Hello, I and my husband are going to visit Santiago next week and we are looking forward to hiking there. But I have to say, there's very little information in the internet and I am looking for some answers to my questions: 1. Do we need a guide or can we do it alone? I read in some forums that having a guide is better for safety purposes? 2. If so, how can we get a guide? Is there an agent for tour guides and do we have to make advance arrangement with them? Is there a good recommendation for a guide? 3. From some of the description I read on the net, the hike starts from above and we will hike downwards. Is it possible to hike from below and then upwards? Any advice would certainly be appreciated. Thank you!