Travel to Chile: Torres Del Paine Base Camp Trek

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Torres Del Paine Base Camp Trek

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: III define PRICE: From $2270 per person * $425 internal flights * HIGHLIGHTS: Lago Grey Grey Glacier Lago Pehoe Frances Glacier Lago Nordenskjold Torres and Cuernos del Paine Laguna Amarga Punta Arenas ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Wilderness Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Delve into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, one of the most spectacular trekking areas in the world. Our route features several days of extensive hiking up to 10 miles per day, penetrating into the heart of the Paine Massif including the three primary sites: Grey Glacier, Francis Valley/Paine Grande, and the Towers of Paine. We walk among spectacular mountain peaks, mostly over moderate undulating terrain at elevations below 2,500', on trails that contour past turquoise lakes, waterfalls, hanging glaciers, and alpine meadows where guanaco roam. Optional hikes to high base camps and lookouts up to 9,000 ft. elevation afford spectacular views of sheer rock walls, calving glaciers, soaring condors and their nests, and chances to observe climbers. Accommodations are in rustic refugios, and the deluxe Las Torres EcoCamp.

DAY 1 :  SANTIAGO
Early morning airport reception and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. In the afternoon take a tour of Santiago, focusing on its history, including the Presidential Palace (once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda"), the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas," the Cathedral, the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Continue on to Santa Lucia the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Overnight at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco, an elegant 5 star hotel conveniently located near the heart of downtown Santiago and many important national monuments.

Rewarding views follow the Valle Acsencio hike.

DAY 2 :  TORRES DEL PAINE
Transfer out for the earliest flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia. Airport reception and travel north through the vast Patagonian "pampa" to Puerto Natales, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan across the cold Antarctic waters of Tierra del Fuego (256km/160 miles/3hrs). After lunch in Puerto Natales, continue into Paine National Park (246 km/153 miles/ 3hrs), stopping at the Milodon Cave which once housed a giant prehistoric sloth. We arrive at the EcoCamp in time for a welcome reception and dinner. If you have a clear night, your guide can help you spot the Southern Cross and other constellations. Overnight at Las Torres EcoCamp. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  PASO LOS CUERNOS
Today's trek of 5-6 hours parallels Lago Nordenskjold and offers broad views of the Cuernos del Paine, tortured horns of black slate atop the gray granite massif. Watch for condors and their nests on the steep cliffs. We arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos in the late afternoon in time to shower and settle in for the evening. Enjoy a hot, fresh meal and maybe a game of cards by the fire before retiring for the night. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  VALLE FRANCES
This morning we trek along the shores of beautiful Lago Nordenskjold until reaching Campamiento Italiano (1 hr). From here, follow Rio Frances to Mirador del Frances, an awe inspiring cirque high in the Paine Range with breathtaking vistas of Glaciar Frances and the sparkling lakes below (2 mi/2.5 hours). Upon returning to Campamento Italiano, hike through the undulating terrain of grassland and forest to Refugio Pehoe on the edge of Lago Pehoe (5 mi/3.5 hours). Overnight at the refugio. [BLD]

Note: You may choose to continue on an optional 2 hour hike to Mirador Britanico from Mirador del Frances.

	Las Torres EcoCamp serves as the base for both trekking and wildlife explorations.

DAY 5 :  LAGO GREY
This morning we hike from Refugio Pehoe to the northern end of Lago Grey (4 hrs). In the forests along the lake you are likely to spot the Magellanic woodpecker. After a picnic lunch, we board the boat and cross the sparkling lake to Grey Glacier, where ample time is spent observing the many faces of this active, calving glacier. On board, you may enjoy a pisco sour chilled with glacial ice! At the end of the navigation, return to Las Torres EcoCamp (1.5 hrs by van) for dinner and overnight. [BLD]

Note: If weather conditions do not permit navigation of Lago Grey, we will instead drive 45 minutes to Pudeto and board a stable catamaran to Pehoe. We then hike approximately 6-7 hours to Grey Glacier, returning later to Refugio Pehoe. [BLD]

Relax in EcoCamp's welcoming dining dome with its cozy couches and warming wood stove.

DAYS 6-7 :  TORRES DEL PAINE
Hiking itineraries will be weather dependent on these days. If clear, an all-day hike (6 mi/8 hours) to Valle Ascencio takes us to the base of the impressive granite massif of El Paine, where the iconic towers rise from a glacial lake. The famous Torres del Paine (2900m/9400ft) consist of 3 granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice over the millennia. If weather is poor with no visibility, we will hike in the beech forest at Laguna Azul, trekking across typical pampa or steppe terrain. Watch for guanacos and birds. The final night will feature a festive farewell asado or typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Overnight at Las Torres EcoCamp. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  PUNTA ARENAS-SANTIAGO
Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the late afternoon flight back to Santiago. Airport reception and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. [BL]

Note: Consider trip extensions to the Lakes District, Atacama Desert, Seno Otway Penguin Reserve, Easter Island or Fitz Roy, Argentina.

DAY 9 :  SANTIAGO OR MAIPO VALLEY
Day at leisure in Santiago. Evening transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US. [B]

Note: Optional departure this morning for Cascada de Las Animas, a family-run retreat located one hour from Santiago in the Maipo Valley. Numerous activities can be arranged, including trekking and horse back riding in the foothills of the andes or white-water rafting in the Maipo River. Facilities at Cascada de Las Animas include a restaurant and a swimming pool to unwind and relax prior to your international departures this evening.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Breanne Stovall 1(800)345-4453