Anyone who has researched hiking in Patagonia is likely familiar with the W-Trek, a five-day hike across Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. But if you’re looking
for ways to avoid the crowds, you may want to look more locally — at Pygmy Elephant, a Royal Oak-based travel agency whose specialty is self-guided hiking trips.
Andrew Delmenhorst, founder of Pygmy Elephant and leader of a local team of
10, has spent years exploring Patagonia. Recently, Delmenhorst debuted his own alternative route called the M-Trek, a multistage hike in Argentine Patagonia.
“We wanted to find something in Patagonia that had the same views [as the W-Trek], the same challenge, and make it a little bit more accessible to a wider audience,” he says.
Delmenhorst, who has traveled to over 40 countries, founded Pygmy Elephant
in 2015 after, in his words, “I didn’t find anything on the market to support me while I was doing these kinds of adventures.”
The trips are private — you can traverse places like the Alps or Iceland without a tour guide. Pygmy Elephant’s team of 10 offers 24/7 support for travelers via text, email, or phone call. Its itineraries are customizable, and its “pricing transparency” guarantee means travelers get a breakdown of all the trip expenses. The trips also aim to benefit locally owned businesses, and the agency gives a portion of its income to conservation and charity organizations.
Pygmy Elephant’s M-Trek begins in Reserva Los Huemules and ends in El Chaltén, a small mountain village settled near the limits of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The self-guided trip requires about 70 miles of trekking over five days and includes stays in an alpine lodge and a solar-powered luxury geodesic dome.
Along the way, hikers glimpse multiple mountains and take in otherworldly lagoons. The rocky landscapes are studded with verdant lenga beech forests, home to elusive animals like the endangered huemul deer, several rare birds, and the puma.
And for those who want a self-guided trip on the W-Trek, Pygmy Elephant has four different experiences, including a multisport adventure option with horseback riding.
Patagonia Travel Tips
Plan Ahead and Go When the Weather Is Good
If you’re planning a trip to Patagonia, Delmenhorst recommends booking six months to a year in advance and at minimum 90 days in advance. Any later, and “it becomes more challenging logistically,” he says. The best months for hiking are December through March.
Pack for All Four Seasons
The weather in Patagonia can be hard to predict — the region is home to snow, rain, and some of the world’s strongest westerly winds. Additionally, expect temperature shifts. “I’ve been up at elevation and it was snowing, and then I get down to basically sea level and I’m in shorts,” Delmenhorst says.
Get in Shape
To take the M-Trek, travelers must be able to hike 10-12 miles for multiple days in a row, with an elevation gain of approximately 3,000 feet. Previous hiking experience is recommended, but “somebody that’s in moderate shape, as long as they’re willing to put in some exercise to get ready, can do the trip,” Delmenhorst says. To prepare in the months leading up to it, Delmenhorst recommends taking practice hikes with a weighted backpack or doing leg-strengthening exercises such as squats or using a stair machine.
This story originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on March 10.
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