Max group size: 12

Itinerary

Day 1: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine in Patagonia.
Most airlines will have you start your journey by flying to Santiago, Chile and then fly via Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas (they may require you to change planes at one of these stops). From North America, this long series of flights usually takes two days, but may take three. You must be certain t arrive in Punta Arenas by 1pm local time today.  This likely means you need to arrange your air itinerary to make sure you depart Santiago on the earliest morning flight.

We recommend you plan to arrive in Chile a day or two early. An extra day also adds flexibility in case you encounter any flight delays or miss a connection. We are happy to help you purchase additional accommodation and transfers in Punta Arenas – we can even help with a stopover in Santiago. Unfortunately, we cannot adjust the itinerary for late arrivals.

When you arrive in Punta Arenas by 1:00 pm, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to Puerto Natales to enjoy lunch. We’ll take it easy after our long flight, driving (345 km/216 miles/5hrs) to Eco-camp Las Torres inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. During our drive, we’ll make a short stop in the township of Puerto Natales to enjoy the town and leave any luggage with our local office that we will not need during the trek. We’ll also visit the enormous Cueva (Cave) del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that some say once sheltered a prehistoric sloth.

Tonight we’ll energize for tomorrow’s adventure at an ecologically friendly safari-style camp made up of very large dome tents set on a network of raised wooden platforms. After a hot shower, we’ll experience a late Patagonian sunset in this stunning wilderness.
L, D… Cascada Eco-camp                       

Day 2: Valle Ascencio (Trekking: 21 kms, 9-10 hrs)
Our first day of trekking is celebrated with the famous hike to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine to admire one of the world’s most sought after views: the Towers of Paine rising above a green lagoon (weather permitting). The famous Torres del Paine (2,900m/9,400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by glacial ice
B, L, D… Cascada Ecocamp

Day 3: Laguna Azul – Lago Dickson (Trekking: 28 kms, 9 hrs)
After an early transfer to Laguna Azul, we’ll load up the horses with both communal gear and our personal packs. We’ll begin our trek through the Lenga forest on the north side of the lake to learn about the February 2004 fire and witness the ensuing process of natural succession. Arriving at Dickson Lake, we’ll be treated to a spectacular view of Dickson Glacier and a section of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine to visit a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine. Descending to the lake level, our trek crosses open grasslands along the Rio Paine to end at Refugio Dickson. Today’s stunning campsite will be in the Dickson Valley surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. You’ll be delighted to know that showers are available.
B, L, D…Tented Camp Dickson

Day 4: Glacier Dickson (Trekking: 14 kms, 6 hrs)
After several days of rigorous activity, today we’ll give our bodies a day to recover. We’ll take an easy trek north to Lago Quemado to get close to the beautiful Dickson Glacier and its iceberg-filled lake. When the trail becomes more rugged, we swap our horses for human porters, who will carry up to 15 lbs of gear per traveler.
B, L, D…Tented Camp

Day 5: Lago Dickson- Los Perros (Trekking: 8.5 kms, 5 hrs)
Today the trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. Virgin beech forests crossed by many water courses lead the way towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros, where we set up camp.
B, L, D…Tented Camp Los Perros

Day 6: Los Perros - Camp Grey (Trekking: 14 km, 10 hrs)
In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1,300 mts (4,000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the Ventisquero Grey, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley. The route continues roughly south along forested slopes. This is a long journey of 8 to 10 hrs hiking, but the view is not to be missed.
B, L, D…Tented Camp Grey

Day 7: Grey Glacier.
You have the option to take the day off to rest up following yesterday’s arduous trek. But for those who feel up to it, and have arranged to do so in advance, there is an optional half-day hike on the Grey Glacier. This is real glacier travel using crampons and ropes and requires that you book this part of excursion in advance prior to making your final payment for the tour. No previous glacier experience is necessary. Once on the glacier we rope up in teams and receive thorough instruction on how to walk on the glacier with crampons before we start hiking (this is usually takes two to three hours depending on the weather). Those who choose not to do this option can do a hike around the region starting at mid morning, or simply spend the day in camp relaxing. All the group returns in the afternoon.
B, L, D…Tented Camp Grey

Day 8: Camp Grey - Camp Pehoe (Trekking: 14 kms, 5 hrs).
The trek continues down alongside Grey Glacier to the point where it flows into Lake Grey. Then we continue along the eastern side of the lake through clearings of Calafate bushes. The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters, is very impressive. Finally, the track climbs onto flat ridges and passes a small lake before descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago Pehoe. We spend the night in our camp by the turquoise Lake Pehoe.
B, L, D…Tented Camp Lake Pehoe

NOTE: Trekking Only alternative begins on Day 9 (see below alternate itinerary)

Day 9: Valle Frances – Rio Serrano (Kayaking: 4 hrs).
We’ll take the Torres del Paine circuit to an entirely new level by finishing out our trip across Pehoe Lake to Pudeto where a van will be waiting to transfer us to the Serrano River. We meet our sea kayaking guide at Camp Serrano, ready to lead you on this wonderful and rare kayaking experience over the next 3 days. After some instruction we’ll push off from shore on a 4 hour journey on the relatively flat water of the Serrano River. Imagine sea kayaking with the Paine massive as your backdrop! There’s a brief portage around a waterfall, after which we setup camp beside a beautiful bay at the feet of the ‘Cerro Donoso’.
B, L, D…Tented Camp Donoso

Day 10: Kayaking to Puerto Toro. (Kayaking: 6-8 hrs)
After a hearty breakfast, we resume kayaking the Serrano River toward the sea. From your kayak you’ll enjoy views of Tyndall glacier and the magnificent Cordillera de los Andes. Lunch will be served at the working ranch Estancia Pekin surrounded by rugged mountains and glaciers - incredible! After soaking up the spectacular scenery in the hospitable estancia, we set out from the shore for our last three hours on the Serrano River. Don’t worry, we’re not done kayaking! We are simply transitioning from the river to the Patagonian fjords in the region of Mt. Balmaceda. Our camp lies at the bottom of Serrano Glacier at Puerto Toro. 
B, L, D…Tented Camp Puerto Toro

Day 11: Lago Serrano - Last Hope Fjord. (Kayaking: 2 hrs)
Padding among icebergs on Lago Serrano, in the shadow of the Serrano Glacier, is the literal icing on the cake of our sea kayaking voyage. After noon, we rendezvous with our support boat for an enjoyable four hour scenic trip along Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) fjord, stopping at Estancia Perales for a classic Patagonian style barbecue – parilla magallanica! We arrive at Puerto Natales at 5pm; enough time to shower and change before reuniting with our trekkers for the farewell celebration dinner.
B, L, D…Aquaterra Lodge

Days 12: Return Home.
Transfer back to Punta Arenas to catch flights back home (departing after midday).
B … Return home

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