Criollo Expeditions
Patagonia Chile
Exciting, unique and unforgettable adventures
at the ends of the Earth!
Trip Type: Inn & Hut Price: 2-4 Travelers $2,750 US pp Trip Rating: Group Size: Gateway City: Santiago, Chile Gateway City Transfer: Upon arrival at the Punta Arenas Airport, a driver will meet you. If you arrive in Punta Arenas prior to Day 1, a transfer to area accommodations can be arranged for an additional cost. Meeting Time and Place: Trip Conclusion:
Trip Length:
9 days/8 nights
5-8 Travelers $2,575 US pp
Single Supplement: $80 beginning with; availability for Nights 1 and 8 only--not available at the refugios or Laguna Amarga
Moderate to Challenging
2 min/ 12 max
Day 1 in Punta Arenas at the airport. The driver or guide will meet you after your arrival at the airport at approximately 3:30 p.m. or, if you have arrived a day early, you can be picked up at your hotel.
Day 6 at the Punta Arenas Airport—do not schedule flights for any earlier than 3:00 p.m.
Activities:
Hike (7 days)
Ice Hide (1 Day)
Horse Ride (1/2 Day)
Trip Fees Include: Accommodations in itinerary (4 nights in hotels, 4 nights in refugios), most meals (breakfast Days 2 through 9, box lunches on Days 2 through 8; dinners on Days 2 through 8), a The World Outdoors T-shirt, bilingual guide, all ground transfers as stated in itinerary, all activities / services as listed in the itinerary, entrance fees to parks and attractions detailed in the itinerary, gratuities at hotels and restaurants.
Trip Fees Exclude: Airfares to, from and within Chile, travel insurance, beverages (bottled water, sodas and alcoholic beverages), dinners on Days 1, pre- and post-trip lodging, hotel miscellaneous expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), additional services not specified in the tour itinerary, gratuities at airports and gratuities to guides and drivers as deemed appropriate (10% recommended). Important note: U.S. citizens have to pay a $100 reciprocity tax (cash only in U.S. dollars; no credit cards or travelers checks accepted) upon entry into Chile. Citizens of other nations should check the current fee requirements. Also, an international airport tax of $26 has to be paid directly upon departure if not included in your ticket; please check with your ticket provider.
General Information, Questions & Answers Accommodations: Refugios offer dormitory style lodging where sleeping areas are shared by men and women.
Pillows and sleeping bags or bedding are NOT provided.
Separate bathrooms facilities are provided for men and women. Towels are not provided so you should bring one with you. Hotels are mid-level accommodations that have been selected for their comfort and convenient locations. Please bring a backpack with your necessary items for nights in the refugios. You will need to carry your own sleeping bag, pillow and personal items
Patagonia Hiker
Patagonia Chile is a land of myths and legends, with tremendous landscapes created by the forces of wind, ice, volcanic activity and time. Glaciers blanket entire mountain ranges with their icy blue stillness, patiently sculpting granite into magnificent stone structures. At the southernmost tip of Patagonia, lies one of South Americas’ most coveted treasures, the Torres del Paine National Park. The Park, also a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is one of the most photographed mountain ranges in the world, with its’ unique granite monoliths, hanging glaciers, old-growth forests, and deep valleys studded by turquoise, milky green and aquamarine lakes.
In the immediate vicinity of the Park, all of Earth’s eight biomes are represented; from the high Andean desert above tree-line where you might find ancient sea shells, smooth crystals and natural glass, to the flat golden pampas, to the marine ecosystems of the sounds and fjords. This is a paradise for more than 120 species of birds, including the largest in the world: the Andean Condor (9 foot wing span) and the uncanny Chilean Flamingo who inhabits the cold waters of Last Hope Sound year round.
