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Torres Del Paine 'W' Hike, our eight-day version of the famous Torres del Paine hike
Get used to straining your neck as you look up at the awesome sights hiking around Torres del Paine
Duration: 8 days
4+ Travelers: $2,510 per person
3 Travelers: $2,600 per person
2 Travelers: $2,760 per person
This popular eight-day Patagonia tour is our version of the famous 'W' hike in Chile's premier national park, Torres del Paine. By boat you'll visit Last Hope Sound, the Serrano River, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park and Grey glacier before making an exciting trek through the highlights of Torres del Paine National Park. Travel highlights include Lake Pehoe, the beautiful French valley and the three soaring granite towers that give the park its name.
If you'd prefer a private departure to Patagonia, please contact us for details and costs.
Torres Del Paine 'W' Hike Itinerary Details
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PATAGONIA TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
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Navigate the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park on zodiac boats
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Visit the Balmaceda, Serrano and Tyndall glaciers
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Cruise up the fjord of Last Hope Sound past the Balmaceda hanging glacier
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Sail to the face of Grey Glacier
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Hike to the French Valley, a spectacular granite amphitheatre and the famed granite monolith Towers
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Observe a colony the fascinating burrowing Magellanic penguins
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See guanacos, rheas, condors, and other wildlife
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Follow the scenic trail to the base of the Towers and see emerald pools filled by hanging glaciers
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Due to weather conditions and group skill level, exact schedule may vary.
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Day 1 (Sat) ARRIVE PUNTA ARENAS (Via Santiago, Chile)
View Punta Arenas accommodations picture gallery
Your Patagonia tour adventure kicks off with arrival at Punta Arenas airport where you will transfer on your own to your hotel. Overnight.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Sun) PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO NATALES
View Puerto Natales accommodations picture gallery
In the morning the guide will pick you up at your hotel and you will drive to Otway Sound, home to a charming colony of Magallenic Penguins. After observing and photographing these intriguing creatures, continue across the Patagonian Steppe to Puerto Natales, along the beautiful Last Hope Sound. Spend the evening exploring the waterfront and enjoy dinner at one of the fine restaurants in town. Overnight at a local hotel in Puerto Natales. Dinner included, excluding wine/drinks. (D)
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Day 3 (Mon) LAGUNA VERDE HIKE - SERRANO RIVER
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
After a delicious breakfast, your travel in Patagonia continues by private van towards the famed peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. The route travels around Lake Sarmiento with the towering Paine Horns in view. Today's Patagonia tours begin with a trek along the shores of Laguna Verde through ancient southern beech forests towards the Sierra del Toro. After a few hours of classic Patagonia hiking, you ascend to the viewpoint of Mirador del Toro. Here your view takes in the magnificent Torres del Paine peaks and the lakes and waterways that flow through the pampas below. After stopping to take some photographs, you'll start the steep descent of the Sierra del Toro. You'll enjoy lunch in the valley before visiting the park headquarters and visitor's center where your guide will explain more of the park's history and show you maps of your upcoming Patagonia hiking. You'll then travel the short distance to tonight's campsite on the peaceful Serrano River. The beautiful setting provides a full view of the entire Paine massif across the pampas. While guests are awaiting dinner, there will be opportunities for fishing and/or walks. For early risers, this is the place to see some of the most spectacular sunrises in Patagonia. (B,L,D)
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Day 4 (Tue) GREY GLACIER - PEHOE LAKE - FRENCH VALLEY - CAMP ITALIANO
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
Today we will pack our lunches and transfer to Lago Grey where we will walk along the shores of these grey waters and admire the miracles of nature as turquoise icebergs are seen floating in the lake. The huge mass of white behind the icebergs is Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine. After our walk we will board the new Grey II launch and set off into the iceberg choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier. The short boat trip will give us up close and personal views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of Paine Grande and surrounding mountains. The boat will get us fairly close to the glacier where we will disembark and continue up along the shores of Grey Lake to the Mirador on foot. One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, this climb up and out of the valley enjoys views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. We continue along the stunning blue water of Lago Pehoe to our destination and camp for the night in the beautiful French Valley at Camp Italiano. Rustic camp facilities with only pit toilettes. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
6.1 mi; 500 ft elevation gain.
