Exhilarating hiking in Chilean Patagonia through Torres del Paine National Park

As seen in the March 2007 issue of Vogue Magazine!

Chile's Torres del Paine National Park is one of the great scenic wonders of the world-one of those places to which all serious mountain-lovers must make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Here, in the wilderness of southern Chile, glaciers of millennia past have receded from the granite rock of the Cordillera Paine, leaving a massif of craggy peaks protruding a near-vertical 6,000 to 8,000 feet from the surrounding rolling grasslands.

Our trek—which we pioneered in the mid-1980s—is a full circuit of the Paine massif, and takes you through the kind of wild rugged terrain you'd expect to find at the ends of the earth. The jaw-dropping vistas of monolithic rock spires and jagged snowy peaks, the huge expanse of the Patagonia Ice Field, tranquil azure lakes, and golden grasslands bright with wildflowers make this unquestionably one of the all-time "Great Treks" of the world.

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Activities

7 days moderate to strenuous trekking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• A complete circuit of the Paine massif—one of the "Great Treks" of the world—including the famous "W" route, with its scenic highlights of the southern side of the Circuit!
• Hike along the enormous Grey Glacier—more than five miles across and ten miles in length!
• Down "glacier" cocktails made with thousand-year-old ice
• Take in fabulous views of spectacular mountains, lakes, and glaciers

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Punta Arenas End Location: Punta Arenas

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Punta Arenas

  Arrive in Punta Arenas on the northern shore of the Strait of Magellan.

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  Day 2 : Paine National Park

  Drive to Torres del Paine National Park and take in the first spectacular views of the Paine range.

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  Day 3 : Torres del Paine

  Hike through beech forests and open grasslands of Patagonia and past beautiful glacier-fed lakes to arrive at the awesome granite needles of Torres del Paine.

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  Day 4 : Hike to Campamento Seron

  Walk through beech forest, enjoy impressive views of Paine Chico and the peak of Almirante Nieto. Overnight at Serón camp.

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  Day 5 : Lago Dickson

  Hike westward, skirting Lago Paine, and on to our next camp at Lago Dickson.

• Day 6 : Lago de los Perros

  Today we enter into primeval beech forests and hike up the Río de los Perros, reaching Lago de los Perros and the glacier in the mid-afternoon. Continue hiking for a half-hour to reach the Perros campsite, located in a peaceful old-growth forest.

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  Day 7 : Cross the Paine Pass

  Hike to the top of Paine Pass, descending to the Grey Glacier and finally arriving at our camp near Lago Grey.

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  Day 8 : Grey Glacier – Lago Pehoe

  Spend the day either by visiting the Grey Glacier, or by hiking on the glacier itself using crampons. Finish the day with a hike to our next camp on the shores of Lago Pehoe.

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  Day 9 : French Valley

  Hike into the French Valley, where we'll walk below the glaciers that descend from Paine Grande, enjoying fantastic views along the way!

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  Day 10 : End Trek

  Cross Lago Pehoe by catamaran, and transfer by vehicle to Puerto Natales.

• Day 11 : Punta Arenas – Depart

  Drive to Punta Arenas and depart.

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  Hotel CostAustralis

  The atmosphere of the Hotel CostAustralis' rooms has been created to put  guests even more at ease than they would be at home. The staff work daily to surpass our guest's expectations and provide pleasant and memorable experiences.

  To achieve this, the hotel's 110 rooms have been designed to provide complete comfort and rest. They are decorated in a sober but elegant fashion, employing the region's most beautiful woods. Every room has a full private bath, strongbox, cable TV, domestic and international direct dialling, thermo-acoustic windows, independent heating and wireless internet access.

  Hotel CostAustralis prides itself on providing everything that you need for a restful night so that you will wake up each day with energy to continue enjoying your marvelous Patagonian adventure to its fullest.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Sergio "TC" Bahamondez

  Sergio was born in Puntarenas, Chile, and grew up in Tierra del Fuego, where he developed his love for the outdoors. He studied psychology at La Plata University in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has a degree in Patagonia Biodiversity from Magallanes University. Sergio has more than 10 years of experience as a tour leader, and his explorer’s spirit has taken him to nearly every continent. He is an excellent ambassador of his country and its culture—his enthusiasm and sense of adventure are absolutely contagious! Sergio is best known in Patagonia by his nickname, “TC,” and we know you’ll be captivated by his engaging smile.

• André Labarca

  André Labarca, a mountaineering and scuba instructor, fell in love with Patagonia at first sight and has made it his home for the last 10 years. He has participated in more than ten mountain expeditions in the region, accomplishing many first ascents, including the summits of the North and South Towers of the Torres del Paine. André has a great interest in the development of sustainable tourism and is always looking for other regions to explore within Patagonia. A very enthusiastic guide, André’s love for nature and respect for the mountains is infectious to all who travel with him.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File, ©Camilla Hvalsoe, ©Sergio Fitch-Watkins, ©Linda Andrews Ostro, ©Kevin Callaghan