The spirit of adventure is vibrant and alive around the Torres del Paine National Park, attracting hikers, climbers, kayakers and outdoors people from all walks of life, and all corners of the earth. The local people welcome travelers to experience their culture and landscape, and many foreign adventurers have become so captivated that they now call Puerto Natales home, adding to the eclectic demographic of the town. We invite you to experience the pure adventure of Patagonia. Strap on your hiking boots, for an unforgettable journey at the bottom of the earth. Immerse yourself in the unique culture created by the peoples that inhabit this incomparable landscape…. and forget about your day job, let Patagonia captivate you!
We recommend you take the morning flight out of Santiago, arriving in Punta Arenas in the early afternoon. Be sure to look out the airplane window, to catch a glimpse of the morning sun illuminating the glorious Andes Mountains. The view of immense craters, volcanoes, and glistening aquamarine glaciers from above is a rare and special treat. Your guide will meet you directly at the airport in Punta Arenas, to begin the 3 hour transfer in a large, comfortable bus to Puerto Natales, gateway city to the Torres del Paine National Park. Departing from Punta Arenas, you will wind around the shores of the Straight of Magellan, and see in the distance the mysterious land of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) named by Magellan himself for the plumes of smoke rising from the indigenous peoples fires. Marvel at the discovery of such a small, yet significant waterway at the ends of the earth. The stretch of highway from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is bordered by endless stretches of pampa, or grasslands. To the East, you will see the Darwinian Mountain Range, and on the West, flat grasslands all the way into Argentina, which are occasionally speckled with ñandu (a small, flightless ostrich-type bird). After making yourself comfortable in hotel in Puerto Natales, you will have plenty of time to wander around the city, before meeting your guide for a briefing and dinner at 9:00pm. In the "pueblo" you will find a variety of local restaurants, souvenir shops, grocery stores and pharmacies for any last minute supplies before you begin your hiking adventure. • Van Shuttle to Puerto Natales [3-4 hours, including stops for restroom and/ or snacks]
Day 1. Shuttle from Airport in Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, Hotel Francis Drake (56 61 411 553- Twin Share, Private Bath)
Day 2. Transfer from Puerto Natales to Rio Serrano, Catamaran cruise across Lake Grey, Ice Hike on Glacier Grey, Lodging in Refugio Grey(no telephone, call the Criollo Expeditions office at 56 985 284 225, shared baths, shared bunk rooms)
We will begin our first day of activity after great breakfast in our hotel, before boarding a private transfer at 8:00am and heading towards the infamous Torres del Paine National Park. The road out of town briefly follows Last Hope Sound, where you will delight in the abundance of Black Necked Swans, Oyster Catchers and other avian life, bobbing on the glassy waters. After a brief drive, we will stop to visit the Cave of the Milodon. The Milodon is an ancient big-foot like beast whose remains were found completely intact in the Puerto Natales area in the mid 1800’s. We may enter the giants cave, covered in stalactites and stalagmites and ponder at the life-sized recreation of the Milodon. When Magellan first skirted the shores of Last Hope Sound, and the rest of the Patagonia region, it was rumored that the land was inhabited by giant beasts, 7 feet tall, with doglike heads. There are several accounts of men aboard his ship, spotting the beasts and therefore the land was named "Patagonia", meaning land of the Big-Foot.
After leaving the lair of the Milodon, we will continue along a windy dirt road, through virgin forests and grassy meadows. This area is populated by puma and wild bulls, both of which are occasionally hunted by the local gauchos for meat and leather.
Suddenly, as the road takes a high curve, the Torres del Paine National Park will unfold before us with a spectacular view of the entire mountain range, with the immense Bull Lake in the foreground.
After enjoying a sack lunch on the banks of the Serrano River, we will meet our ice hiking guide and begin our orientation and safety training for the upcoming hike. After another transfer, we will arrive at Grey Lake to board a small, 150 foot catamaran cutting through the icy waters dotted with ice bergs, before arriving at the mouth of the glacier on the opposite side. With crampons and safety rope firmly intact, we will begin our ascent onto one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most important fresh water reserves. Turquoise blue crevasses drop away from slick ice sculptures, formed by the sun and wind, as the impossibly blue ice reflects the glinting rays of the sun. After a few hours on the glacier, we will return to our humble, yet clean and cozy accommodation at the base of the glacier, for dinner and discussion of the day’s adventure. You may even hear the resounding boom of a piece of glacier calving off into the water below!
