Contact us in Patagonia -
Call us at 281–213–0115
Contact us in Patagonia -
Call us at 281–213–0115
Dittmar Adventures has the sentiment of an explorer! We envision exploring Patagonia with people that dream of seeing glaciers, scaling mountains, cycling into valleys, and paddling rivers, fiords, and channels.
Our mission is to deliver memorable outdoor experiences to our clients, inspiring them to spend more time in the wilderness. The Dittmar Adventures´ team works hard to give customers the comforts and safety that they desire without compromising the feeling of being with nature. Our guides provide a level of service that allows each client the ability to explore Patagonia as their own unique place.
The quality of our trips is a reflection upon the experiences our staff have had, because of this we have united a group of professionals that are leaders in Patagonia. Our guides have years of experience and training in leading trekking, mountaineering, kayaking, cycling and climbing adventures; all of them have customer satisfaction and safety as their priorities. This allows you to travel with the experience of a local Chilean or Argentine and know that you will be taken care of.
Furthermore, we operate with a goal to maintain and improve the environments we explore. We push to conserve nature by contributing to recycling and beautification programs in Patagonia in order to improve the quality of life for everyone. We have made being green a way of life, because respecting and caring for the earth ensures that the things we love will be here for centuries to enjoy.
David Dittmar - Laura McAfoos
The man who has begun to live more seriously within begins to live more simply without. Ernest Hemingway (1896-1961)
How far ahead should I book my trip?
Due to the popularity of Patagonia, we recommend booking your trip 4 months in advance during the peak travel months (Dec-Feb). If you want to travel in November or March we recommend booking travel 2 months in advance.
Upon arrival to Patagonia
Your guide will meet you at the airport upon arrival. Typically he/she will take you to Puerto Natales, which is about a 3-hour drive from Punta Arenas. Depending on what time your plane arrives, you will have the entire day or just a few hours to explore or rest-up in the small town of Puerto Natales. Your guide will leave you at your hotel and meet you shortly after dinner to discuss trip details, answer questions, and make sure that you have all the appropriate gear for the next few days (the hotel will allow you to leave any unnecessary luggage with them).
Patagonian weather
Most of the time, there is no way to know what to expect. What you need to know is that it is fast changing and one can witness the wind, sun, rain and snow all in a matter of hours while in Patagonian wilderness. However, in the cities it is slightly more predictable, normally www.accuweather.com and www.undergroundweather.com are correct.
What to pack
During the trek you need to have a backpack (renting a backpack is possible) with just enough room to carry your clothes, toiletries, and sleeping bag (during W trips, renting a sleeping bag is also possible). Shared equipment like tents, stoves, pots, and food will be brought and transferred by our staff.
Personal equipment and clothing should be chosen to allow comfort while hiking. Select clothes to keep you dry in the rain, protected from the wind, and cool enough for warmer moments. It is essential that you are prepared to experience all four seasons in one day.
Tour insurance
It is very important that every visitor has international insurance against accidents. Make sure you have arranged for this insurance before paying for the trip. It is worth considering that some aspects of nature are unpredictable and that we must be prepared for any inconvenient circumstances.
Tour meals
Three meals a day during your program are included. We do not include drinks while in cities or snacks during the day. When staying in cities we will eat in restaurants, however during the days we are in the wilderness your guide will prepare your food. Food is purchased at local stores and we choose your meals according to the preference sheet you fill out. Food can include, but is not limited to, assorted vegetables, beef, chicken and fish. We will also provide energy rich carbohydrates like pasta, rice, or potatoes. To top things off and excite your taste buds we also bring some of the following: wine, beer, cookies, cheese, crackers, and fruits. Your meals are carried and, most of the time, prepared by your guide.
Changes in itinerary
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule agreed upon, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.
Canceling your adventure
At the time we receive written notice that you must cancel your trip, the following fees will apply to your deposit (all dates are from departure date):
Please Note: No partial refunds will be given for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips, or trek arrangements for any reason whatsoever. Program Costs are quoted as a package and refunds are not given for services not used. (Note—Extra hotel nights cancelled within 60 days of departure are subject to 100% of the hotel cost or $35, whichever is greater.)
Greg Sivertsen, Febuary 2011
Lifetime Trip
Seattle, WA, USA
Your ability to be flexible at all junctures along the way, made for a very fun and spontaneous trip, which in my estimation are the best . Without a doubt you assembled a first class team, Dario and Tekka were outstanding and definitely people you want on your team. David, you kept the train going every day, and made sure we were all feed and cared for along the way, and I salute you for your outstanding performance. Laura, you made it all happen behind the curtain and we all appreciate the great effort you put forward to make this a once in life time trip. Thanks so much!
