Trekking Tours > Trekking 10 days Tdp

9 DAYS TORRES DEL PAINE TREKKING CIRCUIT

The Torres del Paine circuit around the famous craggy mountains that crown the Park is one of the world’s classic trekking routes. Breathtaking views together with glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests and abundant wildlife provide the trip with constantly changing sceneries and experiences. This is one of the greatest scenic wonders of the world and one of those places to which all serious mountain-lovers must make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. The circuit, rated strenuous, covers a distance of approx. 100 kms/60 miles. This is a demanding trip, best suited for very physically fit hikers who enjoy camping and hiking in a challenging and remote environment.
The trek is done in an anticlockwise direction that saves the hardest sections until later and prevents the walkers from being stopped by strong wind currents. During summer (Dec-Mar) there are 18 hours of daylight which give the explorers plenty of time for the walking journey.

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1. – ITINERARY

B = Breakfast                 BL = Box Lunch              L = Lunch                  D = Dinner

We will pick you up at 12:15 PM at your Punta Arenas’ hotel or 1PM at Punta Arenas’ airport if your are flying that same day. (so be sure to arrive in the morning!). Transfer to Puerto Natales (250 kms/156 miles/3 hours), lunch, and from there transfer (140 kms/ 88 miles /2 hrs) to EcoCamp Las Torres inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In the Chilean 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 of the town (you have here the chance to leave in our office in Puerto Natales any luggage that you will not need during the trek), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth.
Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to EcoCamp)
/ BL / D /

We start our trekking journeys with the celebrate hike to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine. From here admire the most typical sight of the Paine Towers (weather permitting) rising above a green lagoon. The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to EcoCamp)
Distance: 21 kms/13 miles, 9-10 hrs round-trip
/ B / BL / D /

Early transfer to Laguna Azul The day will start trekking through the lenga forest of the northern side of Laguna Azul lake which was affected by the Feb. 2005 fire. In this sector you may observe black woodpeckers, typical birds of Patagonia. Once arriving to the Dickson Lake, have a spectacular view on Glacier Dickson and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine. You will stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below. Descend to the lake level and continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Our stunning campsite will be in the Dickson Valley surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers available. Overnight camping at Dickson.
Distance: 28 kms/18 miles, 9 hrs.
/ B / BL / D /

An easy hike to recover yourself from the last 2 demanding days.
Today we will trek north to Lago Quemado and get close to the beautiful Dickson Glacier and its iceberg-filled lake.
Overnight camping at Dickson.
Distance: 14 kms/9 miles, 6 hrs.
/ B / BL / D /

The trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. A virgin beech forest crossed by many water courses leads the way towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp. Spend the night camping at Los Perros.
Distance: 9 kms/6miles, 5 hrs.
/ B / BL / D /

In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1300 mts (4000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the Grey glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley. The route continues roughly south along forested slopes with occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous glacier Grey (more than five miles across and ten miles in length).
Overnight at camp Grey.
Distance: 14 kms/9miles, 10-11 hrs.
/ B / BL / D /

Free morning. Those willing to do a half day hike on the Grey Glacier with the use of crampons might book the trip on site (this is a great way to see the glacier up close. No previous glacier hiking experience is needed and all the technical gear is provided.
PM: The trek continues down alongside Grey Glacier until it calves into the Lake Grey. Then it keeps going by the eastern side of the lake through clearings of Calafate bushes. The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters is very impressive at this point. Finally, the track climbs onto flat ridges and passes a small lake one hour before descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago Pehoe. We spend the night in our camp by the turquoise lake Pehoe.
Distance: 11 kms/7 miles, 4 hrs.
/ B / BL / D /

The track makes its way north through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest, passing two small lakes, and continues by the south-east slopes of Cerro Paine to meet river Frances. From here we follow the river upstream passing Camp Italiano, below Glaciar Frances, and –weather permitting- keep going until it reaches a small hut built by some British climbing expedition. This magnificent setting is surrounded by high peaks on all sides being especially spectacular the Cuernos del Paine (the horns). Later we return to Pehoe and take the 6:30PM boat that crosses the Pehoe Lake and drive back to the camp in Las Torres (optional upgrade to EcoCamp)
Distance: 22 kms, 8 to 10 hrs round trip.
/ B / BL / D /

2.- DEPARTURES
The regular departure trips start the following Sundays: Oct.14, 2007; Oct.28, 2007; Nov. 11, 2007; Nov.25, 2007; Dec. 2, 2007; Dec.16, 2007; Dec. 30, 2007; Jan. 6, 2008; Jan. 20, 2008; Feb.3, 2008; Feb.17, 2008; Mar.2, 2008; Mar.16, 2008; Mar. 30, 2008.

You will be picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas around 12:15PM or, from the airport in Punta Arenas, at 1 PM. The trip finishes on day 9 at the airport of Punta Arenas at 3 PM approx. If you are flying out of Punta Arenas that same day, you should book a flight departing from Punta Arenas later than 4PM.

Ecotours give you full assistant while you arrive to Chile. If you need Hotels accommodation(3*, 4* or 5*), transfers and tours in Santiago and surroundings or to extend your stay in Chile on Easter Island, Atacama and Altiplano, Lakes & Volcanoes District, or any places of Chile, we’ll be glad to coordinate flights and reservations for you. You may also extend your stay in Chile coordinating your schedule with some of our Special Interest Tours departure dates or some of our Regular Tours.

3.- INCLUDED
- All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.
- 8 nights camping. In addition we use backpacking stoves to cook our meals, take advantage of fresh water sources and beautiful views.
- Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / BL = Box Lunch / D = Dinner.
- Complete dinning & camping equipment.
- Ferry crossing over Lake Pehoe on day 8.
- One English speaking trekking guide. One assistant guide provided if 4 or more members in the trip.

4.- EXCLUDED
- Air fares.
- Insurance (it is mandatory that you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips).
- Optional tipping to guides and staff.
- Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverages, etc.).

5.- WEATHER
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Ice field influence make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer's average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).

6.- PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This trip, rated strenuous, is recommended for people in good physical condition in the habit of walking long distances and camping outdoors. All passengers over 65 are requested to send ahead a medical examination that states that they are able to safely accomplish strenuous hiking. One portion of the 9-day circuit crosses a mountain pass called El Paso. This section takes app. 10 to 12 hrs. A person well trained, equipped and in good physical condition should have no problem hiking it, but it might be a very strenuous hike in bad weather conditions.

7.- WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
Day backpack (30-40 lts), mountain backpack, waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear).

8.- ABOUT THE ITINERARY
The numbers in brackets (distance-kms, time-hrs) are approximated and refer to the trekking portions exclusively. In general the itinerary submitted and the estimated of time is reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering also good weather conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing, pictures and lunch.

9.- ITINERARY MODIFICACTIONS
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety or weather considerations.