Torres Del Paine National Park - Tourist

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas and take a taxi to the joining hotel. Take the time to enjoy the city as there are no planned activities. Attend a pre-departure group meeting to go over the last-minute details with your local guide. Overnight in Punta Arenas.One of the southernmost cities on Earth, Punta Arenas overlooks the Straits of Magellan. Punta Arenas is situated among one of the world's historic trade routes, its prosperity has risen and fallen with that of trade. Punta Arenas enjoyed its first great boom during the California Gold Rush, when it served as a haven for great clipper ships. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Punta Arenas is also the entry point for excursions to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Day 2 Punta Arenas / Puerto Natales / Torres Del Paine National Park

Transfer to Puerto Natales, a three-hour drive through the Patagonian pampa. Stop for lunch before continuing onwards to Torres Del Paine National Park (two hours). Enroute, stop in Cerro Castillo, the principal site of wool and meat exportation to Europe during the 1960s. Arrive at Torres del Paine. Trek for 1.5 hours to reach Refugio Chileno, located at Ascencio Valley. Eat dinner and spend the night in a mountain lodge.Torres del Paine National Park is by far one of the most spectacular national parks in the world. This World Biosphere Reserve is home to 935 square miles of glaciers, granite pillars, cascading waterfalls, dense forests and an abundance of ecosystems. Torres del Paine ranks among South America's most popular and diverse national parks.

Day 3 Torres Del Paine National Park

Wake early to begin the trek to the base of The Towers (4-5 hours roundtrip), a spectacular hike to view the three pink granite towers that made the park famous. Try trekking to the unknown Silence Valley (another 3 hours of trekking) as one of our option activities. Sleep and eat at the Refugio Chileno, situated in the Ascencio Valley.The granite Towers of Paine make a sudden and dramatic appearance on the horizon in the midst of a flat, dry and wind-swept plain. Despite the almost constant summer winds, this is some of the finest trekking country in Chile. Endowed with severe mountains, sparkling lakes, waterfalls and glaciers, as well as herds of guanacos, majestic condors, flocks of pink flamingos and large Patagonian hares, the park’s international attraction is immediately evident.Within Torres del Paine you'll see foliage typical of the Patagonia steppe as well as mountain forest. Trails to Refuge Grey, up the French Valley, and to the Torres lookout cut through forests of lenga and coihue, both varieties of Southern beech, or (nothofagus). The lenga, which grows closer to sea level, is usually tall and skinny, reaching for sunlight. The coihue grows at higher elevations and has a stubbier, thick trunk. In craggy, high-elevation areas the more shrubby ñirre can be found. The ñirre and lenga burst into shows of brilliant red in the autumn months. Closer to the ground, a variety of shrubs grow, including the calafate. This thorny bush produces a tasty violet-blue berry. Local folklore cites that anyone who eats the berries will most likely return to Patagonia. Other hip-to-foot high bushes include the Notro, with long, slender leaves and flowers that look like red fireworks. Upon arriving in the park, you'll most likely be greeted by a herd of guanaco. These camelid creatures are of medium height with amber coloured fur and are related to the northerly vicuña and alpaca. They were once decimated by hunters trying to clear them from the land used for sheep herding. Today they thrive within the protection of this park. They are accustomed to traffic and humans, and can be slow to move off the road to let you pass, but take advantage - a favourite photo-op is of these beasts with the looming Torres in the background. Get too close to a guanaco and it will pull its lips back and get ready to hiss at you. We suggest moving away before it spits.Also found on the Patagonia steppe is the flightless ñandu (rhea or avestruz), a type of ostrich, although shorter and with grey-brown plumage. They are most often found on the exposed steppe and can be spotted near Laguna Azul. Keep an eye out also for the grey fox (zorro gris), a small, attractive and seemingly fearless fox that has become too accustomed to handouts from hikers. It also feeds on hares, which arrived here from Europe on cargo ships and are now easily spotted, especially at night. One animal you probably won't see is a puma. These stealthy cats live in all sorts of areas, from the protective rock of the mountains to the spread of the plains. They are most active at night and prey on guanaco. If you do see one of these light-brown cats consider yourself extremely lucky!The most prolific wildlife in the park, however, is bird life. On the lakes, look for black-necked swans (cisnes cuello negro) and upland geese (caiquenes). In shallower marshland, flocks of flamingo can strike a startling pink impression. The majestic Andean condor soars in the heights of the park. One of the largest birds in the Western Hemisphere, the condor is easily identified by its black back, white collar, and finger like feathers at the end of their wings.Weather in Patagonia is an important factor to consider. Remember that strong winds, rains and snow characterize this region. Winds blow from the northeast and the Pacific, crossing the southern Patagonian ice fields and forming continuous clouds that can result in nasty storms. Lenticular clouds will announce strong winds coming. Days can range from sunny temperatures of 70F/21°C to rain, hail and even snow. Please come prepared for all possibilities. Nighttime temperatures often drop to 40F/4°C. In higher altitudes during the trek, you can expect cooler temperatures at 60F/16°C.

Day 4 Torres Del Paine National Park

Travel by van through the national park, taking the time to stop at the Salto Grande waterfall. Cross Lake Pehoe by catamaran (30 minutes) in the afternoon. Trek to Glacier Grey (6 hours roundtrip), one of the most beautiful glaciers of the Patagonian ice field. Return to Lake Pehoe. Eat and sleep at a refuge or at Camp Pehoe.

Day 5 Torres Del Paine / Punta Arenas

Cross Lake Pehoe by catamaran in the morning. Return to Puerto Natales and continue onwards to Punta Arenas. Overnight in Punta Arenas.

Trip Details

Accommodation	5 nights Refuge/Camping
Brochure Notes	Minimum 2 people
Departure	Daily (Oct-May)
Group Size	Minimum 2
Included Highlights	5 nights Refuge/Camping, All meals while in Torres Del Paine
Meals Included	All Meals while in Torres Del Paine
Recommendation	Check out Glacier National Park while you're at it - see code AGX.
StartFinish	ex Punta Arenas
Testimonial	"The guide was fantastic, and really dedicated himself to the program. It was my first trip to South America, and I couldn't have had a better time." - Laura Zirino travelled on Torres del Paine National Park
Transport	Bus or Van, Catamaran
Brochure Intro	Experience the stunning Patagonian scenery and great hiking of this World Biosphere Reserve, offering more than 200km of trails for the adventurous traveller.

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