From $1940 per person, based on
double occupancy. Price includes ground transportation,
camping equipment, meals as specified, guide, park fees,
EcoCamp upgrade
Group departures
every Wednesday, October 2009 - April, 2010. Private trips
can depart any day.
We also offer
5 and 7-night Torres del Paine "W" treks
The Torres del Paine circuit around the
famous craggy mountains is one of the world’s classic
trekking routes. A breathtaking view together with glaciers,
rivers, lakes, forests and abundant wildlife provides
the trip with constantly changing scenarios and experiences.
The full circuit, rated moderate, is normally done in
seven to nine days, depending on the itinerary, and covers
a distance of approx. 50 miles. The trek is best done
in an counter-clockwise direction that saves the hardest
sections until later and prevents walkers from being impeded
by strong wind currents. During summer (Dec-Mar) there
are 18 hours of daylight, which gives trekkers plenty
of time for the journey.
Day 1: Punta
Arenas – Torres del Paine
Upon arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be
met by your guide and transferred by private vehicle approximately
5 hours to Camp Las Torres in Torres del Paine National
Park. Stop in the town of Puerto Natales for lunch and
a short visit. Another stop at the Milodon Cave, a giant
geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth.
You'll also pass by Figueroa Lagoon and several beautiful
lakes, keeping your eyes peeled for guanacos, ostriches,
black-necked swans, flamingos and condors along the way.
Dinner and overnight at the comfortable EcoCamp. (L, D)
Day 2: Lago
Dickson
The day will start at EcoCamp with a long trekking heading
to Dickson Lake. Once arriving to Dickson we enjoy a spectacular
view on Dickson Glacier and part of the Hielo Patagonico
Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). The trek continues along
the eastern bank of the Rio Paine. We will stop at a lookout
point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below
and then we descend to the lake level and continue across
open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson.
Our stunning campsite will be 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
The trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the
wildest and least accessible section of the trek. A virgin
beech forest crossed by many water courses leads the way
towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp.
Enjoy the night camping at Los Perros. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Los Perros
- Camp Grey
In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit
at 1300 mts (4000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the
Grey glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking
the valley. The John Gardner pass is one of the most famous
points of Torres del Paine and a must-do for any trekker
longing to do the circuit. If the weather conditions have
been tough the trail in this part could be broken so the
guide might propose a short and non-technical rappel to
continue advancing. Once leaving the highest point the
route continues roughly south along forested slopes with
occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous
Grey Glacier (more than five miles across and ten miles
in length). Overnight camping at Grey. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Camp
Grey - Lago Pehoe
After the big effort done yesterday, today the group will
have the morning to rest and enjoy Grey Glacier surroundings.
During the morning those who wake up with energy could
do an optional ice trekking on Grey Glacier until midday.
After having lunch is time to continue trekking. The trek
continues going by the eastern side of Grey Lake through
clearings of Calafate bushes. The view over the lake,
with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters
is very impressive at this point. Finally, the track climbs
onto flat ridges and passes a small lake one hour before
descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago
Pehoe. We spend the night at our camp by the turquoise
Lake Pehoe. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Valle
Frances
After breakfast, we begin a challenging trek to Valle
Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into
the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends
on our groups’ rhythm. An active walk leads us to
the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the
foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point,
we can enjoy our first truly wonderful view and then continue
up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the
valley. The entire group of geological formations of the
high valley can be admired here: Hoja (Blade), Máscara
(Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de
Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent
Fortaleza! (Fortress). It is time to have a picnic and
recover from the walk. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico
is available as well. Next, we descend through an undulating
terrain of mixed grassland and continue walking until
we reach Camp Cuernos. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Camp
Cuernos - EcoCamp
Once we are done with breakfast we start our trekking
day heading to the EcoCamp through the curly Cuernos trail
located beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During the
day we take in the park’s charming flora and fauna,
its strong wind and the curious 4-seasons weather that
has accompanied us all these days. As we advance through
the trail we enjoy magnificent views of the park’s
central lakes and enjoy other perspective of the Paine’s
Horns. We will of course stop to enjoy a delicious box
lunch to energize us for the rest of the walk. The trek
ends at the EcoCamp. The evening is left free to enjoy
dinner and share experiences. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Torres
del Paine
Time for a great breakfast and lots of enthusiasm! Our
goal is to complete the most famous trekking trail in
Torres del Paine NP. We walk from the camp site towards
Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding
uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which
supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry
mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed
along the scenic walk into the valley. 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. This is one of
the most breathtaking sights of the world! The famous
Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft) consists of three
gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque
sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Is there any
better place on this planet to have lunch? Of course!
But since we are in Patagonia, at the feet of the mighty
Torres del Paine, we will enjoy life, the view, and a
bite to eat! Once everyone is ready, we backtrack along
the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to
camping Las Torres. This is sadly our last night in Torres
del Paine, we take notes and talk with our friends, relax,
feel the strong Patagonic wind while watching the heavens
above, all these days in the Park will be profound memories
when we return home. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Las
Torres – Punta Arenas
Depart by private vehicle to Punta Arenas with box lunch
provided en route. You will be transferred to the airport
in Punta Arenas in time for your departing flight. (B,L)
Contact
us to include the Torres Del Paine Trek in Patagonia
in a customized itinerary of travel in Chile.
