Trekking Tours > Trekking 7 days Tdp

7 DAYS TORRES DEL PAINE “THE W” TREKKING

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1. – ITINERARY

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

DAY 01 (WED): PUNTA ARENAS – TORRES DEL PAINE ECOCAMP.
Arrive around noon – 1 PM to Punta Arenas with the earliest morning flight from Santiago. Meet and assist by our English/German speaking tour guide. From Punta Arenas we will drive to our Ecocamp (345km / 216 miles / 5 hrs) located inside the famous Torres Del Paine National Park. We will drive on the north route on the typical Magellan steppe where the visitor will be able to observe ovine and bovine cattle pasturing. If lucky, you might be able to see the duty of driving cattle performed by the shepherd and especially by his dogs.   From Punta Arenas we will drive to our Ecocamp (345km / 216 miles / 5 hrs) located inside the famous Torres Del Paine National Park.  In summer time the (Dec-Mar) the sun sets around 11 PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains while entering the park. We will make a short stop in the township of Puerto Natales ( were you’ll have the opportunity to leave any luggage that you will not need for the Trek), to take a look of the town and visit the enormous Milodon Cave, a giant geological wander that once sheltered a prehistoric slot. Overnight in Ecocamp at Las Torres Del Paine National Park.
/ BL / D /

DAY 02 (THU): PASO LOS CUERNOS – THE HORNS PATH
The 5-6 hours hike star at the Ecocamp and ends at Refuge Los Cuernos. The name of the trail is taken from the fact that it passes under the horn – like Cuernos Del Paine – peaks with beautiful black “horns” of slate atop grey granite.
Your clothes and personal belongings needed for this night are transported separately in duffel bags we provide you with on day 1.
Overnight at Refuge Los Cuernos.
/ B / BL / D /

DAY 03 (FRI): FRENCH VALLEY
Today the trekking will go over 8 km / 5 mi (2,5 – 3,5 hrs) up to Camp Italiano and will continue with a round trip to Mirador del Frances (3  km/2 mi, 1,5-2,5 hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. We start walking (1 hr) by the shore of Lake Nordenskjold until arriving at Camp Italiano.We continue following the French River up streams until El Mirador ( lookout point) facing French Glacier which descends from Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Paine range. From here we have a magnificent view of the lakes below. 
Optional trek (2 hrs) to Mirador Britanico is available. Once back at Camp Italiano, the tracks between Camp Italiano and Camp Pehoe makes its way through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching Refugio Pehoe for overnight. Duffel bags are carried in by porters from Refuge Los Cuernos to Refuge Pehoe.
/ B / BL / D /

DAY 04 (SAT): REFUGE PEHOE – GREY GLACIER
We’ll hike about four hours from Refuge Pehoe at the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern end of Lake Grey. Enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat which sails along the face of Grey Glacier. You will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat crosses Lake Grey (40 min). Transfer (1,5 hrs) from lake Grey’s southern end to the Ecocamp in Las Torres for overnight (B,L-,D) ; If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we’ll instead hike the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross the Lake Pehoe. From there, drive 45 minutes to Ecocamp at Las Torres Del Paine National Park for overnight.
/ B / BL / D /

DAY 05 AND DAY 06 (SUN – MON): TORRES DEL PAINE – LAGUNA AZUL.
Our hiking itinerary for the day is weather dependent. If we have a clear day, we will do an all day hike (10 km/6 mi, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine where the towers rise majestically before us, and the glacial lake is visible below: one of the most scenic sights of the world! The famous Torres Del Paine (2900m/9400 ft) consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. If it is clouded with no chances to view the Torres Del Paine, we hike instead (40 min) to the lookout point of Laguna Azul from where we have a beautiful view of Laguna Azul and the Torres. We continue along the eastern side of Lake Sarmiento until the calcium formations at the shores of Lake Sarmiento where we have a good chance to see guanacos. Later we trek (3 hours) the Paso Las Cornizas with views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we could also hike (1-1,5 hrs) to lookout point Toro with views to Lake Toro and typical pampa (steppe). Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue and overnight at EcoCamp in Torres Del Paine National Park.
/ B / BL / D /

 

DAY 07 (TUE): TORRES DEL PAINE - PUNTA ARENAS

Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago.

 / B / BL /

info@ecotours.cl


2. - ABOUT THE ITINERARY

The numbers in brackets (distance-kms/miles, 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 and pictures. 


