A land forged by ice and fire, Patagonia's iconic rugged peaks and vivid blue glaciers will captivate every traveller inspiring a moment of awe. Embarking on a hiking tour in Patagonia invites you to pause, savouring a breath of nature in its most pristine and untamed state.

With its iconic rugged mountains, piercing glaciers and expansive wilderness, Patagonia beckons adventurers to embrace the spirit of exploration. From the windswept plains to the towering peaks of Torres Del Paine national park, this region is a canvas painted with nature's most breathtaking creations. Whether walking through pristine trails, marvelling at towering ice formations or immersing in local culture, Patagonia offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of wild and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Hiking the 'W' & 'O' Route

The region of Patagonia spans the two nations of southern Chile and Argentina in South America and is one of the world's last great wildernesses, with remote, dramatic landscapes matching those of the mighty Himalaya. A land forged by ice and fire, its iconic jagged peaks and piercing blue glaciers will arrest any traveller in their tracks – this is a place to let yourself be awestruck. When on a trekking holiday in Patagonia, you'll want to take a moment, and breathe in nature in its purest form.

The best time to go to Patagonia for a holiday is generally from November to early March which is summertime in the southern hemisphere and the weather is ideal for exploring Torres del Paine National Park, famous for its two trekking routes; The 'W' Trek and The classic 'O' Trek.

THE 'W' TREK

This route is normally hiked from west to east and you start by enjoying the beauty of Lago Grey and the Grey Glacier. Then you'll follow the Los Cuernos trail, hike up the Frances Valley and trek to the viewpoint of our absolute favourite highlight: the majestic, soaring granite peaks of the Paine towers in the Valle Ascencio.

This route is hiked on our Spires and Ice trekking holiday which also includes visiting the Perito Merino Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park and Mount Fitz Roy.

THE 'O' TREK

On this Patagonia trek, you cover the same route as the 'W' Trek in the latter part of the holiday, but the difference to the "W" Trek is that this route is a complete circumnavigation of the Paine massif starting in the foothills of Cerro Paine with views on the Paine Towers. Passing the beautiful glacial lake, Lago Dickson, the trek follows the Los Perros River to Los Perros and thereafter the magnificent John Gardner Pass.

Setting off in 1976, John Garnder, along with Pepe Alarcon, and Oscar Guineo, pioneered the Paine Circuit and the pass was named in his honour. Crossing it is an iconic part of the journey and although challenging, the reward is the opportunity to trek through the remotest area in the park, and experience one of the most famous passes in the world. From here you then the follow the route close to Glacier Grey and meet the starting point of the 'W'Trek.

This route is trekked on our Classic Paine Circuit trekking holiday.

All of KE's holidays to Patagonia are expertly guided with no hidden fees, include all park fees, airport transfers and land transport, full trek service and most meals.