Day 1: Santiago - Patagonia Region - Tierra del Fuego and Antartica Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival take a bus to Puerto Natales (3 hrs). Overnight at a hotel. Day 2: Patagonia Region As this is a "do it your shelf trek", in the morning, after breakfast, head to our office in the center of town to receive instructions and information about the tour. We will review the itinerary with you and answer all the questions you might have of the trek. There is no need to bring a sleeping bag as the "refugios" (lodges) you will be staying have beds. At 2.30 PM take a bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way travel through the Patagonian "Pampas" and observe animal species such as the ñandu (a rare South American ostrich) and the guanacos (Lama guanicoe). When the bus arrives at Laguna Amarga (the main entrance to the park), connect with a shuttle to the Refugio Torre central. (3 hours by public bus, 30 minutes by shuttle) Day 3: Patagonia Region After breakfast, trek to the base of The Towers, a spectacular hike to view the three pink granite towers that made the park famous. Hike through valleys and steep slopes. Arrive at the foot of the three towers, which rises vertically to 1,000 m right in front of a small glacial lake. Once there, rest, have the wonderful lunch you packed before leaving the lodge and contemplate the imposing Towers. Return to the Refugio using the same trail. Overnight at a Refugio. (7-8 hour trek; 18 KM). Day 4: Patagonia Region After breakfast (remember to pack your lunch box before leaving the Refugio), trek to Refugio Los Cuernos. Arrive at the Inge Lagoon. If you are lucky, changes are along the way you might get to see the Andean Condor or eagles hunting for hares or small rodents. Follow the well marked trail (which ascends to around 200 mts.) from the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain (2750 mts.), cross the Bader River, and arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos. Overnight at a Refugio. Enjoy a well deserved dinner in the evening. (6 hour trek, 17 kms.) Day 5: Patagonia Region After a breakfast (remember to request you box lunch before you leave); start the day with a 2-hour trek to the French River where you will start to see the first glimpses of hanging glaciers. Next, ascend (300 M) to a magnificent Japanese garden landscape. Continue until you reach the famous French valley viewpoint. The Frech valley is the most beautiful areas in the park and one of the most unique in the world. Its surrounded by hanging glaciers and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. Return through the same path until you reach the entrance to the valley. Continue on a different path around the South-West side of Paine Grande, the highest peak in the Park, through native forests of Chilean fire bush and evergreen beech (Nothofagus Bethuloides), up to the shore of the Pehoé Lake. Dinner will be served at the Refugio. Overnight at a Refugio. (6 hours hiking, 18 KM). Day 6: Patagonia Region With an early start, hike to the Grey Glacier. Along the way, see Laguna Negra, a place where you will observe the first glimpses of the South Patagonia Ice Field with its many unclimbed mountains. You will trek through forests and rivers, until you reach the glacier viewpoint. If you are luck you might be able to see ice calving from the huge glacier wall! Return, following the same path. Trek back with magnificent views of the Cordon Olguín and Paine Grande. At 6:30 PM take the last catamaran accross the Pehoe Lake. When you arrive at the other side of the lake, take a public bus back to Puerto Natales. Overnight at a hotel. (8 hours walking, 22 KM, 35 minutes by Catamaran, 3 hours by public bus) Overnight at a hotel. Day 7: Santiago - Patagonia Region - Tierra del Fuego and Antartica Take the bus back to Punta Arenas. Fly from Punta Arenas to Santiago. Note: If you wish to fly to another destination from Punta Arenas (instead of Santiago) we can arrange that as well. Notes: Tour Includes: 
Out-Of-The-Ordinary Ranking
Also see tour packages in: South America Chile Outdoor: Land Rambler Hiking & Trekking Camping |
|
|||||||||||||||
