Location: Awasi Patagonia is located 90mins from the town of Puerto Natales, in southern Chile. The lodge occupies a 15,000-acre private reserve, overlooking windswept plains and the vast granite peaks of Torres del Paine.
Getting there: There are direct daily commercial flights from Santiago with LATAM and Sky to Punta Arenas (4½ hrs from the lodge). Flights to Puerto Natales (90mins from the lodge) are less regular, but worth taking advantage of. Those arriving from Argentina should fly to El Calafate, followed by a 4-hour land transfer.
Recommended stay: We suggest 4 or 5 nights to allow for 3 full days of guided excursions (particularly for those keen on the iconic hikes to the base of Los Torres and through the French Valley).
The Lodge: Awasi Patagonia consists of 14 exquisitely designed timber cabins and a spacious communal lodge, with a dining and living room. Appearing simple and rustic from outside, the villas’ interiors are cosy and chic, with local textiles, wood-burning stoves and sheepskin rugs. Each villa has a king size bed, a spacious bathroom and an outside wood-powered hot-tub. WiFi is is only available in the main lodge. This is a perfect opportunity for a digital detox.
Exploration: Each villa comes with a 4×4 and private guide who works alongside guests to tailor each adventure. Days are spent exploring the Patagonian wilderness by foot or on horseback where rheas roam and guanacos pepper the hillside. Visit Lago Grey and traverse its formidable glaciers, or kayak electric-blue deep-water lakes. Gauchos are a unique part of the Awasi experience. Well adapted to Patagonia’s mountainous terrain, these nomadic horsemen drift across the landscape maintaining the wellbeing of their livestock. Experience their lifestyle galloping across the mountains of deepest Patagonia.
When to travel: This part of Patagonia is notorious for strong winds. It is generally advisable to prepare for four seasons in one day. We encourage travel throughout the open season, from September (the beginning of Spring in Patagonia) through April, when the lenga trees turn ablaze with the arrival of autumn. High season rates and a four-night minimum stay applies from mid-December through mid-January. Temperatures vary drastically, from below freezing to 75 °F (24 °C) and sunny at any time of year. We encourage to plan a year in advance when booking Awasi Patagonia.
Combination: We recommend crossing the border into Bolivia (40mins by private charter or 11 hours overland by 4×4) to experience the immense Uyuni salt flats. Kachi camp is the place to stay.
