Torres del Paine National Park is an incredible stretch of wilderness in Chile, where our remote ranches offer guests the opportunity to experience rural life in Chile, enjoying horseback riding, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. We recently spoke to Gabriel Mazuelos who works as a tour guide to find out what life is like for him.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to work in this part of the world/this role?
My name is Gabriel and I am a hiking/horseback riding guide at Torres del Paine National Park. I am a very big outdoor enthusiast, I love being in the mountains, climbing, skiing and almost whatever you can do out there.
At first, I didn’t know anything about Torres del Paine, which is what attracted me. I just knew that everybody wanted to go there, so I had to figure out for myself why that was.
Being in such an extreme latitude so far away from home in my own country would be something new for me, and more than anything else I wanted to see these new landscapes that attracted so many explorers before me.
How does a typical day start for you?
A typical day would start by looking at the beautiful Almirante Nieto Mountain, which is right in front of us (if the weather allows it). Then I would have breakfast at the staff restaurant/kitchen. Then I would go to the front desk to welcome my guests on the excursion, and get to know them a little before I do the briefing about the day. I would try to learn what they already know about Patagonia, if they have taken any other excursions or if it is their first time here. I would then proceed to lead them on the excursion.
Favourite thing about Patagonia?
The landscapes are breathtaking and the mountains majestic. It is always an adventure, no matter how many trails I have experienced, there is always a chance of finding something new and exciting. Although the weather can be very unpredictable and challenging, especially during the summertime, it is always an enjoyable and fascinating experience to be out there. But I must say that my favourite part about Patagonia is the people I meet along the way. There is always something new and interesting to learn from the people I guide and also from the people I work with. Different life stories, backgrounds, and experiences. For me that is the best part, you get to live different lives through the eyes of the people you meet.
What’s the most unusual/memorable moment you’ve experienced guiding visitors in Patagonia?
That is a hard question to answer. There is always something memorable, or at least most of the time. Encountering wildlife on the road or the trail is always extraordinary.
Watching pumas, these powerful, majestic apex predators just roaming around or just chilling is an unforgettable experience that makes your day and even your whole week sometimes.
For me the most memorable moment so far would be that time when coming back from the British Lookout a male Huemul (a deer) jumped in front of us on the trail, completely unaware of us being there. We were as shocked as it was. Luckily for us, we had our cameras at hand and we could snap some pictures before it vanished into the forest.
Later that day we noticed a family of ducks. The parents were teaching the ducklings how to swim and dive in the river. We sat there for at least 30 minutes, just watching this beautiful moment that was occurring right there in front of our eyes.
Biggest challenges you face in your role?
The biggest challenge is always meeting the expectations the guests have about the excursion/tour and also about themselves. Guests want to see and experience Patagonia and sometimes the weather is a challenge. That makes planning their tours a lot harder.
What advice would you give travellers coming to explore Patagonia and Torres del Paine?
Bring layers! Base, mid and outer layers. It is not that cold, but with the unpredictable weather, you never know. As we say here in Patagonia, you can get all four seasons in one day, so be prepared. Also, if you are not picky, you can get water from most of the streams that run down the hillsides. So you don’t need to carry extra weight in water.
I would also recommend getting fit for the hikes. Train before you come down to Patagonia, the fitter you are the better. Some hikes are quite demanding, especially on your knees. Learn how to use hiking poles, they are of great help.
Favourite time of year, tips for when to go to Patagonia?
That would be for sure at the end of March and the beginning of April. If you come around that time of the year you can see the change of season, which is breathtaking. Watching the forest turn red as the days get shorter is an amazing experience that everybody should have. Also, the weather is a lot more predictable, you can actually rely on the forecast. It is less windy too. It may be a bit colder than the summer, but it is totally worth it.
There are fewer tourists during that time so you have more chances of seeing the wildlife and enjoying the trails in the silence that only Patagonia can provide.
A trip to Patagonia and Torres del Paine can be yours from £2,499 per person in our Highlights of Patagonia holiday and can be made Truly Individual to your requirements.
Want to create your perfect Patagonia holiday? Complete the enquiry form to get in touch or call our Travel Specialists on 020 3820 7090.
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