Lodge to Lodge Active

Highlights

• Enjoy some of the W’s most popular hikes on this comfortable, guided tour

• Board a catamaran to a remote fjord-side ranch for a taste of real Patagonia life

• Hike the lesser known trail from Laguna Verde, effectively entering the Park on foot

• Sail up to the face of a towering valley glacier

• Observe guanaco, rheas, condors and a wealth of other unusual wildlife

• Early risers will benefit from some of the best sunrises in all of Patagonia at Serrano

• Witness some of Patagonia’s most dramatic landscapes as you hike into the Park’s interior

• Embark on one of the Park’s most iconic trails to the base of the famous Towers

Day by day

1. Arrive into Puerto Natales. Night Hotel Costanera or similar (upgrades possible). Guide’s briefing.
   Ask for our Getting to Puerto Natales document to help with travel planning.

   Guide’s briefing will be held in our office or your hotel in the evening

   On arrival into Puerto Natales (airport or bus station) you will be collected and taken to your hotel for the night.
   Room basis: Hotel Costanera, comfortable centrally located lodge
   Meal basis: no meals included
   *Or upgrade to Hotel Simple Patagonia or Angelica’s, prices above.

2. After pick up from your Puerto Natales hotel we will be transferring the short distance to the dock a little outside town where we will meet a catamaran and your hosts for a 20 minute boat ride across the fjords to the peninsula on the other side of the water. You will be spending the day at the lovely Estancia La Peninsula one of the area’s oldest ranches owned by the MacLean family and run by two sons Kevin and Ian. It is accessible only via the water giving it a tranquility and unique landscape in addition to making it an interesting place to farm.

   After an introduction to the estancia you can enjoy a coffee and fresh pastries before deciding on whether you would like to ride horses or trek, or just relax at the estancia.

   Riders / once mounted and depending on the weather we will be riding out into into this island-like landscape through rich forests with ancient beech trees and giant green foliage, soft grassy valleys and sandy shores full of drift wood and with a good variety of bird life including the native black necked swans that nest along the shores. Our ride will take us north across the land belonging to the estancia to a look-out with far reaching views across the fjords to the peaks of Torres del Paine and the Bernardo O’Higgins National Parks. Heading back we can step up the pace a little as we canter along the beach shores back to the estancia where we will dismount and relax and enjoy a glass of wine while lunch is prepared consisting of a typical gaucho asado (vegetarian options available).

   Trekkers / will be setting out on foot in the company of a guide into the distinctive landscapes of the peninsula with trails through valleys, up to dramatic look-outs and along the beaches that line the fjords. After a few hours walking we will return to the estancia where we can enjoy a glass of wine while lunch is prepared as above.

   Lunch is plentiful and delicious and it will be served in the comfortable main house after which we can relax on the comfortable sofas and read about the area or chat to the hosts. There will then be a demonstration of shearing or working the dogs prior to boarding the catamaran which will take us back across the sound to the dock in Puerto Natales.
   

   Room basis: Hotel Costanera as above
   Meal basis: breakfast and lunch included.
   *Or upgrade to Hotel Simple Patagonia or Angelica’s Casa, prices on request

3. After breakfast you will be picked up by your driver and guide for the two hour drive in a private transfer towards the jagged peaks of Torres del Paine situated to the north. Our route takes us west on a scenic track which follows the shoreline of Sarmiento Lake as it weaves and winds across the pampas through ancient forests and with dramatic mountain and lakes views. Eventually we will arrive at the typical red rooftops of Estancia Lazo where we will start the day’s hike. There will be a chance to enjoy the views of Laguna Verde and the Paine Massif from this lesser known southern perspective and explore the lake front before starting today’s hike.

   After packing day packs we will be starting our hiking along the shores of Laguna Verde through some ancient southern beech forests and through grassy valleys towards the Sierra del Toro.

   This is a great introductory hike with fairly flat terrain, soft grassy trails and incredible mountain and lake views at every turn. After a few hours hiking we will reach the Mirador del Toro where we will enjoy far reaching views across this marvelous southern landscape crammed with more than its fair share of fast flowing rivers, snow capped granite peaks and iceberg-choked lakes. After some time spent here enjoying the views, we will start the steep descent of this scree slope to the pampas below.

   Lunch will be taken in the valley before a visit to the national park headquarters and visitors centre where your guide will further explain the park’s history and show you the relief maps that illustrate the following days hiking.

