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Day 1: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile You will be met in Punta Arenas either at your hotel or at the airport. From Punta Arenas you’ll be driven to EcoCamp Patagonia--located in the world famous Torres del Paine National Park.
During summer, the sun sets around 11 pm: as you drive in you will have plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizons. Enjoy a couple of steps before your arrival: the first is at Puerto Natales, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza - “Last Hope Sound”. You are invited to check out the town and enjoy a hearty lunch with delicious local food.
The other stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The surrounding area is very scenic with plenty of wild birds to be seen.
You’ll be driven across the park with views of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, as well as of Los Cuernos – the famous mountain with black granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of stunning Lake Pehoe, you’ll visit the furious Salto Grande Falls, which pour the waters of Lake Nordenskjold over Pehoe. The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until reaching its picture-perfect lookout point.
Later, back at Lake Pehoe, a vehicle will take you on a drive south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. After relaxing with a picnic lunch by the lake, you’ll embark on a boat ride across icy water to the towering blue-colored walls of Glacier Grey. This is an incredible sight! After visiting the glacier, you are driven back to EcoCamp for dinner.
Today you’ll hike to the Laguna Azul lookout point where you’ll have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. You’ll continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the lake’s shores where guanacos are often seen.
Later, you’ll trek to Paso Las Corneas with spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. You can also hike to the Toro lookout point that offers more soul-candy scenery - Lago Toro and the pampa, or steppe! Upon returning to the Ecocamp, celebrate with a farewell dinner. This is sadly your last night in Torres del Paine. Your days in the Park will make for profound memories when you return home.
Day 7, Last Memories in Chalten, Glacier Perito Moreno on the way! After breakfast, prepare your luggage and start your way back to Calafate, following the same road filled with Argentinean pampas that welcomed you some days ago. Arrive in Calafate around noon, in time to check-in at Hotel Kosten Aike, leave your luggage and prepare for your final excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, the cherry of the pie. Unlike the regular tours, upon arriving on site, you will not go straight to the regular panoramic views. Instead, you’ll first marvel at the splendor of the glacier’s less frequented north face. You’ll both watch and hear giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Lake Argentino.
As you face Moreno Glacier, your guide will answer all questions about the area. You will then continue on to the footbridges and take a break so that you can enjoy the surroundings at your own leisure. After the thrilling encounter with the glacier, drive back to Calafate. This is your final night. Enjoy a tasteful farewell dinner and then sleep.
Day 8, Adios! Today is the end of this memorable trip. Adios Patagonia! After breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport to return home or continue with additional travel. To finish in Punta Arenas: Day 8, Heading to Punta Arenas An early transfer will take you to the Calafate bus terminal. There you’ll board the public bus going to Puerto Natales, arriving in this town around midday. A representative will await you and will take you for refreshments in town. When you are ready, board another public bus going to Punta Arenas city, where another representative will await you to transfer you to your hotel. The evening is free for dinner on your own.
Day 9, Adios!
