Chile Adventure Guides
The CAG Magazine

Stories from the Field

Gear advice, local knowledge, and portraits of the guides who know Patagonia best.

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Torres del Paine With a Guide vs. Without a Guide: The Honest Comparison
Featured What we do

Torres del Paine With a Guide vs. Without a Guide: The Honest Comparison

Should you hire a guide for Torres del Paine? This honest comparison covers safety, CONAF mandatory guide requirements, and when a guide is not optional.

June 11, 2026 · 15 min read
Rock Climbing at Cerro Benitez, Puerto Natales: Routes, Tips & Tours
Travel Tips

Rock Climbing at Cerro Benitez, Puerto Natales: Routes, Tips & Tours

Twenty-five kilometers north of Puerto Natales, past Laguna Sofia and out of sight from the main road to Torres del Paine, there is a wall of sedimentary conglomerate that most travelers drive past without knowing it...

June 5, 2026 13 min read
Torres del Paine Photography Guide: Locations, Light, Gear, and Expert Tips
Gear & Tips

Torres del Paine Photography Guide: Locations, Light, Gear, and Expert Tips

Torres del Paine is one of the world's great photography destinations. Here is everything you need to know before you go: locations, light, gear, and local tips

April 29, 2026 20 min read
Cerro Marmolejo (6,108m): The Complete Guide to Climbing the World's Southernmost 6,000m Peak
Mountaineering Guides

Cerro Marmolejo (6,108m): The Complete Guide to Climbing the World's Southernmost 6,000m Peak

Everything you need to know to climb Cerro Marmolejo (6,108m) in Chile's Cajón del Maipo.

April 23, 2026 15 min read
W Trek vs Las Horquetas: Which Patagonia Trek Is Right for You?
Travel Tips

W Trek vs Las Horquetas: Which Patagonia Trek Is Right for You?

W Trek or Las Horquetas? We compare both Patagonia treks head-to-head: difficulty, cost, crowds, scenery, and logistics, so you can choose the right one for you

April 10, 2026 16 min read
Puma Spotting in Torres del Paine: The Complete Guide (2026/2027)
Travel Tips

Puma Spotting in Torres del Paine: The Complete Guide (2026/2027)

The world's best place to see wild pumas is waiting for you. Our expert guide covers everything: best times, top locations, and what to expect.

March 29, 2026 21 min read
Cerro Castillo in April: What to Expect (A Local Guide's Honest Take)
Trekking Guides

Cerro Castillo in April: What to Expect (A Local Guide's Honest Take)

Empty trails, autumn color, and the glacial lagoon to yourself. What April in Cerro Castillo actually looks like, from guides who've done it every season.

March 25, 2026 10 min read
The Great Footwear Debate: Why Hiking Boots Still Reign Supreme for the W Trek and O Circuit
Gear & Tips

The Great Footwear Debate: Why Hiking Boots Still Reign Supreme for the W Trek and O Circuit

Trail runners are taking over the hiking world — but are they really right for Torres del Paine? Our expert guides share why ankle support and waterproofing still matter on the W Trek and O Circuit.

February 26, 2026 8 min read
Why a Certified Local Guide is the Key to Your Torres del Paine Expedition
Travel Tips

Why a Certified Local Guide is the Key to Your Torres del Paine Expedition

The O Circuit is one of the world's great treks — and also one that punishes under-preparation. Here's why trekking with a certified local guide transforms the experience from stressful to extraordinary.

January 25, 2026 7 min read
Climbing the Andes: Meet Anais Puig, Mountain and Climbing Guide in Cerro Castillo and Torres del Paine
Meet Your Guide

Climbing the Andes: Meet Anais Puig, Mountain and Climbing Guide in Cerro Castillo and Torres del Paine

Anais Puig is an experienced mountain and climbing guide. Her expertise goes from Cerro Castillo to the challenging trails and peaks of Torres del Paine

July 25, 2025 5 min read
From the Heights: Meet Marina, Your Young Chilean Mountain and Climbing Guide
Meet Your Guide

From the Heights: Meet Marina, Your Young Chilean Mountain and Climbing Guide

At 26, Marina is one of the youngest certified climbing guides working in the Chilean Andes. We talked with her about growing up at altitude, her route through professional certification, and why she thinks the next generation of female guides is changing Patagonian adventure tourism.

July 25, 2025 6 min read
Tracking Wonders: Meet Fabián Briones, Expert Puma Tracker & Wildlife Photographer in Torres del Paine
Meet Your Guide

Tracking Wonders: Meet Fabián Briones, Expert Puma Tracker & Wildlife Photographer in Torres del Paine

Fabián has spent over a decade tracking pumas in Torres del Paine. We sat down with him to talk about wildlife photography, tracking techniques, and what it means to witness the big cats of Patagonia.

July 25, 2025 6 min read
Capturing the Wild Magic: Meet Paola Montelongo, Photography & Trekking Guide in Patagonia
Meet Your Guide

Capturing the Wild Magic: Meet Paola Montelongo, Photography & Trekking Guide in Patagonia

Mexican photographer and guide Paola Montelongo fell in love with Patagonia on a solo trip and never quite left. Today she guides photography treks through Torres del Paine, teaching guests to see the landscape through a photographer's eye.

July 9, 2025 10 min read

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