Day 1
Travel to Torres del Paine
Trekkers will need to arrive around noon/12pm to Punta Arenas on the earliest morning flight from Santiago. From there, we will drive to Ecocamp (345 km/ 216 miles /5 hrs) 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 as we drive through the park. We will make short stops; the first in the township of Puerto Natales to check out this small but lively town (here you have the chance to leave any luggage that you will not need during the trek in our office) and enjoy a hearty lunch with delicious local food, and the second in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at Ecocamp in Las Torres.
Day 2
Paso Los Cuernos - The Horns
We start our adventure in the Park with a pleasant walk through the curly Cuernos trail located beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this ‘appetizer walk’ we take in the park’s charming flora and fauna, its strong wind and the curious 4-seasons weather that will accompany us for the next days. As we lead us through the trail we enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns which are majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite crowning the center of the Massif. We will of course stop to get some great first shots of the park and also enjoy a delicious box lunch to energize us for the rest of the walk. The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refuge located by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold.
Day 3
French Valley - Valle del Frances
After breakfast, we begin a challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends on our groups’ rhythm. An active walk leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, we can enjoy our first truly wonderful view and then continue up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the valley. Then, we will have a picnic. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well. Next, we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching the Refugio Paine Grande, located in the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. Upon reaching the Refugio, a replenishing dinner will be served.
Day 4
Pehoe - Glacier Grey
Today we’ll hike from Paine Grande Lodge along the shores of mountain-lined Lake Pehoe to the northern end of glacial Lake Grey. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails to the blue face of Glacier Grey. You’ll have lots of time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat ride across Lake Grey with its floating pieces of ice. You clothes and personal belongings are once again transported separately from the lodge in duffel bags. From Lake Grey’s southern end we transfer to the EcoCamp. If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate Lake Grey, we’ll instead hike to Glacier Grey. Then at Pudeto we’ll board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there, we’ll take a short drive back to EcoCamp in where we’ll enjoy the night.
Day 5
Torres del Paine
Our hiking itinerary for the day is the most famous trek trail in the park. After breakfast, we will start trekking from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed along the scenic walk into the valley. It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before our face to face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with an adequate amount of precaution. After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. This is one of the most breathtaking sights of the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2, 900 m/ 9, 400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Upon arrival, we will grab a bite to eat while enjoying the view. Afterwards, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to the EcoCamp.
Day 6
Laguna Azul
We hike to the Laguna Azul lookout where we have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. We continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the lake’s shores where guanacos are often seen. Later we trek to Paso Las Corneas with spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we can also hike to the Toro lookout point that offers more soul-candy scenery - Lago Toro and the pampa, or steppe! Upon returning to the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is celebrated with a regional favorite – Patagonian lamb barbecue! Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue; overnight at Ecocamp.
Day 7
Travel to Punta Arenas
Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago.
Chile
Torres del Paine
Ecocamp
Inside one of the domes
