W-trek Amazing Paine
Antares Patagonia - 6 days
-
Regular days with
- 0 - 10 km per day
Overview
> Paddle around icebergs in Lake Grey
> Ice Hike over a Glacier
> Experience Patagonia at its best
This version of the Valleys of the W is for those looking for a real adventure. Also, in the National Park Torres del Paine, this trek guides you through mountains, lakes, glaciers, and the most varied flora and fauna. What makes this trek stand out from the crowd is its more extreme approach: if you choose this route, you will be kayaking around icebergs that are floating in the lake and you will walk over the Grey glacier! Sounds good, doesn’t it? Come and join us in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Route
What’s the plan?
Day 1
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 trip program. (D)
Day 2
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, 19 KM). Lodging & dinner at refugio Nash. (B/L/D)
Day 3
Transfer to Pudeto, cross Pehoe lake by catamaran. Trek to the French Valley. This valley, 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 have two hiking options: 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. 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. If you take Plan B, you will have hiked for 5-6 hours and completed 16km. The options will depend on fitness level, timing and weather conditions.
Cross Pehoe lake by Catamaran, lodging and dinner at Nash Serrano Lodge. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Transfer to Pudeto, cross Pehoe lake by catamaran. Trek along enchanting Lake Grey (3-4 hours, 11 KM ) 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 (Paine is a Tehuelche Indian word for “blue”).
Short walk to Bigfoot Patagonia basecamp, located on the northeast coast of Lake Grey. 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. Now the tour really begins! 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. Dinner at Grey lodge, accommodation at lodge or camping. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Ice Hike: 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
Transfer to Punta Arenas. End of trip. (B))
What's included
Included:
√ Accommodation
Before and after the trek you will sleep at a comfortable hotel in Puerto Natales. During the trek, you will spend the night at the refugio Nash-Serrano.
√ Meals
All meals mentioned on the itinerary are included.
√ Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
All fees for the National park 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
The catamaran rides, boat rides, the kayak excursion, and the ice hike are included in the final price.
Not included:
× Airfare
The plane tickets to get to Punta Arenas are 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.
× Porter
On day 3 of the trip you will carry your backpack. If you would like a porter, there will be an extra cost of U$ 120 per day. Each porter can carry 15 kg max, which means that one porter can be used by two trekkers.
Accommodation
Accommodation
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.
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.
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