Piuquenes Pass (Andes Crossing)

Following the historic path used by the Army of the Andes in 1817, this 6-day trans-Andean expedition traverses the central cordillera from Mendoza, Argentina, to the Cajón del Maipo in Chile. The route crosses two significant high-altitude barriers—Portillo Argentino (4,330m) and Paso Piuquenes (4,030m). Hikers move through a high desert landscape of volcanic rock, vast glacial valleys, and the powerful Tunuyán River. The terrain consists primarily of rocky mountain paths, loose scree on the steeper pass approaches, and high-altitude plateaus where exposure to wind and sun is constant.

The W-Trek is a multi-day hiking circuit in the Torres del Paine National Park, located in Chilean Patagonia. Distance varies by start/finish and side trips (e.g., Británico viewpoint). The route provides access to three major glacial valleys: the Ascencio Valley (Base Torres), the Francés Valley, and the Grey Valley. The trail traverses a landscape characterized by granite towers shaped by tectonics and glaciers, and large proglacial lakes such as Nordenskjöld and Pehoé. The W-Trek typically requires four to five days to complete.