INTERNATIONAL TRIPS 2012-13

Twelve Days Trekking in Patagonia: The Paine Trek and Fitzroy Massif 2012

Truly one of the world's top five classic treks, The Paine Circuit combined with El Chalten is one of the longest and wildest mountain tours. The Paine circuit offers constantly changing views of this extraordinary land as it travels through dry steppes, moist alpine forests, highland moors, deep torquoise lakes and enormous glaciers.

This itinerary represents the full seven day circuit that is normally required for the full 110km (70 miles) circuit. Side trips and rest days may stretch this out to ten days. We have found that seven days of trekking is enough for most people. We follow this with a rest day before we travel to El Chalten which is the gateway to Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitzroy. Using a comfortable hotel as our base, we explore the area via day hikes.

The Paine Trek

Day One: You will be met at the airport in Punta Arenas where we spent the night in a luxury hotel. You will have had a long day of travel.

Day Two: Depart Punta Arenas for the Seno Otway Penguin Colony. We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel by special van to the colony which is on the way to Puento Natales. Later we check into our hotel and have dinner.

Day Three: Puerto Natales to Chileno Lodge. We depart our hotel after breakfast for the two hour bus ride to the entrance to Torres del Paine Natl. Park. After registering with the park officials we begin our trek to the Torres Lookout. The night is spent in the Chileno Lodge in the Ascencio Valley.

Day Four: Chileno Lodge to Puesto Seron. We rise early and after a sunrise view of the Towers we hike up the valley of the Rio Paine past beautiful lakes to Puesto Seron. We camp in tents in a green meadow.

Day Five: Puesto Seron to Refugio Lago Dickson. We begin the day with easy hiking In meadows with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The hiking is mostly gentle walking through meadows and past lakes. By the shoreof Lago Dickson in the refugio is where we spend the evening.

Day Six: Refugio Lago Dickson to Campamento Los Perros. A casual day of moderate (4-5 hours) hiking\ takes us to our next camp in a forest and pitched tents.

Day Seven: Campamento Perros to Refugio Grey. This will be our longest and most difficult day of trekking. We leave our camp early in the morning and after several hour reach the high point (John Gardner Pass) of our trip at 4100 feet above sea level. Most of the hiking involves cross-country travel. After the pass we descend through an Evergreen forest and continue walking for 3 more hours when we reach the Refugio Grey. About 8 hours of hiking.

Day Eight: Refugio Grey to Refugio Lago Pehoe or Camp Italiano. We leave Refugio Grey snd for the next few hours have flat hiking through forests until reaching the hidden splendor of Camp Italiano. Here we will camp and explore the Vallee Frances.

Day Nine: Campamento Italiano to Alberge Los Cuernos. We leave the camp and explore the Valle Frances with its spectacular towers, waterfalls etc. After returning to camp we pack up and have another two hours of moderate hiking before we reach the Alberge for the night.

Day Ten: Alberge Los Cuernos to Puento Natales. Today we have just 4 hours of easy hiking through meadows, up and around small lakes and streams. We meet our minibus and finish the trek back in our hotel in Puento Natales where we have hot showers, celebratory meal and comfortable beds!

Day Eleven: Rest and Recover. Spend the day in Puento Natales relaxing.

El Chalten and the Fitzroy Massif

Day Twelve: Take bus from Puento Natales to El Chalten. We leave early for the day long bus ride to El Chalten. Check into hotel.

Day Thirteen: Hike to Cerro Torre Lookout. This is an easy and short day of hiking to the beautiful lakeside where Cerro Torre and its satellite peaks may be seen. About 4-5 hours RT hiking.

Day Fourteen: Hike to Laguna de Los Tres. This day is longer and takes in more spectacular Views in the area. Usually a full 8 hours of hiking RT. Fantastic views of Cerro Fitzroy.

Day Fifteen: Depart El Chalten for El Calafate. Depart in the morning for El Clafate where we catch our flight to Buenos Aires and points beyond.