When packing, we need to section our gear into 2 x 20-25lt dry sacks. A dry sack is a water proof bag that you can purchase at outdoor shops. Soft suitcases are preferable to travel with than a hard suitcase. I use a large Mountain Design soft bag that has wheels. But don’t go out and purchase one specifically for this. We can get by with hard suitcases.
The porters have their own large packs and will carry your 2 dry sacks in those. Try not to have them too bulky as become too hard for them to pack.
Day Pack: Below is what we will either be wearing or carrying in our 35 litre day pack. Make sure you day pack is comfortable, with shoulder straps and waist straps.
Dry Sack 1:
Into this dry sack goes your night gear- Our crew carries this
This must not weigh more than 5kgs.
Dry Sack 2
Into this dry sack goes: Our crew carries this
Sml Dry Sack or zip lock bag- Into this goes clean clothes that they will deliver to us at the half way point.
They will take your dirty clothes back to Eco Camp.
We normally wear the same underwear and socks for the first 4 days and only bring into the half way point 1 set of clean undies and socks for the next 4 day. It is cold so we do not sweat and smell like we do in the tropics. But if you want to change your underwear and socks only take in 1 extra set for first four days and 1 extra set for last four days.
We can leave a bag of clean clothes at Eco Camp. We are tenting for 5 nights. A bag can also be left at the hotel in Punta Arenas if required.
Very important that trekkers have everything on the gear list.
This 7 day trek along the Torres del Paine Trail, is one of the world renowned trekking routes in Patagonia, Chile’s most famous national park. The trail is located in the south of Patagonia, approximately 2500kms from Santiago and is an internationally acclaimed trekking destination providing our trekkers with panoramic scenery, exotic wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Torres del Paine is recognised as one of the most breathtakingly unspoiled places on earth, being declared a World Heritage site in 1978. The spectacular Pine Massif, with peaks Cuernos (Paine Horns) and Grande, dominates the panoramic landscape of the park. We will trek through numerous ecosystems including, carving glaciers, snow-capped mountains, cascading rivers and waterfalls, lush meadows, mirror like turquoise lakes, Magellenic forests and arid Pampas. Expect to see birds like the Andean Condor, American ostrich, Cara Cara’s and Pink Flamingos. Mammals such as Guanaco’s (like Lamas) Grey and Culpeo Foxes and possibly Pumas. This is a strenuous hike; trekkers must be in good physical condition and be fit enough to hike full days on varied terrain. Certain days on the trail are long (e.g Day 1 is 32kls) and hard trekkers must be able to sustain a steady pace. There is time for photo's and to take in the amazing scenery. Terrain can be rocky, steep and/or boggy,the section on the Pass can be made more challenging if the weather is bad. The trip is camping for the most part and you should be comfortable with travelling in remote areas. Note the trip is fully supported by our crew so you will only need to carry a day pack. Your experienced English speaking wilderness guides will be assisted cooks who will take care of the practical arrangements whilst on the hike. Pam and Pablo are experienced, trained mountaineers and Torres del Paine guides who will provide the safest and most beneficial experience leaving you free to enjoy the jaw dropping scenery and pristine wilderness scenery. For those of you out there that are not trekkers we do have non walking Safari's available. This is a luxury package and ideal for those partners who wish to experience Torres del Paine by 4 WD/Boat rather than walk with their partners the full track. Please enquire direct with Pam regards this. This expedition starts in Punta Arenas and ends in Punta Arenas.
