Eco Camp “W” Trek (5D)
This Torres Del Paine “W” Trek (5 Day) tour is a shorter version of our 7 day “W” Eco Camp trekking tour that is set up for travelers with less time but is equally active. The Torres del Paine W trek tour includes the three most remarkable areas in the Torres del Paine National Park: Ascencio Valley, French Valley and Grey Glacier. This shorter “W” trek Patagonia tour option offers the same great scenery as the regular “W” trek, with accommodation in the Eco Camp domes and Refugios (park serviced accommodations with bathrooms/showers, restaurant & bar).
5 Day Short-W Trek – Temporary Modified Itinerary due to Park Fire (click to view)
Fixed Departures – Every Sunday (October to April)
Custom Group Departures – For non Sunday departures, contact us for availability and pricing
***For those who would like to extend their Patagonia trekking and camping adventure, please click on the Patagonia Circuit (9 Day) tour link.***
SPECIAL PRICES & DEPARTURES:
Reduced price for Shoulder Season Departures (Oct & Apr)
Specials good for new bookings only. Contact us for availability.
Itinerary
EcoCamp (5 Day) - Torres Del Paine "W" Trek
Sunday Departures
5 Day Trek - Temporary Modified Itinerary due to Park Fire (click to view)
DAY 1 (Sun) PUNTA ARENAS - ECOCAMP
Trekkers will need to arrive around noon (12PM) to Punta Arenas on the earliest morning flight from Santiago. From there, we will drive to EcoCamp (345 km/ 216 miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time (Dec-Mar), the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains as we enter the park. We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales to check out the town (here you have the chance to leave any luggage that you will not need during the trek in our office), and at the enormous Milodón Cave, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at EcoCamp in Las Torres. (L,D)
DAY 2 (Mon) ECOCAMP - FRENCH VALLEY - REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE
Transfer to Pudeto (45 min) to board the catamaran which crosses Lake Pehoe (9 am). Today our trek will start and end at Refugio Paine Grande, located in the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. We will explore the beautiful French Valley, (5 mi/8 km - 3hrs) arriving to the Italian Camp and continuing with a round trip to El Mirador (lookout point) (2 mi/3 km - 2hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. Retracing our steps out of the valley, we return to Refugio Paine Grande where we will overnight (your clothes and personal belongings needed for this night are transported separately in duffel bags we provide you with on Day 1). If Refugio is full, tents will be used. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 (Tue) PEHOE LAKE - GREY GLACIER - ECOCAMP
Hike about 4 hrs towards the impressive Grey Glacier at the northern shore of Grey Lake, the largest glacier in the park. At 4pm we board a boat which sails alongside the face of Glacier Grey. We will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat crosses Lago Grey (40 min.). On the southern side we disembark and drive (1.5 hrs) across the park spotting frequent guanaco herds beside the road. Return and overnight at comfortable EcoCamp. (B,L,D) If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we’ll instead hike to the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe.
DAY 4 (Wed) ECOCAMP - TOWERS OF PAINE
Our hiking itinerary for the day is the most famous trek in the park. From the EcoCamp we trek to the beginning of the trail up the Ascencio Valley. We will do an all day hike (6 mi/10 km, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine, where the towers rise majestically from the glacial lake at their base. The famous Torres del Paine (9.400ft/2.900m) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Once back at the EcoCamp, a farewell dinner is prepared with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Overnight EcoCamp. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 (Thu) ECOCAMP - PUNTA ARENAS
Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas Airport (arrive ~4 pm) on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago (End of Services). (B,L)
Time permitting we will make a short stop in Puerto Natales giving you an opportunity to purchase any souvenirs/books/postcards/etc. Trip Extensions or Extra Nights in Santiago can also be arranged.
KEY: (B)reakfast, (L)unch, (D)inner
REFUGIOS (MOUNTAIN HUTS): heated, with shared dining area, bunk rooms (4-6 passengers), toilet and showers facilities.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This adventure involves 5 days moderate to strenuous trekking/hiking. Trekking is generally moderate but we do cover some rugged trails. Good physical condition is required.
