Trekking FAQ's
What is a typical day like?
A day on trek begins with a cup of hot wake-up tea or instant coffee, brought to your tent door around 6:00 am. You have time to enjoy this in the warmth of your sleeping bag before having to get out into the invigorating morning air. We then join together at the dining table for a hot breakfast (about 7:00 am). After breakfast there is time to attend to any last-minute tasks and finish organizing your daypack before the day's hike begins. Plan on hiking 6-7 hours per day on average. We usually stop at a scenic spot around noon to enjoy our picnic lunch. The afternoon trek then continues. We will probably be passed during the day by our porters or mule drivers and camp staff who hike together as a group, arrive to camp ahead of us and have our tents pitched when we show up later. Upon arrival in camp, around 4:00-5:00 pm, you can choose a tent and enjoy some personal time. Before dinner, which is usually served about 7:00-7:30pm in the dining tent, you are at leisure to explore the area or nearby ruins, photograph the sunset, read or write, talk with the staff, visit a community if there's one close by, or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
A day on trek begins with a cup of hot wake-up tea or instant coffee, brought to your tent door around 6:00 am. You have time to enjoy this in the warmth of your sleeping bag before having to get out into the invigorating morning air. We then join together at the dining table for a hot breakfast (about 7:00 am). After breakfast there is time to attend to any last-minute tasks and finish organizing your daypack before the day's hike begins. Plan on hiking 6-7 hours per day on average. We usually stop at a scenic spot around noon to enjoy our picnic lunch. The afternoon trek then continues. We will probably be passed during the day by our porters or mule drivers and camp staff who hike together as a group, arrive to camp ahead of us and have our tents pitched when we show up later. Upon arrival in camp, around 4:00-5:00 pm, you can choose a tent and enjoy some personal time. Before dinner, which is usually served about 7:00-7:30pm in the dining tent, you are at leisure to explore the area or nearby ruins, photograph the sunset, read or write, talk with the staff, visit a community if there's one close by, or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
What do I have to carry?
On trek all of the group equipment and most of your personal gear is carried by porters or pack animals (horses, donkeys, mules or llamas) according to the route. Each trip member will carry in their daypack the following items: a packed lunch or snack bag (provided by the cook); water bottle(s) or hydration system like camelback; raingear and any extra clothing you might need for the day according to weather conditions (e.g., sweatshirt, fleece jacket, ear band or hat, gloves, etc.); your camera and film; sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat, etc.; and any other personal items you want to have handy during the day's hike of 6-7 hours.
On trek all of the group equipment and most of your personal gear is carried by porters or pack animals (horses, donkeys, mules or llamas) according to the route. Each trip member will carry in their daypack the following items: a packed lunch or snack bag (provided by the cook); water bottle(s) or hydration system like camelback; raingear and any extra clothing you might need for the day according to weather conditions (e.g., sweatshirt, fleece jacket, ear band or hat, gloves, etc.); your camera and film; sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat, etc.; and any other personal items you want to have handy during the day's hike of 6-7 hours.
How many staff will we have?
Depending on the destination, your camp staff will generally include the following: an experienced mountain guide, an expert chef, kitchen assistant (the head porter may also serve this function for smaller groups), assistant guide (groups larger than 8), head porter, and 1-2 porters per participant. On routes where pack animals are used, we provide approximately one pack animal per guest and one arriero, or wrangler, for every 2-3 pack animals. Typically, the camp staff (cooks and porters or arrieros) travel in their own small group, leaving camp after we do and trying to arrive to the next campsite ahead of the group. Trekkers are normally hiking with the mountain guide(s) at a moderate pace.
Depending on the destination, your camp staff will generally include the following: an experienced mountain guide, an expert chef, kitchen assistant (the head porter may also serve this function for smaller groups), assistant guide (groups larger than 8), head porter, and 1-2 porters per participant. On routes where pack animals are used, we provide approximately one pack animal per guest and one arriero, or wrangler, for every 2-3 pack animals. Typically, the camp staff (cooks and porters or arrieros) travel in their own small group, leaving camp after we do and trying to arrive to the next campsite ahead of the group. Trekkers are normally hiking with the mountain guide(s) at a moderate pace.
What is the food like?
Guests continually comment that the food on trek was much better than they anticipated. It is generally nutritional, varied and rich in flavor, and typically meals are prepared from fresh native produce. Menus are carefully determined according to the demands of the route, the possibility of resupplying the group on long treks, the availability of fresh produce in the region, and union or park regulations that may forbid carrying certain items among other factors. There may be oatmeal, pancakes, french toast or eggs as well as cereal, bread, honey, jam and butter and plenty of instant coffee, tea or hot chocolate for breakfast. A light lunch consisting of sandwiches, juice, fruit, chocolate bars, nuts, cheese, salads, etc. is usually taken along the trail. Tea, with cookies, crackers, or popcorn and plenty of hot drinks (instant chocolate or coffee and tea), is generally served in the dining tent shortly after we arrive to camp and is a welcome treat, especially at the higher camps. Dinner is often three courses beginning with homemade, cream-style soup or salad containing vegetables, noodles or rice and ending with dessert which is normally canned fruit, pudding or something similar. The main course typically consists of chicken with rice or potatoes, tuna, salmon or another type of fish with rice, beef stew, or pasta with side dishes of salad, quinoa, barley, or vegetables. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Backpacking style treks like the Trekking in the Lost World or Paine Circuit Trek require, by their nature, lightweight food items and thus often include freeze-dried or packaged foods.
