying abroad in the Fall semester you could go after your semester ends in December. Or if like me you’re studying abroad in the Spring we went in February, before the semester began.
This circuit around Torres del Paine National Park truly changed my experience abroad in Chile! This trek is hard - there is no way around it. Both Mady and I had our collective highs, low points (extreme wind, and heights were the most scary for me :/), successes, and learning moments. However, the experience overall was incredible, breathtaking, and truly inspiring. More than anything, it’s a great introduction (or bookend) to studying abroad. So much more is outside of Santiago, and Torres del Paine is an amazing way to see the south of Chile, and understand Chilean’s fierce national pride that comes from the natural beauty of their country!
Biggest Tips:
1. Plan Ahead!!!! If you are planning to do the O-Trek or W-Trek like my friend Mady (also a Global Bachelor’s student) and I did, you must plan months in advance!! This way you get the cheapest prices for reservations as well :)
2. Find a buddy: I would definitely recommend doing this with a buddy, it is a lot of logistics and hiking to do alone.
3. Don’t be afraid! I had never been backpacking before this trip. I don’t necessarily recommend this (haha), but if you are in shape, with a love for the outdoors and are ready for an adventure I’m sure you can do this!
4. Buy your backpacking meals in the USA!! There aren’t as many options in Chile for ready made food, and it is cheaper/better to do it this way.
Logistics:
1. Puerto Natales, the base town for this trek has most anything you can imagine in terms of outdoor outfitters. Moreover, many hostels have rental gear you could borrow for your trip. We bought fuel there and rented hiking poles, but brought everything else (sleeping bags, pad, tent, cooking material).
2. The cheapest way to do this trek is to backpack with all your gear, camping every night and cooking your own meals (we bought ours from home). You can stay in pre-set up tents, and buy food there but it is WAY more expensive. It’s nice to have as a backup in case something goes wrong - but otherwise bring your own gear/food if you’re on a budget.
3. It is an expensive trip - there are no ways around it. But if you budget, plan ahead, and take advantage of the scholarship opportunities the GW Study Abroad office has to offer there are no doubts in my mind you can accomplish it. Planning ahead is so important too - most campsites are $10/$20 a night, but if you book too late, it can be upwards of $70 a night to stay.
Tying into this, it’s super important to keep in mind that there is SO much beyond Patagonia as well if this trip isn’t feasible for time/financial constraints. Chile has so much to offer and wherever you go will be incredible. Puerto Varas is a beautiful town on a lake in the south of Chile (accessible by bus from Santiago), and it’s an area known for its German influence (meaning good pastries ;) ), volcanos, and lakes! Pucón is another option and is known as the adventure capital of Chile. It is much more accessible than Torres del Paine as well with just as much incredible hiking!
If you need any more information, don’t hesitate to let me know. I would be MORE than happy to help talk through a potential backpacking/hiking excursion to the south of Chile!! Happy hiking xo
Isabella Rizzo
Spring 2024 – GW Chile - English Track (GW Study Program)
Fall 2023 – GW Paris - Sciences Po (GW Study Program)
Spring 2023 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Asia-Pacific Semester
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major
The Global Bachelor’s Program