NOTE: 1) During shoulder season, months of October, November, 2nd half of March and April, boat schedules at Lago Grey and Pehoe change, slightly modifying our itineraries.
2) Accommodations in park are shared only. If Refugios are full, tents will be used.
Pricing and Details
PRICING & ADDITIONAL DETAILS
TRIP COST: per person
FIXED DEPARTURES: Every Sunday*
Eco Camp “W” Trek (5D)
$1495 - High Season (Nov 2011 - Mar 2012)
$ 210 - Optional Superior Dome Upgrade - High Season (2 person minimum / 1 bed)
$1060 - Shoulder Season (Oct 2011 & Apr 2012)
$ 145 - Optional Superior Dome Upgrade - Shoulder Season (2 person minimum / 1 bed)
$ 50 - Christmas Surcharge (Departures: Dec 25 & Jan 1)
Contact GSA for preferred date availability and detailed Trip Proposal.
Price includes: Bilingual naturalist guide (the guide will handle the first aid kit), All land transport during the itinerary (as noted), Park entrance fees, All accommodations as noted (on a twin share basis), Sleeping bags & pads at Refugios, All meals (as noted).
Not included: International or In-Country airfare*, Lunches and dinners in towns or cites (unless otherwise specified), Hiking boots and other personal gear, Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical, insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
*Quote for flights can be provided separately by our discount air partner.
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ACCOMMODATIONS
EcoCamp
Located in the heart of Torres del Paine, the EcoCamp consists of tented igloo-type domes built to minimize the environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting and maximum exposure to nature. There is electricity available for charging just camera batteries (voltage: 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, two round pins plug). Food at the EcoCamp has the same quality as the one you could have on a family dinner back home, this means it’s plenty and delicious!
Standard Domes at EcoCamp
For the trekking programs the accommodations at the standard domes are in a sharing basis only. There is not single accommodation availability unless a "forced" single accommodation is needed due to different gender single travelers not willing to share. Bathrooms are located in a single facility divided by gender and are shared by all the guests; they have showers with hot water.
Superior Domes at EcoCamp (Optional upgrade - 2 person minimum)
The superior domes are 23mt² / 250 ft² semi-spherical tented domes equipped with private bathrooms and a comfortable queen size bed. They also have an innovative compost device for generated waste and electric stove for heating the interior.
Refugios
These are typical mountain huts, open to the public that visits Torres del Paine. It has rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single, bunk type and we’ll provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don't need to bring a sleeping bag!). Bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water. The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area. Unlike the food served at the EcoCamp, the food at the refugios is cafeteria style, it’s simple food prepared for trekkers. If Refugio is full, tents will be prepared nearby for accommodations, with full access to Refugios services and meals.
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Scheduled Departures: Departures are setup to run with as few as 2 passengers (14 maximum per group). Scheduled Departures brings together singles and couples traveling from around the world into small groups to ensure that your trip won't be canceled due to lack of participation.
Group Size & Guiding Staff
8-12 travelers are the most typical group size plus guiding staff. Maximum is 14 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6
Transport
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. When we have only 2 to 4 people we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips you’ll share the vehicle with other EcoCamp guests joining other tours. On a private departure, the vehicle will be of your use exclusively, although limited to the given itinerary and time schedules; additionally arrival and departure transfers for private groups might be shared with other passengers following our environmental policy which impel our operations to keep the ecological impact as low as possible and thus avoiding to drive the same way at the same time with two half-empty vehicles.
Carbon Offset Program:
Go South Adventures is proud to promote the CarbonFund.org program - which gives all of us the ability to offset our carbon footprint both at home and while traveling on a Go South Adventure. Learn more at CarbonFund.org, where their motto is: "Reduce what you can. Offset what you can't".
