Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive to Santiago, meet you at the airport, and transfer to your Hotel for Overnight, overnight at Hotel Torremayor (or similar).
Day 2, Monday: Transfer from you hotel to the airport take a flight to Calama, 7 Day Atacama Trek Begins. Arrive to Calama and drive to San Pedro de Atacama (98km) Briefing lunch. Evening 3-4hrs walk into the silent Moon Valley. Overnight Hotel in San Pedro.
Day 3, Tuesday: Enter Valle de Marte and start walking the Corniza trail (3hrs) over the ridge of sandstone mountains. Descend to San Pedro Valley and walk (1hr) to the remarkable fortress of Quitor (XII century). Walk (3km) to San Pedro. Evening visit to the Archaeological Museum.
Day 4, Wednesday: Enter the sparkling white Salar de Atacama and observe the flamingos at Chaxa lagoon. Return to San Pedro (50 Km) and continue (6-8km) along the river valley until trek starting point. Arrive in the old mine of San Bartolo (2,700m/8,100ft) and set up camp.
Day 5, Thursday: Start gaining altitude as we leave the riverbed and hike at plateau level. Arrive in the village of Rio Grande (3,500m/ 10,500ft) where we set up camp by the river.
Day 6, Friday: We keep gaining altitude until reaching the green pastures of Machuca (4,100m/ 12,300ft) teeming with wildlife and a spectacular view of Licancabur.
Day 7, Saturday: At 5am we start driving towards El Tatio (4,500m/13,500ft) on time to observe the geysers in action at sunrise. Breakfast in the open and walk around the geothermal field. If feeling acclimatized enough we attempt to hike over the 5,000m/ 15,000 ft on the slopes of an inactive volcano. Drive back to Puritama hot springs for a healthy bath. Farewell dinner and overnight in San Pedro.
Day 8, Sunday: Drive back to Calama on time for your flight, transfer from the airport to your Hotel, overnight at Hotel Torremayor (or similar).
Day 9, Monday: Transfer from your hotel to the airport, take a flight to Punta Arenas, Arrive in Punta Arenas. Torres del Paine Trek Begins and drive 256km/160 miles to Puerto Natales with box lunch en route. After a brief stop continue another 115 km/72 miles to Paine National Park stopping at Milodón Cave. Arrive at Eco Camp for a welcome dinner and overnight. Includes (BL, D).
Day 10, Tuesday: From Estancia Las Torres and the Eco Camp walk over the undulated Los Cuernos Trail (12km/8mi) until reaching Refugio Los Cuernos for overnight. Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 11, Wednesday: The day starts with a 1 hr walk over flat terrain until reaching Campamento Italiano and the wild Río Francés. Here we start a round trip hike to Mirador del Francés (1.5-2.5hrs), for a magnificent broad view of the lakes below. Then we descend 8 Km/5 miles (2.5-3.5hrs) down to Refugio Pehoe at Turquoise Pehoe Lake. Overnight at Refugio Pehoe. Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 12, Thursday: Hike (4 hrs) towards the impressive Grey Glacier at the northern shore of Grey Lake. Board the boat and before crossing the lake (1 hr) have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier while sailing alongside. Disembark and drive across the park spotting frequent guanaco herds beside the road. Overnight at Eco camp Las Torres. Includes (B, BL, D).
Days 13 - 14, Friday / Saturday: On either day depending on the best weather conditions we hike 10km/6.3miles (6-8hrs rt) to the foot of the impressive El Paine granite massif and admire the striking sight of the gigantic granite monoliths (2,900m/9,400ft). The other day is saved to walk to the Mirador Laguna Azul (40 Min) and then to the eastern side of Sarmiento Lake, a good spot to observe guanaco. Later we hike (3 hrs) the Paso Las Cornizas with view of Paine River, Pehoe Lake, and the Paine massif (2-3 hrs). Last dinner at the Eco Camp is celebrated with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 15, Sunday, After breakfast pack your things and drive back to Punta Arenas airport take flight to Santiago, transfer to your hotel and overnight at your hotel. Includes (B, BL).
* Note:
- During shoulder season, months of October, November, 2nd half of March and April, boat schedules at Lake Grey and Pehoe change, slightly modifying our itineraries.
- When flying in/out Punta Arenas the schedule of the flights will be: arriving Punta Arenas on Monday at 11:50hrs and departing on Sunday after 18:30hrs.
Day 16, Monday, Transfer out and end of our services.
Notes
* Departures:
2 people minimum to confirm departure. The trip starts every Sunday from November to February (2 departures every month) and in December and March (1 departure each month). You have to arrive from Santiago in the first flight departing from Santiago. The trip finishes in the airport of Punta Arenas on Sunday at approx 5 PM. If going back to Santiago you have to book last flight departing from Punta Arenas (usually LAN 286). Please contact us before booking domestic flights.
* Group Size and Guiding Staff:
8-12 travelers is the most typical group size plus Ecocamp staff. Maximum is 20 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:8.
* Refugios:
Our programs include one night in refugio Pehoe another night in Los Cuernos refuge. This 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.
* EcoCamp Single Accommodation Policy:
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. If at the moment of arrival at the Ecocamp someone shows up with a reasonable claim for single accommodation and the Camp manager finds availability then an exception will be made.
* 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 with the limitation of their use to the given itinerary and time schedules.
* 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). In Atacama Come prepare for summer and winter. At sea shore temperature may reach 30ºC and at nights in the Altiplano it may drop below -20ºC.
* Physical Demands:
This is the right trips 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:
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.
* About the Itinerary:
The numbers in brackets (distance-km/miles, time-hrs) are approximated and refer to the trekking portions exclusively. In general the itinerary submitted and the estimated of time is reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering also good weather conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing and pictures.
* 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.
* Additional Information and References:
Once you book the trip we will send you a pre-trip Information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us. Not sure about us? We will be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the itinerary
- Air fares according to schedule (sierra class)
- Boat crossing over Lake Grey
- 4 nights accommodation sharing a 2 person dome in EcoCamp
- 1 night accommodation in Refuge Pehoe and 1 night in Refuge Los Cuernos
- Santiago: 3 nights Hotel
- Atacama Trek: 3 nights Hotel and 3 nights Camp
- Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / BL = Box Lunch / D = Dinner
- One expert English speaking trekking guide for 6 clients; one English speaking assistant guide added for groups larger than 6.
Price Excludes:
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips)
- Optional 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.).
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Hiking & Trekking
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