Paine W trekking dossier
Day 1 At 09:00 hours we collect you from you hotel or hostel in Puerto Natales and drive to see the famous Milodon Cave (20 minutes).
On arrival, we take a short walk to the pretty caves, which are set in beautiful surroundings. We continue on towards the National Park on the new road which runs alongside Last Hope Sound before passing through a spectacular valley filled with forests and lakes. Great views of the Mountains of Paine unfold in front of us.
Arriving at the park HQ we check in with the rangers and visit the visitor centre and museum. Everyone in the group is expeced to carry their own personal belongings, including sleeping bag and mat, as well as join in and help set up tents, wash up, cook etc. There is wine with the meals at all the campsites (but not the refugio where it can be bought).
There is a relief map here so the guide can brief the group on the planned route ahead. From here we drive on to the southern end of Grey Lake where it flows into Grey River. We hike for 2 hours along the lakeshore and peninsula that traps huge icebergs floating down the lake from Glacier Grey. There is an optional 3 hour boat trip to the face of the glacier - it can be booked here at a cost of US$75, subject to availability.
Late afternoon we hike across Pampa Grande to our first campsite beside the Grey River. A beautiful site with few visitors, we set up camp here and enjoy our first dinner in the wilderness. Wild camp. L,D
Day 2 After breakfast we start walking towards the Paine Massif passing through southern beech forests and alongside the stunning waters of Lake Pehoe. Lunch is taken somewhere along the lakeside here before we continue on towards Grey Glacier.
One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, the climb up and out of the valley enjoys awesome views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. Our destination and camp for the night is the lakeshores near the glacier itself. Organized camp with full facilities (meals taken in Refugio). B,L,D.
Day 3 Today our hike takes us back to Lake Pehoe and then on towards the French Valley passing many lakes, streams and waterfalls in the shadows of Paine Grande. Our camp for the next 2 nights will be in the forest below the French Glacier alongside the river fed from its snowmelt. Avalanches can be seen and heard frequently here from across the valley. Wild camp. B,L,D
Day 4 Today we head up into the French Valley itself, ascending to the British camp and beyond. This is a full day's hiking. We enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks that make up this enclosed valley as well as the waterscapes below including Lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold.
We return back to our camp below enabling us to navigate the steep climb at a leisurely pace. Wild camp.B,L,D
Day 5 Today's hiking takes us along the foothills of the Horns of Paine with the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold on our right. For the brave there is a chance to swim in the frigid waters of this spectacular lake as we hike towards the three granite spires that give Torres del Paine its name, the Towers of Paine.
Our destination is the lively Refugio Chileno which is set below the imposing Towers. Night in bunk bed accommodation in this organized refugio with full facilities (meals taken in refugio) B,L,D.
Day 6 Today's hiking is our most arduous but worthwhile as we climb to the base of the Towers themselves.
A round trip hike, we will climb up into the Ascending Valley and through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the towers. A steep climb over the moraine rewards us with one of the most spectacular views in the park and weather permitting we enjoy our last trail lunch at this amazing vantage point.
After spending some time here we hike down to the refugio to collect our gear before continuing on to the trailhead. Meet awaiting vehicle for the 2 hour transfer back to Puerto Natales. Trip ends around 18:00 hours in Puerto Natales. B,L. |
