Torres del Paine Explorer
- 10 Days
- Departure/Arrival:
- Punta Arenas, Chile - Punta Arenas, Chile
- Voyage code:
- TOR16
- Voyage type:
-
Trekking
- Price:
-
from USD $5,145.00/pp
Immerse yourself in the treasures of Chilean Patagonia. Discover the dramatic alpine scenery and fascinating wildlife of the Torres del Paine National Park with four full days of hiking with your local guide. Ascend through the Ascencio Valley along the renowned W Trail and take in the stunning views on the lesser-known Lazo-Weber trail. Keep your eyes peeled for Andean condors, rheas, flamingos and guanacos.
LEVEL 2 – Moderate Hiking Style
Some difficult terrain. Multiple consecutive +5 hour hiking days. May be impacted by high altitude. Good fitness, health and hiking experience necessary.
Highlights
- Experience the exquisite Ascencio Valley on the W Trail, up to the soaring granite Towers of Paine
- Trek beautiful trails in the French Valley and Villa Serrano
- Be mesmerised by azure lakes and vibrant alpine tarns
Gallery
In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Punta Arenas
On arrival into Punta Arenas, make your own way to the group hotel (details will be provided in your final documents). This township, founded in the 1849, is the gateway to the Straits of Magellan and is the southernmost large city in the world. The day is at your leisure to explore the town before an afternoon briefing to meet your guide and learn more about your upcoming adventure.
Overnight Punta Arenas – Hotel Cabo de Hornos or similar (D)
Day 2 Drive to Puerto Natales
This morning after breakfast, we drive across the pampas to Puerto Natales. Set on the shores of Seno Última Esperanza Sound, this city is the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. The afternoon is at your leisure and this evening you may like to sample king crab in one of the local seafood restaurants.
Overnight Puerto Natales. (B)
Day 3 Balmaceda Glacier and Serrano River
We leave Puerto Natales in the morning and journey towards Torres Del Paine National Park and its fabulous scenery. We board a shared boat and travel down the Last Hope fjord, stopping at the Balmaceda Glacier en-route. We then change onto Zodiacs and continue along the Serrano River before reaching the southern part of Torres del Paine National Park.
Overnight in Villa Serrano. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Lazo - Weber Trail
We plan to enjoy daily treks and experience the best of the southern part of the park. We spend time exploring the spectacular trek along the Lazo-Weber trail. We’ll enjoy private transfer by bus at the start and end of our trek and spend the night unwinding in our comfortable lodges.
KEY TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS:
LAZO – WEBER TREK
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 6 hours
Distance to cover: Approx 13 km (8 miles)
Elevation gain: Approx 290 metres (952 feet)
Description: We will start our hike near the Laguna Verde area and wind our way up through Lenga forests towards the Paine Massif, hiking through the valleys and canyons where you will have many opportunities to observe local wildlife. Along the trek, you will pass Onda lagoon with stunning views over Baguales mountain range and the ever-imposing Cuernos del Paine. After stopping for lunch at a scenic spot amidst the amazing landscape, continue on through the Ciervos Lagoon and reach the Toro lookout where you’ll have an incredible view of Lake Toro, the Paine river, Serrano Valley, Mount Balmaceda, the Geike and Tyndall glaciers and the southern Patagonian ice field.
Overnight Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)
Days 5-8 Torres del Paine National including some W Trails
Over the next few days we plan to take on some of the highlights of the national park’s parts, including treks along the ‘W’ trail to base of the impressive Torres del Paine and the French Valley. We’ll also enjoy spectacular walks to Mirador Cuernos, Paine River, Lago Nordenskjöld, Sarmiento Lake and more. To reach some of the trails we’ll enjoy again private transfer by bus or shared boat cruise. There will also be plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching, offering a good opportunity for close encounters with condors, as well as keeping our eyes peeled for guanacos, rheas, flamingos and perhaps even the elusive Patagonian puma!
KEY TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS:
LAS TORRES BASE
Difficulty: Medium/High
Duration: 7 hours
Distance to cover: Approx 20 km (12.5 miles)
Elevation gain: Approx 900 metres (2,953 feet)
Description: You will explore the Ascencio Valley, walking through a beautiful Lenga forest and getting up close to the astounding Torres del Paine viewpoint. Throughout the trek you will walk through forests, streams and glacier moraines.
VALLE FRANCES
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 8 hours
Distance to cover: Approx 16 km (10 miles)
Elevation gain: Approx 230 metres (755 feet)
Description: Sail across Pehoé Lake to reach the start of your next trek. The French Valley trail is a beautiful trail, with some open areas and some others surrounded by dense forest and native bushes that will take us to the Italian camp. From within the valley, you will be able to observe the Glacier del Francés and the amphitheatre of granite peaks that frame the area.
Nights 5-7 Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Overnight Puerto Natales. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Drive Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Today we drive along the Patagonian steppes, with spectacular views of the Andes, to arrive in Punta Arenas. Tonight, we share a final group dinner together.
Overnight Punta Arenas – Hotel Cabo de Hornos or similar (B,D)
Day 10 Punta Arenas
Today your trek will end in Punta Arenas, where you can continue your adventure at your own arrangement. (B)
Inclusions
- 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 8 dinners
- Standard to Superior hotel and lodge accommodation throughout
- Private transport
- All guide fees and National Park entrance costs
- English-speaking local guides
- Trip accompanied by Aurora Expeditions trek leader
- Complimentary Aurora Expeditions stainless steel water bottle (received at the start of the trek)
Exclusions
- International or domestic flights, unless specified
- Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Passport, visa, reciprocity fees and vaccination charges
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
- Optional activity surcharges
- All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Cabins & Prices
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*Terms & Conditions apply. Valid on select ship voyages only. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle which must be booked and deposited by May 31, 2023. Promotion is subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with the back to back voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The promotion can be withdrawn at any time and is not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. To confirm your booking, a completed booking form and non-refundable deposit of $2,500 pp in the booking currency is required within 7 days of reserved berth/s. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please see full terms and conditions.
^Terms & Conditions apply. Additional 5% discount valid on both voyages but two voyages must connect back to back in terms of dates to be eligible. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle. Promotions are subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with early bird voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The offer can be withdrawn at any time and are not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. Please see full terms and conditions.