Paine & Fitz Roy

Route

What’s the plan?

DAY 1: PUERTO NATALES

Our guide will meet you at the Punta Arenas airport. Transfer to Puerto Natales, a three- hour drive through the Patagonian pampa. Lodging in Puerto Natales at Natalino hotel or similar. Welcome dinner and meeting to discuss the trip program. (D)

DAY 2: TORRES DEL PAINE

Transfer by van to Torres del Paine National Park. This is a two hour journey crossing the pampa Patagonica. Arrival at Torres del Paine. We will begin trekking to the Ascencio Valley where from above you see the river (of the same name) running wildly past refugio Chileno. After a quick stop here we will continue through a forest of the native Lenga (Beech) trees until reaching the glacial moraine. From here it’s a 1 hour trek to the top where the towers appear from nowhere! This trek is spectacular where you get to view the 3 pink granite towers with its glacial lake below that made the park famous. (7 hours round trip, 17 KM ). Lodging & dinner refugio Nash. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: FRENCH VALLEY

Transfer to Pudeto, cross Pehoe lake by catamaran. Trek to the French Valley. This valley is the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world. Its surrounded by hanging glaciers (where you can see & hear the ice calving off at various intervals) and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. There are amazing views throughout this trek and the further you trek into the valley the better they become! For this day we will have two hiking options as well: A consists in getting to further end of the trail, to the British Camp, this is all the way to the end of this natural congregation of mountains. If we reach this point, we will have completed 24km and 7-8 hours hiking. Plan B consists on reaching to the French Valley Main Lookout, from this point you can appreciate the whole natural amphitheater created by glaciers millions of years ago, it is absolutely breathtaking. B you will have hiked for 5-6 hours and completed 16km. The options will depend on fitness level, timing and weather conditions. On the return journey you will notice the extraordinary turquoise colour of Lake Pehoe. Cross Pehoe lake by Catamaran, lodging and dinner at Nash Serrano Lodge.

DAY 4: GREY GLACIER

We will travel by van through the national park, with a stop at the Salto Grande waterfall. Cross Lake Pehoe by catamaran. Four hours hiking along enchanting Lake Grey with magnificent views of Glacier Grey and floating icebergs. Visit to the glacier lookout point and to the lakeshore for up close views of vibrant-blue icebergs. Dinner at Grey Loge, night at Camping Grey. (B/L/D)

OPTIONAL PM – KAYAKING: (Not included in the price) 10 minutes walk to our Bigfoot basecamp, located on the northeast coast of Grey lake. Here our guides introduce us to the equipment needed for the tour and we will have a safety briefing. After this we will carry the kayaks approximately 20 meters to the lakes’ edge. We will be paddling around icebergs that are floating in the lake and afterwards we paddle towards the eastern side of the Grey Glacier to wonder at the spectacular scenery in this special place. If conditions permit, we can paddle closer to the glacier to get a really good view. After this, we will paddle back to the start point.

DAY 5: PUERTO NATALES

OPTIONAL AM – ICE HIKING: (Not included in the price)

After breakfast the guides will have an introductory chat explaining the route, the time the tour will take and also testing the equipment adjusting it correctly for each passenger. Then, we go in a zodiac boat for 15 minutes until we reach the west side of the Grey Glacier. On arrival we will disembark on the island at the glacier (nunatak) and we will walk on it for about an hour until we reach the ice. Before walking onto the glacier, the guide will talk to us about the safety aspects and techniques of displacement in the ice. Once the safety briefing is complete we will begin our exploration of the Grey Glacier which will last approximately 3 hours. During this time we will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons and tunnels with their different tones of blue. After 3 hours on the glacier, we return to the zodiac boat and ride back to the base camp.

