PAINE & FITZ ROY

“The beauty from Paine & Chalten”

PROFILE

Adventure

DURATION

10 Days

SEASON

01 Oct – 02 Apr

ACCOMM

9 Nights

Day 1

Our representative will meet you at the Punta Arenas airport. Bus to Puerto Natales, a three-hour drive through the Patagonian pampa. Puerto Natales is the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park and outdoor adventure in the Patagonia region. The small town is located on the Señoret Channel along a scenic fjord, set against the dramatic backdrop of the southernmost peaks of the Andes. As a tourist hub, you’ll be able to find great food, supplies, and more to fuel up for your trek, along with local attractions to explore.

Lodging in Puerto Natales at Natalino hotel or similar. Dinner and meeting to discuss trip program. (D)

Tips:

Visit this charming little art store “Pueblito Artesanal”. Shop for handmade ornaments, art, handicrafts, and decorations inspired by Patagonia’s culture. These amazing products are handmade from natural materials and loved by the inhabitants and tourists of Magallanes. Next to the “Pueblito Artesanal” you will find a fantastic mural depicting native indians of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego as well as typical Patagonian traditions.

Day 2

Transfer by van to Torres del Paine National Park. This is a two hour journey crossing the pampa Patagonica. Arrival at Torres del Paine. We will begin trekking to the Ascencio Valley where from above you see the river (of the same name) running wildly past refugio Chileno. After a quick stop here we will continue through a forest of the native Lenga (Beech) trees until reaching the glacial moraine. From here it’s a 1 hour trek to the top where the towers appear from nowhere! This trek is spectacular where you get to view the 3 pink granite towers with its glacial lake below that made the park famous. (7 hours round trip, 17 KM ). Lodging & dinner refugio Nash. (B/L/D)

Day 3

Transfer to Pudeto, cross Pehoe lake by catamaran. Trek to the French Valley. This valley is the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world. Its surrounded by hanging glaciers (where you can see & hear the ice calving off at various intervals) and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. There are amazing views throughout this trek and the further you trek into the valley the better they become! For this day we will have two hiking options as well: A consists in getting to further end of the trail, to the British Camp, this is all the way to the end of this natural congregation of mountains. If we reach this point, we will have completed 24km and 7-8 hours hiking. Plan B consists on reaching to the French Valley Main Lookout, from this point you can appreciate the whole natural amphitheater created by glaciers millions of years ago, it is absolutely breathtaking. B you will have hiked for 5-6 hours and completed 16km. The options will depend on fitness level, timing and weather conditions. On the return journey you will notice the extraordinary turquoise colour of Lake Pehoe. Cross Pehoe lake by Catamaran, lodging and dinner at Nash Serrano Lodge.

Day 4

We will travel by van through the national park, with a stop at the Salto Grande waterfall. Cross Lake Pehoe by catamaran. Four hours hiking along enchanting Lake Grey with magnificent views of Glacier Grey and floating icebergs. Visit to the glacier lookout point and to the lakeshore for up close views of vibrant-blue icebergs. Dinner at Grey Loge, night at Camping Grey. (B/L/D) OPTIONAL PM – KAYAKING: (Not included in the price) 10 minutes walk to our Bigfoot basecamp, located on the northeast coast of Grey lake. Here our guides introduce us to the equipment needed for the tour and we will have a safety briefing. After this we will carry the kayaks approximately 20 meters to the lakes’ edge. We will be paddling around icebergs that are floating in the lake and afterwards we paddle towards the eastern side of the Grey Glacier to wonder at the spectacular scenery in this special place. If conditions permit, we can paddle closer to the glacier to get a really good view. After this, we will paddle back to the start point.

Day 5

OPTIONAL AM – ICE HIKING: (Not included in the price) After breakfast the guides will have an introductory chat explaining the route, the time the tour will take and also testing the equipment adjusting it correctly for each passenger. Then, we go in a zodiac boat for 15 minutes until we reach the west side of the Grey Glacier. On arrival we will disembark on the island at the glacier (nunatak) and we will walk on it for about an hour until we reach the ice. Before walking onto the glacier, the guide will talk to us about the safety aspects and techniques of displacement in the ice. Once the safety briefing is complete we will begin our exploration of the Grey Glacier which will last approximately 3 hours. During this time we will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons and tunnels with their different tones of blue. After 3 hours on the glacier, we return to the zodiac boat and ride back to the base camp. After lunch navigate in Grey III catamaran. Two hours navigation in this magic lake surrounded by ice bergs where the boat does a circuit right up to the front of the glacier whilst you stand on deck sipping your pisco sour served with glacial ice! Transfer from Grey lake to Puerto Natales. Farewell dinner and night at Natalino hotel or similar. (B/L/D)

Day 6

Breakfast and transfer to Puerto Natales bus station. Regular bus to El Calatate. Welcome at El Calafate bus terminal, short transfer to hotel. (Estimated time: 1.30pm) Private tour to Perito Moreno glacier. Visit at the glacier walking through the footbridge having views from different points. (Estimated departure time: 3pm). Return to hotel. Free night. (B)

Day 7

8am public bus from El Calafate to El Chalten leaving from El Calafate bus terminal. After the arrival, we leave with our ground transportation to the starting point of the trek located 20 kms away from town to a natural reserve called Los Huemules. Here we have multiple options to trek one of the wildest and natural places outside of the national park. (B/L/D)

