REGION: Southern Patagonia.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 3 (Moderate) to 5 (Hard).
SUMMARY: Customized 15-days Program at South Patagonia (Magellan & Antarctica District) Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales; Torres del Paine W Circuit, Ice Hiking, Kayak around Grey Glaciers, Hiking at the End of the World Dientes de Navarino part of the Route of Parks of Patagonia in Tierra del Fuego.
DURATION: 15 days (or as customized).
Min. / Max. PEOPLE: 4 – 8; more by prior arrangement. Minimum age 12 or above.
SEASON: Seasonal from December to March.
ACCOMODATIONS: 3 – 4 star (Can be arranged in cities).
Cabins or Refuge on W circuit Torres del Paine.
Campsite on Dientes de Navarino circuit.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Welcome to Chile – Flight to Patagonia – Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales (7 Hours)
Activity Level: 1 (Easy)
Welcome to Santiago of Chile by our Representative, who will help you to do your check-in and transferred to take your flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia. (3.5 hours flight).
Welcome by our Representative in Punta Arenas airport and drive to Puerto Natales (250 km or 163 miles / 3.5 hours). Located on the shore of “Señoret Channel”, Puerto Natales was the hub of Chile’s thriving ranching industry in the early 20th century. In the years that followed, it was no more than a stopping off point for expeditions to Torres del Paine National Park. Today the scene is quite different, and you will be amazed to find travelers from all over the world enjoying an endless array of outdoor activities, adventure sports and excursions as well as the charm of the small downtown area, which is full of fine gastronomy and top rate hotels. Check In at your Hotel. Dinner in town this evening with local flavors of Patagonian cuisine. Accommodation at Hotel.
Overnight: Puerto Natales. Meals: D.
DAY 2: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine National Park – Las Torres sector (3 Hours)
Activity Level: 1 (Easy)
Breakfast. Leisure morning on Puerto Natales. 2.00 PM. Meeting with your Hiking Guide, who going to give you a complete “technical information” about your next expedition at Torres del Paine National Park, “W” Circuit. Drive to Cerro Castillo and then, continuous to the National Park Torres del Paine to “Laguna Amarga” sector. Arrive to “Laguna Amarga Porteria” and then arrive to Torre Central o Torre Norte refuge. You’re headed to part of the park that was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and it is part of the Route of Parks of Patagonia Network. Accommodation and dinner.
Overnight: Las Torres sector, Torres del Paine. Meals: B, D.
DAY 3: Hiking Las Torres Base – Las Torres sector (10 Hours – 19 Km/12 Miles)
Activity Level: 5 (High)
Early Breakfast. Our Trek Day will begin from refuge Torre Central. The first hour and a half walking is steep with fantastic views of lake Nordenskjöld and Almirante Nieto Mountain (2.670 masl), with its hanging glaciers until you reach Refugio El Chileno to recover energies and leave your luggage. Then, carrying just a small back pack, you will continue the trail through a millenary Lenga forest (1 hour) until the base of “the moraine” which challenging ascent (45 min), will take you to one of the most impressive lookouts in the park: “Base of Torres del Paine” where you will have the view of Torre Sur (2,850 masl), Torre Central (2.800 masl), Torre Norte (2.600 masl) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. Box lunch and time to relax or take wonderful photos from this marvelous place! Back to refuge Las Torres. Accommodation and dinner.
Overnight: Las Torres sector, Torres del Paine Meals: B,BL, D.
DAY 4: Hiking Las Torres sector – Los Cuernos sector (5 Hours – 11 Km/6.5 Miles)
Activity Level: 3 (Moderate)
Breakfast. We will star our hiking day from las Torres sector to Los Cuernos sector. The trail goes through the Base of Almirante Nieto Mountain – part of the Paine Massif-, with great views to Nordenskjöld Lake; from December the flora presents different colors specially the “Ciruelillo or Fire Bush” which take its name from the red color of its flowers. After about 4 – 5 hours you will get to the Base of Los Cuernos where our Refugio is located, considered by many, one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest and recover energies for the next day challenging trek: “The French Valley”. Arrive to refuge Cuernos or Frances refuge. Accommodation and dinner.
Overnight: Los Cuernos sector, Torres del Paine Meals: B,BL, D.