After lunch navigate in Grey III catamaran. Two hours navigation in this magic lake surrounded by ice bergs where the boat does a circuit right up to the front of the glacier whilst you stand on deck sipping your pisco sour served with glacial ice! Transfer from Grey lake to Puerto Natales. Farewell dinner and night at Natalino hotel or similar. (B/L/D)

DAY 6: EL CALAFATE, PERITO MORENO

Breakfast and transfer to Puerto Natales bus station. Regular bus to El Calatate. Welcome at El Calafate bus terminal, short transfer to hotel. (Estimated time: 1.30pm)

Private tour to Perito Moreno glacier. Visit at the glacier walking through the footbridge having views from different points. (Estimated departure time: 3pm). Return to hotel. Free night. (B)

DAY 7: EL CHALTEN

8am public bus from El Calafate to El Chalten leaving from El Calafate bus terminal. After the arrival, we leave with our ground transportation to the starting point of the trek located 20 kms away from town to a natural reserve called Los Huemules. Here we have multiple options to trek one of the wildest and natural places outside of the national park. (B/L/D)

DAY 8: LAGUNA LOS TRES, FITZ ROY

After having breakfast at the dining room, we’ll leave in our private vehicle to Hosteria El Pilar located just a few kilometers away from the ECO camp. Once arrived, we start to walk on the trail to Poincenot camp thru a forest of “Lengas”, typical Patagonic tree, having the Blanco River on our right. During our way we do different stops to learn about the typical fauna and flora of our National Park. After an hour, we’ll stop at Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint where we’ll have the opportunity to take pictures and notice the trace left by this glacier during its setback along the last years.

Following our way to Poincenot camp we’ll have an excellent view of Fitz Roy’s massif to get even closer after we cross the Blanco river’s bridge heading the last part of this trail all the way up to De los Tres lake. At this point, we’ll take some time to have our lunch, take pictures and have some rest at the lake shore. After we recover from this last effort, we’ll begin our way down to Poincenot camp where we’ll enjoy some snacks while we wait for the dinner. During the night we’ll have dinner at our private dome including beverages and dessert. (B/L/D)

DAY 9: LAGUNA TORRE

We begin our day having a full breakfast at our private dome preparing for the second day of our itinerary. Once we’re ready, we got onto the trail towards the valley of Lake Mother and Daughter leaving the Fitz Roy massif behind us to our final destination the valley of Cerro Torre. During the trail we’ll have enough time to stop at the lakes to take some pictures of the area around and with some luck to a small colony of typical Patagonic gooses.

After this stop, we continue thru the trail towards Cerro Torre’s valley enjoying the emblematic Patagonian forest of Lengas and Ñires till the final part of our trek crossing an old moraine to face Lake Torre and Grande glacier. If the weather looks good, we could continue to the Maestri viewpoint, from where the famous Italian climber Cesare Maestri outlined his strategy to conquer Cerro Torre and having, at the same time, a closer view of Grande glacier.
Once we completed this traverse, we’ll return to town thru Cerro Torre valley along the Fitz Roy river till the classic viewpoint and then reaching a beautiful waterfall called Margarita closing our itinerary returning to El Chalten. (B/L/D)

DAY 10: PUNTA ARENAS

8am morning bus to El Calafate from El Chalten bus terminal. End of our services. (B)

What's included

Included:

√ Accommodation
During the trek, you will spend your nights in refugios, hotels and camping sites.

√ Meals
All meals mentioned on the itinerary are included.

√ Parks’ entrance fees
All fees for the National parks are covered.

√ Private guide
You will be accompanied by a professional guide at all times.

√ Private transportation
Al transportation mentioned on the itinerary is included.

√ Excursions
All excursions, except for the ice hike, are included. The ice hiking and kayaking in lake Grey are optional and can be paid separately.

Not included:

× Beverage during meals
The drinks are not included in the price, they must be paid separately.

× Travel insurance
Please take care of your own travel & health insurances. Be prepared.

× Tips and personal expenses
The tips for the guide and cook are not included, be generous. All personal expenses such as drinks at the bar, washing and other similar expenses are also for your own account.

Accommodation

Accommodation

During the trek, you will spend your nights in refugios, hotels and camping sites.

Refugio
Refugio Nash-Serrano has a capacity of 20 guests accommodated in 5 rooms with private bathroom. Sheets, blankets, and towels are provided. Sleeping bag is NOT required. On day 4 you may spend the night at a camping site.

Hotel
Lodging in Puerto Natales, before and after the trek, at Natalino hotel or similar.

Camping
Some nights you will spend on camping sites, like the Poincenot camp and the Camping Grey.

