EcoCamp (5 Day) - Torres Del Paine "W" Trek
Sunday Departures

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 - PEHOE REFUGIO
Transfer to Pudeto (45 min) to board the catamaran which crosses Lake Pehoe (9 am).  Today our trek will start and end at Refugio Pehoe as we 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 Pehoe 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).  (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) Accommodations in park are shared only.  If Refugios are full, tents will be used. 2) 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

PRICING & ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Trip Cost: per person / 2 passenger minimum

DEPARTURES: Every Sunday

Eco Camp “W” Trek (5D)
$1470   High Season (Nov 2010 - Mar 2011)
$1180   Shoulder Season (Oct 2010 & April 2011)

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 round-trip airfare USA/Santiago/USA, Airfare in Chile (unless otherwise noted), 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.).

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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Scheduled Departures: every Sunday (Oct - April)
Scheduled 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, this helps to ensure that your trip won't be canceled due to lack of participation.

Group Size & Guiding Staff
8-12 travelers is the most typical group size plus guiding staff. Maximum is 14 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6

Private Departures/Custom Dates
Can't do a scheduled departure? For groups of 2 or more we offer Private Departures with your own Custom Dates. Please contact us for pricing information.

Eco Camp Information
The need to protect the environment has meant that very efficient processes are in place to manage the Eco Camp; thus the Eco Camp cannot offer some of the comforts found in unprotected areas and certain lodge settings (private bathroom with septic tank, diesel generators, etc). On the other hand, by utilizing efficient technologies and sustainable processes that demand a greater effort and more patience from our guests the Eco Camp can stay true to the mission of reduced water consumption and reduced waste production, to name a few. The solution that has been designed for guests, in one of the most important and most visited national parks in the Southern Hemisphere, is a novel, efficient and harmonious alternative that positively addresses the demands of tourism.

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".