Our comfy lodge-based exploration of Torres del Paine gets you off the beaten path to experience the park’s most breathtaking highlights.
Our comfy lodge-based exploration of Torres del Paine gets you off the beaten path to experience the park’s most breathtaking highlights.
Magnificent views in Torres del Paine National Park
The program includes the memorable hike to the base of the Towers of Paine, the beautiful and unknown “Up & Over” hike through the heart of the park, and a visit to the largest glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. This is a great trip for clients wanting to combine some great, fairly challenging hiking with stunning scenery and comfortable accommodations. It is short enough for those with limited time available but long enough to enjoy some of the famous sights in the area. Finishing at the comfortable and authentic Estancia Tercera provides a fitting cultural end to this unique trip.
Day 1: Arrival to Puerto Natales
Welcome to Patagonia! Your driver will meet you at the Punta Arenas airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas for your private transfer to Puerto Natales, where you will meet your hiking guide and commence your journey toward the jagged peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. Your route takes you around the west edge of the park for a spectacular drive alongside the turquoise waters of Sarmiento Lake before eventually arriving at the night’s basecamp, Hosteria Mirador del Paine. This very comfortable converted Estancia is located in one of the most beautiful settings of any of the Park hotels. Its position beside the aptly named Green Lake with its incredible mountain views is truly inspirational. In addition, its more remote location ensures a more tranquil feel compared to some of the other park accommodations. The lakeshore is a great place to stroll in the evening spotting the wild geese and ducks bobbing in the water. Dinner will be in the restaurant offering an excellent variety of local foods and wine.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Hiking Laguna Verde to Glacier Grey
After breakfast, we will begin hiking along the shores of Laguna Verde through some ancient southern beech forests and through grassy valleys towards the Sierra del Toro. This is a great introductory hike with fairly flat terrain, soft grassy trails and incredible mountain and lake views at every turn. After a few hours of hiking we will reach the Mirador del Toro where we will enjoy incredible views across this marvelous southern landscape bursting with more than its fair share of fast flowing rivers, snowcapped granite peaks and iceberg-choked lakes. After some time spent here enjoying the views, we will start the steep descent of this scree slope to the pampas below. Lunch will be in the valley before a visit to the national park headquarters and visitors center, where your guide will further explain the park’s history and map out for you the following days’ hiking routes. From here it is a short distance to our accommodation in the comfortable Hotel Lago Grey with magnificent views of the Grey Glacier and the Paine Massif.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Glacier Grey is the largest glacier in the park
Day 3: Glacier Grey
After breakfast, we will cross the pampas for the short walk to the amazing Lago Grey Beach and admire the turquoise icebergs floating in the lake. Fololwing our walk, we will board the new Grey 2 boat and set off into the lake towards the walls of this spectacular glacier, the largest in the park. The short boat trip will provide up-close-and-personal views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Returning to shore, you will have the option to hike to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the entire western side of the park.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Up and Over
Today’s hike is the “up and over” route across the heart of the park. This is a beautiful path traversed by very few hikers. It cuts through some incredibly diverse scenery, including verdant green valleys, ancient beech forests, azure lakes, cascading waterfalls and wide open plains. Condors hover above the nearby mountain peaks while herds of guanaco scatter across the steppe. The granite peaks of the mighty Paine Massif are always in view. After a full day of hiking, we will reunite with our van and driver for the short transfer to the comfortable Estancia Tercera, which will be our base for the next two nights. Situated on the eastern perimeters of the Park, this authentic estancia property has spectacular views. Enjoy the intimate, country-style accommodations in the wooden guest house and some fireside relaxation.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The stunning peaks of Las Torres
Day 5: Las Torres del Paine
Today we get an early start as we drive about 1 hour to begin our most challenging hike of the week, to the base of the Torres themselves. We’ll cross mountain trails, rivers, and valleys, and end scaling glacial moraine; our efforts are well rewarded with spectacular views of the jagged spires. We’ll enjoy lunch as we admire the enormous granite peaks. After our long day’s hike, we can stop into the nearby hotel bar for a refreshing pisco sour before hopping into the van for the transfer back to our comfortable accommodation at Estancia Tercera Barranca (about 45 minutes).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Departure
After a leisurely breakfast, you can enjoy a yoga session to stretch and rejuvenate tired muscles or relax with an aromatherapy or hot stone massage. You will be transferred back to Puerto Natales and on to Punta Arenas for your departing flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Torres del Paine National Park
Please inquire for 2013 – 2014 departure dates.
Price per Person (US$): Starting at $4,865 based on 2 travelers
*Prices valid through August 31st, 2014
Suitability: The hiking on this trip is moderate. Terrain is rocky on some of the trails, and the last section of the hike to the base of the Towers is a clamber over glacial moraine. Challenging weather is always possible on the trail so clients should pack accordingly.
The mighty Andean Condor
Price Includes:
Accommodations are in comfortable, cozy, and welcoming estancias and lodges – all of which have been chosen for their beautiful location, great view and cultural appeal.
Hotel Lago Grey