Day 1, P Arenas – Paine National Park (400 km / 250 miles / 5-6 hrs driving)
The trip starts in Punta Arenas, and we can pick you up either at the airport (latest arrival 13.00), from Punta Arenas hotel or in Puerto Natales.
From Punta Arenas we drive to our eco camp, located in the world famous Torres del Paine National Park. During the summer the sun sets around 23.00, so as we drive in there is plenty of light lingering so we can admire the Patagonian steppe, with its resident guanacos and snow-peaked mountains horizon.
En route, there are a couple stops. One is at Puerto Natales, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Última Esperanza - “Last Hope Sound”. You can have a look around, buy any last minute necessities, and leave any luggage at our office that you won’t need for the trek.
Our second stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The surrounding area is very scenic with plenty of wild birds to be seen. The day ends with an overnight at the eco camp at Las Torres.
Day 2, Lake Nordenskjold trek to Los Cuernos (16 km / 10 miles / 6-7 hours)
We start our adventure in the Park with a pleasant walk along the Cuernos trail, which skirts the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this walk we get our first glimpses of the park’s charming flora and fauna, and will no doubt experience its strong wind and the changeable weather that will accompany us for the next few days.
As we advance along the trail, we will be able to enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Horns of Paine - majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite blocks which crown the centre of the Paine Massif.
The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refugio located on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. We have dinner here, and a free evening.
Day 3, Valle Frances (25 km / 15 miles / 8 hours)
After breakfast, we begin our trek up Valle Frances (French Valley), a steady and in places steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif.
The trail leads us to a bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From here we get our first great view and then continue up the trail to the upper reaches of the valley.
As we reach the top of the trail, we enter a vast cauldron, surroounded on almost all sides by impressive peaks and mountains. You can see Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). Here we have a picnic and relax after our ascent, and for those with lots of energy, there is an optional trek to Mirador Britanico.
After lunch, we retrace our steps and at the end of the valley, head west along some undulating terrains of mixed grassland and light forest until we reach Refugio Paine Grande, located on the shores of Lake Pehoe. Here we will camp, and prepare the evening meal.
Day 4, Torres del Paine’s Big Daddy is on the Way: Glacier Grey (14 km / 9 miles / 4 hours)
Today we hike from Paine Grande Lodge and along the shores of mountain-lined Lake Pehoe to the northern end of the glacial Lake Grey. One we reach the place where the glacier and water meets, we stop for lunch.
After sitting and admiring the view. we board a boat that sails close to the blue and icy faces of Glacier Grey. You have plenty of time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat heads south and sails across the iceburg-filled Lake Grey to where our van awaits.
From Lake Grey’s southern end we hop in our van and drive to the eco camp.
Note: If weather conditions prevent the Lake Grey crossing, we hike to and from Glacier Grey instead. When we get back to camp, we board a catamaran and cross Lake Pehoe to meet the van. Then it's a short drive back to the eco camp.
Day 5, The Towers of Paine (21 km /13 miles / 9-10 hours)
Time for a big breakfast as today our goal is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park - to the Towers of Paine viewpoint.
We walk from the camp site towards Hostería Las Torres and then connect with a winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley. We pass by beech forests and small rivers along the way into the valley. The first stages are not difficult and energy should nevertheless be saved for the final ascent.
There is a large area of moraine before the Towers, and this is sufficiently steep in places to involve a bit of clambering. After about 45 mintues of crossing the moraine, efforts are rewarded when the Towers come into full view, rising majestically with the its green glacial lake visible below.
The famous Towers of Torres del Paine (2, 900 m/ 9, 400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great rock sheared away by the movement glacial ice. At the feet of the mighty Torres del Paine, we admire the view and have lunch, and once everyone is ready, we backtrack along the Ascencio Valley and return to the eco camp.
Day 6, Relaxing day in the Eastern Lakes (5 to 8 km / 3 to 5 miles / 3 hours)
A nice, lazy day where we hike to the Laguna Azul lookout. From here we have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite Towers. We continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento - here guanacos are often spotted, as well as interesting calcium formations close to the water.
Next we head to Paso Las Corneas, which offers spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the Massif of Paine. Depending on how the group is feeling, we can also hike to the Toro lookout point that offers more amazing scenery - Lago Toro and the pampa, or steppe.
Upon returning to the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is prepared in true Patagonian style - barbecue!
Day 7, trfr out to Punta Arenas
Early morning we wake, collect our stuff together and drive to Punta Arenas to catch your flight, (arrive airport 16.00, so flight must be booked for 17.00 or later), alternatively, you can continue to travel through Patagonia, Puerto Natales, Calafate etc.
For a longer trip, trek around the entire Paine massif on our Paine Circuit or, to reach the really remote areas, our Paine W trek and kayak trip.
Check our group and tailor made options. And you can always contact the office with questions or for advice.
Notes:
For bookings made less than 6 weeks before departure, we can’t guarantee space at the refugios. If space isn’t available then accommodation will be provided in the refugio camping areas in a comfortable tent, including mat, sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner; our team will set and dismantle the camp; refugios provide meals and the bathroom facilities.
Eco-camp
The Eco-camp is very comfortable. It 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 shared bathrooms, hot-water showers and electricity available for charging camera batteries only. (voltage: 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, two round pins plug). Food at the Eco-camp is plentiful and delicious!
Included
Ground transport, Lake Grey crossing, 4 nights in Eco camp (sharing a 2 or 3 person dome), 2 nights in refugios (or camping if refugios are full), Cueva del Milodon + Paine National Park entry fees, bilingual trekking guide, sleeping bag for the refugios if needed, trek support - you carry just your daypack, meals - 6 dinners, 7 lunches, 6 b'fasts
Not included
International and domestic flights, insurance, personal items, sleeping bag and sleeping mat, 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: 1:6
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 passengers, we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4s, 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, 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 influences 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 for cold, strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. 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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