Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas in the first morning flight coming from Santiago. Arrive in Punta Arenas airport around 12:00 hrs and transfer to Torres del Paine NP (345 km/ 216mi). On the way, stop at an enormous cave that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth, the Milodón. Overnight at EcoCamp. Includes (BL, D).
Day 2: Drive across the park with sight to the impressive Paine Grande and Los Cuernos and reach the shores of Lake Pehoe. Walk close to the furious Salto Grande that pours the waters of Lake Nordenskjold over Pehoe. Continue walking softly over the Nordenskjold trail until reaching its look out point. Once back at Lake Pehoe board the vehicle and drive south to the shores of Lake Grey Reach. After box-lunch on the lake board the ship that sails (1,5hrs round trip) across the lake to the towering Glacier Grey walls. Return to EcoCamp for dinner and overnight. Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 3: Spend the day doing short walks (2hrs) to observe the local wildlife. Observation would eventually include Guanaco herds, Foxes, Ñandus (Patagonean Rhea), Condors and diverse bird life. The trails around Lake Sarmiento feature a constant broad view over the Paine massif with frequent spotting of Puma tracks. Once back at the EcoCamp enjoy a typical farewell dinner. Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 4: After breakfast at the EcoCamp board the vehicle that drops you in Cerro Castillo border crossing where we meet the regular bus to El Calafate in Argentina (287 km/180 miles). Arrive into Calafate around 13:00 hrs; at the bus terminal there will be our representative waiting for you who will give you documents and indications for the next days in Argentina. Transfer to the hotel. At the afternoon (around 14:30 hrs) we take part in a guided excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, a very active glacier on the south arm of Lago Argentino. Later we return to Calafate for overnight in the hostal Pioneros or similar . Includes (B).
Day 5: Early breakfast. Transfer to bus terminal and take the regular bus to Chalten (220 km/138 miles). We drive on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma and reach the settlement of El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and on foot of the impressive mount Fitzroy. Check-in at the hosteria and meet your local guide. Weather permitting, we will do a walk by River Fitz Roy side trail to finally reach Laguna Torre; return to Chalten. Overnight at Hosteria Fitz Roy Inn or similar. Includes (B).
Day 6: Get up early to initiate a full day adventure to Laguna Los Tres. As we move forward heading Camp Poincenot we will pass beside the beautiful Laguna Capri and Laguna Madre. Once we reach the Camp we initiate the trek to Laguna Los Tres – one of the most splendid viewpoints of Fitz Roy’s in the Park; return to Chalten. Overnight at Hosteria Fitz Roy Inn or similar. Includes (B, BL).
Day 7: We have a very early breakfast because we will take the 06:00 AM regular bus going back to Calafate. Reach Calafate about 11:00 AM. Transfer to Calafate Airport Includes (B).
* Departures
Regular: The trip starts on Sundays in Punta Arenas either at the airport or city hotels at 12:00 hrs. If flying in this morning you must arrive in the first flight coming from Santiago (usually LAN 081). Please contact us before booking domestic flights. Another option is starting in Puerto Natales at 15:00 hrs. The trip finishes in Calafate approx. 11:00 hrs. The transfer to Calafate airport is included.
* Group Size and Guiding Staff
6-8 travelers is the most typical group size. Maximum is 20 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:8.
* 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
Throughout Patagonia transport is in vans 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).
* Physical Demands
This trip does not demand much physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over rather flat terrain, considering many stops as necessary to fit with the rhythm of the group. There are 2 optional treks to Torres del Paine NP’s Tower base (day 3) and to Laguna Los Tres in Los Glaciares NP (day 6). These treks can be done at no extra costs if the entire group’s members agree to do it.
* What you need to bring
-You must come prepare for summer and winter all together and consider al least two changes of clothes. One day backpack (10lts to carry your camera, glasses, rain coat, etc)
-Trekking or hiking boots
- Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet; -Waterproof jacket
-Two pairs of wool socks
-Fleece Jacket or sweater
-Shorts or comfortable loose pants
-Sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen). Optionally consider bringing long synthetic fibre "capilene" underwear for the upper and lower body that maintains temperature when wet and dries quickly.
* 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 as indicated in the itinerary.
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- 3 nights at EcoCamp with shared Eco-toilettes.
- 1 night at hostal in Calafate.
- 2 nights at hosteria in Chalten.
- All parks entrance fees.
- 2way navigation ticket in Lake Grey.
- English speaking guides.
Price Excludes:
- Air fares.
- Visa or reciprocity fees charged by the Chilean and Argentinean governments.
- 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 EcoCamp’s dinners, etc.).
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Argentina
Walking Tours
Glacier Tours
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