Chile is a long and narrow band of land, located along the South of the Pacific Ocean coast. To the North it borders with Peru, and to the East with Argentina and Bolivia. With 756,096 Square Kilometers, it is divided into 12 Regions, including the Antarctic Territory and the Metropolitan Area. Its population is 14.7 million inhabitants, the majority of which live in the Metropolitan Area. This is a country of mixed origins, a mixture of European and native cultures. The Chilean people are warm and friendly, which together with its diverse geography, turns this country into a very attractive destination.

TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
UNESCO declared Torres Del Paine a biosphere reserve in 1978. With over 200.000 hectares, it is by far the most spectacular park in Chile and Patagonia. It is home to the famous Torres and Cuernos, the impressive peaks that emerge from the granite massif at the heart of the Park. An unforgettable natural wonder, the Torres del Paine Park offers breath-taking scenery with its pristine lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, forests and an incredible variety of wildlife, making it very attractive to flora and fauna-watchers and lovers of the outdoors.

Geology:
A Magma intrusion produced 12-million years ago lifted the sedimentary surface, giving origin to the Paine Massive. Later the last glaciation (14,000 years ago), covered most of the mountains and due to this erosion we can today observe its dramatic valleys. Within the Paine massive we can see: Paine Grande (3050 mts.), Cuernos del Paine (2600, 2400 and 2200 mts.), known for its granite base and sedimentary summits, and the famous Torres del Paine (2850, 2800 and 2600 mts.)

Fauna:
The variety of micro-climates which exist here give way to 120 bird species including the Andean condor with its 3 meter wingspan, the lesser rhea (South-American ostrich), the black-necked swan, and in certain salty lagoons, groups of Chilean flamingos. The Nothofagus forests shelter woodpeckers, owls and austral parakeets. Within the 21 different types of mammal, the guanaco is the most commonly seen; this animal of the llama family allows the visitor to enjoy its beauty at a close range. Another species we will be able to observe are the two types of foxes, huemul (Andean deer) and if we are lucky enough a puma (mountain lion).

Flora:
The vegetation in the park varies depending on the area. The barren plains are famous for calceolarias, oxalis and pea families. In turn there exist a wide variety of bushes (berberis, escallonia, senecio) with wild edible fruits. In the most humid areas exist a variety of wild orchids and delicate primulas. The predominant trees belong to the Nothofagus families, characteristic for their different colors during the fall season. If you are particularly interested in observing the endemic flora we suggest you to visit the park during November and December.

BERNARDO O'HIGGINS NATIONAL PARK
known for its many canals and fiords, is one of the largest wild land reserves in the region. Famous for it’s the majestic landscapes that the Serrano y Balmaceda glaciers offer, it is the most extensive national park in Chile, covering more than 3.5 million hectares. The Park is home to one of the largest reserves of fresh water in the world—the Southern Patagonian Ice field, a remnant of the glacial era—formed over 3.5 million years ago.

Weather Conditions:
Chilean Patagonia is famous for its unpredictable weather. Because of the possibility of experiencing all four seasons in one day, it is important to be prepared for anything. The wind is the main factor prevailing during spring and summer, sometimes reaching over 100 kms. /hour. Summer temperatures (December-March) fluctuate between 4°C (39°F) and 15°C (59°F), even sometimes reaching 25°C (77°F). In winter the temperature is typically between -10ºC and 10ºC, but this is a dry cold. There is also a higher probability of stable weather between May and October.