REGION: South Patagonia
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 1 (Easy) to 5 (High)** as shown per day
SUMMARY: 6 days, roundtrip Punta Arenas. Begin with 1-day trek of Mirador Base Torres, before embarking on multi day trek to the base of Los Cuernos, French Valley, Campamento Británico, and Grey Glacier.
DURATION: 6 days (or as customized)
MIN./MAX. PEOPLE: 2-12 people (more can be arranged)
SEASON: Seasonal. From October until April 30.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: PUNTA ARENAS & TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK (6 Hours)
Activity Level: 1 (Easy)
Our driver will make the 246 km (153 mi) trip from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales (stop for lunch or coffee) and continue for another 80 km (50 mi) to Torres Del Paine National Park, which is part of the Route of Parks of Patagonia. Arrive to Laguna Amarga area(entrance pay), and then continous to your accommodations at Hosteria Las Torres or Refuge Central according the program you choosen.
DAY 2: HIKING MIRADOR BASE TORRES (10 Hours – 19 KM)
Activity Level: 5 (High)
Pickup from Hosteria Las Torres or Refuge. Recommended hour to start: 8.00 a.m. The first hour and a half is steep, with fantastic views of Lake Nordenskjöld and Monte Almirante Nieto (2,670 MASL*) with its hanging glacier, until we reach Refugio El Chileno to recover your energies. Then with a small backpack we continue the trail through a Millenary Lenga forest (1 hour) to the base of the moraine with its challenging ascent (45 min). This takes us to one of the most impressive places in the park: the lookout of the base of Torres Del Paine where we enjoy the view of Torre Sur (2,850 MASL), Torre Central (2,800 MASL), Torre Norte (2,600 MASL) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. Now it’s time to start our return. Accommodation: Hosteria Las Torres or Refuge. * MASL: Meters Above Sea Level.
DAY 3: HIKING FROM HOSTERIA LAS TORRES TO LOS CUERNOS SECTOR (5 Hours – 11 KM)
Activity Level: 3 (Medium)
Recommended hour to start: 9.00 AM. The trail goes through the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain, part of the Paine Massif, with great views of Nordenskjöld Lake. From December, the flora presents different colors, especially the Ciruelillo or Fire Bush which takes its name from the red color of its flowers. After about 4-5 hours we reach the base of Los Cuernos where our Refugio is located. It is considered by many to be one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest and recover energies for the next day’s challenging trek: The French Valley.
Accommodation: Cabins Los Cuernos or Refuge, depending on availability. Shared.
DAY 4: HIKING TO FRENCH VALLEY – PEHOE SECTOR (10 – 12 Hours – 23 KM)
Activity Level: 5 (High)
Recommended hour to start: 7.00 a.m. The first 2 hours are with some ups and downs and views of Nordenskjöld Lake, until we reach Campamento Italiano.
At this point we recommend contacting the staff of the National Forest Corporation (CONAF) to request leaving your big back pack with them and start the next part of the trek with a small daypack.
The ascent goes for about 1 1/2 hours until Paine Grande lookout, where we observe its hanging glacier and possibly see small avalanches.
After that, the trail continues to Campamento Británico, and 20 minutes from there, we reach one of the most overwhelming spots in the Circuit: Valle Del Francés lookout, where we admire Paine Grande, Cerro Hoja, Cerro Máscara, Cerro Catedral, Cerro Aleta de Tiburón, Cuerno Norte, etc.
We return the same way back to Campamento Italiano, pick up your backpack, and then head to the Pehoé sector.
Accommodation: Lodge Paine Grande. Shared.
DAY 5: HIKING FROM PEHOE TO GREY GLACIER – PEHOE SECTOR (10 Hours – 22 KM)
Activity level: 4 (Medium – High)
Recommended hour to start: 7.00 a.m. The trail goes through the western side of the Paine Massif with views of Grey Lake and Mountains. After 1½ hour we reach the first lookout point, where we observe Grey Glacier in the distance; after 1½ hour more we get to the main lookout, just in front of the glacier. We then return the same way back to Pehoé Lake and take the Catamaran that crosses the Lake at 6.30 p.m. to Pudeto sector. There your private transfer is waiting for you to take you back to Puerto Natales. Arrive at the hotel, private accommodation.
Accommodaton: Hotel or lodge according your preferences. Private.
NOTE: Please confirm the catamaran departure time. You may leave your backpack in the storage room at Paine Grande Lodge, free service.
DAY 6: PUERTO NATALES to PUNTA ARENAS (3 1/2 Hours)
Transfer from your hotel to Punta Arenas airport.
(Program can be changed as required by weather.)
** Activity Level High does not mean strenuous, but long trails with irregular terrain.
INCLUDED: Professional Hiking Guide, with Wilderness First Response Accreditation, all the excursions and transfers mentioned in the program, equipment for the excursions, all accommodations in the program(check with us for other options of accommodations), entrance fee to National Park, mobile phone/VHF radio, snack & box-lunch per person (according to your program) and private/shared transportation fully equipped according to your program.
NOT INCLUDED: Personal insurance, meals, personal equipment, tips or anything not listed in the program.
GUEST PROVIDES: Appropriate clothes for the activity (Weather may be hot, cold or windy), trekking boots or good tennis shoes, walking sticks (optional), sandals, towel, backpack, daypack, camera, extra water, cap or hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. The full list and other details will be provided at the time of your booking.
COST: Request a quote!
COSTO: Contáctenos