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South America : Patagonia Explorer
The trek itinerary is mostly what is known as the “W”, visiting the Grey glacier and lake, French Valley, Los Cuernos pass and Las Torres. This popular Patagonian trek is suitable for active travelers sensitive to nature and physically fit to make moderate 5–6 hours walks over 5 days. All the day hikes start from the “door” of your tent at either of two camps. .
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The
trails between the famous craggy mountains of Torres del Paine in Patagonia
are among the world´s classic trekking routes. Breathtaking views
of glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests, and abundant wildlife provides
the trip with constantly changing scenes and experiences. During summer
(Nov–Mar) there are 18 hours of day light which gives us plenty of time for exploring! |
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Detailed ItineraryDay 1: Arrive Santiago.Transfer to your comfortable 3 star hotel. Day 2:An interesting half day city tour of Santiago. Overnight at hotel. Day 3: **OPTION TO START TRIP ON THIS DAY IN PUNTA ARENAS** Travel to Torres del Paine, Patagonia.In the morning, transfer to Santiago airport and fly to Punta Arenas, arriving around 12 noon. Reception at the airport and transfer to EcoCamp Las Torres by vehicle (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time, 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 at the town and enjoy lunch, and in the enormous Milodon Cave, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at EcoCamp in Las Torres, a semi-permanent encampment with geodesic-domed tents built on raised wooden platforms large enough for two beds. (L,D); Day 4: In Paine National Park (Grey Glacier and Lake Pehoe)Drive across the park (about 1 1/2 hrs) viewing the spectacular mountain views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos (the horns), and spotting frequent guanaco herds along the way. Reach Lago Grey and board a boat for a 40-minute trip across the lake to the towering glacier walls. After ample time to marvel at this calving glacier, and enjoy a picnic lunch, wešll hike about four hours to the Refugio (simple mountain lodge) at Lago Pehoe. (Your clothes and personal belongings needed for this and the next night are transported separately to the lodge in duffel bags that we will provide you upon arrival at the EcoCamp). If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate Lake Grey, we will instead drive 45 minutes from the EcoCamp to Pudeto to board a catamaran ferry to Pehoe. Wešll then hike to the Grey Glacier and return in the late afternoon. The hike all the way to the glacier and back takes about 6-7 hours, but you have the option of turning back at any point you wish to make the hike shorter. Overnight at simple mountain lodge called Refugio Pehoe. (B,L,D) Day 5: In Paine National Park (Valle del Frances)In the morning, the trek from Pehoe will cover about 8 km/ 5 miles (2.53.5 hrs) over undulating terrain through mixed grassland and light forest to meet the Frances river at Camp Italiano where we have lunch. From here there is an optional round trip hike of another 3 km/ 2 miles (1.5 2.5 hrs) following the wild river upstream to the lookout point over the French Glacier where there is a magnificent view of one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine range. Once we are back at Camp Italiano, we continue walking (1hr) along the shore of lake Nordenskjold until reaching Refugio Los Cuernos for overnight. The dining room of this lodge has a panoramic view of the mountains above and the beautiful lake below! (B,L-,D). Day 6: In Paine National Park (Valle del Frances)Hike over the undulating Los Cuernos Trail beside the lake (12km/8mi) until reaching Estancia Las Torres and the Eco Camp. The name of the trail is taken from the fact that it passes under the famous Cuernos (horns) of the Paine massif. The trip ends at the Eco-camp in Las Torres for overnight (B,L,D) Day 7-8: In Paine National Park (Towers of Paine, Laguna Azul)On either day, depending on the best weather conditions we hike 10km/6,3miles (8hrs rt.) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine. From here admire the most amazing sight of the Paine Towers (weather permitting). 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. The other day is saved to walk (2-3hrs) around the beech forest at Laguna Azul and then trek (2-4hrs) across the pampa (steppe) terrain back to Laguna Amarga or EcoCamp. Farewell dinner at the EcoCamp is honored with a typical Patagonean lamb barbecue. (B,L,D) Day 9: Travel to Punta ArenasEarly in the morning board a vehicle back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago. (B, Box lunch). Overnight at hotel. Day 10: Trip ends.Fly home or begin extension trips into the Andes around Santiago. OPTIONAL ADVENTURES OUT OF SANTIAGO ($185 usd per day)From Santiago, the Maipo Valley runs deep into the Andes for some 120km until it reaches impassable gorges and rushing rivers where the terrain is only negotiable on horse or on foot. It is in the middle of this rugged scenery that one feels at the heart of the Andes, the geographic feature which all of Chile. The valley is broad where it meets Santiago and here you will find many of the vineyards whose products have made Chile famous worldwide. As one goes up the valley, mountains get higher and the valley narrower. At an elevation of 1.000m, 60km away from Santiago, the typical mountain village of San Alfonso nestles in the Cordillera. Here, overlooking the wild Maipo river, facing the steep striped sedimentary mountains and under the shade of tall waving pinetrees lies Cascada de las Animas (Spirit´s Waterfall) Outdoor Centre, declared Nature Sanctuary in 1995. At this point the only way to get into the mountains is on foot, on horseback or down the river in a raft. However, if you do not want any further physical activity, there are good facilities for relaxing at Cascada de las Animas and enjoying a peaceful day away from the city. Experienced, skilled and good-natured