in association with Trekking Patagonia: The Torres del Paine Circuit December 12-24, 2014 Princeton Journeys is proud to partner with Outdoor Action to offer active travelers the chance to explore on foot the scenic wonderland of Chile s Torres del Paine National Park along with Rick Curtis '79, Director of the Outdoor Action Program, on a trip operated by Mountain Travel Sobek. Chile s Torres del Paine National Park is a scenic wonderland without parallel likened by many to the combined splendor of Yosemite and the Grand Tetons a place to which all serious mountain-lovers must make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. This trek is a full circuit of the Paine massif, including the famous W route, and takes you through the kind of rarely traveled terrain you d expect to find at the ends of the earth. Accompanied by top local guides, all with extensive mountaineering backgrounds, you ll hike deep into the remote wilderness of southern Chile. Here, glaciers of millennia past have receded from the granite rock of the Cordillera Paine, leaving a cluster of craggy peaks rising 8,000 feet above the surrounding grasslands. The jaw-dropping vistas of monolithic rock spires and snow-capped mountains, the huge expanse of the Patagonia Ice Field, the tranquil azure lakes, and the golden plains bright with wildflowers make this, beyond a doubt, one of the most unforgettable treks you ll ever take. The Paine Circuit is one of the classic treks in the world and a great trek for the experienced hiker. Travelers should expect 6-10 hours of hiking a day for eight days, totaling 70 miles. The altitude is moderate never more than 4,000 feet above sea level but the trails themselves are challenging with lots of up and down, rocky terrain, some stream crossings, and the chance for slippery and muddy conditions.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE Friday, December 12, 2014 Depart the U.S. independently on flights to Punta Arenas, Chile. On the trail Saturday, December 13 Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to the group s hotel. Attend a pre-trek briefing and welcome dinner. Overnight: Cabo de Hornos Hotel (D) Sunday, December 14 Drive to Torres del Paine National Park and take in the first spectacular views of the Paine range. Overnight: Hosteria Las Torres (B, L, D) Monday, December 15 Hike through beech forests and open grasslands of Patagonia and past beautiful glacier-fed lakes to arrive at the awesome granite needles of Torres del Paine. Overnight: Hosteria Las Torres (B, L, D) Tuesday, December 16 Sunday, December 21 Spend six nights on the trail, with porters, cook, and guide. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day and prepared for you throughout the trek. Begin by walking through beech forest, enjoy impressive views of Paine Chico, and the peak of Almirante Nieto. Hike westward, skirting Lago Paine to Lago Dickson. Hike up the Río de los Perros and then to the top of Paine Pass, descending to the Grey Glacier and finally hiking into the French Valley. (Trailside B, L, D) Monday, December 22 On the final morning of the trek, cross Lago Pehoe by catamaran, and transfer by vehicle to Puerto Natales. Overnight: Hotel CostAustralis (B, L, D) Tuesday, December 23 Transfer to the Puerto Natales airport for flights home. (B)
Trekking Patagonia: The Torres del Paine Circuit with Princeton Journeys and Outdoor Action December 12-24, 2014 Program Rates: $4,795 per person, double occupancy $ 700 single supplement Deposit due at time of reservation: $1,200 Second deposit due August 15, 2014: $1,200 Main Program Rates include: All meals during the trek; 4 nights hotel accommodations; trekking permit; welcome and farewell dinners; ground transport and domestic airfare as per the itinerary, including airport transfers; trekking guide, cook and porters; basic emergency medical and evacuation insurance; services of Mountain Travel Sobek tour manager/wilderness guide. Please note: Accommodations will be in basic hotels, lodges, and tents. Tents and camp gear will be provided, carried, and managed by expert handlers. All participants will be required to sign Mountain Travel Sobek's Traveler Information Form which includes a release from liability. Balance due September 15, 2014 Program Rates do not include: International airfare; airport departure tax; on tour beverages; personal hiking equipment such as sleeping bag/pad, first aid kit and toiletries (recommended packing list will be provided); trip cancellation or baggage insurance; gratuities to trip staff; any other expenses of a personal nature not expressly stated as included. Insurance: As a service to its travelers, the Office of the Alumni Association of Princeton University automatically provides all travelers basic medical and evacuation coverage under a group travel insurance policy. It is highly recommended that you supplement this basic protection with your own additional coverage, as well as trip cancellation/interruption or baggage coverage. Information on additional insurance is available and will be mailed upon receipt of your reservation. Cancellation Policy: Mountain Travel Sobek, the tour operator chosen by Princeton Journeys to operate this tour, must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the program. As such, Princeton Journeys recommends that you consider additional trip cancellation insurance. At the time that Princeton Journeys receives written notice of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply. Cancellation made prior to September 15, 2014: $1,200 Cancellation made prior to October 14, 2014: $2,400 Cancellation made October 15 or later: 100% of program cost Program Changes: Although Princeton Journeys and its operators make every attempt to offer the itinerary as outlined in program promotional materials, changes of conveyance, accommodation, or schedule may become necessary due to weather, inaccessibility of sites, or other restrictions or limitations. Neither Princeton Journeys nor its operators shall be held liable for changes to trips or travel arrangements, nor for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel. Princeton Journeys suggests that participants refrain from making non-refundable travel arrangements until the tour operator confirms that the program will run as advertised.
