Spend the next 6 days hiking in one of the world's most spectacular parks to enormous glaciers, turquoise lakes, and verdant temperate rainforests. A quintessential Chile travel adventure!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas. Overnight
Day 2: Torres del Paine National Park (B,L,D)
Enjoy the morning in the colorful port town of Punta Arenas before setting off for your drive to Torres del Paine National Park. You'll arrive at the EcoCamp, a luxury tent camp of large igloo-shaped tents built to minimize environmental impact, without sacrificing any creature comforts. You'll find no noisy diesel generators or destructive septic systems. Instead, EcoCamp provides candlelight, feather comforters, composting toilets, and plenty of quiet to enjoy your spectacular surroundings.
Day 3: Los Cuernos Pass (B,L,D)
As you begin your hike this morning along the shores of Lak Nordenskjold, look out for Andean condors. Your path follows the Paso Los Cuernos trail under the Paine massif west towards the Refugio Los Cuernos. Your day is spent hiking between the turquoise lake to the south and the imposing mountains and vertical rock walls to the north. The views are magnificent from the refugio, nestled in the center of this landscape and protected from the Patagonian wind. The refugio provides clean dormitory style accommodations where you can swap stories with fellow travelers.
Day 4: French Valley (B,L,D)
Waking to a brisk Patagonia morning, you'll prepare for one of your fullest hiking days. Your first trail takes you from Lago Nordenskjold to Camp Italiano and ascends Mirador del Frances. Your route follows undulating terrain of sparse forest, rich grasslands, and the torrents off Frances River. Reaching the lookout point, you are treated to spectacular views of Frances Glacier and the lakes below. You'll descend in the afternoon to Refugio Pehoe on the shores of Lake Pehoe.
Day 5: Grey Glacier (B,L,D)
today's hike begins crossing through a dense forest to Mirador Grey. Here you're rewarded with views of the towering walls of Grey Glacier and floating icebergs below. This huge glacier represents the end of the Southern ice field. Depending on conditions, you might continue another few hours to the walls of the glacier. Your pathway leads you through a rainforest very different from the equatorial Amazon and more akin to the Pacific Northwest's ecosystem.
In the afternoon, you'll embark on the the ferry and set off across the Lago Grey and pass amongst icebergs. From the decks of the boat, you'll be able to appreciate the vastness of the glacier. You will disembark on the banks of Lago Grey and transfer back to the EcoCamp where dinner and drinks are waiting for you.
Days 6-7: Torres del Paine (B,L,D)
On either day depending on the best weather conditions you will hike to the foot of the gigantic spires of El Paine (8 hours round trip). Weather permitting, you'll see Torres del Paine's most famous site - the three granite monoliths reaching 9,400 feet- a testament to the massive glacial forces that carved them out of the earth. The other day is saved to walk to the Mirador Laguna Azul and then to the eastern side of Sarmiento Lake, a good spot to observe guanaco. Later you hike the Paso Las Cornizas with views of the Paine River, Pehoe Lake, and the Paine massif. Back at EcoCamp, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the experiences of the past week and say your goodbyes to your wonderful hosts.
Day 8: Santiago (B)
Early this morning, you'll transfer to Punta Arenas for the late afternoon flight to Santiago (must be a flight departing at 5:25 pm from Punta Arenas that arrives in Santiago at 9:40 pm). With a few more days, you can add extensions to the Atacama Desert, Isla Chiloe, a cruise around Tierra del Fuego to Argentina, or rafting in the Lakes District to continue your Patagonia travel adventures.
Accommodations: 1 night comfortable hotel, 4 nights safari camp, 2 nights backcountry refugios
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: 2 local flights, buses, ferries, your own feet in Torres del Paine!
An active Patagonia tour of massive glaciers, jagged mountains, glacier lakes, and wonderful wildlife. Hiking each day is moderate and travelers should be fit.
Weekly departures starting Sunday in Punta Arenas.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$30
Not applicable to Days 2-7 for the nights in refugios and the EcoCamp. Single accommodations not available in Torres del Paine
US$1810
Low Season: October and March 15 - April
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25 /person.
Note: Roundtrip flight Santiago-Punta Arenas-Santiago is not included. Please add US$650 (flight cost subject to travel dates).
Personal Budgeting: Allow US$60 for meals not included, US$130 visa reciprocity fee
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Santiago: Share US$60, Single US$100 Punta Arenas: Share US$45, Single US$70
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Glacier Tours
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