I can鈥檛 remember the last time I spent more than a few days exploring a single destination, let alone weeks. Now that it鈥檚 2022, I鈥檓 stockpiling my time off for fewer, longer excursions. I can鈥檛 imagine a better way to get that feeling of travel immersion again than with this 11-day trek across northern Patagonia, alongside 黑料吃瓜网+ members and 黑料吃瓜网 readers. I鈥檓 most excited for the region鈥檚 newest park鈥擯atagonia National Park鈥攚hich I first learned about from this amazing 2018 feature by 黑料吃瓜网 contributing writer Stephanie Pearson. The Patagonia trek is one of a collection of exclusive trips created in partnership with travel outfitter Modern 黑料吃瓜网, and on each inaugural journey, you鈥檒l be joined by a member of our editorial staff. From November 11 to 23, I鈥檒l be with you to experience a part of Patagonia few ever do, including the iconic jagged peaks of Cerro Castillo, the cerulean waters of the Baker River, and a series of stunning, lesser-known national parks. Come join me! 鈥擡rin Riley
Chile: Northern Patagonia
Guest 黑料吃瓜网 editor: Erin Riley, senior travel editor
Inaugural Trip Dates (with Erin): November 11鈥23, 2022 | Price: $6,600 | 黑料吃瓜网+ price: $6,400
Additional Trip Dates (without Erin): February 4鈥16, 2023 | Price: $6,200 | 黑料吃瓜网+ price: $6,000
On the list of time-颅honored destinations, Patagonia, with its glacial peaks whittled into fantastical spires, ranks at the top. 鈥淚 count Chilean Patagonia as a dream-list trip and can鈥檛 wait to share trekking days with the group on this all-time classic,鈥 says Erin Riley, who oversees 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 travel coverage. Deciding which corner of the 400,000-square-mile region to see can be challenging, so Modern 黑料吃瓜网 sorted that out for you.
You鈥檒l start in Ays茅n, in northern Patagonia, where towering peaks, raging rivers, and national parks spread out across one of the country鈥檚 least populated areas. This 11-day itinerary samples the dramatic landscapes of two of Chile鈥檚 lesser known parks, with a day of rafting the Baker River to round it out. You鈥檒l hike anywhere from three to ten miles per day and sleep in guesthouses, panoramic domes, and backcountry base camps. The adventure begins near the town of Coyhaique, about a thousand miles south of Santiago, with a 10.5-mile trek into 554-square-mile Cerro Castillo National Park. You鈥檒l then cross over 4,265-foot Pi帽贸n Pass and ascend through forests to camp under the hulking basalt walls of 7,605-foot Cerro Castillo. Ditch your pack for a quick jaunt up to New Zealander Camp, a base for climbing expeditions, before heading down to a hot meal and a cozy room in Villa Cerro Castillo.
Be on the lookout for old gaucho camps as you make your way to General Carrera Lake, which at 1,923 feet is the 11th deepest in the world. After crossing it by ferry, you鈥檒l trek into the new ten-million-acre Patagonia National Park, created by Kristine and Doug Tompkins. (Doug cofounded the North Face in the 1960s and adventured throughout Patagonia with his friend Yvon Chouinard.) At the end of the trip, celebrate in the town of Chile Chico and feast on delicious barbecue. Oh, and that dark spot you saw in the grass on day six? That really was a puma. 鈥擳im Neville