   From here it is a short distance to our accommodation in the intimate refugio belonging to Pampa Lodge, a small boutique hotel with just 9 rooms decorated in a contemporary natural style and with uninterrupted views of the Paine Massif (rooms in the refugio are also private twin/double share with bathrooms). For early risers, this area also offers some of the best sunrises in all of Patagonia.

   Comfortable en suite rooms with views, fire side bar and restaurant serving a mix of local and international food.

   Room basis: Pampa Refugio with dinner in the hotel 
   Meal basis: all meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost at dinner).
   Hiking distance: 3-4 hours, moderate hike
   *Or upgrade to the adjacent lodge with slightly larger rooms, prices above.

4. Today you are setting out on another adventure as you journey into the heart of the Park and the higher mountain areas at its centre, normally only reached by hiking the W or Circuit trails.

   After breakfast in the refugio you will be transferring the short distance to Grey Lake. Here you will be boarding the Grey III boat which will take you on a one-way journey across the grey waters of the lake navigating through the icebergs before arriving at the boat dock close to the face of the Glacier. Here you will disembark and walk the short distance to the nearby Refugio Grey.

   On arrival at Refugio Grey you can relax and have a drink on the deck and enjoy the views before setting out on a hike north to see the dramatic suspension bridges that are normally only accessed by hiking the full Paine Circuit. This moderate but dramatic trail takes you to a series of suspension bridges that swing high above the glacier joining one side of the cavern to the other, each one is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones film and, if you do not mind heights, they are fun to cross and photograph.

   After exploring the vicinity of the Refugio and learning about the Glacier and surrounding areas you will have some time to relax and have lunch before continuing on the trail south to Lake Pehoe. This moderate trail takes you out of the valley with some rocky and steep sections as you continue along the pristine lake fed by the magnificent Grey glacier with a myriad of amazing glacial views.

   This is a classic Patagonian trail, with the majestic glacier beside you throughout the morning.

   As the trail evens out through a pretty valley and we start to leave Grey Glacier behind us we will catch glimpses of the magnificent blue waters of Lake Pehoe as we approach this famous lake on an easy trail enjoying the forests and birdlife and some pretty smaller lakes.

   On arrival we will have a chance to enjoy the scenery including the magnificent southern face of the Paine Massif before checking in to our accommodation in the nearby Refugio.

   Room basis: Refugio Paine Grande
   Refugio/Camping Paine Grande: located close to Lake Pehoe with beautiful views of the Horns and Cerro Paine. The campsite and nearby refugio is the Park’s largest and it has capacity for campers plus100 guests in bunk beds in mixed dorm rooms. Bathrooms are shared with male and female bathrooms with cold running water and hot showers (at certain times). There is a large restaurant on site, a small shop and a cafeteria
   Meal basis: all meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost at dinner).
   Hiking distance: 3-4 hours, moderate hike + 1-2 hours to walk to suspension bridges

5. After walking along the shores of Lake Pehoe we ascend on a trail passing Lake Skottsberg as we head through the forests towards the magnificent French Valley. The scenery starts to change with the trails becoming wetter and more boggy and the forests getting richer as we hike in front of the magnificent wall of granite that forms the Paine mountain range.

   Our destination is the French Valley and the look-out of Campamento Britanico.

   Throughout the day you will witness magnificent views of this natural amphitheatre of the enclosed valley comprised of towering granite peaks with breathtaking waterscapes below, including lakes Pehoe, Skottsberg, Toro, and Nordenskjold.

   The trail itself can be boggy and wet as you make your way up a dry river bed through the forests with moraine and other natural hazards along the way.

   After a full day hiking and exploring your many privileged vantage points you will return to the foothills of the valley and back to the refugio located on the shores of Lake Pehoe. Here you will board the last catamaran back to Pudeto where you will meet your transfer vehicle for the drive to Las Torres where you will be spending the night in the comfortable Hotel Las Torres.

   Room basis: Hotel Las Torres in double superior canelo rooms (access to spa included, not treatments)
   Hotel Las Torres This very comfortable well located hotel was once the Cerro Paine ranch, an 8,000 acre ranch that breeds cattle. Now it is a lovely hosteria with restaurant, bar, spa, stables, organic garden and gift shop. Standard, superior and suite rooms available.
   Meal basis: all meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost at dinner).
   Hiking distance: Distance is around 15 mi/24km depending how far into the valley you ascend. The first part of the hike to the foothills of the French Valley takes around 2 – 2.5 hours. From the French valley floor to French glacier is 750 ft elevation gain with another 1,000 ft elevation gain to camp Britannica so another 5-6 hours to make the ascent and return. The trail can be very wet and slippery depending on the time of year, the ascent is challenging but there are various viewpoints to enjoy along the way. *This is an out-and-back trail and your guide can discuss shortening it if preferred.

