Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to Torres del Paine. Arrive around noon-1PM. in Punta Arenas with the earliest morning flight from Santiago. Drive to Ecocamp (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time (Dec-Mar), 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 wander that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at Ecocamp at Las Torres. Includes (L, D).
Day 2: French Valley - Valle del Frances. Trasfer to Pudeto (45 min) to board the catamaran which crosses Lake Pehoe (09:00 hrs). Today the trekking will go over 8 km/5 mi (2,5-3,5 hrs) up to Campamento Italiano and will continue with a round trip to Mirador del Frances (3 km/2 mi, 1,5-2,5 hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. The track between Camp Pehoe and Camp Italiano makes its way through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to meet river Frances and Camp Italiano. From here we follow the wild river upstream until El Mirador (lookout point) facing Glaciar Frances which descends from Paine Grande (the highest summit in the Paine range). Magnificent broad view of the lakes below. Once we are back at Camp Italiano, we return to refugio Pehoe for overnight. Includes (B,L-,D).
Day 3: Pehoe - Grey Glacier. We’ll hike about four hours from Refuge Pehoe to the northern end of Lago Grey. At 16:00 hrs board the boat which sails alongside the face of Glaciar Grey. We will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat crosses Lago Grey (40 min.). Transfer (1,5 hrs) from Lake Grey's southern end to Ecocamp in Las Torres for overnight. Includes (B,L-,D); 1) If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we’ll instead hike to the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, round trip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe.
Day 4: Torres del Paine (Ascencio Valley). An all day hike (10 km/6 mi, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine where the towers rise majestically before us, and the glacial lake is visible below: one of the most scenic sights in the world! 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. Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue; overnight at Ecocamp. Includes (B,L,D).
Day 5: Travel to 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).
Notes:
* For bookings made within 40 days prior to the trip departure we can’t guarantee space at the refugees. If space isn’t available then accommodation will be provided at the refugees camping area consisting in a comfortable tent, including mat, sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner; the camping provides satisfactory bathroom facilities. Meals will be served inside the refugees.
* Accommodation Details:
- EcoCamp. Located in the Park’s center-west area, the EcoCamp consists of luxury tented igloo-type domes built to minimize the environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting and maximum exposure to nature. All accommodations at the EcoCamp are in a sharing basis only. There is not single accommodation availability unless a "forced" single accommodation is needed due to different gender single travelers not willing to share. Bathrooms are located in a single facility divided by gender and are shared by all the guests; they have showers with hot water. There is electricity available for charging just camera batteries (voltage: 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, two round pins plug). Food at the EcoCamp has the same quality as the one you will have on a family dinner at your home, this means it is plenty and delicious!
- Refugios. These are typical mountain huts, open to the public that visits Torres del Paine. It has rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single, bunk type and we will provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don't need to bring a sleeping bag!). The bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water. The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area. Food at the refugios could sometimes don’t match your expectative, it is simple food prepared for mountain people with low emphasis in flavor and presentation.
* Group Size and Guiding Staff:
8-12 travelers is the most typical group size plus guiding staff. Maximum is 14 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6.
* Transport:
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 persons. When we have only 2 to 4 persons we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips you will share the vehicle with other EcoCamp guests joining other tours. On the private departure, the vehicle will be of your use exclusively although limited to the given itinerary and time schedules; additionally arrival and departure transfers for private groups might be shared with other passengers following our environmental policy which impel our operations to keep the ecological impact as low as possible and thus avoiding to drive the same way at the same time with two half-empty vehicles.
* Weather:
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Ice field influence make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).
* Physical Demands:
This is the right trip for energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to regard this trek as a means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a program of conditioning well before departure.
* What You Need to Bring:
We will send you a complete pre-trip info brochure once you book including things you need to bring in detail. Meanwhile take a look of some general items to have on mind: day backpack (20-30lt), duffel bag (70 liters), waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka and pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear).
* Itinerary Modifications:
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
5% discount only applies only to this program on High Season price and for bookings made prior to the 31st of July of 2008.
Price Includes:
- All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the itinerary
- Boat crossing over Lake Grey
- 3 nights accommodation sharing a 2 or 3 person dome while in EcoCamp
- 1 night accommodation in Refuge Paine Grande
- Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary
- One expert English speaking trekking guide for 6 clients; one English speaking assistant guide added for groups larger than 6.
Price Excludes:
- Flight tickets
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips)
- Voluntary tipping to guides and staff
- Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and wine offered in dinners, etc.).
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
Camping
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