I'm excited to announce that I will be going backpacking in Patagonia on March 3, 2012, in partnership with G Adventures!
Departing from Buenos Aires, the 15-day End of the Earth tour encompasses the best of Patagonia, in both Chile and Argentina.
Hiking in the mountains of Patagonia, and standing in awe of its glaciers, has been a travel dream of mine for almost a decade.
Last year, I approached G Adventures about working together at some point during my journey through South America, and this trip is the result.
End of the Earth Itinerary
G Adventures offers a range of Patagonia trips, and frankly, they all look amazing.
The End of the Earth trip starts and ends in Buenos Aires, and includes the following highlights:
- Full-day hike in Glacier National Park
- Visit the massive Perito Moreno Glacier
- Two and a half days of hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
- Visit a penguin colony at Otway Sound in Punta Arenas
- Visit Ushuaia, the southernmost city in South America, and possibly the world (as well as the most popular jumping-off point for cruises to Antarctica)
- Boat cruise on the Beagle Channel
End of the Earth Tour: Discover South America's most amazing scenery, including majestic mountains and massive glaciers. Click here for the full itinerary.
Why G Adventures?
First and foremost, we share a common value -- inspiring people to change their lives through travel.
Also, G Adventures earned my admiration as I watched them embrace social media, and build relationships with travel bloggers years before it was cool to do so.
For example, Bruce Poon Tip (the company's founder) and I had started following one another on Twitter back in 2009.
The following year, we were drinking beers together at a bar in Washington, DC because he had wanted to attend one of the monthly DC Travel Tweetups I'd been co-hosting.
I'm also a huge fan of the Wanderers in Residence program that G Adventures launched in late 2010, which features several of my peers, such as Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere and Dan and Audrey of Uncornered Market.
The trips they've taken with G Adventures have served to inspire me, and now it's my turn to do the same for you.
What to Expect
It will be business as usual here on Go Backpacking.
I'll be traveling with all my standard gear, and providing real-time updates and photos via Twitter (follow the unique #RTWGADV hashtag), Facebook, and Instagram.
After the trip concludes in Buenos Aires, I'll shack up and get to work editing photos and writing blog posts to keep you motivated toward a journey of your own.
I'll be sharing my experiences on both Go Backpacking, as well as the G Adventures' blog.
But Wait, What About the Wildfire?
You may have seen that a wildfire broke out last Tuesday in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. Visitors were evacuated, and the park was closed.
Since then, progress has since been made in getting the fires under control.
G Adventures maintains a page dedicated to safety updates from around the world, and how they may be affecting tours to specific regions.
According to the latest advisory for Torres del Paine (dated January 4, 2012), the rain dances being performed by G Adventures' staff are paying off, and part of the park is expected to re-open any day now. Excellent.
I am super excited to have the opportunity to experience all that Patagonia has to offer, and finally, see what it's like to go backpacking with G Adventures.
Join me on March 3, 2012, for one of South America's greatest adventures!
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Disclosure: This Patagonia tour is in partnership with G Adventures. I am paying for transportation to/from Buenos Aires, all meals except when camping, optional activities, and any incidentals. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Ian [EagerExistence] says
Wow, great work with that trip Dave. After reading about your trek of Machu Picchu, I look forward to read what you have to say about the end of the earth.
Dave says
Thanks Ian, I can't wait to stand in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier --- it looks gorgeous in all the photos I've seen.
Christine says
Awesome! Looking forward to reading about your trip--I've heard nothing but good things about G Adventures, in and out of the travel blogosphere.
Dave says
Thanks Christine, less than 2 months to go!
Laura says
Great news! I've always wanted to go to Patagonia and can't wait to read about it. G Adventures has been doing such great things with bloggers and it's great to see they are open to working with folks outside the Wanderers in Residence program.
Christy & Scott says
Such great news! We look forward to reading about your adventure and living vicariously through you, for now. :)
Simon says
Over ten years on, this remains one of my most memorable journeys. Patagonia is a very special part of the world and I miss it. I know nobody who does not cherish their time there.
Dave says
You speak of Patagonia like I do of Nepal. I'm really looking forward to getting down there to see it for myself.
Caz Makepeace says
Very cool Dave! Happy to see G Adventures working with you, I know you will provide a lot of value in return.
Enjoy it and thanks for the inspiration!
Stu says
Dave, so jelous!! Its the only place I want to go in the world really. Its so great to look back as a reader from when you started your blog to now and see how far you have come! Maybe take the gregory chaos, just for sentimental value :)
Dave says
Hey Stu, great to hear from you again. It's been quite a ride!
Believe it or not, I still use that Gregory Chaos backpack. I thought about getting something a little smaller, but it'd be hard to let it go.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures says
How exciting I'm DYING to get to that part of the world!
Cam @ Traveling Canucks says
Sounds like another epic adventure is about to begin! G-Adventures is a quality tour operator, we went on a trip around Peru with them in 2009 - great experience.
I look forward to following the adventure - Patagonia has been on my list for years, we didn't make it that far south on our last trip to South America
hadeel says
hello :)
wow this trip looks amazing
I am considering going for the same trip "End of the Earth" this year 2016 on march but a little worried about the hiking level difficulties.
would you say it was difficult and tiring or just long
and what was the most challenging thing in this trip
..... hope to get your response soon :)
Regards
Dave says
The tour I took only had day hikes, and because the altitudes weren't that high (compared to say, the Himalaya), it wasn't that strenuous.