Day 1: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine
We pick you up at Punta Arenas airport or your hotel (please arrive before 13.00), or from Puerto Natales.
Transfer to Puerto Natales (250 kms/156 miles/3 hours), lunch, and from there transfer (140 kms/ 88 miles /2 hrs) to EcoCamp Las Torres inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park.
In the Chilean summer time, the sun sets around 23.00, giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route into the craggy mountains that make up the park. We make a short stop in the town of Puerto Natales, to take a look around. There is also the chance to leave any luggage you don't need in our Puerto Natales office. We will also visit the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth.
Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Eco-camp) (L, D)
Day 2: Ecocamp - Lago Paine – Lago Dickson (28 kms/18 miles, 11 hrs)
Early start, we leave the Eco-camp and hike alongside the Rio Paine through the Valle Encantado to Lago Paine.
We head west and head to Dickson lake. Here, we are greeted with a spectacular view of Glacier Dickson and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). After taking photos, the trek continues along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine and we stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below.
Next, we descend to the lake's shores and then continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Our stunning campsite is in the Dickson Valley, surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers available. Overnight camping at Dickson (B, L, D).
Day 3: Lago Dickson - Los Perros (9 kms/6miles, 5 hrs)
The trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. We walk through beech forests to the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp. Spend the night camping at Los Perros (B, L, D)
Day 4: Los Perros - Camp Grey (14 kms/9miles, 10-11 hrs)
In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1,300 mts (4000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the Grey glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley.
The route continues roughly south along forested slopes, giving beautiful views of the enormous glacier Grey (more than five miles across and ten miles in length). Overnight at camp Grey. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Camp Grey - Lago Pehoe
After the previous days' efforts, today you have plenty of time to rest and enjoy Grey Glacier and its surroundings.
In the morning, there is an optional ice trek on Grey Glacier (not included, local payment required), or you can just relax at the camp.
After having lunch t's time to continue trekking. We hike along the eastern side of Grey Lake. En route, there are views over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across its waters making impressive viewing. The last hour is a descent to Lago Pehoe, where we spend the night camping. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Camp Pehoe - French Valley (15 kms/10 miles, 8 hrs)
After breakfast, we set off on what will be a challenging but rewarding trek to Valle Frances (French Valley). This is a fairly steep trail that goes right into the heart of the Paine Massif.
A couple of hour's walking leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River (Rio Frances), located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, we get some wonderful views. We continue up the trail, following the river, to access the upper reaches of the French Valley.
As the trees clear, we entire a morraine cauldron, fortressed on almost every side by an impressive range of stunning mountains. Among the most striking are Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress).
If you turn 180 degrees to look at the path you have just climbed, you will get a lovely view of the lakes and green hills that provide a stunning contrast to the mountains immediately behind you.
At the viewpoint, we have a picnic and for those willing, there is an optional trek to Mirador Britanico, a small hut built by a British climbing expedition, to get a view from higher up the Valley. Now fed and watered, we descend the way we came and then turn east to reach our campsite, Camp Cuernos. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Nordenskjold Lake traverse (12 kms, 5 hrs)
Today we head back to the EcoCamp through the curly Cuernos trail located which hugs the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold.
As on most of the walk, we are accompanied by magnificent views, this time of the park’s central lakes. The trek ends at the EcoCamp where your evening is free to enjoy dinner and look forward to tomorrow's highlight - the Horns of Paine!(B, L, D)
Day 8: Valle Ascencio (21 kms/13 miles, 9-10 hrs round-trip)
A long day's trekking but with a great reward at the end. We start our trek by hiking to the foot of the impressive granite massif of the Towers of Paine. From here you can admire the Paine Towers rising above the green lagoon that sits at their feet.
The famous Towers of Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great formation that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before our face to face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with an adequate amount of precaution.
After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. The famous Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
We take lunch at the feet of the mighty Torres del Paine, and once everyone is ready, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to camping Las Torres. This is our last night in Torres del Paine, and a chance to recount the previous days' adventures.
Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Eco-camp) (B, L, D)
Day 9: Punta Arenas
Early in the morning we board our vehicle back to Punta Arenas in time to catch a flight, (arrive airport 16.00, so flight must be booked for 17.00 or later), or travel onward from Natales to Argentina, the Chilean Lake District (B, L).
Check our group and tailor made options. And you can always contact the office with questions or for advice.
Eco-camp
Eco-camp Upgrade (Days 1, 7 and 8): you can upgrade from camping to the very comfortable Eco-camp. The Eco-camp consists of luxury tented igloo-type domes built to minimize the environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting. All accommodation at the Eco-camp is shared basis only, with unisex bathrooms and hot-water showers. There is electricity available but only for charging camera batteries (voltage: 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, two round pins plug). Food at the Eco-camp is plentiful and delicious!
Included
All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary, 8 nights camping, 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, complete dining & camping equipment, ferry crossing over Lake Pehoe on day 8, English speaking trekking guide, assistant guide provided if 4 or more members in the trip.
Not included
International and domestic flights, insurance, personal items, sleeping bag and sleeping mat, Grey Glacier trek, tips, personal items, alcoholic or soft drinks
Group Size & Guiding Staff
8-12 travelers is the most typical group size plus guiding staff. Maximum is 14 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:4
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 passnegrs, we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips you will share the vehicle with other guests joining other tours. On a private departure, the vehicle will be for 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 to keep the ecological impact as low as possible, and thus avoiding driving 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 the South Patagonic Ice field influence makes 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 to bring
We send you complete information after booking. You will need to have a day backpack (20-30lt), duffel bag (70 litres), waterproof trekking boots, waterproof jacket & trousers, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for camps), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), thermal underwear, extra change of socks, head torch, 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 modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
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