TORRES DEL PAINE BASE CAMP TREK
Itinerary Overview Delve into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, one of the most spectacular trekking areas in the world. Our route features several days of extensive hiking from 5 to 13 miles per day, penetrating into the heart of the Paine Massif including the three primary sites along the famous W route: Grey Glacier, Francis Valley/Paine Grande, and the Towers of Paine. We hike among spectacular mountain peaks mostly over moderate undulating terrain at elevations below 2,500' on trails that contour past turquoise lakes, waterfalls, hanging glaciers, and alpine meadows where guanaco roam. Additional optional hikes to high base camps and lookouts afford spectacular views of sheer rock walls, calving glaciers, soaring condors, and chances to observe climbers. Accommodations are in private double deluxe tents with bath and wood stove heat at, and two nights in rustic, shared bunk style mountain refugios with wood stove, wine and plenty of camaraderie with hikers from around the world! DAY OVERNIGHT HOTELS MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 SANTIAGO Hotel Rugendas Arrival in Santiago, City Tour 2 TORRES DEL PAINE Fly to Punta Arenas, drive to 3 TORRES DEL PAINE Refugio Los Los Cuernos Trail LD Cuernos 4 TORRES DEL PAINE Refugio Paine Valle Francis. Grande 5 TORRES DEL PAINE Grey Lake Lookout Trail 6 TORRES DEL PAINE Trail, Valle Ascencio 7 TORRES DEL PAINE Eastern Lakes Fauna Trail 8 SANTIAGO Hotel Return to Punta Arenas and Rugendas Santiago 9 B Day room until departure. -2-
Itinerary in Detail DAY 1 (SUN) ARRIVAL IN SANTIAGO, CITY TOUR Early morning airport reception and transfer to the Hotel Rugendas. In the afternoon take a historic tour of Santiago including the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda", the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas", the Cathedral, the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Continue on to Santa Lucia the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Overnight at the Hotel Rugendas. DAY 2 (MON) TORRES DEL PAINE Transfer out for morning flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia. Airport reception and travel north through the vast Patagonian "pampa" to Puerto Natales, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego (256km/160 miles/3 hrs). After lunch in Puerto Natales, continue into Torres del Paine National Park (246 km/153 miles/ 2 hrs), stopping at the Milodon Cave where the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth were discovered. We arrive at the for dinner under the southern constellations. Overnight in Standard Domes at. [] The famous W route: Hiking distances, approximate duration and altitudes. DAY DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 Trail Name Los Cuernos Valle del Frances Mirador Grey Fauna Starting point Refugio Paine Eastern Lakes Refugio Cuernos Grande Point Finishing Point Refugio Cuernos Refugio Paine Eastern Lakes Mirador Grey Grande Point Approx trekking time 7 hrs 8 hrs 4 hrs 10 hrs 3 hrs distance 10 mi/16 km 15 mi/25 km 9 mi/14 km 13 mi/21 km 5 mi/8 km max altitude point 800 ft 244 mts 2250 ft 686 mts 800 ft 244 mts 3000 ft 914 mts 328 ft 100 mts DAY 3 (TUE) LOS CUERNOS TRAIL Hiking: 7 hours/10 miles Today's trek parallels Lago Nordenskjold and offers broad views of the Cuernos of Paine, dramatic carved horns of black slate atop the gray-granite massif. Condors soar from their nests on the steep cliffs above. We arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos in the late afternoon in time to shower and settle in for the evening. Enjoy wine, a hot fresh meal, camaraderie with other trekkers by the fire before retiring for the night. [] DAY 4 (WED) VALLE FRANCIS Hiking: 8 hours/12 miles, or 15 miles with extra hike This morning we trek along the shores of beautiful Lago Nordenskjold until reaching Campamento Italiano. From here, follow Rio Frances to Mirador del Frances, an awe inspiring cirque high in the Paine Range with breathtaking vistas of the Frances Glacier and the sparkling lakes below. Add an additional 2 hour hike to Mirador Britanico from Mirador del Frances if you re up for it! Upon returning to Campamento Italiano, hike through the undulating terrain of grassland and forest to overnight at Refugio Paine Grande near the short Pehoe Lake. Overnight at the refugio. [] DAY 5 (THU): GREY LAKE LOOKOUT TRAIL Hiking: 4 hours/9 miles This morning we hike from Refugio Paine Grande to the northern end of Lago Grey. In the forests along the lake you are likely to spot the impressive Magellanic woodpecker. After a picnic lunch, we board the boat and cross the sparkling lake to Grey Glacier, where ample time is spent observing the many faces of -3-