Ultimate Patagonia Adventure Logistics Costs Include:
Costs Exclude:
Accommodation EcoCamp Located in the heart of Torres del Paine, the EcoCamp consists of tented igloo-type domes built to minimize the environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting and maximum exposure to nature. There is electricity available for charging just camera batteries (voltage: 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, two round pins plug). Food at the EcoCamp has the same quality as the one you will have on a family dinner at your home, this means it is plenty and delicious! The 28mt2/ 300 ft2 tented igloo-type double domes with private bathroom will have everything clients need for a comfortable stay. There will be two single beds (1.2 x 2m beds) or a king size bed (1.9x 2m), and a modern low-emission wood stove that will keep the place warm. Bathrooms will be well equipped and will have towels available. For sustainable purposes clients will keep the same towels and blankets during their stay. Additionally, since the Suite Domes will be powered with solar panel generators, there will be no electric capacity to plug devices such as hair dryers, electric shavers, etc, nevertheless camera batteries can be charged in other facilities at the EcoCamp . The Suite Dome will be nicely decorated with natural fibers and other elements from the local culture. Los Cerros is located in El Chaltén, at the feet of the most imposing mountains of Patagonia. Its large windows allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the valleys, lakes and mountains. The warmth of the personalized attention and the regional food of international level pleasantly surprise even the most exacting travelers. The hotel offers lodging, services and cuisine of international level. Lingering all day long in the hotel is really tempting but the rustic nature that surrounds it calls you to enjoy scores of activities in the land of the legendary Cerro Fitz Roy and the imposing Viedma glacier. Hotel Kosten Aike Set in the urban center El Calafate, Hotel Kosten Aike is a hotel with regional connotations where artists have recreated the ancestral Tehuelche designs that encourage a completely relaxing stay. In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 persons. Pick up / Drop off times are approximate and will be confirmed locally by our operations team. An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for clients if they need additional support once they are in Chile. Weather The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, the strong marine influence and the affect of the Southern Patagonia Ice field make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min). Physical Demands This trip does not demand physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over rather flat terrain. To enjoy these treks it is essential to be in shape before arriving. All trails visited in the programs are below 1,000 m / 3,000 ft so travelers don’t need to worry about altitude. Packing Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all together and consider al least two changes of clothes. Some essential equipment is one day backpack (10 liters, to carry camera, glasses, rain coat, etc), trekking or hiking boots, extra shoes for evenings or in case the others get wet, waterproof jacket, two pairs of wool socks, fleece jacket or sweater, shorts or comfortable loose pants, sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen) and optional capilene underwear for the upper and lower body. Itinerary Modifications The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to deal with at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations Day 4, Transfer to Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina Wake up and after enjoying a delicious breakfast, board the van and start driving to the Cerro Castillo international border crossing. Once you complete the immigration process, you’ll enter Argentina and continue to Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amidst dramatic scenery and natural beauty.
A local coordinator will meet you at the restaurant where you’ll have lunch before heading to your next destination--a 3-hour drive to Chalten. The drive is on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma. Chalten is a tiny outpost beside the Glacier National Park at the foot of impressive Mount Fitzroy. You’ll arrive at Hostería Los Cerros with time to get a well-deserved rest either in your room or in any of the nice areas of this beautiful hostería.
Day 5, Laguna Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina Today you’ll do a full day hike along Cerro Torre Trail to Laguna Torre, an extremely pretty mountain lake with majestic Mount Torre in the background. After breakfast, walk eastward, following the trail through beech forests and bogs to a pleasant encounter with Fitroy River. You’ll continue advancing and reach Camp Base de Agostini and then do a short hike to Laguna Torre, escorted in the west by Cerro Torre and the Adela range. Icebergs can be seen peacefully floating on Laguna Torre as the wind pushes them to the coast. Stop at different points to take in the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic. Later, return to Chalten following the same trail. Upon returning from the hike, the evening is free for you to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 6, Monte Fitzroy, Mountain of Mountains Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina Today’s hike is along Rio Blanco; you’ll follow its path until reaching a place with one of the best available views of Monte Fitzroy - the landmark in Los Glaciares National Park. Once again, a delicious breakfast and lots of enthusiasm is required. Initially you drive to El Pilar, next to Río Blanco 11 miles north of El Chaltén. The trail follows Río Blanco, passes Piedras Blancas Glacier and continues up to Rio Blanco base camp. Piedras Blancas is a hanging glacier that descends from the base of Mount Fitz Roy. Once you reach the best viewpoints you will probably experience a Torres del Paine flashback.
If Torres del Paine is the king mountain of Patagonia, Fitz Roy is surely the beautiful queen! Time for a picnic. In such a memorable place the food cannot help but taste better! When ready, you’ll come back through another trail heading to Laguna Capri, which will takes you back to tiny Chalten. Return in time to recover and enjoy your last night in this beautiful park.
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