Starting from Puerto Natales every Saturday morning:
Day 1 09:00 hours collection from hotel or hostel in Puerto Natales. Drive to see the famous Milodon Cave (20 minute drive). Take a short walk to the pretty caves set in beautiful surroundings. Continue on towards the National Park on the new road which runs alongside Last Hope Sound before passing through a spectacular valley filled with forests and lakes. Great views of the Mountains of Paine will unfold in front of us. Arriving at the park HQ we will check in with the rangers and visit the visitor centre and museum. There is a relief map here so the guide can brief the group on the planned route ahead. From here we will drive on to the south end of Grey Lake where it flows into Grey River. We will hike for 2 hours along the lakeshore and peninsula that traps huge icebergs floating down the lake from Glacier Grey. (*Optional 3 hour boat trip to the face of the glacier can be booked here at a cost of US$75, subject to availability). Late afternoon we will hike across Pampa Grande to our first campsite beside the Grey River. A beautiful site with few visitors, we will set up camp here and enjoy our first dinner in the wilderness.
Wild camp. L,D
Day 2 After breakfast we will start walking towards the Paine Massif passing through southern beech forests and alongside the stunning waters of Lake Pehoe. Lunch will be taken somewhere along the lakeside here before we continue on towards Grey Glacier. One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, the climb up and out of the valley enjoys awesome views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. Our destination and camp for the night is the lakeshores near the glacier itself. Organized camp with full facilities (meals taken in Refugio). B,L,D.
Day 3. Today our hike takes us back to Lake Pehoe and then on towards the French Valley passing many lakes, streams and waterfalls in the shadows of Paine Grande. Our camp for the next 2 nights will be in the forest below the French Glacier alongside the river fed from its snowmelt. Avalanches can be seen and heard frequently here from across the valley.
Wild camp. B,L,D
Day 4 Today we will head up into the French Valley itself ascending to the British camp and beyond. A full day's hiking we will enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks that make up this enclosed valley as well as the waterscapes below including Lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. We return back to our camp below enabling us to navigate the steep climb at a leisurely pace.
Wild camp.B,L,D
Day 5 Today's hiking takes us along the foothills of the Horns of Paine with the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold on our right. For the brave there will be a chance to swim in the frigid waters of this spectacular lake as we hike towards the three granite spires that give Torres del Paine its name, the Towers of Paine. Our destination is the lively Refugio Chileno which is set below the imposing Towers.
Night in bunk bed accommodation in this organized refugio with full facilities (meals taken in refugio) B,L,D.
Day 6 Today's hiking is our most arduous but worthwhile as we climb to the base of the Towers themselves. A round trip hike, we will climb up into the Ascending Valley and through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the towers. A steep climb over the moraine will reward us with one of the most spectacular views in the park and weather permitting we will enjoy our last trail lunch at this amazing vantage point. After spending some time here we will hike down to the refugio to collect our gear before continuing on to the trailhead. Meet awaiting vehicle for the 2 hour transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Trip ends around 18:00 hours in Puerto Natales. B,L.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes: BlueGreen guide throughout, private transfers stated (we reserve the right to use public transport if only 1 or 2 clients travelling), accommodation in tents (4 nts) and refugio (1nt), all hiking stated, all meals (including wine while camping, not in refugio), all camping and cooking equipment, pack horses for equipment (clients to carry their own clothing, sleeping bags, mats), Park entrance fees (Milodon entrance fees extra).
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
Wildlife Viewing
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