For the first time, on October 15 this year, Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park, one of South America's most iconic regions, announced that it is to impose a cap on the number of tourists during peak season (Dec to Feb). The new rule comes in response to a record 200,000 people visiting the Park in the last year. Having forecast this overcrowding, Tom Power, founder of the tailor-made Latin America tour operator Pura Aventura, aims to divert clients towards alternative adventures in the north of Chilean Patagonia, the Carretera Austral and Aysén region (see below).

Tourism caps were a much discussed topic at World Travel Market this year. The aim of this particular cap is to spread visitor numbers out more evenly over an extended season stretching from October through to April. However with LATAM's new twice-weekly direct flights from Santiago to Puerto Natales (beginning next month) only operating from early December to late February, and with major expansion plans for Punta Arenas airport on the table, the overcrowding of this corner of Patagonia looks set to continue. Added to which the new direct BA flight from Heathrow is projected to increase visitor numbers to Chile as a whole by 25% in 2017.

It was two years ago when Tom Power predicted this dramatic rise in visitors to Chile's most famous Park. Initially he prepared a four point guide which took a new responsible tourism approach to the area, suggesting different ways to experience the gem, before seeking out new, alternative adventures in regions nearby.

“Big names may draw the crowds, but the smaller ones are never forgotten”

Commenting, Power says, “Pura Aventura believes that while big names draw the crowds, it is always the smaller ones that make never-forgotten holidays.” And to this effect, the specialist tour operator has blazed a trail and introduced four trips to the Carretera Austral, a scenic route of over 1,000kms of natural beauty at the southernmost tip of the world. Power believes that Pura Aventura's Carretera Austral product range – more comprehensive than any other operator's - will not only take the heat off Chile's No. 1 attraction, but also guarantees travellers a far richer travel experience.

The Carretera Austral is a journey for explorers and adventurers, those who want to witness Patagonia at its most remote and untouched. From the rainforests of Queulat to the deserts of Jeinimeini and glaciers of the Patagonian icefields, there are few places in the world that can offer such diversity.

In spite of the region's remoteness, the lodges used by Pura Aventura along the way are surprisingly comfortable and the use of substantial 4x4 vehicles enables exploration along roads that are often unpaved.

CARRETERA AUSTRAL FOUR WAYS: 

CARRETERA UNCOVERED - A journey to the end of the Carretera Austral

This 18-day self-drive explores Aysén and the southern section of the Carretera Austral. From the Exploradores Valley to Villa O'Higgins (Chile's remotest village where the road ends and the icefield takes over) via the Baker River, this holiday is truly off-the-beaten-track. Among the many highlights are a boat trip to the Great O'Higgins Glacier, a spectacular sight at some 100m in height; hiking across the border into Argentina; glimpsing life in the small Patagonia town of Cochrane; driving through temperate rainforest to reach Tortel which, until 10 years ago, was only accessible by river or sea; staying on the shores of Lago General Carrera to visit Los Leones Glacier, and visiting the wilderness Parque Patagonia - the project of the late conservationist Doug Tompkins, and his wife Kris. Price: from £4,670 including 17 nights' accommodation, 16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners, 4x4 rental with full insurance, internal flights, scheduled activities (3 x glacier boat trips and private guiding in Parque Patagonia), and ferry crossing from Chile Chico. 

UNTOUCHED PATAGONIA - Chile's Southern Highway by convoy

Travel along Chile's Carretera Austral by road, boat and air as part of a small group journey led by expert Pura Aventura guides. From walking in the rainforests of Queulat to exploring the deserts of Jeinimeini and flying over the Northern Patagonian icefields by helicopter, the group will experience Aysén, the most sparsely populated area of southern Chile, while travelling in a small convoy. The cavalcade, made up of very comfy 4x4s and driven by members of the group, will stay in lovely small hotels and lodges along the way. Walks are between 7-10kms and there may also be rafting and ice hiking. Price: Departing 4 November 2017, 14 days from £3,450, including some meals, 4x4 rental with full insurance, internal flights, scheduled activities and guiding.  

CHILE'S SOUTHERN HIGHWAY - A journey to the northern Patagonian icefield

From the glaciers of the northern Patagonian icefield to the grasslands of Parque Patagonia, this self- drive exploration of Chile's Aysén region is a combination of the great outdoors, charming small hotels and a culture yet to be changed by tourism. Among the many highlights are a hike out onto the surface of the Exploradores Glacier, exploration of the extraordinary network of wooden walkways built around the coast at Caleta Tortel, and a discovery of the Patagonian fjords by private boat. Price: 13 days from £2,644, including 4x4 vehicle rental, internal flights, private transfers, some days with private or shared guides, activities and excursions. 

PARQUE PATAGONIA HIKE - A walk through remote Chilean Patagonia

New and exclusive to Pura Aventura, this holiday has, at its heart, a private guided three-day hike into the guanaco-rich grasslands of Chile's new Parque Patagonia. From the beautiful and remote Jeinimeni Natural Park on the shores of Lago General Carrera into the vast Chacabuco Valley, this trip combines world-class wilderness walking through some of the most unexplored, yet most dramatic mountain landscapes of Patagonia, with time to relax in comfort by the shores of South America's second largest lake, Lago General Carrera. This is an active trip for adventurous people who enjoy the great outdoors, with three nights spent under canvas. Porters carry the kit during the trek. Price: 9 days from £1,938 (less if there are four in the group) staying in a mix of guest houses, tents and a lodge, including guiding, transfers and some meals.  

Prices are per person based on two sharing and are exclusive of international flights.

For more information on Pura Aventura please visit pura-aventura.com or call 01273 676712.

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NOTE TO EDITORS:

There were 200,000 visitors to Torres del Paine during the 2015/2016 season, of which 40% visited in January/February. In January of this year alone, tourist admissions to the two routes with available campsites – the “W” and the “O” – increased by 15.6% year-on-year.

PRESS ENQUIRIES:    

Julia Spence, Hugh Collins and Tom Robins

Julia Spence Public Relations

01491 824524 / 07802 443113

E juliaspence.pr@gmail.com