Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine
We will pick you up at 12:15 PM at your Punta Arenas’ hotel or 1PM at Punta Arenas’ airport if your are flying that same day. (so be sure to arrive in the morning!). Transfer to Puerto Natales (250 km/156 miles/3 hours), lunch, and from there transfer (140 km/ 88 miles /2 hrs) to EcoCamp Las Torres inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In the Chilean summer time, the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains while entering the park.
We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales, to take a look of the town (you have here the chance to leave in our office in Puerto Natales any luggage that you will not need during the trek), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Cascada Ecocamp). Includes: (L, D).
Day 2: Valle Ascencio (21 km/13 miles, 9-10 hrs round-trip)
We start our trekking journeys with the celebrate hike to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine. From here admire the most typical sight of the Paine Towers (weather permitting) rising above a green lagoon. The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Cascada Ecocamp). Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 3: Ecocamp- Laguna Azul – Lago Dickson (28 km/18 miles, 9 hrs)
Early transfer to Laguna Azul The day will start trekking through the lenga forest of the northern side of Laguna Azul lake which was affected by the Feb. 2005 fire. In this sector you may observe black woodpeckers, typical birds of Patagonia. Once arriving to the Dickson lake, have a spectacular view on Glacier Dickson and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine.
You will stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below. Descend to the lake level and continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Our stunning campsite will be in the Dickson Valley surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers available. Overnight camping at Dickson. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 4: Glacier Dickson hike (14 km/9 miles, 6 hrs rt)
An easy hike to recover yourself from the last 2 demanding days. Today we will trek north to Lago Quemado and get close to the beautiful Dickson Glacier and its iceberg-filled lake. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 5: Lago Dickson- Los Perros (9 km/6miles, 5 hrs)
The trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. Virgin beech forests crossed by many water courses leads the way towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp. Spend the night camping at Los Perros. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 6: Los Perros- Camp Grey (14 km/9miles, 10-11 hrs)
In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1300 m (4000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the Grey glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley. The route continues roughly south along forested slopes with occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous glacier Grey (more than five miles across and ten miles in length). Overnight at camp Grey. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 7: Camp Grey - Camp Pehoe (11 km/7 miles, 4 hrs)
Free morning. Those willing to do a half day hike on the Grey Glacier with the use of crampons might book the trip on site (this is a great way to see the glacier up close. No previous glacier hiking experience is needed and all the technical gear is provided. PM: The trek continues down alongside Grey Glacier until it calves into the Lake Grey. Then it keeps going by the eastern side of the lake through clearings of Calafate bushes.
The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters is very impressive at this point. Finally, the track climbs onto flat ridges and passes a small lake one hour before descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago Pehoe. We spend the night in our camp by the turquoise lake Pehoe. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 8: Valle Frances (22 km, 8 to 10 hrs round trip)
The track makes its way north through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest, passing two small lakes, and continues by the south-east slopes of Cerro Paine to meet river Frances. From here we follow the river upstream passing Camp Italiano, below Glacier Frances, and –weather permitting- keep going until it reaches a small hut built by some British climbing expedition.
This magnificent setting is surrounded by high peaks on all sides being especially spectacular the Cuernos del Paine (the horns). Later we return to Pehoe and take the 6:30 PM boat that crosses the Pehoe lake and drive back to the camp in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Cascada Ecocamp). Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 9: Punta Arenas
Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago. Includes: (B, L).
Note:
During shoulder season, months of October and April, boat schedule at lake Pehoe changes, modifying slightly our itinerary.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes:
- Ecocamp Upgrade (Day 1, 2 and 8): you might upgrade from camping to the amazing (and very comfortable) Ecocamp. Three nights on double domes: US$ 214 per person sharing.
- Christmas surcharge: US$ 190 per person for trips starting in between 16Dec-7Jan.
- Horse-pack and porters: US$214 per person. Maximum allowed weight is 10 kg (horses for day 3, 4 and 5) and 7,5 kg (porters for day 6 and 7). The 2,5 kgs. difference is sent back with horses from Perros to camp Torres (or Ecocamp), so you will find them the evening of day 8.
- Minimum: we need at least 2 people to launch a regular departure trip.
- Single Tent Surcharge: US 171 p/p.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
Camping
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