Torres del Paine active

Overview

Enjoy day hikes along Patagonia's most famous trekking trail, the Torres del Paine "W".

Discover the main highlights of Torres del Paine National Park, such as Grey Glacier, Valle and Glaciar Francés (French Valley and French Glacier) and the Torres del Paine lookout, "Base Las Torres".

This 5-day guided tour is ideal for experienced hikers with limited time in Patagonia and outdoor lovers who are yet to discover the beauty of a multi-day hiking tour in an active, but not necessarily sportive way. If you don't want to carry a heavy backpack and prefer to stay in "refugios" (mountain huts) within Torres del Paine, this hiking tour is the perfect choice for you.

On this trekking tour, our small groups are limited to 8 hiking members maximum, making for a personalized experience and a family-like atmosphere.

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Punta Arenas - Penguin Colony - Puerto Natales

Arrive in Punta Arenas and meet your local guide. Later, visit the penguin colony at Seno Otway, where during the Patagonian summer months thousands of Magallanic penguins hatch and bring up their offspring. In the afternoon, transfer by public bus to the picturesque town of Puerto Natales. The travel time including the penguin colony is about 6 hours.

Note
All participants must arrive in Punta Arenas before noon.

Day 2: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park - Grey Glacier

On board our private van, we take off to explore Torres del Paine, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and Chile's most celebrated national park. En route, we have the time and flexibility to enjoy the natural beauty of the area and incredible vistas of the whole Paine massif with its Torres (Towers) and Cuernos (Horns). As we get closer and closer to the park, some members of the local fauna can be observed, such as the llama-like Guanacos (Lama guanicoe), Darwin's Rheas (Pterocnemia pennata) and sometimes South American Gray Foxes (Lycalopex griseus). Later, cross the turquoise-colored Pehoe Lake by catamaran to arrive at Paine Grande Lodge, where we check in. In the afternoon, hike to the first highlight of the park, Grey Glacier lookout. In front of you, the great panoramic view of the enormous Grey Glacier that flows from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field into Grey Lake (4 hours round trip). Return to Paine Grande Lodge at Lago Pehoe to spend the night.
[B, PL, D]

Day 3: French Valley and French Glacier

Take off for another unique experience and hike to Valle Francés, the French Valley. This scenic valley is dominated by the vertical granite walls of the majestic Cuernos and Francés Glacier that descends from Paine Grande mountain, the highest peak in the park (3,050m/ 10,007ft). With a bit of luck, we watch noisy avalanches from a beautiful lookout in a safe distance, before we return to Paine Grande Lodge at the shore of Pehoe Lake. The total walking time is about 6 hours. Later this afternoon, we re-cross Lago Pehoe by catamaran and transfer to Refugio Las Torres, on the other side of the park.
[B, PL, D]

Day 4: Torres del Paine lookout "Base Las Torres"

Join your guide on a full-day hike to the famous Torres del Paine lookout, "Base Las Torres" (8 hours round trip). On this unforgettable excursion the trail first leads through Patagonian shrubland into the V-shaped Asencio Valley and then follows Asencio River crossing some streams and ancient forests. Later, ascend a rock field to Base Las Torres view point. All the effort and the gained altitude of 715m (2,350ft) is rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view: the peaks of the three gigantic granite towers, Las Torres, stand 2,000m (6,500ft) above a glacial lake. In the afternoon, hike back down to the foot of the mountain massif and transfer to Puerto Natales to spend the night in a local guest house.

[B, PL]

Day 5: Pueto Natales - Punta Arenas - Farewell Patagonia

Take the public bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas or -depending on your flight schedule-  directly to the airport to fly to Santiago de Chile and connect with your homeward-bound flight.
[B]

Note
If you want to fly out this same day, your flight must leave after 11:00 a.m.

Included Meals

B = breakfast, PL = packed lunch, D = dinner

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What's included?

Tour Includes

• Transportation and excursions according to the program*
• 2 nights in guest house in Puerto Natales (single and double rooms, private bathrooms)
• 2 nights in refugios in Torres del Paine National Park (refugio = mountain hut: dormitory with bunks, shared bathrooms, sheets and blankets provided)
• Meals specified in the program (see itinerary: B = breakfast, PL = packed lunch, D = dinner)
  Not included: additional alcoholic and/ or non-alcoholic beverages
• Entrance fees to Torres del Paine National Park and the penguin colony
• Local, bilingual trekking guide (Spanish and English speaking)

* The penguin colony at Seno Otway is open from October 15, 2010 through March 31, 2011. Outside these dates, unfortunatelly, we can't visit the penguins.

Additional Costs

• Travel arrangements/ airfare to/ from Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile
• Meals not specified in the program
  
• Additional alcoholic and/ or non-alcoholic beverages
• Optional tips to your guide, driver and/ or other people working for you
  

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Departures Dates & Prices

This hiking tour departs every monday, as follows:

These prices are per person and based on double occupancy in Puerto Natales. Single accommodation is also only available for the nights in Puerto Natales. In the refugios (mountain huts) the are no single rooms and no double rooms, but dorms, which usually sleep 6 persons. The bathrooms in the refugios are shared.

Prices

2 to 4 trip members: USD 1,249.- per person
5 to 8 trip members: USD 999.- per person

Single Accommodation

Single occupancy is available for USD 50.- per person (only in Puerto Natales).

Book your Hiking Tour in Torres del Paine now!