Eduardo Marques discovered hiking a decade ago in South America and now leads our elevated adventures through Torres del Paine and Cradle Mountain. He relishes connecting with nature, and has offered some tips and tricks (including putting technology away!) to help your next adventure...

When, where, and why did you become a walking guide? When I was still living in South America back in 2015, I used to hike by myself. I was doing some big expeditions abroad when I decided to invite a few friends who were not very experienced hikers. That made me think I’d love to do that for a living. So, I started a few courses and ran guided expeditions in Brazil and in Patagonia. Since then I have fallen in love with this profession and never stopped.

What are your three tips to guests about to walk with us? The first would be about doing good physical preparation before your walk. Try to do 10km walks frequently, preferably in terrains that include some elevation gain, also use the steps instead of lifts when possible. Just try to be active. Exercises to strengthen your ankles, knees, shoulders and back are also welcomed. 

The second would be related to your boots. If you haven't used them in a while, the rubber or the glue of your boots might be parched, causing the sole to fall apart after a few days of use on the track. Or if you have new boots, you want to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. So 2 weeks prior to your trip, try to use your boots wherever you go. 

My last tip, disconnect yourself from technology. Put your phone on flight mode while you are out there with us, read a book, enjoy a good chat, write a diary of your journey, do some stretching after a long day of walk, and slowly enjoy every meal and glass of wine.

If you have new boots, you want to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. So 2 weeks prior to your trip, try to use your boots wherever you go. 

Keep reading Eduardo's advice or view our Torres del Paine Patagonia Walk.

The mix of myrtle forest, little waterfalls, turquoise waters, hanging glaciers and being surrounded by mountains everywhere you look is just mind-blowing. 

What’s your favourite part of our adventures? Every time you think about Torres del Paine National Park, the first image that comes to most people's minds is the 3 granite towers standing above a glacier lake, and this is for sure beautiful and the most known place in Patagonia. But the walk to the French Valley has always been my favourite part since the first time that I went there. The mix of myrtle forest, little waterfalls, turquoise waters, hanging glaciers and being surrounded by mountains everywhere you look is just mind-blowing. 

On the Overland Track, my fave parts are the temperate rainforest and waterfalls on day 5, especially the section where we do our silent walk. When you understand the importance and how rare it is to still find ancient trees and such preserved places like this, it makes you feel a deep connection with nature that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. 

What’s so special about walking with Guided by Nature? The combination of exploring those amazing places during the day and relaxing during the night in comfortable accommodations and gourmet meals makes a huge difference. But I’d say what really makes walking with us so special is how passionate our team is about the outdoors and the way we share all this knowledge with our guests.

Enquire about our Torres del Paine Patagonia Walk or Cradle Mountain Signature Walk now, and follow us on Instagram to see more of Eduardo's epic photos from the trail.