Group will arrive late into Punta Arenas. Transfers from airport to hotel is approximately 30-40 minutes drive. Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos
After our long haul flights today we relax, catch up on some sleep. Pam can take you for a walk around Punta Arenas, is an interesting little city. We can go out for dinner this evening or we can eat in. Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos
Today will start at the Eco Camp Patagonia with a long trek heading to Dickson Lake. When we get there, we enjoy a spectacular view of the Dickson Glacier and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). We continue our trek along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine. We’ll stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below and then we descend to the lake level and continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Our stunning campsite will be in the Dickson Valley surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the clear waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers are available (sometimes). We spend the night camping at Dickson. Trekking distance today is 32kms, taking us approximately 11 hours. Elevation 300 meters. Please note this is a long, physically challenging day. Make sure your training program builds up to 8-10 hours trekking in a day. Accommodation: Tent
The trail follows Los Perros River and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. A virgin beech forest crossed by many water courses leads the way towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp and enjoy the night spent here. Trekking distance today is 9kms, taking us approximately 5 hours. No showers. Elevations 500 meters. Accommodation: Tent
At this location we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1300 mts (4000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the Grey Glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley. The John Gardner pass is one of the most famous points of Torres del Paine and a must-do for any trekker longing to do the circuit. If the weather conditions have been tough, the trail in this part could be closed, so we may propose a short and non-technical rappel to continue advancing. Once leaving the highest point, the route continues roughly south along forested slopes with occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous Grey Glacier (more than five miles across and ten miles in length) Trekking distance today is 26kms, taking us approximately 12 hours. Elevations 1200 meters. Hot showers available in Grey Refugio. Today is physically more challenging than day 1. Accommodation: Tent
This morning the group will spend a couple of hours kayaking around the Grey Glacier. We hope the weather is fine, it is an amazing experience paddling through the icebergs. After our kayaking excursion the trek continues going by the eastern side of Grey Lake through clearings of Calafate bushes. The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters is very impressive at this point. Finally, the track climbs onto flat ridges and passes a small lake one hour before descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago Pehoe. We spend the night in our camp by the turquoise Lake Pehoe. Trekking distance today is 11kms, taking us approximately 5 hours. Elevation 400 meters. Hot showers available in Lake Pehoe Refugio. Accommodation: Tent
After breakfast, we begin a challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends on our groups’ walking pace and fitness. An active walk leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, we can enjoy our first truly wonderful view and then continue up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the valley. The entire group of geological formations of the high valley can be admired here: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza! (Fortress). It’s time to have our lunch and recover from the walk. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well, Pam will push for the group to do this) Next, we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and continue walking until we reach Camp Cuernos. Trekking distance today is 25kms, taking us approximately 10 hours. Elevation 686 meters. Hot showers available at the Cuernos Refugio. Another long physically challenging day. Accommodation: Tent
After breakfast we start our trekking day heading back to the Eco Camp Patagonia through the curly Cuernos trail located beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During the day we take in the park’s charming flora and fauna, strong winds and the curious 4-season weather that has accompanied us these past few days. As we advance through the trail we enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and admire other perspective of the Paine’s Horns. We’ll of course stop to enjoy a delicious box lunch to energize us for the rest of the walk. The trek ends at the Eco Camp. The evening is left free to enjoy dinner and share experiences. Trekking distance today is 16kms, taking us approximately 7 hours. Elevation 244 meters. Accommodation: Eco Camp.
Time for a great breakfast and lots of enthusiasm! Our goal for today is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine NP. We walk from the camp site towards Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed along the scenic walk into the valley. It’s not a difficult walk, but you might want to save some for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before our face to face with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with a fair amount of precaution. After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. This is one of the most breath taking sights of the world! The famous Torres del Paine. (2, 900 m/ 9, 400 ft) consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Is there any better place on this planet to have lunch? At the foot of the mighty Torres del Paine we’ll enjoy life, the view, and a bite to eat! Once everyone’s ready, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to the camping area of the Eco Camp. We take notes and talk with our friends, relax, feel the strong Patagonic wind while watching the heavens above. All these days spent in the Park will be profound memories to take back home with you. Trekking distance today is 21kms, taking us approximately 10 hours. Another physical challenging day. Elevation 914 meters. Accommodation Eco Camp
Sunday 15 January Eco Camp-Rest day (B/L/D)
Today we relax and rest tired bodies at Eco Camp This gives everyone time to enjoy this beautiful situation and the ambience of Eco Camp. Have a massage, or go to a couple of yoga classes. Horse riding is available. Take a tour of Eco Camp and learn how it is totally sustainable and almost zero impact on the environment. Accommodation Eco Camp Meals: B,L,D
We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas. We will go out for dinner this evening. Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos
Depart hotel after breakfast or early afternoon depending on flight schedules. Transfer to airport for homeward journey.
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