Trekking agency for Torre del Paine trek?

Hello,

Does anybody know a trekking agency in either Puerto Natales (Chile) or El Calafate/El Chalten (Argentina) that does REASONABLY PRICED trekkings in Torre del Paine and/or Los Glaciares?
I like to travel on my own, and am planning to do so for the rest of Chile/Argentina, but for safety reasons (and because of earlier experiences in Nepal) I prefer an organised group for trekking in the mountains.
I don't want a luxury trip, but would like to stay overnight in refugios and would like to do longer (day lasting) hikes for 4-6 days, not simple 2-hours walks that are no challenge at all.

Any advice is welcome, thanks!

Ineke
(the Netherlands)

I had a fabulous experience travelling with this group out of Chile. I combined the "W" in Torres del Paine - Chilean Patagonia, with their Fitz Roy trek in Argentine Patagonia. Their eco camp is a wonderful place to spend a night before heading off into this magical land. The staff are professional, friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend them highly. Patagonia trekking

Me and my wife walked the 'circuit' earlier in the year without a guide and had a fantastic time. As you skirting around the paine massive I would say it would be very difficult to get lost. To be honest, I didn't even consider any possible security problems - you are walking in a national park, patrolled by rangers with many other tourists. If you are in to treking I would recomend thet a guide is unnecessary. also, if you get a chance to, you would consider the circuit over the W. It is a truly fantastic experience.

You do not need an organized tour. We two grandmas did the "W" just fine without one. You'll easily meet people on the trail to hike with; there are many hikers walking at different speeds. The important thing is to get your reservations for the refugios. We used redcecilia at Casa Cecilia,Puerto Natales. She's on the net; pm me if you can't locate her. (Also, make reservations to stay at her place, it is clean and the family is helpful.) The bus picks you up at Cecilia's, drops you at the park and off you go. We did the east to west "W". to finish at Glacier Grey. Cecilia arranged a boat pickup so we could see the glacier from the boat. The backup for reservations might be Path@gone also in PN.Text

Ineke, you should not have any concern for safety in Torres. It is a true National Park where there is no permanent human habitat within its boundaries. The only concern you should have is weather and if you are going to trip on a rock.

In Nepal, you are actually trekking on trails that everyone uses to get from A to B so anyone can access the trail that you are on.

You should consider the Paine circuit as it gets way less visitors.

As mentioned above it's very easy to walk TdP independently.

i wouldn't get a trekking group/guide. The park is well marked thoughout. I'd just stick to the W though for scenic reasons. I did the circuit and found the back end not really that exciting unless you've go the time (which I did not).

DF

Thanks for the post - I hvae the same concerns as a solo female traveler. I've reached out to a few outfitters but it all seems fairly $$$$. I'll be there the second week of March - when are you going, maybe we could meet up? annem76@yahoo.com