Latin America / Chile
Chile Patagonia Hiking Tour
Hike amid Peaks, Lakes, and Glaciers and Horseback Ride with Gauchos
Patagonia is a landscape created by the forces of wind, ice, volcanic activity and time. Glaciers blanket entire mountain ranges with their icy blue stillness, patiently sculpting granite into magnificent stone structures. ace up your hiking boots for an unforgettable journey at the bottom of the earth as we trek the world famous "W" Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Days 1-3: Punta Arenas-Puerto Natales-Grey Glacier-Los Cuernos & French Valley
Transfer from the airport in Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, gateway to the Park. A stop at the Cave of the Milodon introductes us to "Big-Foot". After lunch along the Serrano River we take a catamaran across Grey Lake. With crampons and safety rope intact, we ascend onto one of the Southern Hemisphere's most important fresh water reserves. The glacier is a jumble of turquoise blue crevasses and eerie ice sculptures formed by the sun and wind. A trek along the flanks of Grey Lake through fields of Patagonian fire bush and dense Nothofagus forests takes us to turquoise Lake Pehoe.
Days 4-5: Los Cuernos-Ascencio Valley-Las Torres
A beautiful, waterfall-strewn hike along the shore of Lake Nordenskjold and over "Windy Pass" leads into the Ascencio Valley to Refugio Chileno. Next up is a heart pumping ascent to the base of Las Torres is arguably the highlight of the entire "W" trek. The fortitude pays off when the magnificent granite spires appear, looming over a milky green lake.
Days 6-8: Laguna Amarga-Lago Sarmiento-Puerto Natales-Punta Arenas
From our base on a working ranch near Laguna Amarga we hike in the Sierra Baguales. These "Wild Mountains" spread along the glaciers of the Southern Ice Field, forming a spine of bizarre shaped peaks and ledges. We celebrate with a lamb asado barbecue at Estancia Laguna Sofia after our day of hiking. The next day we rest our legs and experience what Patagonia culture is founded on...horseback riding. We then transfer to Puerto Natales with a visit along the way to the Milodon Cave, home of an ancient bigfoot-like creature. After lunch we take the bus to Punta Arenas and fly out the following morning.