Adventure Travel through Chile’s Patagonia

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Chile

On the Trail of Chile's Patagonia

Trekking

(7 Days)

This trek is to one of the world's last great refuges of wild nature. Located in the southernmost region of Chile, Patagonia is beautiful beyond belief. The beauty is found in mansion-sized icebergs that float silently in the dark waters of the fjords; in the winds that blow snowy dust from the mountain tops; in the aqua-blue glaciers that calve into deep, placid lakes; and in the valleys of Torres del Paine National Park surrounded by steep granite faces. These images are synonymous with Patagonia. We've also included time to relax on the warm streets of Puerto Natales and to walk beside gentle guanacos, a southern cousin to the llama. On this seven day adventure to the southern hemisphere, we are dwarfed at every turn by the power of nature, forgotten by time and unspoiled by human progress.

Trip Highlights

5 Days of hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation at an Ecocamp and mountain huts
Opportunites to see wildlife, such as guanacos, pumas and condors

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago - Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine

All travellers must arrive into the Punta Arenas airport by 12pm this afternoon. We'll be there to greet you and transfer you to the famous Torres del Paine National Park, 345 km/216 miles away. In summer time (Dec-Mar), the sun sets around 11pm giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains while entering the park. The drive is a scenic one along the pampa and if we're lucky we'll see guanacos, rheas and huge rabbits grazing on the plains. We'll make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales, to take a look at the town and visit the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wander that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at Las Torres Ecocamp. (L,D)

Day 2: Torres del Paine - Grey Glacier - Pehoe (Hike)

After a typical southern Chilean breakfast, we set off with a drive to Lake Grey's southern end. From here we'll board a boat and travel across Lago Grey to the face of The Grey Glacier, a massive wall of ancient ice sculpted by time and the elements. The lake is littered with gigantic blue and white icebergs that were once part of the glacier. Once we reach the glacier, we break for a picnic lunch, sitting on a craggy peak adjacent to the massive structure and watch pieces calving thunderously into the deep grey lake below. Afterwards we'll hike back about four hours to The Pehoe Refuge on Lago Pehoe. (Your clothes and personal belongings needed for this and the next night are transported separately to the Refuge, in duffel bags that we'll provide for you on day 1). If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we’ll instead drive 45 minutes from the Ecocamp to Pudeto to board a catamaran to Pehoe. From here we'll hike to the Grey Glacier and return in the late afternoon (about 6-7 hours hiking). Overnight at Pudeto Refuge. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Torres del Paine National Park - French Valley (Hike)

The first leg of our trek today is to Campamento Italiano, 8 kms/5 miles, approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours. We continue with a roundtrip journey to Mirador del Frances (3 kms/2 miles, 1.5-2.5 hours) - one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. The trail between Camp Pehoe and Italiano winds through undulating terrain of windswept grasslands and verdant forests and then meets up with The Frances River and Camp Italiano. From here we follow the roaring whitewaters of the Rio Frances to El Mirador (Lookout Point). This spot is amazing, with Frances Glacier at the centre stage and below are the turquoise waters of Lake Nordenskjold and Pehoe. There is an option to continue hiking (2 hrs) to Mirador Britanico for the hearty adventurers. Once we arrive back at Camp Italiano we’ll continue trekking for another hour to the shore of Lake Nordenskjold and Refugio Los Cuernos, a beautiful refuge below the Los Cuernos peaks on the lake. Our duffel bags will be carried in by porters from the Pudeto Refuge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Torres del Paine National Park - French Valley (Hike)

We have another full day on foot today trekking along the Paso Los Cuernos, a trail that was named because it passes under the Cuernos del Paine —peaks with beautiful black horns of slate atop gray granite. The surrounding landscape is striking with snow-peaked mountain ranges and frequent wind funnels that spiral on the emerald waters of Lago Nordeskjord. Hopefully we’ll have a sunny day with clear views of the horns. The journey ends at the comfortable Las Torres Ecocamp. Duffel bags are carried in by porters from Los Cuernos.(B,L,D)

Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park - Paso Los Cuernos (Hike)

Today is our longest and most scenic stretch, 18 kms or 12 miles. We depart from Los Cuernos Refuge destined for Los Torres Refuge. The trail is below the snow-peaked Los Cuernos (horns) and is bordered with brilliant red fire bushes. The setting is truly amazing for photo opportunities with the contrast of rugged mountains, multi-coloured wildflowers and the emerald Lago Nordenskjold. The day ends at Las Torres Eco-Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Torres del Paine National Park - Valle Asencio (Hike or Horseback)

After a hearty breakfast we set off on foot to the famous Towers of Paine, a triad of sculpted granite peaks. Horseback riding is an option today for those who want to tackle the route on four legs instead to two. Both hikers and riders follow the same path, along dirt trails in a vast and varied landscape of rugged wilderness. The last two miles is a scramble on foot along steep paths to the base of the towers. Sitting beneath the spires, you will feel the intense power of the natural world. Many climbers have attempted to conquer the Torres, but few have ever reached the summit—its known to be one of the most technical climbs on earth. Late afternoon we return to the Las Torres Eco-camp and feast on a typical Chilean BBQ to celebrate our achievements. Approximately 8-9 hours of moderate hiking with the option to horse ride instead (7 miles/12 kms). (B,L,D)

Day 7: Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas

Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas in time to catch an evening flight back to Santiago or onwards to join an extension program. (B,L)


EcoCamp	Refuge
4 Nights	2 Nights

October 2008 to April 2009
Departs every Monday