-Private transfer from Puerto Natales to the Serrano River, Torres del Paine National Park (4 hours including stop at Milodon Cave)
-Hike on Glacier Grey (approximately 5 hours, including trip on catamaran and transfer, elevation changes are negligible) We will make a leisurely start on this morning, taking any great photo opportunities of the morning light across Grey Lake and Glacier Grey. After we pack our backpacks, we will begin our 4 hour hike along the banks of Grey Lake, to reach our evenings accommodation at Lake Pehoe. Patagonian fire bush paints the trail a brilliant red, as you follow the path through dense Nothofagus forests. The Nothofagus trees are known for their cryptic, gnarly formation which is simply an adaptation to the strong winds and harsh climate of Patagonia. Keep a lookout for one of the eight different orchid species that grow in this region of Patagonia. The tiny, delicate flowers are often found growing directly out of tree trunks. You may also see the extremely rare Huemul Deer a small and careful animal that is endemic to the Torres del Paine National Park, and is a resident of the Endangered Species List. The deer is oftentimes spotted by noiseless hikers in this area. Once we arrive to our lodge, we may unload our backpacks and continue on, for a 2 hour roundtrip hike to a beautiful lookout point, hanging over Lake Pehoe. Or, you may choose to relax in the lodge and prepare for the large hike on the following day. Upon it’s completion in 2004, Lodge Paine Grande became the newest and largest accommodation on the W Circuit, boasting a bar, internet and international telephone service, and a 60 person capacity. Rooms are dorm style, and bathrooms/ shower rooms are separate for men and women. -Hike to Lake Pehoe (4 hours, 6.6 miles, 300feet gain/loss elevation) -Hike to Lookout Pehoe (2 hours roundtrip, 4 miles, negligible elevation gain/loss) Day 4 Hike from Lake Pehoe to Refugio Los Cuernos, with side hike up the French Valley (56 61 220 174- phone number for office in Puerto Natales) Rising early, we will begin our hike below the 8,320 foot peak of Paine Grande, the highest formation in the National Park, and noted for its scoop shaped hanging glacier cradled between two peaks. Following the shores of Lake Scottsberg, the trail will gently rise and fall until we reach the French River. Here, we will cross a long, swinging bridge suspended over the raging, crystal blue waters to reach Campamento Italiano on the opposite shore. From here, our trail diverts to the North, slowly rising up the 4,000 foot deep French Valley. We will hike up and over the bolder strewn moraine, through the quiet forest, crossing many small creeks along the way. Halfway up the valley we will arrive at an incredible bowl shaped opening, adorned with hanging glaciers of all different shapes and sizes. Marvel at the beauty of this wonderful place and listen to the constant trickle of water liberated from thousands of years in ice. Searching the horizon above you may see a cloud of white dust, signifying an avalanche caused by a piece of ice breaking off. We will refuel with lunch at the lookout, enjoying the gorgeous view of Lake Nordenskjold and the rolling hills beyond. After hiking down from the French Valley, we will continue our path, winding under the impressive Cuernos (Horns) formation. The solid, granite structures rise to an elevation of between 7,040 feet and 8,300 feet and are topped by a solid black layer of sedimentary rock. As we hike through the sometimes thick underbrush and forests along Lake Nordenskjold, listen for the Magallanic Woodpecker, a delightful and rare little bird with a fire engine red plume sticking erect from the crown of its head. Also, you will hear the echoing boom of glaciers calving off into the French Valley at your back. After several more hours of hiking we will get to a non-technical river crossing before arriving