Packing list

Packing list

Trekking in Patagonia requires decent gear. Especially the basics like an 80-90l backpack and quality trekking socks. Here are some tipps:

Clothes
– Regular synthetic underwear
– Long thermal underwear bottoms
– Full length hiking pants
– Hiking shorts
– Long thermal underwear top
– Long-sleeved synthetic top
– Short-sleeved synthetic t-shirts
– Medium-weight fleece jacket
– Sun hat with brim
– Woolly hat
– Water and windproof parka jacket
– Waterproof gloves
– Synthetic hiking socks
– Sturdy and supportive waterproof trekking boots
– Sunglasses

Optional extras
– Bandana
– Waterproof pants
– Fleece pants for camp
– Athletics socks for camp and town
– Casual city clothes
– Casual shoes

Toiletries
– Toothpaste
– Toothbrush
– Soap
– Combined shampoo/conditioner
– Moisturiser
– Sunblock (SPF 15 or higher)
– High factor sunblock lip balm
– Insect repellent
– Travel towel
– Washcloth
– Comb
– Deodorant spray or wipes

Other extras
– Camera with spare memory
– Camera charger
– Phone
– Phone charger
– Electrical adapter
– Binoculars
– Mini sewing kit
– Book
– Pack of playing cards

FAQ

FAQ

What’s the best season for trekking in Torres del Paine?
You want nice weather when trekking in Torres del Paine National Park. At the park is situated in the Southern Hemisphere, one has to be mindful of the seasons there. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is actually summer in the deep South. Hence, the best trekking season for Torres del Paine National Park is during the summer months: From November to early March. However, Spring (September-November) are and Autumn (March-May) are also favorable trekking and hiking seasons, as the crowds are fewer and the natural scenery is colorful. Think fresh colors in Spring and stunning brown colors in the Fall months. Winter lasts from June to August and it is then that Torres del Paine National Park and the rest of Patagonia is quiet. At this time of the year, most attractions are closed for maintenance. Regardless of your choice in trekking season, make sure you bring enough layers for during your hike.

Training
Do you make it to your destinations as planned? Often this depends on the unpredictable weather in the mountains. However, it can also depend on your own physical condition.

Do you like walking, have you done trekking at an altitude more often and do you sport twice a week on average? With a little extra training, you’ll soon be ready for this beautiful trekking in Patagonia.

Is this the first time that you are trekking in the mountains? Make sure you are well prepared. This is important for your safety, but also for that of your team. Make sure you start six months in advance with an hour’s walk twice a week. Read this blog post and get fit for trekking in Patagonia

Antares Patagonia Adventure

Antares Patagonia Adventure

We began offering top class trekking programs in Torres del Paine, Calafate and Chalten since 1996. Our action center is located in the Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia. We offer different adventure programs that we combine trekking, ice hike, and kayaking in fjords and rivers.

Our trips are designed for travelers interested in activities and adventures that incorporate a strong concern of safety, with the use of high quality equipment and professional guides.

We strive for “ active contemplation “ of the nature that surrounds us.

Safety

Safety

Safety is of the utmost importance to us. That is why this is an area in which we simply do not compromise when it comes to keeping the cost of our trekkings low. Our guides have been selected on the basis of their technical competence, proven safety performance, impeccable judgment, friendly attitude and ability to provide useful and expert instructions. They are also very professional and well trained in first aid and personal protection equipment. First aid kits are available on all treks.

How to book

How does it work?

On Bookatrekking.com you can find and compare the adventures of your dreams. Is this trekking adventure your match? In that case you can proceed to booking. At Bookatrekking.com you make a deposit of 15% of the total amount. You pay the remaining amount on location prior to the trek directly to the trekking company.

Bookatrekking.com uses only the safest payment methods. Once your booking has been received, your place is reserved, your place is safe and you can look forward to your chosen trekking.

After you have made your booking, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with all necessary information and the contact details of the trekking company. If you have any questions or if you want to clarify something, you can obtain information directly from the right person. Of course, you can also always ask us your question. Send us an e-mail on support@bookatrekking.com.

The trekking company will also receive your details and can therefore always contact you and provide you with extra information.

Cancellation Policy

You wish you didn’t have to, but there is no other way: You find yourself having to cancel your plans. In this case, you lose your deposit, but since you haven’t paid the large sum yet, you at least save that. Please do let us know if you cannot make it. A no-show can be a small disaster for your trekking provider, who did its best to block your dates. View our complete cancellation policy here.