Day 8

After having breakfast at the dining room, we’ll leave in our private vehicle to Hosteria El Pilar located just a few kilometers away from the ECO camp. Once arrived, we start to walk on the trail to Poincenot camp thru a forest of “Lengas”, typical Patagonic tree, having the Blanco River on our right. During our way we do different stops to learn about the typical fauna and flora of our National Park. After an hour, we’ll stop at Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint where we’ll have the opportunity to take pictures and notice the trace left by this glacier during its setback along the last years. Following our way to Poincenot camp we’ll have an excellent view of Fitz Roy’s massif to get even closer after we cross the Blanco river’s bridge heading the last part of this trail all the way up to De los Tres lake. At this point, we’ll take some time to have our lunch, take pictures and have some rest at the lake shore. After we recover from this last effort, we’ll begin our way down to Poincenot camp where we’ll enjoy some snacks while we wait for the dinner. During the night we’ll have dinner at our private dome including beverages and dessert. (B/L/D)

Day 9

We begin our day having a full breakfast at our private dome preparing for the second day of our itinerary. Once we’re ready, we got onto the trail towards the valley of Lake Mother and Daughter leaving the Fitz Roy massif behind us to our final destination the valley of Cerro Torre. During the trail we’ll have enough time to stop at the lakes to take some pictures of the area around and with some luck to a small colony of typical Patagonic gooses. After this stop, we continue thru the trail towards Cerro Torre’s valley enjoying the emblematic Patagonian forest of Lengas and Ñires till the final part of our trek crossing an old moraine to face Lake Torre and Grande glacier. If the weather looks good, we could continue to the Maestri viewpoint, from where the famous Italian climber Cesare Maestri outlined his strategy to conquer Cerro Torre and having, at the same time, a closer view of Grande glacier. Once we completed this traverse, we’ll return to town thru Cerro Torre valley along the Fitz Roy river till the classic viewpoint and then reaching a beautiful waterfall called Margarita closing our itinerary returning to El Chalten. (B/L/D)

Day 10

8am morning bus to El Calafate from El Chalten bus terminal. End of our services. (B)

MAP
INCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS:

  • All ground transportation with professional driver.
  • Lodging as noted in program.
  • Expert guiding.
  • Meals noted on program (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
  • All entrance fees where applicable.
  • Local excursions as indicated.
  • Regular buses.

Gardner Peavy

“Well organized. Fantastic experience. Great guide. Highly recommend.”

Michael & Jastinder Westley

“Thanks for the great experience in one of a kind national park in a beautiful country. We had so much fun with our very hard working guide, and food was just great.”

Laurin Würdig

“We have returned to Natales and I am little bit sad that our adventure is over. I have to get used to stand on my one two feed again 🙂 Thanks a lot for everything again, you and Andrea are great!!!”

Greg DeVor

“I traveled to Chile and Argentina Patagonia in February 2019 with Antares Patagonia Adventure for an epic 2 week adventure. I was traveling alone which is always an adventure by itself. No amount of praise would be enough to describe the service and guide support that I received while traveling with A.P.A! Philippe and David were the guides that I had while I was there. Both were friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful in making this my best hike ever. The logistical end of things was incredible! I was always met with smile and right on time by the driver at my next location after transferring from one location to another. There were 2 times that I had a question while there (my own idiocy, of course). I sent an email to Fernando and was responded to extremely promptly. On a scale of 1-10 … I would rate A.P.A. at 743. If your trip is only half as good as mine, you’ll have the time of your life. Happy hiking!”

Steve Diggle

“We had a very good time, the guide especially was really excellent and added to our enjoyment and appreciation of the full circuit. I was disappointed by how many people were on the W part of the trail, I certainly wasn’t expecting the density of people on the trail and I’d advise anyone wanting or expecting seclusion to avoid the W. But the northern part of the trail was a great joy.”

Paine Circuit

Carolyne

“In March 2019 we did the 6 day Amazing Paine hike in Torres del Plaine National Park.
I went with my two adult children and had a great time. Our guide, Sergio, was fantastic and was with us the whole time (from our arrival at Punta Arenas airport to our departure). Everything was pre-arranged and went according to plan. The hiking was unbelievable and Sergio was very good at matching our pace and providing information on the geography and history along the hikes. Accommodations in the park were in refugios (Nash Serrano and Grey) which were comfortable and the food was good. We also went ice hiking and kayaking and very much enjoyed it. Everyone that was part of our trip was very friendly and helpful from Sergio, our drivers and the people who guided us on our kayak and hiking trips. We had a great experience and the fact that there was no Internet connection in the park was a plus as we talked a lot more than usual! I would recommend Antares and would also book another trip with them.”

Montreal, Canada

Michelle Jorgensen

“We had a fabulous trip and our guide was so helpful.  He really took personal interest in our family of six, with teenage kids that needed some encouragement at times.  We came in the winter and loved it!  It was cold but we dressed for the weather and were fine.  Coming without the crowds was worth it.  We would use Antares again in a heartbeat.”

Elen Ace

“Antares and Fernando did an excellent job arranging our unforgettable trip Valleys of W in Jan 2019. Topnotch organizational and communication skills, everything was smooth, on time, starting from pick up at the bus station to seeing us off at the airport. Everything was taken care of, transfers, transportation during the trip with very well maintained vehicle and excellent drivers, lunches, hikes, accommodation, etc. We had an excellent guide with us all the time, Rosalie,  she took good care of every member of our 6ppl group, very intelligent and knowledgeable young lady. Accommodation was fabulous,  hotel Natalino is probably the best one in Puerto Natales and Nash lodge in Serrano area is a gem, very patagonian with a character and awesome views. I’d highly recommend Antares in arranging any trips in Patagonia. Dont hesitate to contact me personally for more info. Fernando can provide my email address.”

Canada