Overlanding
and exploration with optional hikes
If you are traveling in Chile, Argentina or Antarctica, you shouldn't
miss the spectacular Torres del Paine. Rising from the sea to over
11,000 feet, these granite spires are truly impressive. The Park is
well deserving of its designation as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Our expert guides will enthusiastically point out the variety of exotic
flora and fauna during our daily hikes in and around the Park. We
will see guanaco, rhea, condors, and penguins. Foxes, steamer ducks,
and flamingos are often sighted, sometimes even the wary puma. We
will hear stories of the nomadic Tehuelche Indians while marveling
at the Patagonian Ice Cap, its glaciers and surrounding peaks.
This program is designed to be flexible to accommodate the group's
wishes. While some may want to linger and photograph the fabulous
sights, others may want to stretch their legs on a rigorous hike.
Optional horseback and boat rides can be arranged.
We overnight in comfortable lodges (hosterias) in rooms with private
baths. Depending on when reservations are received any accupancy at
that time we may reverse the schedule and exchange one lodge for another.
We pack picnic lunches for our day hikes or excursions. Breakfasts
are provided and a variety of delicious dinners are offered in the
lodges' dining rooms. |
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| All of
our itineraries are flexible to accommodate group desires and weather
conditions. Different hikes may be substituted to take advantage of
appropriate conditions. |
| DAY 01
PUNTA ARENAS |
| Reception
at Punta Arenas airport and transfer to a cozy hotel. Evening orientation.
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| Day 2
PUNTA ARENAS - TORRES DEL PAINE (6 hours) |
| Morning
departure from your hotel in Punta Arenas. Drive to Seno Otway to
visit a rookery of Magellanic Penguins. Picnic lunch. Afternoon arrival
arrival at Torres del Paine Park. Overnight in hosteria or Refuge.
All breakfasts and lunches included through Day 6. Dinners on your
own. (B,L) |
| Day 3
ASCENCIO VALLEY (8 hours) |
| Today we
have the option of a long hike to the tarn at the base of the spectacular
Torres del Paine. This hike climbs Valle Ascencio to the foot of the
Torres Glacier. Others may choose optional horseback riding on this
trail or other trails. Afternoon return to our hosteria or Refuge.
(B,L) |
| Day 4
TORRES DEL PAINE WEST SIDE |
| Our morning
drive to the west side of the park passes through guanaco breeding
grounds. We have plenty of time to view and photograph the guanaco
and rhea (our Ostrich equivalent). We will visit the Park Visitor
Center on our way to Hosterias Grey, Tyndall or Cabañas de
Paine. Overnight in the hosteria or Refuge. (B,L) |
| Day 5
GREY LAKE & GLACIER |
| We offer
different guided hikes today, but a must see is the beach/moraine
of Lago Grey and the huge icebergs that pile against it from the Grey
Glacier 5 kms. away. An optional boat ride is available (depending
on the weather) that crosses the lake and passes across the face of
the glacier. Other hikes are to Lago Pingo or a cross country climb
of Cerro Ferrier that offers terrific views of the ice cap and Paine
Pluton. Return to hosteria or Refuge for the night. (B,L) |
| Day
6 LAGO NORDENSKJOLD - PUERTO NATALES |
| Leaving
Lago Grey we drive to Salto Grande. A fantastic trail takes us to
the brink of this mesmerizing falls. Further on the trail reaches
Lago Nordenskjold where we get fantastic views of the Francaise Glacier
and the black tipped spires of the Cuernos. Returning to our vehicle
we continue to Puerto Natales, a picturesque port on the shores of
Last Hope Sound. Overnight in a cozy Hotel. (B,L) |
| Day 7
PUERTO NATALES - PUNTA ARENAS |
| In the
morning we depart Puerto Natales and drive to the Punta Arenas airport
for the afternoon departing flights. Or you may wish to connect the
Trip Extension Last Sound Cruise (see below), (B) |
| TRIP EXTENSION
"LAST HOPE SOUND CRUISE" |
| Day 7
PUERTO NATALES - SERRANO & BALMACEDA GLACIERS (9 hours) |
| Full day
boat excursion up Last Hope Sound to the Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers.
On the way we pass spectacular scenery, cormorant and sea lion rookeries,
and isolated estancias nestled in the steep sided fjord. Arriving
at Serrano Glacier we take a hike right to the very toe of the glacier.
Afternoon return to Puerto Natales and transfer to a modern public
bus for the return trip to Punta Arenas. Transfer from bus station
to your hotel. Overnight. (B,L) |
| Day 8
PUERTO NATALES - PUNTA ARENAS |
| Breakfast.
Morning at leisure o explore this city and transfer by regular bus
to the airport of Punta Arenas (3 hours). (B) |
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B = breakfast
L = box lunch or launches
D = dinner |
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| Note:
We work with all hotels/hostels in the park to provide you with best
flexibility for your desirable dates. If schedules allow we will try
and combine requests to assure you the best possible price. |
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BASED ON HOTEL
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2-3 members
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US$ 1.918
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4-6 members
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US$ 1.595
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7 up members
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US$ 1.299
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Single Supplement
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US$ 727
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| Daily departures
on request min. 2 person from October 2006 through April 2007. |
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TRIP EXTENSION COST
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US$ 194 per person
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INCLUDED :
- All accommodations quoted per person based on sharing room.
Rates for single rooms are quoted in our single supplement
- All breakfasts and lunches, dinners (because of variety) are
on your own
- Land transportation
- Park and camping entrance fees
- Bilingual Guides and staff
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any form of insurance
- Tips and extra expenses out of program
- Airfares Santiago-Punta Arenas-Santiago
- Meals and drinks noted as your own
- Dinners
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| DEGREE
OF DIFFICULTY AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONING: |
| This trip
is moderate. Hiking is optional. We do day hikes with our guide, and
return to the hotel or lodge for meals and the night. No special abilities
are needed although group members should realize that tempestuous
weather is normal for this region. |
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TRIP
SUPPLEMENTS:
On receipt of your deposit, we will send you complete General Information
for this trip including equipment list. |
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| Please
ask for our General Terms and Conditions Form. |
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