ITINERARY
Day 1:
Travel to Torres del Paine
Arrive around noon in Punta Arenas with the earliest morning flight
from Santiago. Drive to the Ecocamp (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs) inside the
famous Torres del Paine National Park. 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. We will make short stops
in the township of Puerto Natales, to take a look of the town (you have here
the chance to leave in our office in Puerto Natales any luggage that you
will not need during the trek), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a
giant geological wander that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight
at Ecocamp in Las Torres (L,D);
Day 2:
Grey Glacier-Pehoe
Early drive (1 hr. 30 min) to lake Grey's southern end where we’ll take a
boat across Lago Grey (40 min.) to the face of the Grey Glacier. After ample
time to marvel at this calving glacier, and enjoy a picnic lunch, we’ll hike
back about four hours to the Refuge (mountain hut) at Lago Pehoe. (Your
clothes and personal belongs needed for this night are transported
separately to the Refuge in duffel bags that we will provide 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. We’ll then hike to the Grey Glacier and return in the late afternoon
(about 6-7 hours hiking). Overnight at Refuge Pehoe (B,L-,D);
Day 3:
French Valley - Valle del Frances
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.
The track between Camp Pehoe and Camp Italiano makes its way through
undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to meet river Frances
and Camp Italiano. From here we follow the wild river upstream until El
Mirador (lookout point) facing Glaciar Frances -that descend from Paine
Grande (the highest summit in the Paine range)- and with a magnificent broad
view of the lakes below. Once we are back at Camp Italiano we return to
Pehoe and take the 6:30PM boat that crosses the Pehoe lake and drive back to
Ecocamp (B,L-,D);
Day 4:
Torres del Paine (Ascencio Valley)
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) consist of three
gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared
away by the forces of glacial ice. Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell
dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue; overnight at
Ecocamp (B,L,D)
Day 5:
Travel to Punta Arenas
Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch
the last flight back to Santiago. (B, L).
Note:
During shoulder season, months of October and April, boat schedule at lake
Pehoe changes, modifying slightly our itinerary.
Included
-
All ground transport private and domestic as
indicated in the itinerary;
-
Boat crossing
-
3 nights
accommodation sharing a 2 person dome in Ecocamp.
-
1 night
accommodation in Refuge Pehoe.
-
Park fees for Cueva
del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park;
-
Meals as indicated
on the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=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.)
What is an Ecocamp?
It's a
luxury camp, of a kind never seen before in Chile and similar in concept
to the famous African lodges. It is a more comfortable alternative, but
above all environmentally friendly, especially in a national Park with
the characteristics of Torres del Paine. The Ecocamp has been designed
with the comfort of our travellers in mind but above all stressing the
importance of interfering as little as possible with the surroundings in
which we have installed it. This need to protect the environment has
meant that we have had to be very efficient in managing the eco-camp;
this has meant that we cannot offer some of the comforts normal in
unprotected areas (private bathroom with septic tank, diesel generators
etc) and, on the other hand, utilizing technologies and sustainable
processes but ones which demand a greater effort and more patience from
our guests (less availability of water and solar energy for electricity,
making compost, less waste etc). We think that the solution that we
have designed for our guests, in one of the most important national
parks of the southern hemisphere, is a novel alternative, efficient and
in harmony with the current demands of tourism.
What is
the Eco-camp like?
Sleeping
is in big comfortable domed tents that take 2 people. They are 2 meters
high and the floor is of vitrified wood. The tents are resistant to the
strongest winds, rain and even Patagonian snow and they are each
equipped with 2 single beds, fleece sheets (very popular among our
guests!), blankets and feather cover. The domes are very well insulated
allowing comfortable temperatures even in cold nights. The Ecocamp also
has a large dome for kitchen/dining room: this is a dome of 9 meters
diameter (30 ft) and 4.5 meters high (15 ft). It is equipped with a
living area, dining room and kitchen. The space is light and airy with a
big panoramic window and it invites our guests to enjoy in a completely
new way the surprising evenings of Patagonia. The Ecocamp also includes
a bathroom module with showers and hot water. The toilet system uses a
composting process (i.e. it transforms human waste into compost). A chef
runs the kitchen of the Ecocamp.
Refugios
Our
programs include one night in Pehoe. This are typical mountain huts,
open to the public that visits Torres del Paine. It has rooms for 4-6
people. The beds are single, bunk type and we will provide you with a
sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don't need to bring a
sleeping bag!). The bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water.
The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area.
Vehicles
A private van will
deliver us in Torres del Paine National Park on day 1 and will pick us
up on the last day. We also use a private van for
transfers within the park.
Group Size & Guiding
Staff
8-12 clients most
typical group size plus staff. Maximum is 20 clients.
Fixed Departures
The trip starts every Wednesday morning in the
airport of Punta Arenas from October 1st to April 15th.
You must arrive into Punta Arenas in any flight that
arrives around noon. The trip ends in the airport of Punta Arenas at 5PM
approx. You should book your return flights after 6PM. Departure trips
are guaranteed with 2 people minimum being the average size of the group
8 to 12 people. If wished, you may ask us to also handle your local
flights and hotels arrangements while in Chile and/or Argentina.
Itinerary
modifications
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in
any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on
operational considerations.
The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate
part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
Physical
Demands
This are the right trips
for energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of
adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it is essential to
be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to regard this trek as a
means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a programme
of conditioning well before departure -in fact as soon as you book- and
be aware that short walks on the flat do little to prepare you for the
gradients of the Torres del Paine National Park. Regular aerobic
exercise (power walking, jogging, cycling on hills, swimming, cross
country skiing, etc) for al least one hour 4-5 times a week is
suggested. Consult your physician if you have questions concerning your
underlying health.
What you need to
bring
Day backpack (20-30lt), duffel bag (70 liters),
waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating
layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen,
hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel
(optional), ski poles (optional), long underwear, extra change of socks,
flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition
weight long underwear. A complete booklet with detailed information
about what to bring will be sent to you once you book the trip.
About the itinerary
-The numbers in brackets
(distance-kms/miles, time-hrs) are approximated and refer to the
trekking portions exclusively. In general the itinerary submitted and
the estimated of time is reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering
also good weather conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing and
pictures.
The climate
The vast unbroken
stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent
leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that
circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the
South Patagonic Icefield influence makes the weather hard to predict. In
spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without
warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to
march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130
km/hr) and rainfalls. The summers average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF
(24ºCmax, 2ºC min).
Extra
services
We
can also book and purchase for you at the best rates available the
following side services: Domestic flights, Hotel accommodation in
Santiago (3 to 5 star), Airport and Hotel pick ups in Santiago, side
trips in Santiago and longer extension trips (rafting, riding, hiking,
etc) in other areas throughout Chile.
PATAGONIA ECOCAMP SINGLE ACCOMMODATION POLICY
All accommodations at the Eco Camps in Torres del Paine are in a sharing
basis only. There is not single accommodation availability unless a "forced"
single accommodation is needed due to different gender single travelers not
willing to share. If, at the moment of arrival at the Ecocamp, someone shows
up with a reasonable claim for single accommodation and the Camp manager
finds availability, then an exception will be made.
