(201) 288-4330
Trekking Patagonia & Torres Del Paine
Program Includes:
- All meals while on the program
- Cross Lake Grey.
- 4 nights accommodations in EcoCamp (Domes Standard - Double)
- 1 night in Refugio Paine Grande and 1 night in Refugio Los Cuernos (shared basis)
- Visit Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park.
- Expert bilingual guide trekking for the group.
- Sleeping in shelters if necessary.
- Luggage transport within the park while doing trekking.
Airfares are not included.
Sample airfare from Miami to Santiago- Punta Arenas Round trip US$1200-1400, New York $1,300-1,500, Los Angeles $1,500-1,800
Call (201) 288-4330 for more information or to book today! Mention code 12723526
- Tour Operator
- Tara Tours
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - No
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Torres del Paine | To Torres del Paine Park : The tour leader meets you as you arrive in Punta Arenas airport from your flight* from Santiago or Puerto Montt. We transfer by private van to Puerto Natales (254 km/158 miles. If you are arriving from El Calafate, Argentina, we include a transfer from your hotel to the bus station, the bus ticket** and reception in Puerto Natales. After a brief stopover here, we continue to Las Torres Eco- Camp (147 km/ 91 miles in Torres del Paine National Park. Lunch and a visit to the Milodon Cave is provided en route. We reach our EcoCamp at Las Torres in early evening. *Important: Travel on the earliest morning flight from Santiago or Puerto Montt, arriving into Punta Arenas no later than 1 PM. **Buses depart El Calafate for Puerto Natales at 8:00AM or 8.30PM daily. (LD) |
| Day 2 | Paso Los Cuernos Trail | Paso Los Cuernos Trail : We trek west through rolling open hills above the rocky northern shore of Lake Nordenskjold (12 kms, 4hrs). The trail is named for its spectacular proximity to the Cuernos of the Paine massif. We are walking on the slopes of one of the peaks, which dominate the skyline during the drive in from Puerto Natales: Mount Almirante Nieto (2,640 m/8,660 ft). Condors are commonly seen along this route, as they nest in the rugged cliffs rising above us. We cross several rushing streams draining down the mountain, and watch the play of wind on the turquoise waters of the lake. The easiest of all the walking days so far contains some of its most breath-taking scenery. We reach the 32-bed Los Cuernos Refugio in mid-afternoon on this warm-up hiking day (12 km/8 mi). (Horses or porters transport the camp gear today while we walk with daypacks.) Note: on some departures, the group will travel in a clockwise circuit, rather than the counter-clockwise circuit described here. (BLD) |
| Day 3 | French River Valley | French River Valley : We trek west, first skirting the shoreline and noting the curious salt-and-pepper effect of the beach gravel, which contains rocks from black and white strata exposed on the cliffs towering over us. We climb into the hills as the trail curves inland from the lake, some 8 kms/5 mi to Campamento Italiano. Here we pick up the trail parallel to the French River, and start climbing up moraine through fantastic southern beech forest. We are directly beneath the sheer granite faces of the "Cuernos". It's an easy climb to the French Glacier lookout. Ambitious hikers can continue up the valley another 90 minutes to a lookout above Campamento Britanico (12 km, 3-4 hrs). In this magnificent setting, we are surrounded by high peaks and sheer granite walls on three sides of a magnificent cirque - well worth the steady climb! Once we are back at Campamento Italiano we cross the river on a suspension bridge, and continue west (2 hrs) through rolling terrain until we reach the modern, 72-bed Refugio Paine Grande for overnight. BLD) |
| Day 4 | Lake Grey | To Lake Grey : We hike north along the eastern edge of Grey Lake. It is a 4 hour hike (12 km/8 mi) to the northern end of the lake. We climb to a lookout over the Grey Glacier to enjoy picnic lunch amid impressive scenery. After lunch, we board a motor launch for an exciting cruise to the face of the Grey Glacier. Together with the Dickson and Perito Moreno glaciers (in Argentina), the Grey Glacier drains the giant South Patagonian Ice field. After photographing the headwall, we leave the boat near the southern end of the lake. We depart by van along a spectacular drive through the heart of the park. En route, we see troops of guanacos, as well as abundant migratory birds in the many ponds. Overnight in the EcoCamp. (BLD) |
| Day 5 | Ascencio River Valley | Ascencio River Valley : Today we enjoy another of the park's classic treks, up the Ascencio River to a viewpoint at just under 1,000m/3,280 ft. directly opposite the impressive Towers of El Paine (2,900m/9,400 ft). These three granite monoliths are remnants of a great cirque that has been sheared away by glacial ice. Though at the highest point in our hike, we are close to sea level and thus altitude doesn't come into play, today's hike challenges us with two steep pitches. The first is when the trail ascends the grassy slopes of the glaciated Serrano River Valley to a terrace high above the turbulent Ascencio River. We then continue across a big scree slope, losing altitude and gaining it again before we drop down toward the river and enjoy a mainly level stroll through delightful southern beach forest. On the final pitch we switchback up through the rocks of a terminal moraine to the turn at the foot of the Towers - a heart-pounding experience with a huge emotional payoff at the top. 21 km/13 mi round trip. Note: If visibility is poor today, we'll switch activities with the nature hikes scheduled for next day (BLD) Torres del Paine lookout |
| Day 6 | Guanacos and Migratory Birds | Guanacos and Migratory Birds : We have a full day to hike and photograph in the wildlife zones between Lakes Nordenskjold and Sarmiento. We typically include a hike through guanaco breeding grounds, observe migratory birds in the ponds, and visit some caves where we observe cave paintings. Our guides shape this delightful day according to the weather and the particular interests of participants. Once back at Las Torres Eco-Camp, we enjoy a classic Patagonian lamb barbecue cooked over open coals to celebrate our shared experience. Overnight at Las Torres EcoCamp (B, L, D); |
| Day 7 | Travel to Punta Arenas | Travel to Punta Arenas : In mid-morning, we head back to Puerto Natales, with a stop for lunch before continuing via private transfer to Punta Arenas in time to catch the late afternoon flight departing back to Santiago. If you're departing to El Calafate, we depart early enough to catch the morning bus at Cerro Castillo (B). Included: - Catamaran crossing over Lago Grey; - 2 nights in park Refugio with dorm-style bunks, shared bath, 4 nights accommodation, sharing a tent at the Eco-Camp; - Park fees for Milodon Cave and Torres del Paine National Park; - Meals as indicated on the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner - One typical lamb barbecue dinner - One English-speaking trekking guide per each 8 persons; - One Spanish-speaking cook & assistant while in Pehoe and Torres. - Porterage on the trek |
- Dates/Pricing
