PAINE CIRCUIT
““Trek through increíble diverse scenary ”
PROFILE
Adventure
DURATION
10 Days
SEASON
01 Nov – 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)
Tip:
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
We start our trip with a transfer by van to Torres del Paine National Park. This two-hour journey through ranch country includes a stop in Cerro Castillo, the principal site of wool and meat exportation to Europe during the 1960s. Arrival at Torres del Paine. Trek to the base of The Towers (7 hours roundtrip), a spectacular hike to view the three pink granite towers that made the park famous. Lodging & dinner at refugio Nash (B/L/D)
Day 3
Early breakfast for the hike to Lago Dickson , a glacial lake on the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. We hike past bright blooming Notro bushes and make a stream crossing along the lake. A beautiful, leisurely hike (trekking time 6 hrs). Here we can take hot showers at the refugio and you can buy a cold beer! Lodging and dinner Refugio Dickson. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Transfer to Pudeto, cross Pehoe lake by catamaran. Trek along enchanting Lake Grey (3-4 hours, 11 KM ) 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 (Paine is a Tehuelche Indian word for “blue”). Kayaking; short walk to Bigfoot Patagonia basecamp, located on the northeast coast of Lake Grey. 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. Now the tour really begins! 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. Dinner at Grey lodge, accommodation at lodge or camping. (B/L/D)
HOW TO CARRY PERSONAL GEAR
Today you will carry your pack everyday which will be around 10kg. Items you will need to carry include: your clothes for the trip, lunch for the day and any other personal items. If you would like a porter, there will be an extra cost of U$ 120 per day. Each porter can carry 15 kg max, which means that one porter can be used by two trekkers.
Day 5
Today we do our packs and head out for a hike that is one of our personal favorites through pristine, old growth beech forest. We almost always see the incredible red-headed Magellanic woodpecker. Just before we arrive to our camp we will trek past glacier Perros with fantastic close up views of the glacier and its lake. We spend the night camping at the base of Paso John Garner at Los Perros. 5 hours. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Today is our biggest day of hiking as we climb over Paso John Garner and down through thick forest directly above the massive Glaciar Grey. Once on the pass we look out over rugged, glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap – a view not to be missed! The Grey Glacier stretches out below us like a huge white highway 5 hours. After breakfast we start the 5 hours hike which continues descending towards Lake Grey through lenga forest where every so often appears a terrace looking out over Glacier Grey and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. Lodging and dinner at refugio Grey. (B/L/D).
Day 7
KAYAK (OPTIONAL AM) from our base camp, located on the northeast coast of Lake Grey our guides will 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. Now the tour really begins! 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.
During the afternoon we will cross a high plateau overlooking Lago Grey with its icebergs and the Grey Glacier on our way to Lago Pehoe, “hidden lake” in the Tehuelche language. 3-4 hours. The afternoon will be free to relax at Lodge Paine Grande and enjoy the area. Lodging and dinner is at Lodge Paine Grande where you can enjoy a pisco sour in the bar that overlooks Paine Grande & Los Cuernos mountains in the beautiful evening light. (B/L/D)
Day 8
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 and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. After we trek out of the valley, we will continue to the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjold, where Refugio Cuernos is located (trekking time 8 hrs). Lodging and dinner at Refugio Cuernos. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Trek along Lake Nordenskjold and below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto, to the reach Hosteria Las Torres (5-6 hours) ,our van is waiting at the parking lot. Transfer to Puerto Natales. Farewell dinner and lodging at Natalino hotel or similar. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Breakfast, bus to Punta Arenas or El Calafate. End of our services. (B)
MAP
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.
- Domestic airfare.
- Travel Insurance.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Gratuities for guide, driver, porters.
- Alcohol unless otherwise noted.
