Day 1 Late morning collection from Punta Arenas airport. Drive to see the cute burrowing Magellanic Penguins at their colony in Otway Sound. There will be plenty of time to observe and photograph these fascinating creatures before continuing on across the Patagonian Steppe where you will have your first opportunity to see some of the unusual plant and animal life that exists in this area. After our visit here we will continue on to our destination for the night at Puerto Natales. Located beside the picturesque Last Hope sound we will get a chance to walk around the waterfront and enjoy dinner in one of the fine restaurants in town. Night at the newly built Hotel Weskar. Situated a short walk from Puerto Natales, this wooden built hotel has lovely views of Last Hope Sound and the Serrano Glaciar in the distance. Rooms are light, airy and confortable and there is laundy and internet available. Dinner included, excluding wine/drinks.
Day 2 After breakfast we will walk to the pier and board a cutter for a fantastic cruise up the fjord to the beautiful Mount Balmaceda. We will get a chance to see the Balmaceda hanging glacier which spills down into the fjord and then after a short hike, get up close to the Serrano Glacier which tumbles down into an iceberg-filled lake. After lunch we will board zodiacs and cruise up the Serrano River entering Bernardo O'Higgins National Park passing the massive Tyndall glacier en route and finally ending up at Torres del Paine National Park. Our first night camping is on the bank of the peaceful Serrano River with spectacular views across the pampas towards the Paine massif. Chance to enjoy a stroll or a glass of wine while dinner is prepared. B,L,D.
Day 3 Today we will pack our lunches and transfer to Lago Grey where we will walk along the shores of these grey waters and admire the miracles of nature as seemingly turquoise icebergs are seen floating in the lake. The huge mass of white behind the icebergs is Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine. After our walk we will board the new Grey 2 launch and set off into the iceberg choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier. The short boat trip will give us up close and personal views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of Paine Grande and surrounding mountains. The boat will get us fairly close to the glacier where we will disembark and continue up along the shores of Grey Lake to the Mirador on foot. One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, this climb up and out of the valley enjoys views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. Our destination and camp for the night is the shores of beautiful Lake Pehoe. Organized camp with full facilities. B,L,D (meals taken in Refugio).
Day 4 Today we will head out towards the French Valley and along the edges of Lake Nordjenskold. A full day's hiking we will enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks that make up this enclosed valley as well as the waterscapes below including lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. Our destination is the lively refuge Cuernos set below the imposing Horns of Paine. Night camping in this organized camp with full facilities. B,L,D (meals taken in Refugio).
Day 5 Today's hiking takes us along the foothills of the Horns of Paine with the tranquil shores of Lake Nordjenskold on our right. For the brave a chance to swim in the frigid waters of this spectacular lake as we hike towards the three granite spires that give Torres del Paine its name, the Towers of Paine. We will camp in the shadow of these monoliths in an organized camp with full facilities. B,L,D.
Day 6 Today's hiking is our most arduous but worthwhile as we climb to the Towers themselves. A roundtrip hike we will climb up into the Ascending Valley and through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the towers. A steep climb over the moraine will reward us with one of the most spectacular views in the park and weather permitting we will enjoy our last trail lunch at this amazing vantage point. Return to camp for our last night under canvas enjoying a fireside dinner. B,L,D.
Day 7 Pack up camp for our transfer back to Punta Arenas airport to arrive early afternoon. Time permitting we will make a short stop in Puerto Natales giving us an opportunity to purchase any souvenirs/books/postcards etc. Clients will be dropped off at the airport for onward flights. B.