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Start: Puerto Natales
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Departure: October and April
Description
Experience one of the most famous trekking in the Torres del Paine National Park: W Circuit in its April version. Don't miss the stunning beauty of the park in this time of the year.
- Guests must come to our Office in Puerto Natales, the day before, where you will receive the vouchers, tickets and briefing. If the day in is Monday is mandatory you indicate us your accommodation for Sunday night so we can send you these important documents.
- Pick UP: For the shuttle service on day 1, you must indicate your sales executive your accommodation.
- Opening hours Puerto Natales sales office: Monday to Friday: 9.00 – 1.00 pm / 3.00 pm – 6.30 pm; Saturday: 9.00 am – 6.30 pm; Sundays & holidays: Closed.
Itinerary
Day 1: Transport to Torres del Paine National Park (Regular Bus). At 7.20 AM Pick up from your accommodation to the Bus Station. Afterwards, regular / Public Bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Amarga Main Entrance), the trip is about two and a half hours length (112 Km), with a short stop at Cerro Castillo Village, and then continue to the National Park. At the moment you arrive in Laguna Amarga entrance you will have to acquire your entrance ticket and take the shuttle that will be waiting for you to take you to Las Torres sector where our Refugio is located. At your arrival you have to do the check in, leave your big backpack and pick up your lunch box* to start the trek. (* only for those who decide to take option 2 / Full Board). Presentation Time at the Bus Station: 7.30 AM Arrival in Laguna Amarga: 9:30 AM
Trekking to “BASE TORRES” (8 – 9 hours, 19 Km). Recommended hour to start: 11.00 AM. The first hour and a half walking is steep with fantastic views of lake Nordenskjöld and Almirante Nieto Mn (2.670 m.s.n.m), with it’s hanging glacier until you reach Refugio El Chileno. You will continue the trail through a millenary Lenga forest (1 hour) until the base of “the moraine” which challenging ascent (45 min), will take you to one of the most impressive lookouts in the park: “Base of Torres del Paine” where you will enjoy the view of Torre Sur (2,850 m.s.n.m.), Torre Central (2.800 m.s.n.m), Torre Norte (2.600 m.s.n.m) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. Accommodation: Refugio Torre Central. Difficulty Level: High
Day 2: Trekking from Refugio Torre Central to Los Cuernos Refugio (4 – 5 hours, 11 Km). Recommended hour to start: 9.00 AM. The trail goes through the Base of Almirante Nieto Mn. – part of the Paine Massif-, with great views to Nordenskjöld Lake. After about 4 – 5 hours you will get to the Base of Los Cuernos where our Refugio is located, considered by many, one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest and recover energies for the next day challenging trek: “The French Valley”. Accommodation: Refugio Los Cuernos. Difficulty Level: Medium.
Day 3: Trekking to French Valley (10 - 12 hours, 25,3 Km). Recommended hour to start: 8.00 AM. The first 2 hours are with some ascents and descents and views to Nordenskjöld Lake, until “Campamento Italiano”, at this point we recommend you to contact CONAF staff so you can leave your Big Backpack with them and start the next part of the trek with a small day backpack (food, water and warm clothes). The ascent goes for about 1 hour and a half until French Glacier lookout, where you’ll be able to observe its hanging glacier and opportunities to observe small avalanches. After that the trail continues until “Campamento Británico” and after about 20 minutes you will reach the lookout point considered by many as one of the most overwhelming spots in the Circuit: “Mirador Británico”, where you will admire: “Paine Grande”, “Cerro Hoja”, “Cerro Máscara”, “Cerro Catedral”, “Cerro Aleta de Tiburón”, “Cuerno Norte”. The return is the same way back to “Campamento Italiano”, and then to Pehoé sector. Accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande. Difficulty Level: High.
Day 4: Trekking to Grey Glacier (3 – 4 hours, 11 Km). Recommended hour to start: 9.00 AM. Trek to Grey Glacier lookout. The trail goes through the western side of the Paine Massif with views to the Grey Lake and Mountains. After 1 hour and a half you will reach the first lookout point, where you may observe Grey Glacier in the distance, then and after 1 hour and a half / two hours you will get to the main lookout, in front of the glacier. You will have plenty of time to explore this stunning sector. Accommodation: Refugio Grey Difficulty Level: Medium.
Day 5: Back to Pehoe sector & Puerto Natales. (3 – 4 hours, 11 Km). Recommended hour to start: 8.00 AM. (Remember there´s only one Catamaran frequency at 12.30) After your breakfast, trekking back to Pehoe sector to take the Catamaran. At 12.00 hrs you will have to approach to Pehoe lake pier and take the Catamaran that crosses in 30 minutes until Pudeto sector, where your bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Puerto Natales (arrival time to Puerto Natales: around 04.30 PM). Difficulty Level: Medium.