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We are two experienced female trekkers who will spend 2-3 weeks trekking in the Pategonian Andes in December/January. Our preliminary trekking routes are located in Torres del Paine and near Bariloche, however we have yet not decided for sure. We are not satisfied with the information provided by the lonely planet guide, hence we would appreciate suggestions for other books about trekking in Patagonia. We are travelling on low budget and bring our own tent and cooking equipment. Since we must keep the weight of our rucksack at the minimum, we particularly need to know the climate in December/January. Will it be necessary to bring warm sleeping bags (-10 degrees celcius? Which kind of clothes do we need (fleece, down jacket, wool, etc)? We were thinking of using approach shoes for the whole tour-are there swamps and rivers which will be difficult to pass with just approach shoes? Finally, at the time we are trekking in the Pategonian Andes it would be Christmas and New Years Eve. Are there any problems related to travelling on these days.Is it possible to find cheap and cosy hostels on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve? If you have any suggestions on a nice place to celebrate New Years Eve in the Lake District (Argentina or Chile)we would be glad to know. We hope someone would like to share their experineces with us.

AWESOME PICTURES!!!! Great narration! This is really, really 'must see' stuff. Wayne Thanks, Wayne !

Hi Vera,   hence we would appreciate suggestions for other books about   trekking in Patagonia. The other book I used is Backpacking in Chile & Argentina , Bradt Publications. I think someone mentioned it already. It was not very good either, I must say. Maybe you know it already... there is a special Lonely Planet guide for Patagonia, Trekking in the Patagonian Andes . I am not sure if you were not satisfied with this one or with the general purpose LP guide for Chile or Argentina. At Torres del Paine, I found the guardaparque quite helpful. At the Laguna Amarga entrance, we had to register our names and pass numbers. A woman gave us plenty of information about the park, in particular to my travelling companion, a Czech girl who intended to do the big hike on her own. Do not hesitate to ask them, they will know better than any guide book.   we particularly need to know the climate in December/January.   Will it be necessary to bring warm sleeping bags (-10 degrees   celcius? I would compare the climate with the one in Iceland (during summer of course): it's very changing. One can have pleasant sun and snow in the same day. A difference with Iceland is the additional bonus of permanent wind. As for the sleeping bag: I only day-hiked in the park and never felt cold myself. But if you intend to make the loop ( Circuito ), then I would recommend to take the best sleeping bag you can. The Czech girl I mentionned earlier slept in the snow at one of the hike stages and she told me afterwards than she was really cold.   Which kind of clothes do we need (fleece, down jacket, wool, etc)? Gore-tex and fleece.   Is it possible to find cheap and cosy   hostels on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve? If you have any   suggestions on a nice place to celebrate New Years Eve in the Lake   District (Argentina or Chile)we would be glad to know. I stayed in Pucon for a few days to climb the Villarrica volcano and it was a lively and touristic little town. I am sure there is something going on there on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve, certainly more going on than in the Torres del Paine park. In the past, people in this group have often recommended the little towns around Lake Llanquihue (Puerto Varas, Llanquihue). As a general note: I found Argentina to be much more expensive than Chile. If you travel on a tight budget, this could be of interest. The towns of Calafate and El Chalten were expensive, whereas in Chile, lodging in friendly and cheap hospedaje was neve a problem. But if you visit Torres del Paine, it would be a shame to miss the nearby park Los Glaciares in Argentina. Good hiking there too, with Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres in the background. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to write me. Have a nice trip!