Drinking Clean Water from the Source

Exploring Chile: Nature, Conservation, and Connection

Patagonia is wild, vast, and utterly majestic. Torres del Paine National Park is a masterpiece of glaciers, granite peaks, and wind-sculpted grasslands. The glacier-fed lakes shimmer in shades of blue found nowhere else on Earth.

One of the most magical parts of the trip was drinking pure glacier water straight from mountain streams, with no filter needed. It’s a rare privilege to find water that clean, and it made traveling light effortless since we could refill our bottles every hour or so.

Our guides, Lisa from Austria and Diego from Mexico, brought such warmth and knowledge to the experience, creating a wonderful group dynamic.

We stayed at EcoCamp Patagonia, an inspiring example of sustainable luxury. The camp runs on renewable energy and blends beautifully with its surroundings, proving that conservation and comfort can coexist.

On my birthday, the group surprised me with cake and song, and I was teary-eyed. That same day, we hiked to Grey Glacier, then took a boat right up to the ice face, where I held a fragment of ancient glacier in my hand.

Back at camp, baby foxes played among the domes, a reminder of how life thrives when nature is protected.

Being unplugged for a week in this raw landscape was deeply grounding. We didn’t spot a puma, but guanacos were everywhere, graceful against the wind. Brett loved it as much as I did and left determined to spend more time off-grid.

And as a bonus discovery, I’ve become completely hooked on alpaca textiles. Softer than wool, locally made, and sustainably sourced, they’re the perfect reminder of this unforgettable journey.

Turquoise lake with mountains and a bridge in Torres del Paine, Patagonia.
Large blue iceberg floating in a body of water, with mountainous terrain in the background under a cloudy sky.
Group of people posing outdoors in a mountainous landscape
Group of hikers walking on a trail with mountains in the distance and a partly cloudy sky.
A group of hikers walking up a grassy hill under a blue sky with clouds, wearing backpacks and using trekking poles.
Two young wild canines in a grassy area, with one closer to the foreground and the other in the background, surrounded by trees and vegetation.
A group of people posing on rocks near a turquoise lake in a mountainous area, with three prominent, jagged granite peaks in the background under a clear blue sky.
A couple stands on a scenic path with views of turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains under a clear sky.
Blue glacier with jagged ice front meeting a calm body of water, surrounded by rocky and snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.
Glacier with Chilean flag
A large blue glacier with jagged ice formations, partially submerged in a body of water under a clear sky.
Large blue glacier with mountains in the background and water in the foreground.
View of a lake with blue icebergs floating, surrounded by mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Person wearing a life jacket and hat, standing on a boat with a mountainous landscape and blue glaciers in the background.
Person walking on a rocky beach towards a red and white boat near the shore, surrounded by green hills and a cloudy sky.
Two people sitting on rocky terrain overlooking a lake with distant mountains and clouds.
Person crossing a wooden suspension bridge in a forested area with trees and a rocky river below.
Group of hikers standing on a rocky cliff with snow-capped mountains in the background.
Mirador Británico lookout sign with view of rocky mountains, green forest, and cloudy sky in background.
Mountain landscape with rocky peaks and snow, featuring a glacier.
Hikers posing on a trail with snow-covered mountains and lush greenery in the background.
Scenic view of a turquoise lake surrounded by rocky shoreline and hills with a cloudy sky overhead.
Person standing near a caution sign about encountering pumas, with hiking equipment and mountainous landscape in the background.
Scenic view of turquoise lake with lush green landscape and mountains under blue sky with clouds.
Hikers with backpacks walking along a narrow trail beside a large turquoise lake, surrounded by hills and under a partly cloudy sky.
Two people wearing outdoor clothing stand in a rocky area near a turquoise lake, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Person standing on rocky terrain near a flowing stream with a large, scenic lake and mountains in the background.
A group of hikers walking on a rocky path surrounded by grassy fields and hills in a natural landscape.
Two people standing on a wooden deck in front of eco-friendly dome-shaped cabins with a mountainous landscape in the background.
Woman standing next to a sign at the entrance of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, with mountains in the background.