Hiking with our guide, Cata, in the French Valley but also the Lazo-Weber Trail

Life changing

1) We were picked up at Puerto Natales and the drive to Riverside Camp was great. We got there around 1:30pm and Havi greeted us and took us to our tent. But we were starving having traveled since 5am and we did not feel she gave us enough info so we took initiative and walked to the next door hotel and had a delicious lunch. I think more of a Welcome and/or some kind of printed We are so glad you are here....and give us a little information. There did not appear to be a hike that we could do that afternoon. We were kind of left on our own. 2) the dinners and the wine were really below standard. We hiked all day and we were hungry but only one night we had lamb shank but the rest of the 4 dinners were not good: they repeated a terrible crab dish with way too much potato and then two nights later a crab lasagna with way too much cream and cheese. They repeated the same dessert of floating egg whites in some cream. Finally the last night I just asked for fruit. We were hungry and did not like that there was no steak, no chicken and not enough vegetables. Also the wine was awful. There was very little choice: On the last two nights the only white wine was a Viognier that was undrinkable. We came to Chile expecting great wine. We know what wine costs and there could have been a good Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon but they were cheap and tasted awful. It left us feeling that the catering staff just did not pay attention to guests who expect a glass of good wine. 3) the area in the main tent had a kind of sofa and two chairs. They were uncomfortable and not inviting. Surely they could do better? Sometimes you just don't want to be in your tent and you want to just relax and read but the seating was not comfortable. 4) there was no mirror in the sleeping tent. A small mirror just to comb my hair would have been appreciated. When it is very windy, cold, rainy, you have to step out of the tent and pop into the bathroom to find a mirror.

Yes! Be sure you have clothes that will insulate you in the wind and rain. Bring lots of layers. Be sure your backpack and hiking boots are waterproof not water repellant. Bring warm pyjamas. Bring a flashlight. If you are looking for a view, Riverside Camp is not really the place to stay. From your tent there is, of course, no view but also from the main tent where you dine it is hard to see any view. The late evenings are spectacular so that is a shame to miss. If you are looking for talks, evening programming, spa or any other amenities, Riverside Camp is NOT the place to stay.

We loved our guide and our driver. The deep respect for nature from all the locals and the sense of awe and preciousness of nature and wild open scenery was profoundly touching. We need to take care of our planet and Torres del Paine appears to be doing a good job.

I would like to speak to you about the food and wine at Riverside and how you talk to clients as they are deciding what kind of accomodations to pick. At the time it was kind of overwhelming for me and now, of course, I can see a huge difference between Riverside Camp and Grey Lake Lodge and Explora.

We were very excited. Almost prepared but not quite: for example, it is not enough to have long waterproof hiking trousers: you need warm leggings to wear underneath. We did not realize how windy and wet and cold it would be.

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Beyond 12 months