The
Paine Circuit for backpackers & optional extension to Los Glaciares
N.P.
For all those who love trekking, The Circuit in Chilean Patagonia
opens its doors to you. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the
most beautiful places in Las Torres del Paine National Park and observe
the parks abundant and unique wildlife: guanacos, ñandúes,
and condors, among others. Our trek passes around the foot of the
massive granite towers that soar almost 10.000 feet above us and give
the park its name. These towers are a challenge to dozens of highly
skilled climbers every year. "The Circuit" is one of a handful
of world's best treks. It is an unforgettable adventure and a sports
trip for all those who love hiking, camping and photo hunting.
As an optional extension we offer Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina).
Extending from Cerro Fitzroy in the north to Cerro Stokes in the south,
this park includes over 13 glaciers that fall from the Southern Patagonian
Ice Cap into the second and third largest lakes in all of South America.
Argentino and Viedma lakes traverse the east/west ecosystem transition
from glacier to tundra to rainforest to desert. |
|
| Itinerary
is subject to changes depending on weather conditions which are highly
variable in Patagonia |
| DAY 01 PUNTA
ARENAS - PUERTO NATALES |
| Reception
at Punta Arenas airport. Transfer to Puerto Natales visiting on the
way Otway penguin colonies. Arrival to Puerto Natales, transfer to
the hotel. (L) |
| DAY
02 PUERTO NATALES - LAGUNA AZUL CAMP |
| Today we
drive into Torres del Paine National park. Paine means dark blue in
Tehuelche language as it is the color the mountains take at dawn.
The park, created in 1959, is a paradise for nature lovers: the fauna,
flora and landscapes are just fabulous! We can watch one of the largest
gatherings of Condors in all of South America. We set our camp in
Laguna Azul. (B,L,D) |
| DAY 03 LAGUNA
AZUL - DICKSON LAKE (8 to 10h) |
| Our first
long day trekking. We head north up the Paine river. We will discover
great landscapes and take time to watch and learn about the fauna
and flora. We circle the cordillera north wise and we reach the great
Dickson Lake where we overnight in the Dickson Refuge. (B,L,D) |
| |
| Note:
From day 3 to day 7 we don't have any support during trekking, people
have to carry the own backpacker with personal gear: clothes, sleeping
bag and pad, day lunches from camp/refuge to camp/refuge. The guide
distributes the community food with clients. We use camp or refuge,
either depending on size of group. Tents are provided from camp to
camp. Please select your personal gear before to leave Puerto Natales
for trekking, in order to carry no more than 15 kg. on your backpacker.
|
| |
| DAY 04 DICKSON
LAKE - LOS PERROS CAMP (4 to 5h) |
| A long
walk up awaits us along the Perros River. We set up our camp close
to the river. (B,L,D) |
| DAY 05 LOS
PERROS - PASO JOHN GADNER (1241m) - GREY GLACIER (8 to 10h) |
| We keep
going to the most impressive part of our trek. We walk down the moraines
located at the foot of the Grey glacier and of the fascinating granite
peaks. We cross the John Gadner pass and enjoy a spectacular view
on the tremendous ice mass of the Continental Ice Fields (Hielos Continentales).
We walk down on a trail that borders the Grey glacier. Grey Refuge
or camp near to the eternal ice. (B, L, D) |
| DAY 06 GREY
GLACIER - PEHOE LAKE (5h) |
| We walk
alongside Grey lagoon. We enjoy fantastic views on the Paine Grande
peak and the Grey. We set up our next camp on the shores of the beautiful
Pehoe Lake. (B,L,D) |
| DAY 07 PEHOE
LAKE - FRENCH VALLEY - CUERNOS REFUGE (8h) |
| Long hiking
towards the French Valley, to the feet of Mount Fortaleza with its
incredible granite towers. The Paine Grande reaches 3.248m, and still
fascinates entire generations of climbers. We trek to Cuernos refuge
where we spend the night. (B,L,D) |
| DAY
08 CUERNOS REFUGE - LAS TORRES CAMP (5h) |
| Trekking
along the Nordenskjold Lake to reach camping Las Torres where we spend
the last night of the circuit. Today we meet our vehicle again. (B,L,D) |
| DAY 09 LAS
TORRES - TORRES DEL PAINE - PUERTO NATALES (8h) |
| Full day
hike to the feet of the Torres del Paine, granite pinnacles with more
than 1000m high. There is a beautiful lake on the tower's feet. Back
to camping Las Torres and transfer to Puerto Natales. Night accommodation
in a Hotel. (B,L,D) |
| DAY 10 PUERTO
NATALES - PUNTA ARENAS |
| Transfer
back to Punta Arenas airport. (B) |
| |
| Note:
Extension to Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina (TRKEXT002) is
available from day 10 for 6 days more ending in Punta Arenas on day
16, please ask for the itinerary. |
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Min. 2 people
|
US$ 2.010
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Single supplement
|
US$ 100
|
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| Note:
This program is also available as private trip from min. 2 people
for unscheduled departures at request. |
|
Month , 2006
|
Day
|
Month, 2007
|
Day
|
| September |
3
|
January |
21
|
| October |
1 & 22
|
February |
11
|
| November |
12
|
March |
11
|
| December |
3 & 31
|
April |
1
|
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INCLUDED :
- All night accommodations based on sharing room at Natales, refuges
or tents during trekking
- All meals in camp
Support land transportation from day 1 to day 2 & from day
8 to day 10
- Park and camping entrance fees
- Bilingual guides and camping staff (up to 6 people)
- Full camping gear for campsites, except for personal sleeping
bag and pad
- Personal gear and food is carry by each participant, there is
not a support transportation during circuit. Optional porters
can be provided upon request. Daily extra cost US$ 60 per each
20 kg. approximately.
|
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any kind of insurance (please bring your own)
- Tips and extra expenses out of program
- Domestic airfares and Hotel in Punta Arenas (both can be request
to book and quote).
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| QUALIFICATIONS:
The circuit trekking is generally easy but we do cover about 100
km. and some rugged trails with our guide and return to base camps
or refuges for meals and the night. Members are expected to be in
good physical condition. No special abilities are needed although
group members should realize that tempestuous weather is normal for
this region. |
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