this active, calving glacier. On board, you may enjoy a pisco sour chilled with glacial ice. At the end of the navigation, return to (1.5 hrs by van) for dinner and overnight. [] DAY 6 (FRI): LAS TORRES TRAIL, VALLE ASCENCIO Hiking: 10 hours/13 miles This challenging, all-day hike ascends steeply up to Valle Ascencio to the base of the impressive granite massif where the iconic Towers of Paine rise from a glacial lake. The famous peaks (2900m/9400ft) consist of three granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice, wind and rain over the millennia. Descend to overnight at. [] DAYS 7 (SAT): EASTERN LAKES FAUNA TRAIL Hiking: 3 hours/5 miles This is easy and lovely day first driving to the nearby eastern park area where we hike through beech forest at Laguna Azul and then trek among azure lakes and lush green Patagonian steppe where herds of guanacos and many birds are found. The final night we enjoy a festive farewell asado or typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Overnight at. [] DAY 8 (SUN) PUNTA ARENAS - SANTIAGO Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the late afternoon flight back to Santiago. Airport reception and transfer to the Hotel Rugendas. [B] Consider trip extensions to the Lakes District, Atacama Desert, Seno Otway Penguin Reserve, Easter Island or Fitz Roy, Argentina. DAY 9 (MON) DEPARTURE OR BEGIN EXTENSION Day at leisure in Santiago. Your hotel room is available for day use until evening transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. [B] END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. -4-
PRICING SEASON PER LOCAL PERSON AIRFARE* Low Season $2650 $495 High Season $3195 $495 Upgrade to Suite Domes while at : $400 per person *Airfare Santiago-Punta Arenas subject to change based on availability. Low season is October 2011 & April 2012 INCLUDED SERVICES Round-trip air Santiago-Punta Arenas (listed separately) 8 nights lodging and accommodations English-speaking certified naturalist guides Porters and/or pack animals, sleeping bags and camping gear Guided tours and excursions Airport-hotel transfers and land transportation Meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Services of in-bound land operator offices for airline reconfirmation; and tour operations and Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services. NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International air transportation; Airport taxes and reciprocity fees ($140 arriving in Santiago $5 departing Punta Arenas, $30 departing Santiago (may be included in ticket)) Tips and gratuities Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above You will need to carry about $300-$500 extra cash (must be in local currency or US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips and meals not included in your itinerary. -5-
Accommodations HOTEL RUGENDAS, SANTIAGO Located in the sophisticated Las Condes neighborhood of Santiago, this modern hotel is in close proximity to a number of restaurants and boutique shops. Rooms are spacious and bright, with many looking out over the wide tree-lined streets below. Most rooms were recently refurbished. Room décor is simple but welcoming and service is very helpful. LAS TORRES ECOCAMP, TORRES DEL PAINE Similar in design to the well-known permanent tented camps in Africa, the is set up at the beginning of the season in September and dismantled in May. The utilizes advanced yet simple, technologies that encourage guests to participate in conservation by using less water, minimizing use of limited solar energy for electricity, employing composting toilets, room temperature based exclusively in insulation, reducing waste, etc. Two guests share a spacious domed tent, 16' wide and 7' high, on a wooden platform raised off the ground. Built to resist powerful Patagonian winds, rain and snow, each tent is equipped with two single beds, towels, fleece blankets and bedding, including a cozy down comforter. The also features an enormous 30' tent combining a common living area, dining room and kitchen. REFUGIO LOS CUERNOS At the shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, nestled in a Coihue Forest, you can find Refugio Cuernos. Renowned for its magical settings, this lodge is at the foothills of the "Cuernos" mountain, halfway from the Torres mountain lodge to the French valley. Shared bathrooms and hot water shower facilities. REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE Rooms at Refugio Paine Grande have wonderful views of Lake Pehoe and Paine Grande. Up to 60 guests are accommodated in rooms with3 bunk beds per room and shared bathrooms with hot water showers. The Lodge has reading rooms, lounges, a dining room for about 120 people, a bar and a mini-market. -6-
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