'W' MultiSport, an exciting version of the hike in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park
Duration: 9 days
4+ Travelers: $2,990 per person
3 Travelers: $3,105 per person
2 Travelers: $3,360 per person
This spectacular Patagonia tour is an exciting multi-sport version of our classic "W" hike in Chile's most beautiful national park, Torres del Paine. Sea kayak on emerald Serrano River with the breathtaking backdrop of Torres del Paine. Don crampons for a day of ice hiking on Grey glacier, and if you wish, try a bit of vertical ice climbing, safely accompanied by our expert ice-climbing guides. Top off these exhilarating Chile hiking experiences with visits to the rest of the park's highlights, the French valley and the Paine towers. This is an action-packed Patagonia tour filled with unforgettable views, mountains, rivers and glaciers. Plus you'll be staying at fully-equipped camping facilities in picturesque settings where delicious meals and wine are served in rustic Chilean refugios.
If a private departure to Patagonia better suits your schedule, please contact us regarding details and costs.
Itinerary Details for 'W' MultiSport Tour
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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
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Sea Kayaking on Rio Serrano
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Glacier Hiking on Grey glacier
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Navigate the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park on zodiacs
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Visit the Balmaceda, Serrano and Tyndall glaciers
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Cruise past the Balmaceda hanging glacier in a fjord of Last Hope Sound
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Sail to the face of Grey Glacier
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Spectacular views of the granite amphitheatre and the massive granite Towers on a hike to French valley
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Visit the fascinating burrowing Magellanic Penguins
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Observe guanacos, rheas, condors, and other wildlife
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Follow the gorgeous trail to the base of the Towers where you'll see emerald pools filled by hanging glaciers
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Exact schedule may vary, due to weather conditions and group skill levels.
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Day 1 (Fri) 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.
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Day 2 (Sat) PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO NATALES
View Puerto Natales accommodations picture gallery
In the morning the guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and you will drive to Otway Sound, where you'll observe the burrowing Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat. 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. Just a short walk from Puerto Natales, overnight at a local hotel and enjoy lovely views of Last Hope Sound and the Serrano Glacier in the distance. (B,D)
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Day 3 (Sun) LAST HOPE SOUND - LOS TORRES PARK - SERRANO RIVER
After a delicious breakfast, cruise a fjord to impressive Mt. Balmaceda where you'll take a short hike to the foot of the Serrano glacier and the shimmering glacial lake below. After lunch, cruise in a small zodiac boat up the Serrano River to explore expansive Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, passing the massive Tyndall glacier before arriving at famed Torres del Paine National Park, a highlight of your Patagonia tour. Tonight's accommodations are on the bank of the peaceful Serrano River with panoramic views of the Paine massif across the pampas. While your hearty dinner is prepared, stroll along the river or simply enjoy the view from camp with a glass of Chilean wine. (B,L,D)
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Day 4 (Mon) FULL DAY KAYAK FROM GREY LAKE TO GREY BRIDGE
You'll have a full-day's satisfying journey of Patagonia, sea kayaking through awe-inspiring scenery. After paddling around the icebergs in Grey Lake, you'll kayak down the Grey River through Margaritas canyon towards Mt. Donoso and pampa grande with the Paine massif always in view. Return to camp on the Serrano River for the night. (B,L,D)
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Day 5 (Tue) ICE HIKING ON GREY GLACIER - HIKE TO PEHOE
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
Grab your crampons and meet the local ice climbing guide for a short introduction to Patagonia glacier hiking. After practicing safety techniques in the morning, you'll spend the early morning on an exhilarating portion of your Patagonia tour exploring Grey glacier and its ice caves on foot, with plenty of time to stop for photos. Return to land via zodiac for a hike to Lake Pehoe. Tonight you'll dine in the refugio and sleep under the Patagonia stars at the campsite. (B,L,D)
Hiking Details:
6.1 mi; 500 ft elevation gain.
Ice Hike:
1-2 hours maximum over varied terrain
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Day 6 (Wed) PEHOE - FRENCH VALLEY - LOS CUERNOS
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
A day-long hike takes you through the French valley along the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. The natural granite amphitheatre and the peaks that comprise this enclosed valley will amaze you. Enjoy unique views of the Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro and Nordenskjold lakes below. Make camp for the night at the Cuernos refuge below the majestic Horns of Paine, dining in the refugio. (B,L,D)
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 7 (Thu) CUERNOS - LAS TORRES
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
Today's travels continue towards Torres del Paine, the three granite spires that give the park its name. Hike the rolling foothills of the Cuernos along the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold. If you have the constitution for it, take an invigorating swim in the frigid waters, a truly memorable experience on any Chile tour. You'll spend the night at the fully-outfitted Las Torres campsite. (B,L,D)
Hiking Details:
7.8 mi; 200 ft elevation gain.
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Day 8 (Fri) TOWERS HIKE
Classic 'W' Hike picture gallery
Today is the most difficult hike of this Patagonia tour, trekking all the way to the base of Torres del Paine, but the view makes it all worthwhile. Climbing up the Ascending valley, you'll hike through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the Towers where a steep climb leads to one of the park's most spectacular vistas. Weather permitting, you'll enjoy a last picnic lunch at this incredibly scenic spot with the lowlands stretching out below. Return to camp for the last night, where a well-deserved dinner awaits. (B,L,D)
Hiking Details:
10.8 mi (17.4 km) 2,680 ft elevation gain.
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Day 9 (Sat) TOWERS - PUNTA ARENAS
Pack early in the morning and return to Puerto Natales for some last-minute shopping before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago and your connecting international flight home, with stories of your unforgettable Patagonia tour. (B)
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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More information about Traveling in Patagonia
Itinerary Map
CONTACT A BOOKING AGENT
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
October
10-18
November
7-15
December
12-20
2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
January
9-17
February
6-14
March
6-14
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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- Sea kayaks and all gear needed / Sea kayak guide
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- Glacier hike and all gear needed / Glacier hike guide
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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 $275 (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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'W' MultiSport:
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2 nights hotel
6 nights camping
(Eureka 3 person tents for 2)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $410
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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
)
Duration: 9 days)
You'll have a full-day's satisfying journey of Patagonia, sea kayaking through awe-inspiring scenery. After paddling around the icebergs in Grey Lake, you'll kayak down the Grey River through Margaritas canyon towards Mt. Donoso and pampa grande with the Paine massif always in view. Return to camp on the Serrano River for the night. (B,L,D)
)
Grab your crampons and meet the local ice climbing guide for a short introduction to Patagonia glacier hiking. After practicing safety techniques in the morning, you'll spend the early morning on an exhilarating portion of your Patagonia tour exploring Grey glacier and its ice caves on foot, with plenty of time to stop for photos. Return to land via zodiac for a hike to Lake Pehoe. Tonight you'll dine in the refugio and sleep under the Patagonia stars at the campsite. (B,L,D)
)
A day-long hike takes you through the French valley along the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. The natural granite amphitheatre and the peaks that comprise this enclosed valley will amaze you. Enjoy unique views of the Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro and Nordenskjold lakes below. Make camp for the night at the Cuernos refuge below the majestic Horns of Paine, dining in the refugio. (B,L,D)
)
Today's travels continue towards Torres del Paine, the three granite spires that give the park its name. Hike the rolling foothills of the Cuernos along the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold. If you have the constitution for it, take an invigorating swim in the frigid waters, a truly memorable experience on any Chile tour. You'll spend the night at the fully-outfitted Las Torres campsite. (B,L,D)