Guests continually comment that the food on trek was much better than they anticipated. It is generally nutritional, varied and rich in flavor, and typically meals are prepared from fresh native produce. Menus are carefully determined according to the demands of the route, the possibility of resupplying the group on long treks, the availability of fresh produce in the region, and union or park regulations that may forbid carrying certain items among other factors. There may be oatmeal, pancakes, french toast or eggs as well as cereal, bread, honey, jam and butter and plenty of instant coffee, tea or hot chocolate for breakfast. A light lunch consisting of sandwiches, juice, fruit, chocolate bars, nuts, cheese, salads, etc. is usually taken along the trail. Tea, with cookies, crackers, or popcorn and plenty of hot drinks (instant chocolate or coffee and tea), is generally served in the dining tent shortly after we arrive to camp and is a welcome treat, especially at the higher camps. Dinner is often three courses beginning with homemade, cream-style soup or salad containing vegetables, noodles or rice and ending with dessert which is normally canned fruit, pudding or something similar. The main course typically consists of chicken with rice or potatoes, tuna, salmon or another type of fish with rice, beef stew, or pasta with side dishes of salad, quinoa, barley, or vegetables. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Backpacking style treks like the Trekking in the Lost World or Paine Circuit Trek require, by their nature, lightweight food items and thus often include freeze-dried or packaged foods.
What about the altitude?
Elevations vary tremendously depending on the destination. For example in the central Andean regions of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia we tend to encounter altitudes of 9,000-15,000' whereas in Patagonia elevations are typically 5,000' and lower. Most guests (especially those currently residing at sea level) will find that they need 2-3 days to gradually adjust to the higher elevations found in the central Andes. All Southwind trips into this region have been designed to allow for gradual altitude adjustment and have acclimating days built into the itinerary, but each individual's response to high elevation varies (and your own response may vary from one trip to another). Guests are encouraged to arrive a day early if possible to give themselves an extra period of time to adjust to the elevation.
Elevations vary tremendously depending on the destination. For example in the central Andean regions of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia we tend to encounter altitudes of 9,000-15,000' whereas in Patagonia elevations are typically 5,000' and lower. Most guests (especially those currently residing at sea level) will find that they need 2-3 days to gradually adjust to the higher elevations found in the central Andes. All Southwind trips into this region have been designed to allow for gradual altitude adjustment and have acclimating days built into the itinerary, but each individual's response to high elevation varies (and your own response may vary from one trip to another). Guests are encouraged to arrive a day early if possible to give themselves an extra period of time to adjust to the elevation.
Will I be able to handle trekking?
Most participants who are reasonably fit and have some experience hiking can do a Grade III trek. All group members are encouraged to do everything possible to ensure their best physical condition before leaving. Each guest will be sent training suggestions shortly after signing up for a trip and included in the pre-departure manual are tips for hiking at altitude and advice on how to pace yourself. Grade IV treks are designed for experienced hikers only. View more details on Trip Ratings.
Most participants who are reasonably fit and have some experience hiking can do a Grade III trek. All group members are encouraged to do everything possible to ensure their best physical condition before leaving. Each guest will be sent training suggestions shortly after signing up for a trip and included in the pre-departure manual are tips for hiking at altitude and advice on how to pace yourself. Grade IV treks are designed for experienced hikers only. View more details on Trip Ratings.
What gear does Southwind provide?
We provide the camping equipment such as tents, Thermarest™ sleeping pads, walk-in kitchen and dining tents, folding tables and camp stools and an environmentally friendly camp toilet with a privacy tent. On some treks we offer portable solar showers for washing off the day's sweat. Sleeping tents are typically spacious all-season, 3-person quality expedition tents (Eureka K-2, North Face VE-25, or similiar) shared by 2 participants (single tents are available for an extra fee). Thermarest™ pads are typically standard thickness, long length, and although most guests prefer to bring their own, temperature-appropriate sleeping bags are available for rent in most destinations.
We provide the camping equipment such as tents, Thermarest™ sleeping pads, walk-in kitchen and dining tents, folding tables and camp stools and an environmentally friendly camp toilet with a privacy tent. On some treks we offer portable solar showers for washing off the day's sweat. Sleeping tents are typically spacious all-season, 3-person quality expedition tents (Eureka K-2, North Face VE-25, or similiar) shared by 2 participants (single tents are available for an extra fee). Thermarest™ pads are typically standard thickness, long length, and although most guests prefer to bring their own, temperature-appropriate sleeping bags are available for rent in most destinations.
