Who are the porters?
The porters are people who help with the logistics of transporting luggage during the trip. They are responsible for carrying items such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats/insulators, and dry bags*. These items are transported from EcoCamp or the camps used during the trek to the next stops, ensuring everything is ready and waiting when you arrive at the camps or refugios.
*Dry bags: Dry bags are waterproof bags used to store items you won’t need during the day’s hike, keeping them dry and protected while being transported by the porters. Each dry bag has a maximum capacity of 15 liters and a weight limit of 5 kg / 11 lb (in case more than one dry bag is used on your trip).
These bags will be labeled with your name to avoid confusion with other members of the group.
Dry Bag Logistics for the 9-Day Circuit
The porter service for this trip is included in the trip price. During the trek, your belongings will be divided into two main portions.
The first portion is what you will carry yourself in your daypack, including your lunch, water, camera, sunscreen, and the clothing layers you may need to put on or take off during the day.
The second portion is your change of clean clothes and other personal items needed at night in the campsites. These items will be carried for you in waterproof dry bags.
Sleeping bags and sleeping mats are included in your reservation and will be rented directly at the refugios/campsites, so you do not need to bring them with you to Torres del Paine or pack them in your dry bags.
On Day 1, at EcoCamp, we will provide you with two small 15-liter dry bags. In the first bag, you will pack the clothes and items needed for the following nights: Night 1 at Serón, Night 2 at Dickson, Night 3 at Los Perros, Night 4 at Grey, and Night 5 at Pehoé. In the second bag, you can pack clothes and any items needed for Night 5 at Pehoé and Day 6 at Cuernos, before returning to Camp Torre Central on Day 7, where the rest of your luggage will be waiting for you.
Upon arrival at Pehoé, you will have access to both dry bags at the same time.
You are allowed to pack up to 5 kg / 11 lbs in each dry bag.
Tips for assembling dry bags
Since you will only have access to one of the two dry bags at a time during the trek, we recommend the following to ensure optimal access to your belongings:
- Store items you will only need at night in refugios or camps, such as changes of clothes (underwear, pants, t-shirts, base layers, socks).
- Sleeping bags and sleeping mats/insulators are NOT stored in dry bags, as these are transported separately by the porters.
- Do not store items you will need every night, such as personal hygiene products or medications; these should be carried in your daypack.
- Avoid packing items that are too large or heavy, remembering the 5 kg / 11 lb weight limit per dry bag.
- Do not pack flammable or very delicate items that could pose a risk during transport.
- Avoid storing food in dry bags, as it can damage the bag and spoil the food.