guides will assist you when you arrive at Cascada de Las Animas. Their amiability and willingness to help will make your visit a safe and memorable experience. Scouting the flight of the Condor09:00 hrs: Pick up from the hotel in Santiago; 10:30 hrs: Arrive in Cascada de Las Animas and start trekking through the 10.000 acre private Nature Sanctuary. The trek follows narrow and steep trails used by the arrieros (Andean cowboys) to take cattle and herds to higher grazing lands during summer. Depending on the season, there are many waterfalls, streams and pools where cold-refreshing bathes can be taken. On springtime the giant Condors fly down in search of food to a lower altitude where we might have the chance to scout them. The route will vary depending on the interests and physical condition of the participants; this tour is led by our experienced guides who are happy to point out the many spectacular views, as well as the native flora & fauna along the trail. 13:30 hrs: Come down to the restaurant for lunch. The evening is free for relaxing at the swimming pool (summer) or for taking a sauna (winter). 17:00 hrs: Start driving back to Santiago. Arrive at the Hotel around 18:30hrs. Easy Day at the Mountains09:00 hrs: Pick up from the hotel in Santiago; 10:30 hrs: Arrive in Cascada de Las Animas and start an easy walk to the 7m. long waterfall crossing over the river Maipo hanging bridge; in summer, you can have a refreshing bath in the waterfall's natural pool. Noon, Back at the restaurant there is time to take a sauna or go swimming; 13.30 hrs: Enjoy a typical Chilean lunch, plentiful and delicious, at the restaurant overlooking the river. The rest of the evening is free to rest, walk or just relax admiring the beautiful mountain landscape. 17:00 hrs: Start driving back to Santiago. Arrive at the Hotel around 18:30 hrs. Horseback Riding the Andes09:00 hrs: Pick up from the hotel in Santiago; 10:30 hrs: Arrive in Cascada de Las Animas. Meet the horses and guides at the corrals nearby in the Nature Sanctuary. After receiving some basic riding instructions we start riding one of a variety of trails leading up to the high 250 acre "meseta" (plateau). Those trails are used by the arrieros (Andean cowboys) to take cattle and herds to higher grazing lands during summer. Depending on the season there are many waterfalls, streams and pools were cold refreshing bathes can be taken. On springtime, the giant Condors fly down in search of food to lower ground where they can easily be seen. 13:30 hrs: Come down to the restaurant for lunch. The evening is free for relaxing at the swimming pool (summer) or for taking a sauna (winter). 17:30 hrs: Start driving back to Santiago. Arrive at the Hotel around 18:30hrs. Rafting the Maipo River09:00 hrs: Pick up from the hotel in Santiago; 10:30 hrs: Arrive in Cascada de Las Animas. Meet our experienced and skilled guides and put on the rafting gear we provide: wetsuit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket. The leader guide will speach the group with technical and safety instructions. The Maipo River is rated as a class 4 from November to February (snow melting season) and as a class 3 the rest of the year; in both cases "first timers" are welcomed (no experience required), as well as the experienced rafters. The put-in-point is Cascada de Las Animas, so we do not need extra transportation to get to the river. From November to February, this fun and exciting trip runs some 16km passing beautiful gorges and agricultural terrain typical of the Chilean countryside. The take-out point is the town of San Jose de Maipo, from where we drive back to Cascada de Las Animas. From March to September the take-out point is at El Melocoton, 9 kms downstream from the put in . In both cases, the time in the water is around 1 hour. 13:30 hrs: Come back to Cascada de Las Animas, have a hot shower and go to the restaurant for lunch. The evening is free for relaxing at the swimming pool (summer) or for taking a sauna (winter). 17:30 hrs: Start driving back to Santiago. Arrive at the Hotel around 18:30hrs. Hot Springs at MoonlightDuring the evening a beautiful extension up to Colina hot springs can be taken to recover from the morning's activities. Although the hot springs are remote (1hr and 30min over dirt dusty road) their situation at the foot of the giant San José volcano, overlooking the vast silent Andes, brings a marvelous wild experience while soaking on the hot open air pools. Time permitting, we wait until dusk and eventually until the stars fill the clear Southern Hemisphere sky. Have a box-dinner with aperitif just before 7-9PM when we start coming down to Santiago arriving at the hotel between 9–11hrs. Hot springs are available, weather permitting, from March-May and Oct–Dec. |
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SynopsisGrading: Length: 10 days
Price: $1995 USD / $2195 CAD (per person sharing twin) Domestic Air tickets: Apx. $350 USD (Santiago - Punta Arenas - Santiago) Single Supplement: $195 USD / $215 CAD (if requested/required) Extensions Include: Transfer: Htl Santiago/San Alfonso/Htl Santiago. Lunch at Cascada de las Animas restaurant. All excursions as indicated on the itinerary. One bilingual guide on excursions. Swimming pool in summer or sauna on winter. All entrances and parks fees Seat In Bus Restrictions: Available only Saturday & Sunday. Transfer to and from Santiago with spanish speaking driver. What you need to bring: Climate: The Central Chile enjoys an ideal Mediterranean climate, mild temperate, being the warmest months November to February when temperatures reach 32°C. June to August are the coolest with temperatures as low as 0°C. CANADIAN HIMALAYAN EXPEDITIONS reserves the right to modify or change any program itinerary to ensure client safety. The company does not accept any responsibility for maltreatment (damage) of equipment, loss, accident, unforeseen costs, unavoidable delays, services provide by intermediaries, nor direct or indirect acts which are out the company’s control. You can also contact Canadian Himalayan Expeditions directly for more information. |