About your Princeton Leader Rick Curtis '79 has been the Director of the Outdoor Action Program at Princeton for the past thirty-two years. During that time the program has grown significantly with over 800 freshmen and 200 student trip leaders participating in the annual Frosh Trip outdoor orientation program. Rick is an experienced backpacker, backcountry skier, and kayaker and is author of The Backpacker's Field Manual, a best-selling book on hiking and backpacking. Rick has led a number of Outdoor Action alumni trips over the past 25 years. He participated in the successful 2012 collaboration between OA and Princeton Journeys that trekked the Annapurna Sanctuary up to 13,800 feet. For more information, contact the Princeton Journeys team at: (609) 258-8686 journeys@princeton.edu John Maclean House, 73 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 University Disclaimer: Princeton University, through its Office of the Alumni Association and Princeton Journeys, is pleased to provide this service of facilitating travel opportunities for its Alumni and Friends. The Office of the Alumni Association strives to work with the best tour operators to make available interesting and enriching travel opportunities for the Princeton family. Please note that the University does not conduct tours, nor does it act as an agent for guests interested in tours. Princeton Journeys acts as a facilitator with tour operators, with whom tour participants make arrangements for completing travel, and is pleased to act as a liaison with tour operators should you have any questions or concerns that may arise before, during, or after your tour. Princeton Journeys encourages you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the tour operator s cancellation and refund policies, and also to investigate available services such as trip cancellation insurance. The University is not responsible for changes to trips or travel arrangements or for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel. Photo Credits Cover: Edwin d Haens Page 1: Linda Andrews Ostro Page 2: A,C-Tara Starr-Keddle; B,E-Edwin d Haens; D-Kevin Callaghan Page 4: Rick Curtis 79
Enclosed is my/our deposit for $ ($1,200 per person) for a party of on this program. I/we understand that a second deposit of $1,200 per person is due no later than August 15, with final balance due September 15. Traveler 1 Name (as it appears on passport)/princeton Affiliation: Trekking Patagonia: The Torres del Paine Circuit December 12-24, 2014 Mail or fax this completed form to: Princeton Journeys John Maclean House P. O. Box 291 Princeton, NJ 08542-0291 Fax: (609) 258-5561 Traveler 2 Name (as it appears on passport)/princeton Affiliation: Address, City, State, Zip: Daytime Phone: E-mail: Accommodation preference: Two-Bedded Double One-bedded Double Single For single travelers: I prefer to have single accommodations I wish to share a cabin with I would like to know about potential roommates (if one cannot be found, I agree to pay the single supplement) Payment and Terms: Enclosed is my check (made payable to Mountain Travel Sobek) Please charge $ ($1,200 per person) to Visa MasterCard Am erican Express Credit card #: Security Code: Name as it Appears on Card: Expiration Date: I hereby authorize Mountain Travel Sobek to automatically charge this card when future payments are due. Authorized Cardholder Signature Today s Date Please note: Each participant must sign below. I/we confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms and Conditions of this program contained in the brochure. I/we also understand and agree that each participant will be required to sign Mountain Travel Sobek's Traveler Information Form, which includes a release from liability. Participant #1 signature Date Participant #2 signature Date