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ITINERARY
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Departure/Return Dates: January Departure: $2,850 Note: The pricing for this adventure will be based on land cost starting in November 2007. Please see the updated itinerary. (We also offer a longer version of this adventure. See the Patagonia Hiking Adventure.) |
Sunrise at Torres del Paine |
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Day 1: Departure USA/Santiago Afternoon departure to Santiago. Day 2: Santiago/Punta Arenas Arrive in Santiago, where you will be met by your trip leader outside the customs area at the airport and continue together on your flight Punta Arenas, located on the northern shore of the Strait of Magellan (S 53° 9.6', W 70° 54.5'). Overnight in Punta Arenas. Overnight: Los Navegantes Hotel Day 3: Punta Arenas/Torres del Paine After a nice overnight rest, we drive north through the Patagonian rolling plains. Weather permitting, we plan a detour to visit a colony of Magellanic penguins in Otway Sound. We stop for lunch at the quaint town of Puerto Natales, situated on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), and then continue our drive to Torres del Paine National Park. As we approach the park along Laguna Amarga we will have our first views of the spectacular granite Towers of Paine. We will also enjoy likely sightings of herds of guanacos, flocks of pink flamingos, a variety of foxes, geese, ñandus (wild ostriches) and other wildlife. After entering the park, we get settled at refugio Torres. Overnight: Refugio Torres Driving distance: About 240 miles plus additional 40 miles to the rookery. Day 4: Torres del Paine - Hike to the towers After reviewing the day's route with our guide, we hike up the Ascencio Valley. We cross the river and continue uphill along a lenga and cypress trail. As we pass by campamento Chileno and the foot of Mt. Almirante Nieto, the trail follows a southern beech forest, finally reaching a moraine that takes us to the cirque below the famous Towers of Paine; Torre Sur (9,350’), Torre Central (9,186’) and Torre Norte (8,530’). Downhill back to the refugio. Overnight at refugio Torres. Overnight: Refugio Torres Day 5: Torres del Paine This morning we explore our surroundings and hike along the north shore of Lago Nordenskjold following the “W” circuit of the Park. Overnight at refugio Cuernos. Overnight: Refugio Cuernos Day 6: Torres del Paine - French Valley We hike west of Lago Scottsberg and follow a trail along rolling foothills arriving at the Italian camp. You will have views of the enormous horns Cuernos del Paine (7,217’, 7,874’ and 8,530’) on the east and the glaciated Cerro Paine Grande (10,006’) on the west, as well as Lago Nordenskjold and Lago Pehoé. Overnight at Paine Grande Mountain Lodge Refugio in Pehoé. Elevation: About 270'. Overnight: Paine Grande Lodge Day 7: Torres del Paine - Grey Lake & Glacier We hike toward Lago Grey and Glacier Grey - a 4 mile wide glacier originating in the Continental Ice Cap. As we hike along Lago Grey, we will see turquoise-colored icebergs blown to the opposite side of the lake by the strong winds. We hike to Grey glacier and return late in the afternoon. The hiking group overnights at Paine Grande Mountain Lodge Refugio in Pehoé. Overnight: Paine Grande Lodge Day 8: Torres del Paine/Puerto Natales We take a catamaran across Lago Pehoé and arrive at Refugio Pudeto where our vehicle is waiting for us. (Depending on wind conditions we may hike to the park headquarters). As we drive to the park entrance, we enjoy the best views of Lago Pehoé, Lago Nordenskjold and Lago Sarmiento as well as the Horns and Towers. Lunch and drive to Puerto Natales on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). Overnight in Puerto Natales. Overnight in Puerto Natales Day 9: Flight to Santiago/USA Morning transportation to Punta Arenas airport for your flight to Santiago and connection with the international flight back to the USA. Meals: B, L. Day 10: Morning arrival in the USA Please Note: A 18 day trip option is also available. The December Torres del Paine Hiking Adventure is held at the same time as the December Torres del Paine Running Adventure. It is possible for one person to participate in the Hiking Adventure and another in the Running Adventure. If you choose this option, you can sleep all nights at the same lodges, except for 3 nights on the Torres del Paine portion of the trip. There is no additional charge, as long as you let use know in advance. We can accommodate your choice! Check with us for details! Notes about Patagonia: • Weather in this region is wildly unpredictable and changeable. The itinerary is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules. • On some days we will be driving on dirt roads. • Due to the very short season in Patagonia, it is very difficult to get flight reservations on short notice. You must make your trip reservation in advance in order to assure space on the trip. |
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