at our evening mountain hut, rightfully named Los Cuernos. This hut sits nestled in the woods at the base of Cuerno East and Cuerno Principal, on the shores of the Lago Nordenskjold. After a hot shower, enjoy a pre-dinner game of cards, visit with other hikers or simply relax in the bunk style beds and reflect on your incredible day at the worlds end. -Hike from Lake Pehoe to Los Cuernos (5 hours, 8 miles, 200 feet elevation gain/ loss) -Hike up French Valley (3 hours roundtrip including lunch break, 5 miles, and 1,600feet elevation gain/loss) Day 5 Hiking from Los Cuernos to Refugio Chileno en the Ascencio Valley (56 61 360 36, office pone in Puerto Natales, bunk rooms and shared bath) Today we will wake up early for a more moderate, but equally beautiful hike into the Ascencio Valley. After passing the Bader Valley, carved by glaciers on the backside of Los Cuernos, we will follow the trail, named Los Cuernos Pass, skirting the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. As Los Cuernos disappear from sight at our backs, the rest of the Paine Massif will unfold before us, first with the unveiling of Almirente Nieto, the 8,538 foot peak capped with a large, turquoise glacier. Waterfalls are numerous along this path, as are "chaura" a small apple looking berry, loaded with protein, and fairly tasty. We will stop for lunch on the banks of Rio Ascencio, and may even have time for a small siesta if the weather is clear and warm. After lunch we will prepare for the long push up "Windy Pass" along the ridge of Ascencio River Gorge. This pass rises 1,280 feet in elevation over 2.5 miles and is treeless and bare. From the top of the pass, you will glimpse the Sierra Baguales (Wild Mountains) which mark the border between Chile and Argentina. Below stretches an expanse of valleys, rivers and lakes of every shade of blue. Once we round the pass, we will hike down a narrow trail of shale before crossing the Ascencio River to Refugio Chileno. This Refugio is constantly buzzing with hikers from around the world, preparing to ascend to the base of Las Torres, arguably the highlight of the entire W Trek. -Hike from Cuernos to Chileno (8 hours, 10 miles, 1,280 feet gain/loss in elevation) Day 6 Hiking to the base of the Torres in Torres del Paine National Park and Transfer to Lodging Laguna Amarga (www.refugiolagunaamarga.cl)
We will get started early in the day to beat the crowds of afternoon hikers, anxious for a view of the incredible Towers. Continuing up the Ascencio Valley, our path hugs the side of the river, winding through deep, old growth forests and frequently crossing streams of water originating from the waterfalls on the valley’s crest. After several hours of hiking, we will reach the bend in the trail that will lead us up to the base of Las Torres. This part of the hike is a heart pumping climb over large boulders, rising 1,200 feet in .5 miles! The fortitude pays off when we reach the top, and the magnificent granite monoliths appear, looming over a milky green lake. The three towers rise between 6,745 feet and 8,550 feet straight into the air, piercing the air with their craggily peaks. After lunch, and resting our legs with a siesta in the sun, we will return down the same path, through the Ascencio Valley. At the bottom of the Valley lies Hosteria Las Torres where you may choose to purchase a refreshing beverage before boarding our transfer for the 20 minute drive to our accommodation in Estancia Laguna Amarga. Alberque Laguna Amarga is a newly renovated accommodation (having opened its doors to the public in late 2007) and working estancia on the border of the Torres del Paine National Park. It boasts privileged views of the granite Towers and expanses of rolling pampa on the banks of the Paine River. The rooms are modest, with two to four beds, but the staff is friendly and welcoming and the views from the dining and livings rooms are incomparable.
