|
Day 1: Puerto Natales. Trip starts in Puerto Natales. Late morning collection from Puerto Natales airport or hotel to start the day?s drive across the wide open pampas and estancia lands that characterize this area before arriving at the small outpost town of Cerro Castillo. Night in the converted estancia house of el Pionero which offers comfortable accommodation in what feels like a large private country house. Trip briefing and welcome dinner included (drinks available at extra cost).
Day 2: Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine National Park. Morning drive from Cerro Castillo towards the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. Our destination is the comfortable ranch house belonging to Estancia Tercera. Comfortable and cosy accommodation in this authentic country house with fabulous views of the Towers from its large west facing windows. Fireside living room/bar and traditional quincho (wooden dining room with outside BBQ area). En suite rooms.
After some time settling in, we will be meeting our horses and the friendly local cowboys (baqueanos) who care for them. The first part of our adventure is on horseback so after a safety briefing and introduction to western riding, we will set off on our exciting and unique adventure into the hills and forests of the Sierra Contreras. Our destination is the pretty waterfall known as Cascada Zamora. It is normal for us to see no other visitors here enabling us to enjoy a peaceful lunch in this pretty area. After lunch we will ride up high above the pampas with views off to the Las Chinas Valley and the Sierra Baguales in the distance. Return to our lodge by a different route passing the beautiful azure waters of Laguna Azul with the Towers behind, one of the most picturesque areas of the Park. All meals included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 5-7.
Day 3: Torres del Paine National Park. Today, now more familiar with our horses, we will be setting off across some lovely open pampas towards the heart of the Park and Laguna Amarga. This is a beautiful ride as we ride towards the mountains of the Paine Massif. We will also pass through the summer grazing grounds of large guanaco herds. Plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the athletic antics of these fascinating and agile animals, or to pick some lovely ripe calafate berries from the many bushes that grow here. The trail takes us across rivers and finally into the Laguna Amarga area of the Park. Here we will meet our transfer vehicle for the short drive to camping Las Torres.
Day 4: Torres del Paine National Park. After our hearty camp breakfast, a challenging hike lays in store for us today as we climb up to the base of the towers. Starting with an uphill walk, we will follow wooded mountain trails through a beautiful alpine valley. The final section is a series of ‘hops’ over glacial moraine before finally reaching our lunch destination with a dramatic panorama of the granite spires before us. Waterfalls flow from hanging glaciers into a basin of green water, where icebergs float. In the afternoon we will descend to our camping spot in Las Torres.
Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park. After an early breakfast, we will start our hike around the shores of Lake Nordjenskold. Our hike skirts the lake while always keeping close to the huge granite mountains which form the centerpiece of this geographical wonder. Tonight we will be eating and sleeping in the Refugio Los Cuernos, which is beautifully situated beside a turquoise-blue lake, with the mountains standing watch behind.
Day 6: Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast in the refugio we will continue our hike along the shores of Lake Nordjenskold towards the French Valley. This hike takes us past the French Glacier, and up to an enormous natural granite ampitheatre. After our picnic lunch we will descend and continue to Lago Pehoe, where we will be setting up camp on the shore of these turquoise waters.
Day 7: Torres del Paine National Park. Today we will be hiking to the spectacular and immense Grey Glacier. The trail takes us through ancient beech forests and along a trail high above Grey Lake. We will enjoy fantastic glacier views throughout. Our destination is Refugio Grey and the Glacier Lookout where we will enjoy lunch on the shore of Grey Lake before we return to our campsite at Pehoe Lake. .
Day 8: Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast and packing up camp, we will be reunited with our horses and the baqueanos who care for them. We will begin a brisk and exciting ride across wide open pampas to the Serrano River. The ride first takes us along flower-lined trails on the shores of Pehoe Lake before opening onto the flat pampas, where we can enjoy an exhilerating canter to the emerald green waters of the Serrano River, where we will camp.
Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park. Today, we will be boarding Zodiacs for our exciting ride down the Serrano River. Our journey takes us through the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park (the largest in the country) past Tyndall and Geike Glaciers finishing at the mouth of the river where it spills into Last Hope Sound. On arrival at Puerto Toro we will meet with our kayak guide, prepare camp and enjoy lunch. After lunch, your guide will provide a safety briefing and paddling instructions for the next part of your adventure in kayaks. This prepares you for our journey to the Balmaceda Glacier through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord, with its waterfalls and cliffs (3 hrs approx). On returning to camp we will enjoy the sunset over the fjord whilst your guide prepares dinner for you. Hours in zodiac 2-3 (weather reliant). Wild camping with no facilities.
Day 10: Torres del Paine National Park/Puerto Natales. Is an early start with a nutritious breakfast, after which we will carry the kayaks 100m to the water. On entering the lagoon we will be able to paddle in between the floating icebergs while taking advantage of the beautiful morning light in front of the Serrano Glacier. A truly unforgettable experience. After a couple of hours we will leave the lagoon and pack away the camp ready to board the boat once again and return to Puerto Natales. During the journey we will stop off at the cute and beautifully situated “Estancia Perales” where a Patagonian asado (BBQ) will be served. After lunch, continue in the boat to arrive at the quayside in Puerto Natales at around 6 p.m. On arrival in this interesting waterside town, we will take a taxi to the Hotel IF or the Hotel Weskar. Dinner in one of the town?s many fine restaurants or in the hotel (not included). Hours on Cutter: 3.
Day 11: Puerto Natales Morning at leisure in this beautifully situated and quaint waterside town. Bus tickets included to either Punta Arenas or el Calafate (morning departure necessary for Calafate). Breakfast only.
|