Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Monday: The Patagonic Adventure Starts. Torres del Paine NP, Chile
The trip starts in Punta Arenas city during the morning either at your hotel or at the airport. From Punta Arenas we drive to Cascada EcoCamp located in world famous Torres del Paine National Park. During summer the sun sets around 11 pm, so as you drive in you’ll have plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanaco and snow-peaked mountain horizon.
Before arriving though, there are a couple stops. One is at Puerto Natales, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Última Esperanza - "Last Hope Sound". You are invited to check out the town and to leave any luggage you will not need for the trek in our office. The other stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The surrounding area is very scenic with plenty of wild birds to be seen. The day ends with an overnight at the EcoCamp in Las Torres.
Day 2, Tuesday: Warming up in Los Cuernos. Torres del Paine NP, Chile
We start our adventure in the Park with a pleasant walk through the curly Cuernos trail located beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this "appetizer walk" we take in the park’s charming flora and fauna, its strong wind and the curious 4-seasons weather that will accompany us for the next days. As we advance through the trail we enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns which are majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif.
We will of course stop to get some great first shots of the park and also enjoy a delicious box lunch to energize us for the rest of the walk. The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refuge located by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. The evening is left free to enjoy dinner and share experiences.
Day 3, Wednesday: Stepping into the Paine Massif’s Heart: Valle Frances. Torres del Paine NP, Chile
After breakfast, we begin a challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends on our groups’ rhythm. An active walk leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, we can enjoy our first truly wonderful view and then continue up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the valley.
The entire group of geological formations of the high valley can be admired here: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza! (Fortress). It is time to have a picnic and recover from the walk. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well. Next, we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching the Refugio Paine Grande, located in the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. Finally, upon reaching the Refugio, the luggage is organized and there is time to talk about the day while enjoying a replenishing dinner.
Day 4, Thursday: Torres del Paine’s Big Daddy is on the Way: Glacier Grey! Torres del Paine NP, Chile
Today we’ll hike from Paine Grande Lodge along the shores of mountain-lined Lake Pehoe to the northern end of glacial Lake Grey. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails to the blue face of Glacier Grey. You’ll have lots of time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat ride across Lake Grey with its floating pieces of ice.
You clothes and personal belongings are once again transported separately from the lodge in duffel bags. From Lake Grey’s southern end we transfer to the EcoCamp. If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate Lake Grey, we’ll instead hike to Glacier Grey. Then at Pudeto we’ll board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there, we’ll take a short drive back to Cascada EcoCamp in where we’ll enjoy the night.
Day 5, Friday: The Great Challenge: The Mighty Torres del Paine. Torres del Paine NP, Chile
Time for a great breakfast and lots of enthusiasm! Our goal is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine NP. We walk from the camp site towards Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed along the scenic walk into the valley. It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before our face to face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with an adequate amount of precaution.
After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. This is one of the most breathtaking sights of the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2, 900 m/ 9, 400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Is there any better place on this planet to have lunch? Of course! But since we are in Patagonia, at the feet of the mighty Torres del Paine, we will enjoy life, the view, and a bite to eat! Once everyone is ready, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to the EcoCamp.
Day 6, Saturday: Soft Day in the Eastern Lakes. Torres del Paine NP, Chile
We hike to the Laguna Azul lookout where we have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. We continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the lake’s shores where guanacos are often seen. Later we trek to Paso Las Corneas with spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we can also hike to the Toro lookout point that offers more soul-candy scenery - Lago Toro and the pampa, or steppe!
Upon returning to the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is celebrated with a regional favorite – Patagonian lamb barbecue! This is sadly our last night in Torres del Paine, we take notes and talk with our friends, relax, feel the strong Patagonic wind while watching the heavens above, all these days in the Park will be profound memories when we return home.
Day 7, Sunday: Adios Torres del Paine! Punta Arenas, Chile
We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight to Santiago.
* Starting / Finishing in Calafate - Optional 1 Day Extension:
Sunday, Arrive in Calafate, Argentina
We arrive at the airport and take a transfer to Calafate, a small town set amidst dramatic scenery and natural beauty. Once we reach the hotel, check-in and relax for the rest of the day or go exploring the shop-filled main street of its down town. We overnight in this cozy town.
Day 1, Monday: Heading to Puerto Natales. Puerto Natales, Chile
After a repairing breakfast we take a short transfer to the bus terminal and there we board the regular public bus going through the Chilean borderline heading to Puerto Natales which will take about 6 hours. Once we reach this town – beautifully located in the shores of Last Hope Sound- we will wait for the group coming from Punta Arenas city and then we start driving to Torres del Paine, following the same itinerary as indicated on first day 1 above.
Day 2, Sunday: Back to Calafate, Argentina
We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride until we reach Cerro Castillo (Chilean borderline). In this point we step off of the van and wait for the regular public bus coming from Puerto Natales heading to Calafate. Once the bus arrives, we get in and accommodate ourselves for the ride back to Argentina. Once we reach Calafate there will be a transfer waiting for us and then we drive to Calafate Airport on time to reach your flight or transfer to the hotel to continue with another adventure with Cascada in the awesome Los Glaciares NP.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- High: US$1,979 p.p. (01.11.2008 - 09.03.2009)
- Shoulder: US$1,765 p.p. (08.10.2008 - 06.04.2009)
- Season 2008-09 departures Dec 22nd and 29th have a Christmas surcharge of US$50 p.p.
- Domestic flight tickets not included; referential SCL/ PUQ/ SCL ticket cost: US$ 400 p.p.
* Starting/ Finishing in Calafate Optional Extension 7 + 1 days
Season 2007-08-09
- 2star hotel, dbl basis: US$277 p.p. / single supp: US$23
- 3star hotel, dbl basis: US$332 p.p. / single supp: US$56
- 4star hotel, dbl basis: US$426 p.p. / single supp: US$94
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
Camping
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