Susan Wertz, November 2010
Patagonia Combo
Olympia, WA, USA
Trip Coordinator for a group of 16 people
Hi Laura. I can't tell you how much we all enjoyed the trip thanks to your excellent planning and organization. I can only imagine how much work it was to set up camp and cook for all of us.The meals were EXCELLENT!!! I realize that there was a lot of "behind the scenes" logistics. It was a seamless experience...something that does not happen very often in the tour and travel industry. I give you and David the highest marks....A+ for service and fun. Everything went perfectly.
Jake Shirmer, March 2010
Patagonia Combo
The W in Torres del Paine with Dittmar Adventures was without a doubt my favorite part of the trip. David, you were by far the best guide I had during my time in South America; Laura, you were greatly helpful before and during my trip. I thank you both very much. What an awesome trip!
Kerstin Seibert, February 2010
Torres del Paine Circuit
Barcelona, Spain / Nuumlremberg, Germany
...ein Muss für alle Wanderfreunde und Naturliebhaber! Ich hatte mich für den gesamten Circuito entschieden zum einen der sportlichen Herausforderung wegen und zum anderen um nicht nur die Touristenattraktionen Torres, Cuernos und Grey abzuhaken sondern auch den entlegeneren Teil des Parkes zu erkunden. Was ist dafür also besser geeignet als ein Trekkingveranstalter der Wert auf kleine Gruppen und individuelle Betreuung legt!? Auf Empfehlung einer Freundin setzte ich mich mit David in Verbindung und erfuhr von Anfang an per Email seine Hilfsbereitschaft. Während des Trekkings kümmerte sich David nicht nur um alles Organisatorische, sondern bereicherte meine Reise zusätzlich noch durch seine unglaubliche Kenntnis der Flora & Fauna, Geschichte, Politik, Kultur ... Chiles im Allgemeinen und Patagoniens im Besonderen. Darüber hinaus hatte ich das Glück die ganzen 10 Tage des Trekkings schönes Wetter zu haben – alles in allem ein tolles Erlebnis an das ich noch lange zurück denken werde.
Walter Grymek, January 2010
Patagonia Combo
New Britain, CT USA
I did not know about Dittmar Adventures prior to finding them on internet. At the first contact with Laura I felt very comfortable dealing with her. It felt as I had known her for a long time. Laura was FANTASTIC arranging our custom made trek both to Argentina and Chile. Her advice and patience helped us to get something better that we were planning originally. I am trekking for many years of my life and I have been all over the world. I have done it on my own, and with various adventure travel companies. Having this perspective I may state with certainty that Dittmar Adventures is a high class operation being small makes it even better. We were group of 4 from USA and Switzerland and all very experience trekkers.
Our trek around El Chelan/Argentina was self guided. Transportation and accommodations were all arranged by Laura/Dave. Before trek, we all met in El Calafate (including Dave´s mother and cousin which was very nice), got maps and were briefed about trails and which to choose based on weather situation. Everything was perfect in spite the fact that we got a good size storm coming down from viewing Cerro Torre. Next day was sunny and trek to the base of Fitz Roy turned out to be better than perfect. On Chile side we had a full board service.
Trekking alone is OK but having a local person gives another perspective to a trek. We appreciate Dave´s leadership. We hiked the W and on the 2nd day one of participant developed a knee problem. Dave was able to rearrange guides on a fly and take troubled friend thru different route which helped his knee to recover. In addition to trekking we spent a few days in Buenos Aires. Laura arranged hotels and transportation from/to hotel, from/to international airport and from/to domestic airport.
Everything was flawless both on arrival and return. I am very satisfied customer. I plan to get a few folks and return to complete the full circuit of Torres del Paine. Laura, Dave and all in Dittmar Adventures, thanks for the great experience. Good luck to you all and keep doing what you are doing. La Montana esta llamando. Viva la vida!
Frederieke Wolter, December 2009
Torres del Paine W, Self-guided trip
Netherlands
Before we left I must be honest that I was a bit afraid if everything was okay. And I had paid so that made it even more risky. But now I am really happy I have choosen for you and we had a wonderful time in El Calafate and in Torres.The vouchers were no problem at all (at Grand Paine they had not registered our reservation at first, but this was no problem as the voucher was okay) and we were on time at our flight the 12th (walk-boat-bus-bus risky thing). We also met some people without reservations and they really had a problem, so again we were glad we had beds in the refugio's.