3. - PROGRAM INCLUDES

•    All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the itinerary.
•    Boat crossing over Grey Lake and Pehoe Lake.
•    4 nights accommodation sharing a 2 person dome in Ecocamp Torres Del Paine.
•    1 night accommodation in Refuge Pehoe and 1 night accommodation in Refuge Los Cuernos.
•    Park fees for Milodon Cave and Torres del Paine National Park.
•    One expert English speaking trekking guide for 6 clients; one English speaking assistant guide added for groups larger than 6.



4. - NOT INCLUDED

•    International and local flights.
•    Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips).
•    Optional tipping to guides and staff.
•    Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and wine offered in dinners, etc.)


5. - FIXED DEPARTURE DATES

The trip starts every Monday morning in the airport of Punta Arenas from October 1st to April 15th.
 
You must arrive into Punta Arenas in any flight that arrives around noon. The trip ends in the airport of Punta Arenas at 5 PM approx. You should book your return flights after 6 PM. Departure trips are guaranteed with 2 people minimum being the average size of the group 8 to 12 people.

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 programs.

6. - WHAT IS ECOCAMP?
It's a luxury camp, of a kind never seen before in Chile and similar in concept to the famous African lodges.  It is a more comfortable alternative, but above all environmentally friendly, especially in a national Park with the characteristics of Torres Del Paine.  
The Ecocamp has been designed with the comfort of our travelers in mind but above all stressing the importance of interfering as little as possible with the surroundings in which we have installed it. This need to protect the environment has meant that we have had to be very efficient in managing the Ecocamp; this has meant that we cannot offer some of the comforts normal in unprotected areas (private bathroom with septic tank, diesel generators, etc) and, on the other hand, utilizing technologies and sustainable processes but ones which demand a greater effort and more patience from our guests (less availability of water and solar energy for electricity, making compost, less waste, etc). We think that the solution that we have designed for our guests, in one of the most important national parks of the southern hemisphere, is a novel alternative, efficient and in harmony with the current demands of tourism.
7. - WHAT IS ECOCAMP LIKE?
Sleeping is in big comfortable domed tents that take 2 people.  They are 2 meters high and the floor is of vitrified wood.  The tents are resistant to the strongest winds, rain and even Patagonian snow and they are each equipped with 2 single beds, fleece sheets (very popular among our guests!), blankets and feather cover. The domes are very well insulated allowing comfortable temperatures even in cold nights. The Ecocamp also has a large dome for kitchen/dining room: this is a dome of 9 meters diameter (30 ft) and 4.5 meters high (15 ft). It is equipped with a living area, dining room and kitchen. The space is light and airy with a big panoramic window and it invites our guests to enjoy in a completely new way the surprising evenings of Patagonia. The Ecocamp also includes a bathroom module with showers and hot water. The toilet system uses a composting process (i.e. it transforms human waste into compost). A chef runs the kitchen of the EcoCamp.

8. - REFUGIOS

Our programs include one night in Pehoe and another night in Los Cuernos refuge. These are typical mountain huts, open to the public that visits Torres Del Paine. It has rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single, bunk type and we will provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don't need to bring a sleeping bag!).  The bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water. The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area.
 
9. - VEHICLES

A private van will deliver us in Torres del Paine National Park on day 1 and will pick us up on day 5. We also use a private van for transfers within the park.
 
10. - ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS

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/weather considerations.
 
11. - PHYSICAL DEMANDS

These are the right trips for energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to regard this trek as a means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a programme of conditioning well before departure - in fact as soon as you book - and be aware that short walks on the flat do little to prepare you for the gradients of the Torres del Paine National Park. Regular aerobic exercise (power walking, jogging, cycling on hills, swimming, cross country skiing, etc) for al least one hour 4-5 times a week is suggested. Consult your physician if you have questions concerning your underlying health.
 
12. - WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

Day backpack (20-30lt), duffel bag (70 liters), 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), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear. A complete booklet with detailed information about what to bring will be sent to you once you book the trip.
 

13. - CLIMATE

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 average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).


14. - PATAGONIA ECOCAMP SINGLE ACCOMODATION POLICY

All accommodations at the Ecocamp in Torres Del Paine are in a sharing basis only. There is not single accommodation availability unless a “forced” singles accommodation is needed due to different gender single travelers not willing to share. If, at the moment of arrival at the Ecocamp, someone shows up with a reasonable claim for a single accommodation and the Camp manager finds availability, then the exception will be made.

Ecotours - CHILE
Ecotourism Tour Operator.
Hernando de Aguirre 128 OF 904, Providencia, Santiago,
Phone (56 - 2) 8236219
Phone (56 - 9) 84590631
E - mail: info@ecotours.cl



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