PATAGONIA TORRES DEL PAINE
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Details
Full details & information about what you can expect in the lead up & during the challenge.
Costs & Fundraising
The balance for your trip cost, will be due to us 10 weeks before your departure. You will be sent a reminder & an invoice 12 weeks before, giving you 2 weeks to make the payment.
80% of your fundraising target is due to be with your charity 12 weeks before the challenge, meaning that it either needs to be banked with them, or sat against a Just Giving page. We will then invoice your charity for the remaining cost of your place on the challenge, it is important you make that 80% target otherwise your charity will not pay for your place, and your trip could be cancelled.
The remaining 20% of your balance will be due to be with your charity 4 weeks after your trip ends.
Our base cost is on a twin share room basis, if you are signing up as a couple of two friends – you can tell us when you register onto the challenge, so we ensure that you will be sharing a room.
If you are signing up to the challenge as an individual, we will match you with someone of the same gender and roughly the same age.
You can choose to pay an additional supplement to have your own room (and/or tent) on the challenge.
All of our groups are an average size of approximately 20 participants. We welcome individuals, couples and groups of friends on to our challenges, and many who join us literally have a mountain to climb in terms of the scale of the challenge they are taking on. We advocate camaraderie and team bonding, and really believe that this enhances your experience.
Yes as long as we know in advance of the trip, we can cater for all dietary requirements & requests.
Signing Up to the Challenge
Once you pay your deposit & have signed up to the challenge, you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you into the challenge.
You will also receive instructions on how to download our challenge app which has in it all the information you need to start preparing for your challenge – from kit lists to training guides.
We will keep you updated with regular emails & newsletters in the lead-up to the challenge, as well as information on training days & weekends.
If you need to cancel your challenge, your deposit is non-refundable – therefore we recommend you speak to our team to see what alternative options you may have.
Yes, if for whatever reason you need to push your departure back to a later one or change your trip altogether you can do so for a date change fee of £175, subject to availability.
Country entry requirements can change because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s something our team constantly keep their eyes on. If we must cancel the trip – you will be offered a transfer to a future date/ departure or a full refund. However, if you need to cancel your trip – e.g. you test positive, then you will need to seek reimbursement from your travel insurance.
Currently, we do not have the accounting facility to take instalments, we can only take your payment in full at least 12 weeks before your departure.
Preparation
Yes – in our challenge app, which you can download once you are fully registered for the challenge we have a host of training materials, guides & advice for you to use. We also have training weekends and days which you can sign up to meet others & test out not just your fitness, but your mental readiness for the challenge and your all-important kit!
Closer to the challenge we will set up a WhatsApp group so that you can meet others online who are going to be on your trip. We also have a lively & dynamic Facebook group you can join at any time to meet other fellow challengers – past & present to share and swap training tips, advice & stories.
You will need specific travel insurance, which covers the duration of your trip, along with full cover for any activities you will be doing (i.e. trekking, cycling) and to cover you up to any altitude you may be trekking to. Once you are signed up for the challenge, we will send you full details of our recommended providers of appropriate cover.
Life on the Challenge
- Fully supported 10-day group challenge
- UK Leader & medic
- Full support team, including local guides
- International flights and air travel taxes
- Action Challenge trek leader
- All accommodation, twin share – hotels / tents
- All meals with the group; breakfast, lunch and dinner
- National Park entrance fees
- Celebratory dinner to celebrate the end of the trek
- Pre event support & Challenge APP
- Optional training weekends
- Airline fuel surcharge
- Single supplement for tent / hotel
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations
- Tips for local crew
- Optional extensions
- Optional training weekends
- Kit hire
Trekking the W trail in Torres Del Paine is a moderate challenge, but is achievable with the right preparation and the correct training. Our trek leaders will manage the pace and ensure we don’t over exert ourselves during the trekking days. You can prepare yourself by practicing walking hill walking, while carrying a weighted backpack (5 – 8kg). This uses your muscles in the way they will be worked on the trails, and is the best training you can do. Working out in the gym, using the treadmill or weights is great training, and improve your cardio and core strength – however if you are pressed for time, walking training is the best option. This is a non-technical trek, meaning no specialist training, skills or experience are required. Your training should ideally incorporate aerobic (endurance building), anaerobic (strength building) exercises and some good long walks!
This is a flights included package. Upon signing up you will be included in the group flight booking that we make.
Yes, this becomes our land only package and reduces your final balance or minimum sponsorship balance – please contact us for more information if you are looking to book your own flights.
You will be required to arrange all flights and transfers in order to meet the group at the starting hotel on day 2 of your challenge and Action Challenge will require details of your travel arrangements before departure.
Please note you are unable to change your package once final balance invoicing has been completed and tickets have been issued by the airline.
Yes – why not stay on and explore more of what Chile has to offer! We can request with to change your return date with the airline. Places are limited and all arrangements are subject to availability.
We camp whist in Torres Del Paine National Park, and so morning will start early in our campsite to the side of the trail. Surrounded by forest, mountains and turquoise blue lakes! Meals are prepared by our local team and are always hearty and tasty.
We trek as a group, with the local head guide setting the steady and manageable pace. there’ll also be plentiful opportunity for rests and breaks. Our local team of porters will overtake us and head towards that night’s campsite.
Arriving into camp after our day’s walk always feels great. Snack and hot drinks in the mess tent give us all a chance to swap stories from the trail before our dinner. Often we’ll all head to be early and get some good rest before the next day of trekking. Though some may decide to stay up a little longer and take in the incredible stars!
The W Trek follows well established trekking routes and maintained trails. The paths traverse incredibly varied terrain, with plenty of ups and downs owing to the region being very mountainous. So, our trek will include many ascents and descents, sometimes steep, but the paths are very well graded and constructed- think stone steps!
We will have an unlimited supply of fully purified and treated water, and three varied and nutritious meals a day. Breakfast will be at the accommodation/campsite and will typically consist of porridge, toast and eggs. Lunch will be a packed lunch en-route, and dinner will be a hot meal served at cam, with a variety of rice, pasta, vegetables and a selection of meat and fish.
While trekking on the W trail, your main luggage is carried by porter. These strong and fit locals do a tremendous job of carrying your main luggage, often at speeds that allow them to have camp set up upon our arrival.
The pace is always safe and manageable, and is set by the hugely experienced head local guide. A slow and steady pace is the best way to trek this route, meaning you can enjoy the scenery without overexerting yourself.
Yes, you’re supported every step of the way! Your challenge will be led by an experienced Action Challenge leader. Our leaders are selected for their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, sensitivity and sense of humour, and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.
You will also be accompanied by an Action Challenge doctor, who will be carrying a fully stocked medical kit in case of any emergency. They will carry out daily health checks, and the re-assurance of their presence should allow you to focus on, and enjoy your challenge!
We have a full support team in country with contact between the Action Challenge Head Quarters in London and local staff and satellite phone for emergencies. If for any reason you need to leave the group early local staff will assist you and will arrange transfers, accommodation and medical care if necessary.
October through to May are the best times to trek in Torres del Paine as the conditions are fairly dry and the weather is generally sunny.
Expect colder temperatures, as we will be quite far south. As the sun sets the temperature can drop dramatically to 3-6º so expect cold nights while camping.
Mountainous weather is always unpredictable and can change very quickly. To ensure that you embrace this as part of the experience, make sure that you are ready for wind, rain, and sunshine!
Our Brochure
The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more – download for a full run down of the challenge details.