Trek the Torres del Paine
About this Adventure
Fact File:
Duration: 7 days
Price: 1,414 GBP
Hike up into the heart of the Paine Massif, walk along the shores of Lake Pehoe and enjoy a boat ride to the blue face of the Grey Glacier.
The Torres de Paine National Park is a sprawling expanse of land including mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. In other words, it’s a great place to explore, and trek through if you’re in search of a great adventure.
Located between the Patagonian Steppes and the Magellanic subpolar forest this is an area which has been blessed with amazing natural beauty but even in this background the Torres del Paine Massif itself stands out as particularly spectacular. The huge silver-grey peaks jut upwards from the landscape and on clears create a breath-taking frame for the cobalt blue skies.
However, if it’s sheer out-of-this-world scenery you are looking for then the boat ride to the Grey Glacier is what makes this trip stand out. As you rest your legs from the hiking you travel towards an amazing icy-blue landscape which extends for miles. This glacier is so enormous that it can even be seen from space.
The treks other highlights are the trek up the French Valley which leads into the heart of the Massif and the most famous walk of all, the hike to the Torres base where you will be surrounded and dwarfed by three huge granite monoliths.
For more information please continue for the itinerary:
Day 1 – Monday, the Patagonic Adventure Starts…
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
The trip starts in Punta Arenas city during the morning either at your hotel or at the airport. From Punta Arenas you drive to Cascada EcoCamp located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. During summer the sun sets around 11 pm, so as you drive in you’ll have plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanaco and snow-peaked mountain horizon. Before arriving though, there are a couple stops. One is at Puerto Natales, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza – “Last Hope Sound”. You are invited to check out the town, leave any luggage you will not need for the trek in our office, and finally enjoy a hearty lunch with delicious local food. The other stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890s. The surrounding area is very scenic with plenty of wild birds to be seen. The day ends with an overnight stay at the EcoCamp in Las Torres.
Day 2 – Tuesday, Warming up in Los Cuernos
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
You start your adventure in the park with a pleasant walk through the curly Cuernos trail located beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this ‘appetizer walk’ you’ll take in the park’s charming flora and fauna, its strong wind and the curious four-seasons weather that will accompany you for the next days. As you make your way along the trail you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns which crown the center of the Massif. You’ll stop to get some great first shots of the park and also enjoy a delicious packed. The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refuge by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. The evening is left free to enjoy dinner and share experiences.
Day 3 – Wednesday, Stepping into the Paine Massif’s Heart: Valle Frances
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
After breakfast, you’ll begin a challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep you go depends on the groups’ rhythm. An active walk leads you to the hanging bridge over the French River, at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif. From this point, you can enjoy your first truly wonderful view and then continue up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the valley. The entire group of geological formations of the high valley can be admired here: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). Then it’s time to have a picnic and recover from the walk. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well. Next, you’ll descend through an undulating terrain of grassland and forest until you reach the Refugio Paine Grande, on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. Finally, upon reaching the Refugio, the luggage is organized and there is time to talk about the day while you enjoy a replenishing dinner.
Day 4 – Thursday, Torres del Paine’s Big Daddy is on the Way: Glacier Grey!
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Today you’ll hike from Paine Grande Lodge along the shores of mountain-lined Lake Pehoe to the northern end of glacial Lake Grey. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails to the blue face of Glacier Grey. You’ll have lots of time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat ride across Lake Grey with its floating pieces of ice. From Lake Grey’s southern end you’ll transfer to the EcoCamp. If the weather conditions do not allow you to navigate Lake Grey, you’ll instead hike to Glacier Grey. Then at Pudeto you’ll board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there, you’ll take a short drive back to Cascada EcoCamp.
Day 5 – Friday, the Great Challenge: The Mighty Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine NP, Chile
Your goal today is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll walk from the campsite towards Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed along the scenic walk into the valley. It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before your face-to-face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with an adequate amount of precaution. After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before you with the glacial lake visible below. The famous Torres del Paine consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After lunch, once everyone is ready, you’ll backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to the EcoCamp.
Day 6 – Saturday, Soft Day in the Eastern Lakes
Torres del Paine NP, Chile
You’ll hike to the Laguna Azul lookout where you’ll have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. Continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the lake’s shores where guanacos are often seen. Later on, you’ll trek to Paso Las Corneas with spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, you can also hike to the Toro lookout point that offers more soul-candy scenery – Lago Toro and the pampa, or steppe. Upon returning to the Ecocamp, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 7 – Sunday, Adios Torres del Paine!
Punta Arenas, Chile
You board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago.
For more details or to book this trek contact Tourdust.
