TOP
Exploring Tourism in Chile
Chile
icon Worldwideicon
Tour Packages Details

Ecotour In Torres Del Paine Tour

Price on Request

Must Visit City
Torres Del Paine
Contact Us
This unique trip takes you through Torres del Paine's highlights and lets you enjoy the best of the park's flora and fauna on treks and cycling excursions with your local expert guide. EcoCamp Patagonias domes, . .
Country: Chile
City: Torres Del Paine
Duration: 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s)
Tour Category: Eco Tours
Departure Date: Thu 01 Jan '99
Package Itinerary

This unique trip takes you through Torres del Paine's highlights and lets you enjoy the best of the park's flora and fauna on treks and cycling excursions with your local expert guide. EcoCamp Patagonia’s domes, immersed in the park’s wilderness, provide cozy accommodation each night after dinner and wine with fellow travelers in EcoCamp Community.

Arrival, The Patagonian Adventure starts

Day 1 Torres del Paine NP, Chile

The trip begins with you being picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. Alternatively you can start your trip in Calafate (see Prices and Facts section).

En route, we make a couple of stops - First in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of "Seno de Ultima Esperanza", where we enjoy a hearty local lunch, and second at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890s. The whole journey is very scenic, with plenty of wild birds and wonderful landscapes to be seen.

The day ends with our arrival and overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia, nestled in the heart of the park with a view of the Torres. During summer the sun sets around 11 pm, so upon arrival, there's plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.

Day 2 Walk Fauna Trail & Laguna Azul + Patagonian BBQ

We start the day driving to the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake where the Fauna Trail begins. As we walk northwards along the trail we see park fauna on the Patagonian plains including guanacos, ostrich-like ñandús, and maybe the occasional puma print!

We pass by Goic lagoon and after an approximate 5 km relaxed walk we reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station where we’re picked up and driven to Laguna Azul. En route, we stop at the impressive Paine waterfall to admiring its cascading water and picturesque surroundings. Upon arrival at Laguna Azul, we’re treated to a classic Patagonian barbecue, prepared by a local Patagonian chef in EcoCamp’s cozy barbecue area on the lakeshore.

Once we’ve feasted and enjoyed some rest there’s time to explore the surroundings and walk to the nearby sightseeing point with a panoramic view of the lagoon and the Torres in the distance. We drive back to EcoCamp for the evening festivities.

OR

Cycling to Laguna Azul + Patagonian BBQ

After breakfast we drive to Estancia Laguna Amarga, next to the ranger station where we entered the park, and we hop on our mountain bikes & pedal away towards Laguna Azul campsite approximately 20 km to the northeast. We cycle past an array of fauna on the Patagonian plains including guanacos and ostrich-like ñandús (plus maybe the occasional puma print!), heading up north past the cascading Paine waterfall where we can stop for a break to admire the view.

We continue our journey heading past a small canyon in the middle of the Patagonian flora and fauna before looping up towards Laguna Azul. Upon arrival at Laguna Azul, we’re treated to a classic Patagonian barbecue, prepared by a local Patagonian chef in EcoCamp’s cozy barbecue area on the lakeshore. Once we’ve feasted and enjoyed some rest there’s time to explore the surroundings and climb to the nearby sightseeing point with a panoramic view of the lagoon and the Torres in the distance.

The cycle ride back to Ecocamp is optional - anyone who is happily tired after the journey and barbecue is welcome to travel back in the support van (accompanying the group at all times on the outward journey). Back at EcoCamp, the cyclists reunite with their Safari hiking counterparts to enjoy the evening aperitif.

Day 3 Drive & Walk Western Lakes, Navigation Glacier Grey*

We drive across the Park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black, granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe.

The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until we reach its spectacular lookout point. Later, back at Lake Pehoe, we are driven south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. Here we enjoy a tasty box lunch by the lake before embarking on a boat ride across the icy waters to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredible sight of the glacier up close, we drive back to EcoCamp.

(*During Shoulder Season (September, October, and April) the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be canceled as the boat requires a minimum of 8 passengers to sail, which might not be reached in some cases. If this is the case we will plan an alternative excursion in the Park.)

OR

Drive & Walk Western Lakes, Hike Pingo Trail

We drive across the Park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until we reach its spectacular lookout point.