DAY 5: Hiking Los Cuernos – French Valley – Pehoe sector (12 Hours – 23 Km/14.5 Miles)
Activity Level: 5 (High)
Early Breakfast. The first 2 hours are with some ascents, descents and views to Nordenskjöld Lake until “Campamento Italiano”, at this point, we recommend you contact CONAF staff so you can leave your Big Backpack with them and start the next part of the trek with a small day backpack. The ascent goes for about 1 hour and a half until French Glacier lookout, where you’ll be able to observe its hanging glacier and opportunities to observe small avalanches. After that the trail continues until “Británico area” and after about 20 minutes you will reach the lookout point considered by many as one of the most overwhelming spots in the Circuit: “Mirador Británico”, where you will admire: “Paine Grande”, “Cerro Hoja”, “Cerro Máscara”, “Cerro Catedral”, “Cerro Aleta de Tiburón”, “Cuerno Norte”. The return is the same way back to “Campamento Italiano”, and then to Pehoé sector to Paine Grande refuge. Accommodation and dinner at Paine Grande refuge.
Overnight: Pehoe sector, Torres del Paine Meals: B,BL, D.
DAY 6: Hiking Pehoe sector – Grey Glacier sector (6 Hours – 10.5 Km/6 Miles)
Activity Level: 4 (Moderate – High)
Early Breakfast. Today, you will reach the third milestone on the circuit, the magnificent Grey Glacier. The trail goes around Paine Grande, the highest peak in the mountain range (3,050 masl), with incredible views of its hanging glaciers. Walking amidst Antarctic beech trees (ñirre), Dombey’s beech (coigüe) and Chilean firebush (notro), you will reach the first lookout point over Grey Lake, where we will see pieces of floating glacier. We will continue walking in the direction of the imposing Grey Glacier until we reach the Grey Mountain Refuge. Accommodation and dinner at Grey refuge.
Overnight: Grey Glacier sector, Torres del Paine Meals: B,BL, D.
DAY 7: Ice Hiking Grey Glacier – Grey Lake Navigation – Puerto Natales (10 Hours)
Activity Level: 3 (Moderate)
Early Breakfast. 8.00 AM. This amazing tour begins at Grey base camp, located at 10 minutes from Refugio Grey. The Grey Glacier is about 6 km wide, has a total area of 270 km² and is divided into 3 faces: west face, main face, and east face. It is one of the more than 40 glaciers that are part of the Southern Ice Field, being also a place of discharge of fresh water from it. We recommend being in good physical shape to carry out the activity, as it demands a considerable expenditure of energy, especially in its first part. If you have physical problems or you are not used to practice this type of sports, it is not the right option for you. Once there, we begin a hike that can last between 40 minutes and 1 hour until we reach the access to the ice. This route is uphill in rocky terrain and has a medium difficulty.
Here the guides will provide the necessary equipment: Ice Axe, Crampons, harness, helmet, and briefing; afterwards you will approach to the glacier in a Zodiac and begin exploring this awesome Glacier for 3 hours, finally you will return by zodiac to the Shore. After this excursion, you will begin the return to Grey refuge sector. Take ferry crossing at Grey Lake. Transfer from Pingo sector to Puerto Natales (1 hour 40 minutes/ 66 Miles). Discover the great night life around Puerto Natales enjoy a local beer with great local cuisine. Dinner at your own.
Exploration of the Grey Glacier, which will last approximately 3 hours. Includes: Ice axe, Crampons, Harness, Helmet, Zodiac boat round trip and snack. Min: 03 people.
Optional Sea Kayak excursion for those do not want to do Ice Hiking excursion. Duration: 3 hours. Includes: Includes: Neoprene suit, Paddle Jacket, Neoprene Boots, Poggies, Skirt, Life Jacket, Paddle and Snack. Min: 03 people.
Overnight: Puerto Natales. Meals: B,BL.
DAY 8: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas (7 Hours)
Activity Level: 1 (Easy)
Late breakfast. In the morning, leisure time to walk around the cozy Puerto Natales or just relax after your adventure at Torres del Paine National Park. According to our schedule we will pick you up from your hotel and travel to Punta Arenas. After lunch, we will do a cultural City walk tour around this historical city in front of the famous Magellan Strait. Dinner and accommodation in Punta Arenas.
Overnight: Punta Arenas. Meals: B,D.
DAY 9: Punta Arenas – Flight to Tierra del Fuego – Puerto Williams (1 Hours 30 Minutes)
Activity Level: 1 (Easy)
Breakfast. Check out and transfer to Punta Arenas airport. Flight from Punta Arenas to the small town of Puerto Williams.
Welcome to the southernmost hiking circuit in the world and experience the undiscovered majesty of the epic “Dientes de Navarino” hiking circuit. Welcome by our representative on the island, drive you to your accommodation, and check-in. Dientes de Navarino circuit is part of Cabo de Hornos National Park is located in the Wolaston Archipelago, in the Hermite Islands complex, and was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also is part of the Route of Parks of Patagonia Network.
