Itinerary

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 Rugendas.
    
DAY 2 :  TORRES DEL PAINE
Transfer out for morning flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia. We travel north through the vast Patagonian "pampa" to Puerto Natales following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego (256km/160 miles/3 hrs). After lunch in Puerto Natales we continue into Torres del Paine National Park (246 km/153 miles/2 hrs), stopping at the Milodon Cave where the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth were discovered. We arrive at the EcoCamp for dinner under the Southern Cross and a spectacle of other southern hemisphere 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, dramatic carved horns of black slate atop the gray-granite massif. Watch for condors soaring from 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 wine, a hot fresh meal, commraderie with other trekkers, and perhaps 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). Add an optional 2 hour hike to Mirador Britanico from Mirador del Frances if you're up for it! 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]

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 impressive 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]
    
DAYS 6-7 :  TORRES DEL PAINE
Hiking itineraries are weather dependent on these days.  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 three granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice over the millennia.  We can also hike in the beech forest at Laguna Azul, trekking across open Patagonian steppe terrain where herds of guanacos and many birds are found.  The final night we enjoy 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 Rugendas. [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 VISIT MAIPO OR WINE COUNTRY
Day at leisure in Santiago with optional excursion rafting and/or horseback riding in Maipo or wine tasting outside the city. Evening transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US. [B]

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