Later, back at Lake Pehoe, we are driven south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey where we walk to reach the start of the beautiful Pingo Trail taking us through a fairytale Magellan forest full of local fauna and flora.

As we walk, huge rock formations in nearby hills and the strong Patagonian wind give us a good idea of just how wild Patagonia is! We reach a small sightseeing point with splendid views of the Massif’s west face and then walk back to Grey Beach to meet our fellow travelers coming back from the boat ride. Together, we all head to Ecocamp to enjoy dinner and relaxation time.

Day 4 Hike Lagoon Inge & Cuernos Pass

After breakfast we head to Laguna Inge, located 4km south-west of EcoCamp Patagonia on Los Cuernos Trail just above Nordenskjold lake. There is a wonderful viewpoint of rainwater and glacial water side by side. On the way along Los Cuernos there is a variety of fauna and hopefully, we’ll see Andean condors flying overhead.

During this excursion, we admire the park’s flora and fauna, its strong wind, and curious, changeable weather. As we walk along the trail we enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite that crown the center of the Massif. Depending on the group’s pace we might reach the Cuernos refuge, our trekking goal for today before we start our return walk to EcoCamp.

Day 5 Navigation Pehoe Lake and hike French Valley*

After breakfast, we start our day driving towards Pudeto dock, located on the shores of Pehoe Lake. We board the catamaran that’ll take us to the north-western sector of the Lake where we’ll begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends on our groups’ rhythm - An active walk leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-eastern face of the Massif, where there is a truly wonderful view.

Then we continue up the trail to the upper section of the valley where we admire the valley's entire group of geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). Here we picnic and rest for a while.

An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well if the group isn't keen on resting. Then, we descend through a rippling terrain of grassland and light forest until reaching the Refugio Paine Grande, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. From here the catamaran takes us back to Pudeto and we're driven back to EcoCamp.

*The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe:

September, October, and April (shoulder season) the navigation will not operate and therefore the excursion will be replaced by another activity

1st to 15th of November: Hike is limited and only reaches camp Italiano

16th of November till 15th of March: excursion operates on a regular basis

16th of March till 31st of March: Hike is limited and only reaches camp Italiano.

Day 6 Lake Shore Hike + Botanical Safari

After breakfast, we set off on foot towards Nordenskjold lake. On the walk towards the lakeshore, we’ll have wonderful views of the park’s vegetation and flora on our guided nature exploration. At the lakeshore, we enjoy the lake’s beautiful blue water and views of the central Paine massif while we feast on our picnic. After lunch, we head back to Ecocamp and have just a tiny distance to walk to get to the start of the botanical Safari trail at the back of EcoCamp.

The mini educational trail designed by EcoCamp invites guests to learn more about the flora and fauna in Torres del Paine National Park right next to their domes. A guide will accompany wakers on this micro exploration to give more extensive flora information as the group wanders along the trail taking note of the diverse vegetation. Safari explorers then have time to rest in their domes or EcoCamp’s Community domes before the evening aperitif.

Day 7 Departure Day

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight to Santiago. Those heading to Argentina board an earlier transfer heading to the border.

Min 4 People

Included:

Accommodation at EcoCamp’s Suite or Standard Domes.

Regular bus tickets Calafate<>Natales if starting/finishing in Calafate, check the last section.

Meals as indicated in the price chart.

All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.

English speaking guide. Guide ratio 1:12. Max group size: 16 people.

Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park.

Boat ticket for crossing Grey Lake* and/or Pehoe Lake. *please check the itinerary

Excluded:

Flight tickets.

Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip).

Voluntary tipping of guides and staff.

Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bringing US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP is suggested.

Items of personal nature.

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 at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season

depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe:

September, October, and April (shoulder season) the navigation will not operate and therefore the excursion will be replaced by another activity

1st to 15th of November: Hike is limited and only reaches camp Italiano

16th of November till 15th of March: excursion operates on a regular basis

16th of March till 31st of March: Hike is limited and only reaches camp Italiano.

Please note the following modifications during Shoulder Season (September, October, and April):

The boat trip to Glacier Grey may be canceled as the boat requires a minimum of 8 passengers to sail, which might not be reached in some cases. If this is the case we will plan an alternative excursion in the Park.

The Towers Trek excursion might be canceled because of weather conditions and safety considerations.

PRICES VARY DEPENDING ON THE SEASON

Contact Back


Check out similar Tour Packages