Hi fellow hiker,

Dealing with packing and baggage can be tricky on any trip, least of all on a multi-day trek. You may be asking yourself, "What jacket should I bring?", "Is my backpack big enough?", "How will my bags get from A to B?", and "Do I really need that selfie stick?" In this email we'll try to answer some of those questions and alleviate any concerns you might have.

Best regards,

Pygmy Elephant

The items in your backpack (30–50 liters recommended) will generally fall into six categories: documents, clothing, accessories, hygiene, other gear, and food. Following is a small selection of what we recommend you bring.

Documents: This includes your passport and/or visa, cash in Chilean pesos (possibly Argentine Pesos and USD), guidebook and maps, and proof of your travel insurance, which we require for all hikers (more on this in a future email).

Click here to see if you need a visa for Chile.

Click here to see if you need a visa for Argentina.

Clothing: At the very least you should have broken-in hiking boots, hiking pants or shorts, non-cotton base layers, a waterproof and breathable jacket, and synthetic hiking socks.  Weather conditions on the trail vary significantly, so pack layers that you can easily add or remove as needed.

Accessories: Items in this category might include sunglasses, hiking poles, flip-flops (for showers), hat, head lamp, and a towel. 

Hygiene: Sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and soap, blister plaster, and earplugs. These items are small and must-haves.

Other gear: Consider bringing a portable charger, a universal power adapter,* a whistle, a first aid kit, or a space blanket. 

Food: In addition to your lunch, you might want chocolate, trail mix, sausage or cheese, fruit, or energy bars in your backpack. Do a little bit of foraging and you might find some Calafate berries!

*If you are looking for a specific adaptor, you will need Type C for most of the trip, and Type I for certain areas of Argentina. The link above provides helpful information regarding the different plugs you will need in your travels. 

Check out our full packing guide linked below.

Handling baggage can be an issue on any trek. If you have booked a porter in Torres del Paine, there are a few important guidelines to follow.

• The weight limit per porter is 15 kg, or 33 lbs. This applies regardless of the number of group members having items transported.
• If you exceed the weight limit, the porter will charge an excess weight fee, to be paid in cash immediately.
• Keep all electronics, fragile items, and valuable with you.
• Label your bag clearly with your name or the group name.
• Porters will transfer your items into a plastic bag to protect them from the elements. They will then place that plastic bag and your transfer bag into their backpack. 
• You can wait for your porter to pick up your bags, or you can ask accommodation reception where you can leave your bags for pick-up.
• Porters will often reach your destination before you, but there is no guaranteed delivery time.
• Tipping porters is not required but is highly encouraged. A recommended tip is USD $100-$120 per circuit.

For those carrying their own bags, there are a couple of strategies to lighten the load:

• IN VALLE FRANCÉS: Many hikers leave their bags at the ranger station near Campamento Italiano while they hike up to Mirador Británico, as it's a round trip.
• TORRES HIKE: You can leave your bags at Refugio Chileno and then grab them on your way back down. If you are staying at the Las Torres Base Area (Hotel Las Torres, Refugio Torre Norte; or Torre Central), simply leave your bag at your accommodation and pick it up when you return.
• EL CHALTÉN: For the out-and-back hikes, like those to Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre, you can leave the bulk of your luggage at your hotel and bring just a day pack with you.
• M-TREK: There are also a few out-and-back hikes, including those to Lago Eléctrico and to Laguna Torre, where you can leave your larger bag at the accommodation and bring just a day pack with you. 

W-TREK STAGE OVERVIEW

O-TREK STAGE OVERVIEW

For inquiries regarding your specific itinerary, please contact your group leader or key travel builder. If you have any questions about the content of this email, feel free to reply here.