The trails in between the Torres Del Paine famous craggy mountains are among the world's classic trekking routes.
Breathtaking views over the glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests and abundant wildlife provide this trip with
constantly changing scenery and new experiences. For those interested in riding on Chilean saddles together with typical
"baqueanos", the trails are equally fascinating. The 18 hours of daylight in summer, provide explores plenty of time for this hiking journey.
This journey is intended for
trekkers who care about comfort.
When weather conditions are miserable, after a day hike, you will undoubtelly
enjoy the Eco Camp facilities (vast furnished heated common tents/huts).
DAY 1: (Monday)
Reception at Punta Arenas airport and 6 hour drive to Camp Las Torres
inside Torres del Paine National Park. We make a short stop in Puerto
Natales to have lunch, and visit the Milodon's Cave, where we see the
remains of a giant prehistoric sloth who once lived there. In summer time,
the sun sets around 11PM, giving us plenty of light to enjoy the
stupendous landscape and the craggy mountains while entering the park.
Overnight in Las Torres Eco-Camp (D).
DAY 2:
The 5-6 hours hike starts at the Ecocamp and ends at refugio Los Cuernos. The name of the trail is taken from the fact that it passes under the horn-like Cuernos del Paine -peaks with beautiful black "horns" of slate atop gray granite. (Your clothes and personal belongings needed for this night and the following are transported separately in duffel bags we provide you with on day 1). Overnight refugio Los Cuernos (B,L-,D);
DAY 3:
Today the trekking will go over 8 kms/5 mi (2,5-3,5 hrs) up to Campamento Italiano and will continue with a round trip to Mirador del Frances (3 km/2 mi, 1,5-2,5 hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. We start walking (1hr) by the shore of lake Nordenskjold until arriving at Campamento Italiano. We continue following the river Frances upstreams until El Mirador (lookout point) facing Glaciar Frances which descends from Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Paine range. From here we have a magnificent view of the lakes below. Optional trek (2 hrs) to Mirador Britanico available. Once back at Camp Italiano, the track between Camp Italiano and Camp Pehoe makes its way over flat terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching Refugio Pehoe for overnight. Duffel bags are carried in by porters from Refuge Los Cuernos to Refugio Pehoe (B,L-,D);
DAY 4:
We'll hike about 4 hours from Refuge Pehoe at the shores of Lago Pehoe to the northern end of Lago Grey. At 4pm we will board the boat which sails alongside the Glaciar Grey. We will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before crossing Lago Grey (40 min.). Your clothes and personal belongings are transported separately from the Refuge in duffel bags. Transfer (1,5 hrs) from Lake Grey's southern end to the Ecocamp. 1) If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we'll instead hike to the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there we drive 45 minutes to Ecocamp at Las Torres for overnight (B,L-,D);
DAY 5 and 6:
Our hiking itinerary for the day is weather dependent. If we have a clear day, we will do an all day hike (10 km/6 mi, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine where the towers rise majestically before us, and the glacial lake is visible below: one of the most scenic sights in the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
If it is clouded with no chances to view the Torres del Paine, we hike instead (40 min.) to the lookout point of Laguna Azul from where we have a beautiful view of Laguna Azul and the Torres. Transfer to Lago Sarmiento where we continue walking along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento until the calcium formations at the shores of Lake Sarmiento where we have a good chance to see guanacos. Later we trek (3 hrs) the Paso Las Cornizas with views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we could also hike (1-1,5 hrs) to lookout point Toro with views to Lago Toro and typical pampa (steppe). Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Overnight at Ecocamp (B,L-,D);
DAY 7:
Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago (B, L);
Extension: Serrano Glacier and the Fjord of Last Hope
Extension possible by adding an extra day at the beginning or at the end of the itinerary. Please enquire for price
As pre-tour
DAY 0: (Sunday)
Reception at Punta Arenas airport and transfer to Puerto Natales.
Overnight in 3 or 4 star hotel.
DAY 1:
Early morning, we board the 70 passengers catamaran that sails us through Ultima Esperanza Fjord and bring us to the Serrano and
Balmaceda Glaciers. On the way, we may see some colonies of sea lions.
After a box lunch at the Serrano Glacier, most passengers go back to Puerto Natales whereas we board a zodiac
speed-boats (10 people maximum, and often less) to sail the wild Serrano River to Torres del
Paine National Park, surrounded by stupendous mountain,
forest and glacier sceneries. We stop on the way for a short hike.
Once in the park, pick up and transfer to the Eco-Camp Las Torres where we join the group (B L D).
As post-tour
Last day of your trip (Sunday)
Early transfer from the camp to the Park Administration. Embark the zodiacs and sail down the Serrano river. Connect with the catamaran and sail the Ultima Esperanza fjord to Puerto Natales. Once there transfer to your hotel for overnight (B, L-);
Next day
Transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. You can choose among doing this transfer in a private car OR use the regular bus.
Read our customers' feedback about this journey.
Rated: Moderate. Paths are really easy to follow and the altitude gradient is rather low. The maximum altitude is 900 mts / 2950 ft.
We also operate a 5 day tinerary leaving each Wednesday and a more demanding
10 day itinerary around the Paine Massif.
The 7 day itinerary (as described above) leaves every Monday from October 1 to April 15. You have to arrive from Santiago in the first flight departing from Santiago (usually LAN 081). The trip finishes in the airport of Punta Arenas on Sunday at approx 5 PM. If going back to Santiago you have to book last flight departing from Punta Arenas (usually LAN 286).
The shorter 5 days version leaves every Wednesday. However, we strongly
recommend the 7 day journey as the first and last day are only dedicated to
transportation from/to Punta Arenas.
Riding: It is also possible to
hire riding horses at an additional price.
Birding : Some departures are guided by Armando, one of the best Torres del Paine bird
specialist. This is not a bird watching tour but bird lovers will learn a lot
about Patagonian birds. Price remain the same; you should just consider giving a good tip at the end
of the tour.
During the hikes, participants carry no more than a day pack.
Items not needed for the trek can be deposited in Puerto Natales on day 1.
Fixed Departure dates Every Monday from October 1 to April 15
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Tour Tariff
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Per person
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USD
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$ 1740
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EUR
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€ 1285
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GBP
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£ 918
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(*)
Price last updated on 12 August 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please
always check by sending us a
quotation request .
Included:
- All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the itinerary.
- Boat crossing over Lake Grey.
- 4 nights accommodation sharing a 2 person dome in EcoCamp.
- 1 night accommodation in Refuge Pehoe and 1 night in Refuge Los Cuernos.
- 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.
- One expert English speaking trekking guide for 6 clients; one English speaking assistant guide added for groups larger than 6.
Not included:
- Air fares.
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips).
- Optional tipping to guides and staff.
- Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and wine offered in dinners, etc.).
- Riding horses to be paid locally.
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