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Day 5 (Wed) VALLE FRANCES - FRENCH GLACIER
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
Today we have all day to explore the remote French Valley up to the high country and the fantastic granite walls that enclose the valley. From these walls hangs the impressive French Glacier. Cascading avalanches of snow and ice is often seen and heard as we hike up the opposite side of the valley. On our full day of hiking we will enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks as well as the waterscapes below including lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. We return to Camp Italiano for the evening. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
13.2 mi/ 9.3 mi without reaching Britannica; 1,700 ft elevation gain reaching Camp Britannica /600 ft elevation gain without reaching Camp Britannica.
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Day 6 (Thu) LOS TORRES CAMP
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
This morning, hike along the rolling foothills of the Horns of Paine alongside the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold. If you are feeling especially adventurous, take a swim in the lake's frigid waters, refreshing yourself for the remainder of the hike that continues in the direction of the Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine), the three granite spires that give this park its name. Stay overnight at Las Torres, an organized campsite offering full facilities. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
7.8 mi; 200 ft elevation gain.
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Day 7 (Fri) ASCENCIO VALLEY - TOWERS OF PAINE
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
The most difficult hike of your Patagonia tour, today's route goes all the way up to the Torres del Paine, but the view is worth the hard work. Climbing up into the Ascending valley, you'll hike through beautiful old-growth beech forests just under the towers. A final steep climb over a rock moraine leads to one of the most spectacular views in the park. If the weather cooperates, you'll enjoy a last trail lunch from this memorable spot, with the lowlands stretching out below. Return to camp for a hearty dinner and a last night in paradise. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
10.8 mi; 2,680 ft elevation gain.
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Day 8 (Sat) PUNTA ARENAS
Pack up camp early and travel back to Punta Arenas airport for an early afternoon flight to Santiago, marking the end of Southern Explorations services on your tour of Chile. If time permits, along the way you may stop in Puerto Natales for some last minute shopping. Trip extensions or extra nights and tours in Santiago can also be arranged. (B)
View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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More information about Traveling in Patagonia
Itinerary Map
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2010 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Saturday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
Feb
13-20 6 spaces left
Mar
06-13 6 spaces left
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Professional, English-speaking local guides and camp staff
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- Meals as indicated
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- Plentiful, nutritious meals and snacks while on the trek (Vegetarian option available)
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- All hotel and camping accommodations (twin shared basis including continental breakfast)
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- All transfers in private van
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks, archaeological sites and boats
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- Eureka tents - three person / for 2 people max
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round-trip airfare USA / Santiago / USA
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- Airfare $360 (Santiago / Punta Arenas / Santiago), subject to change
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- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
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- Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise noted)
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- Sleeping bag, hiking boots and other personal gear
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- Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
PHYSICAL RATING
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Difficult - Strenuous
CHILE ACCOMMODATION
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Torres del Paine 'W' Hike:
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2 nights hotel
5 nights camping
(Eureka 3 person tents for 2)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $380
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
Today we will pack our lunches and transfer to Lago Grey where we will walk along the shores of these grey waters and admire the miracles of nature as turquoise icebergs are seen floating in the lake. The huge mass of white behind the icebergs is Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine. After our walk we will board the new Grey II launch and set off into the iceberg choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier. The short boat trip will give us up close and personal views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of Paine Grande and surrounding mountains. The boat will get us fairly close to the glacier where we will disembark and continue up along the shores of Grey Lake to the Mirador on foot. One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, this climb up and out of the valley enjoys views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. We continue along the stunning blue water of Lago Pehoe to our destination and camp for the night in the beautiful French Valley at Camp Italiano. Rustic camp facilities with only pit toilettes. (B,L,D)
This morning, hike along the rolling foothills of the Horns of Paine alongside the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold. If you are feeling especially adventurous, take a swim in the lake's frigid waters, refreshing yourself for the remainder of the hike that continues in the direction of the Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine), the three granite spires that give this park its name. Stay overnight at Las Torres, an organized campsite offering full facilities. (B,L,D)
The most difficult hike of your Patagonia tour, today's route goes all the way up to the Torres del Paine, but the view is worth the hard work. Climbing up into the Ascending valley, you'll hike through beautiful old-growth beech forests just under the towers. A final steep climb over a rock moraine leads to one of the most spectacular views in the park. If the weather cooperates, you'll enjoy a last trail lunch from this memorable spot, with the lowlands stretching out below. Return to camp for a hearty dinner and a last night in paradise. (B,L,D)