Then, we will taste the local cuisine for our lunch in Puerto William’s downtown restaurant. From the restaurant, and after having a nice lunch and coffee, we continue walking around to visit “Martin Gusinde” Anthropological Museum and walk around. From the “Micalvi Yacht Club” viewpoint, we’ll have great views of the “Dientes de Navarino” mountain range. Soon, it’s time to go to our base camp in Puerto Williams to have a technical talk about the following days of the expedition. Dinner at local restaurant. Hotel accommodation.
Overnight: Puerto Williams. Meals: B,L,D.
DAY 10: Hiking Bandera Hill – Lake El Salto (4.5 Hours – 6 Km/3.2 Miles)
Activity Level: 3 (Moderate)
Breakfast. Today is the start of the “Dientes de Navarino trail” on Navarino Island. You will get amazing views across the Beagle Channel and Puerto Williams. Pick up by our private transport and travel to the begin of the place where Dientes de Navarino trail starts. We will find a narrow trail going up thought the native forest during the first three kilometers, until “Bandera Hill” (600 masl / 1,968.5 feet), from where we will have a panoramic view of the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego. On this place, we find a high Andean landscape without trees or bushes. We continue walking for an hour and a half by the hillside towards “El Salto Lagoon” where we will set up camp and spend our first night. Dinner and campsite accommodation.
Overnight: Campsite. Meals: B,BL,D.
DAY 11: Hiking Los Dientes Pass – Dientes de Navarino Lagoon – Gabriel Hill (6 Hours – 12.5 Km/7 Miles)
Activity Level: (High)
Breakfast. The day starts with a strong and wet ascent towards Primero, Australia and Los Dientes Pass. While crossing the mountain range, from this point of the trail, we will have views of northern Cape Horn Archipelago, what is considered the end of the World. Next kilometers are easier until we arrive to “Los Dientes Lagoon”, where we set up camp near “Gabriel Hill” and enjoy our dinner with beautiful views. Dinner and campsite accommodation.
Overnight: Campsite. Meals: B,BL,D.
DAY 12: Hiking Ventarron Pass – Guerrico Pass – El Martillo Lagoon (6 Hours – 12 Km/6.5 Miles)
Activity Level: (High)
Breakfast. Today we will hike by following the trail through lagoons and valleys. We pass by “Escondida Lagoon” and start climbing “Ventarrón Pass” (we must be particularly careful with the wind here) and Guerrico Pass. At the same time, we have views of the Dientes de Navarino Massif and Mount Codrington. We will reach the “Ventarrón” and “Guerrico” passes, going up at an altitude (696 masl / 2,294 feet). We have an easy trail from here to our campsite, surrounded by amazing landscapes, while we hike on to “Laguna Martillo” . We spend this night close to Martillo Lagoon. Dinner and campsite accommodation.
Overnight: Campsite. Meals: B,BL,D.
DAY 13: Hiking Virginia Pass – Guanaco Lagoon (5 Hours – 15 Km/6 Miles)
Activity Level: (Moderate – High)
Breakfast. This day we have to walk through huge peatlands and beaver dams. After that we are going to climb a big muddy slope until arriving to the highest point of the circuit, “Virginia Pass” (860 masl / 2820 feet), where you have time to take in the sweeping views of the mountains and sea of Tierra del Fuego.
Then we continue in a challenging descent until “Guanaco Lagoon” and till “Guanaca Lagoon”, the place where we are going to spend our last night. Dinner and campsite accommodation.
Overnight: Campsite. Meals: B,BL,D.
DAY 14: Hiking Guanaco Lagoon – End of the Trail – Puerto Williams (4.5 Hours – 8 Km/4.3 Miles)
Activity Level: (Moderate)
Breakfast. To start the day, we walk through the end of the circuit. With proud for finishing our expedition, we make a toast with local beer. From there we are going back to our accommodation by private vehicle. Lunch in a local restaurant, and leisure time during the afternoon. The journey finish having dinner with a culinary experience with local food. Hotel accommodation.
Overnight: Puerto Williams. Meals: B,L,D.
DAY 15: Puerto Williams – Punta Arenas – Santiago (5 Hours)
Activity Level: (Easy)
Breakfast. Transfer to Puerto Williams Aerodrome, according to your flight schedule. Say goodbye to the “End of the World” Navarino Island and flight to Punta Arenas, where you will connect with your flight to Santiago. End of the Adventure program in Patagonia, Chile.
Meals: B.