6. After breakfast you will be embarking on the most challenging hike of your Patagonia tour, all the way to the base of the famous Towers of Paine. Tackling this steep climb across mountain trails, winding rivers, deep valleys and glacial moraine will reward you with unimaginable views. Once the steep slopes have been conquered, enjoy your lunch in this dramatic setting, while watching icebergs drift slowly across glacial pools.

   Truly an amazing sight, you will remember your time here as one of the highlights of your trip to southern Patagonia. After lunch in a spectacular setting, head back to the trail head to meet your waiting vehicle to take you back to Puerto Natales where the trip ends.

   Meal basis: breakfast and packed lunch included.
   Hiking distance: 11.8 mi/19km; roundtrip with 3,291 ft elevation gain. Challenging ascent at the start, final steep climb over glacial moraine. Long descent on return. Approximately 8-9 hours walking.

   Hike the challenging trail to the base of the Towers, one of the park’s most iconic hikes. Meet driver for private transfer to Puerto Natales. Trip ends in Puerto Natales (we can book an extra night here on request).

Extras

• Upgrade hotel in Puerto Natales to the lovely, contemporary Simple Patagonia or Angelica’s Casa with a private pool.
• Upgrade hotel at Serrano River to the Hotel Rio Serrano with its mountain-view pool and spa
• This trip can be shortened or extended to suit your available time or combined with a few nights in Argentina.
• Ask about extending the trip and including an ice hike on Grey Glacier, or a paddle out in front of the glacier in kayaks.

 Is this trip for me?

• This moderately challenging trip is guided by experienced guides throughout you will be free to enjoy the jaw dropping scenery on this comfortable, well planned itinerary. You will have full support of an English speaking guide and a dedicated driver and vehicle ensuring full flexibility during the day’s activities. We can book the trip as a private departure for 2+ people; travel within the privacy of your own family or group ensures you can set your own pace and see and do what interests you.
• It is primarily a Lodge based trip with a focus on hiking and nights in comfortable lodges. The majority of accommodation is in private rooms, however, in order to reach some of the areas in the interior of the park there is a requirement to spend one night in a refugio with mixed dorm-style rooms and shared facilities (we can provide tents if you prefer). Spending nights in multiple hotels adds diversity to your Paine experience and minimises driving when compared to staying in one hotel. If you prefer a more relaxed itinerary with private rooms throughout, check out our Lodge to Lodge Explorer.
• This trip is short enough for those wanting to combine Torres del Paine with other areas in either Chile or Argentina.
• Luggage is moved by vehicle leaving you free to hike with just a day pack. All transfers are private with a dedicated vehicle and driver which adds flexibility into the itinerary.
• The trip is available on request for 2+ people (we can customise the itinerary to suit your hiking group or family on request).
• Dinners in Puerto Natales are not included but we are happy to recommend restaurants and reserve these for you.
• Getting to Puerto Natales is not included but we can book bus tickets on request from Punta Arenas or el Calafate. 
• Your luggage will be moved for you leaving you free to hike with just a small daypack. Please note you will carry your own clothing/gear for the one night at Paine Grande (for the hike from Grey to Pehoe on Day 4).
• Blankets and sheets are included at Refugio Paine Grande (if you prefer to use your own sleeping bag there will be a price reduction for this, please ask for details)
• While at Estancia La Peninsula you will be looked after by the estancia’s team of staff and guides. Your BlueGreen guide will be with you on the transfer into the Park on Day 3 but he will return that evening leaving you free to enjoy dinner on your own at the Pampa Lodge, he will meet you again the following morning after breakfast and remain with you for the rest of the trip.
• For those of you who prefer private single/double accommodation throughout the trip, it is possible that we can reserve a private room at the Refugio Paine Grande (for sole use). This is highly unlikely in peak season and it is dependent on availability and will be priced at the time of booking. Otherwise, rooms at this refugio are dorm-style rooms that are shared by 4-6 guests (mixed) with shared facilities. If you prefer an itinerary that does not stay here, refer to the Lodge to Lodge, explorer Version.