(no telephone, call the Criollo Expeditions office at 56 985 284 225, shared baths, shared bunk rooms)
Day 3. Hiking from Lookout Grey/ Refugio Grey to Paine Grande Mountain Lodge (56 61 412 742; www.verticepatagonia.cl)
• Hiking [12 miles round trip, 8 to 9 hours; 2,300 feet of elevation gain / loss]
• Bus transfer from Hosteria Las Torres to Refugio Laguna Amarga, 20 minutes]
Day 7 Hiking in the Sierra Baguales, frontier of Chile, Refugio Laguna Amarga (no telephone- contact Criollo Expeditions office 569 85 284 225)
After the strenuous hike on Day 6, we will get a more relaxed start, beginning with a delicious breakfast, and packing a light backpack for a day hike in the Sierra Baguales. First we will transfer approximately 1.5 hours down the dirt road that accesses the Park, before turning to the East and arriving at the base of the mountains. This area is significantly different from the Torres del Paine, being a much older mountain range, divided up into private ranches, which are closed to the public. Due to the lack of developed trails, hiking without a guide is not advised. The Sierra Baguales (Wild Mountains) spread down from the glaciers of the Southern Ice Field, forming a spine of bizarre shaped peaks and ledges. Theories state that thousands of years ago, the first humans to reach Patagonia migrated down through South America and crossed over the Sierra Baguales into the Torres del Paine sector. The ancient Aonikink Indians revered the mountain range, believing it to be the graveyard for their gods. Several archaeological expeditions have been conducted in the area due to the relative abundance of artifacts found here. We ask that you please respect this sacred area and do not remove any objects.
We will begin our hike from approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, slowing climbing over rolling hills to reach a lookout on the top of Tetas las Chinas at approximately 6,500feet. From the top of these twin, pointed peaks, enjoy an awe inspiring view of the entire Torres del Paine National Park, and the W Circuit that we just completed. To the North you will see the tip of the Southern Ice Field, and to the South, the vast expanse of flat, earth toned pampas that stretch far into Argentina. On our hike back down the valley, try to spot one of the large rainbow trout that inhabit the icy subterranean streams which cut through the hills. Also, keep a look out for a variety of endemic bird species, which thrive in the seclusion of the Sierra Baguales. We will return to our lodging at Estancia Laguna Amarga. -Hiking Tetas las Chinas (6 hours to the summit, ~8 miles, 1,500 feet elevation gain/loss) -Transfer between Baguales and Laguna Amarga (3hours roundtrip) Puerto NatalesToday we will shift gears (and rest our l At Estancia Dos Elianas, we will be greeted personally by the owners Christian and Lorena. They will congenially give us a tour of their estancia and discuss the hardships and joys of raising animals in a harsh environment. We will then be shown the entire process of wool collection on an estancia. From when the working dogs drive the sheep into a large barn, divided with a maze of different stalls, to the selection of the sheep, the shearing and cleaning of wool, and the pressing into large bales. Next we will enjoy a demonstration of a typical Chilean rodeo, followed by various other estancia tasks. Your participation in each demonstration is encouraged, but not necessary. In the afternoon we will enjoy a good, hearty tea with delicacies hand prepared in the estancia kitchen. Delight your taste buds with fresh cheese, milk, sopapillas and bread, marmalades, dulce de leche and more. After tea, we will say goodbye to Christian and Lorena and begin our 1.5 hour transfer back to Puerto Natales. After a refreshing shower, meet with the guide and group for celebratory drinks and dinner while discussing the highlights of your unforgettable adventure together. Day 9 Morning transfer to airport in Punta Arenas
Day 8 Horseback Riding on Estancia Laguna Amarga, Estancia Demonstration, Hotel Francis Drake
egs) to experience what Patagonia culture is founded on…horseback riding. Taking advantage of the spectacular views from Estancia Laguna Amarga, you will embark on a 3 hour horseback ride with a private gaucho guide, descendent f the first pioneers of Patagonia, crossing the wide open spaces of the estancia. Your guide will relate the ancient and contemporary human history of the area as you arrive at cave paintings, untouched from the time of their creation. As you loop back towards the lodge, you will pass the incredible salt water lake Laguna Amarga (Bitter Lagoon). This lagoon has a high concentration of minerals (including salt and sulphur) resulting in an indescribable opaque- green color, with white crystal shores. Chilean flamingos are a common sight on the lake, giving the whole scene a surreal feeling. While on horseback you will have the freedom to look up and around and are sure to spot the Andean Condor, graceful and majestic in flight, and dreadful from the ground. You will also see several herds of guanaco with young, ñandu and possibly armadillo. After the horseback ride, we will hop in our private van and transfer approximately 1 hour to a neighboring estancia.