Thanks again
Frederieke & Jenny
John Scott, November 2009
Torres del Paine extended W, Self-guided trip
Trukee, CA USA
Dittmar Adventures is fantastic! We had a short time window (12 days) and of course a desire to see/do it all. Laura was extremely patient as we reset priorities and made dozens of changes to our proposed itinerary. Laura helped identify the best hostels, bus schedules, flights, and private transport where appropriate. All the necessary vouchers, tickets, and even the butane canisters for our stove were ready and waiting for us when we arrived!
We visited Buenos Aires, Punta Tombo, Valdes, Perito Moreno Glacier, hiked 3 days via Cerro Torre/Fitz Roy, and 5 days via the "W" at Torres del Paine. Each connection worked perfectly, and we comfortably saw far more than we would have had we booked one of the 14 or even 16 day adventure packages I saw elsewhere. We also spent considerably less money, and avoided the challenges of hiking in a group.
We were lucky enough to hike the W at the same time as Laura's husband David was guiding for another couple and really appreciated the extra assistance David was able to provide. David picked out a "picture post card perfect" side hike on our drive out of Torres del Paine, and was a wealth of information on flora, fauna, and geology. Finally, I left my wallet on a bus the last day, and Laura was able to locate it, recover it, and ship it back to me via express mail!
Click the links below for more pictures of a fantastic trip:
John Scott
Richard Beebe, March 2009
Torres del Paine Circuit
Santa Rosa, CA USA
I hiked the Paine circuit with David Dittmar in March 2009. I've done a lot of backpacking on my own, but I chose to go with one of Dittmar Associates' scheduled trips because I didn't want to hassle the arrangements and because I wanted to travel with someone who could introduce me to the park. As things turned out, that was a really fortunate decision on my part. David absolutely knows the territory and is knowlegeable and capable in the craft of guiding. He introduced me to the flora and fauna of the area, much of which was totally unfamiliar, and was a very pleasant companion on the trail. Also, when special arrangements needed to be made in the course of the hike, he handled them very efficiently. His 12-day Paine Circuit trip hits all the high spots, offers flexibility in handling the most difficult stretch of the trip (between Camp Perros and the Gray refugio), and also features a don't-miss-it half-day ice hike on the Gray Glacier.
Those considering a "W" trip should really take a few extra days and do the entire Paine circuit. The circuit is so much more than the peaks you see from the front side -- it's the forests and glaciers and Montana-like valleys and the relatively uncrowded trails of the back side. Plus, the view of the Gray Glacier from John Gardner Pass is truly special.
David also offers planning and logistics services for those who don't necessarily want to do a pre-scheduled trip but who need help putting the pieces together from a distance to create their own custom self-guided trip. I think this would be an extremely valuable service for self-directed adventurers, especially those looking at a Paine Circuit hike or other hike within the Torres del Paine park, given the relatively confusing and incomplete nature of the public information sources which have to do with lodging in the park. Drawing on David's knowledge and connections, I'm sure you'd end up profiting from the service and saving a lot of hassles in the process. Again, thanks for a wonderful hike. Best to you both.
Rick
Fergus Macpherson, 2007
Torres del Paine Circuit
Edinburgh, Scotland UK
I trekked the complete Torres del Paine circuit with a group of friends in January 2007 led by David Dittmar. It was a truly unbelievable experience and one I would recommend to anyone. The Torres del Paine National Park feels truly unspoilt and for the 8 days of the trek we saw no form of motorised transport not even planes in the sky!
The scenery is breathtaking and different every day. We trekked through forests, beside glaciers, over moraine fields and through shrub land full of calafate bushes. We camped in designated campsites each night where you could (usually) get a welcome beer!
There is no doubt that the thing that really made the trek was David´s leadership. He knows the park inside out and was full of fascinating information. He was always ready to point out interesting local plants and animals and explain the geological processes that produced the unique geography of the region. In addition he was fully attentive to our whole group despite the fact that we were a large group with a considerable variation in fitness and ability levels. So despite some interesting weather conditions we always felt we were in very good hands.
Most of all he is simply an extremely nice guy and we struck up a friendship during the trek which we have maintained over the many thousand miles between Patagonia and Scotland.
This part of the world is a must to visit and I´d whole heartedly recommend you do so with David.