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Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

Patagonia

Torres del Paine National Park

The towering granite "cuernos" or horns as they are called in Torres del Paine National Park (pronounced tore-race del pie-nay) are perhaps the best known image of Chile. For years a distinct part Chile's national tourism campaign abroad consisted of simply one large photograph of these granite towers with the underlying caption "There is a place on earth where if you were any closer to your creator you could shake his hand." The majesty of this park effortlessly stands up to the metaphor The entire zone north Puerto Natales with its low altitude and proximity to the Pacific ocean enjoys a very particular microclimate. For its relatively extreme southern latitude it is notably temperate though unpredictable in its weather pattern. Good wind and rain gear to protect you against the elements is a must traveling here. More importantly though, do not dishearten when rain threatens because the weather here changes often. As one of our guides once aptly commented "if you don't like the weather just wait fifteen minutes." Enormous glaciers mark the northern boundary of the park. This is the southern extreme of the Patagonia Icefield-- the world's largest. Glacier Grey melts slowly into Lago Grey providing spectacular crashing ice and tremendous green and blue icebergs. The park is also home to a great deal of unique wildlife from guanacos to Nanus (a relative of the Ostrich) as welt as hundreds of species of birds including the Condor.

3 days/2 nights

Day 1 - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales Reception at the airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas. Drive north through the vast patagonian "Pampa" to Puerto Natales

Day 2 - (B) - Torres del Paine N.P. Early start driving for full day inside Torres del Paine National Park. Busy day travelling and walking including unforgettable views of the Towers and the Torres Massif, Lago Grey and Grey Glacier and tremendous wildlife. Weather permitting there is an optional boat excursion on Lago Grey to get closer to the Glacier. Return to Puerto Natales in the evening for overnight.

Day 3 - (B) - Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas Transfer to airport in Punta Arenas connect with second program in Puerto Natales

Price per person in US$

NATURE TRIP TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Day 1 Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
After reception at the airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas, we drive north through the vast patagonian Pampa to Puerto Natales. Overnight at the Hosteria Florence Dixie.

Day 2 Torres del Paine National Park (B)
Early start for a full day inside Torres del Paine National Park. We shall hike in various parts of the park and see unforgettable views of the Paine Towers and the Torres Massif, as well as Lago Grey and the Grey Glacier. There will be lots of wildlife today that we shall approach on foot in its natural environment. Late in the afternoon at Ranger Station Laguna Amarga, a van from the Estancia Las Torres will be waiting for us, to carry us the last few kilometers on their private road to our cozy mountain cabin situated right beneath the Towers.

Day 3 Torres del Paine (B)
Today we hike to one of the highlights of the park: the base of the Torres del Paine. Seen from up close, next to a beautiful green lagoon with a vertical rock face towering more than 1.000 mts directly upward it is in two words: awe inspiring, and more than worth the challenging 6-8 hour hike to see them. We shall arrive at the Hosteria Las Torres in the late afternoon - tired, but contented.

Day 4 Torres del Paine (B)
Our final day will be left free for you to choose to either ride on horseback or, perhaps hike to nearby Lago Nordenskjöld with its crystal blue water s and superb view of the Torres Massif. Some may choose to explore around the historic hacienda and with luck see Condors circling majestically in the thermals high above. Final overnight at the Hosteria Las Torres.

Day 5 Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas (B)
Early morning transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas

Price Per Person in US$ (minimum 2 people)
till Feb. 28, 2008, 2007 = $835 double in standard room, $1013 in superior room

Hosteria Las Torres: This is a traditional lodge at the base of the Torres themselves. The historic buildings were once part of an Estancia or large sheep farm. Nowadays, of course, they do not breed sheep within the park anymore. During the last couple of years they changed the farm to a tastefully built Lodge. The hosteria offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, a restaurant and a large living room space with a cozy fireplace for guests to relax.
Several walking/hiking trails begin at the lodge including the strenuous but awe-inspiring hike to the base of the towers themselves.

TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK & GLACIERS

Day 1 Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
Reception at the airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas. Drive north through the vast patagonian Pampa to Puerto Natales. Transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 2 (B) Torres del Paine N.P.
Early start driving for full day inside Torres del Paine National Park. Busy day travelling and walking including unforgettable views of the Towers and the Torres Massif, Lago Grey and Grey Glacier and tremendous wildlife. We will do some short hikes to reach the most beautiful points of view of this National Park and of course also get to know the diversed wildlife. In the late afternoon transfer to the Hosteria Las Torres and overnight.

Day 3 (B) Torres del Paine N.P.
A day in this tremendous park at the end of the world to walk, hike and/or ride any one of many optional excursions beginning directly at your hotel. There are options for all from light walks to guru hikes. In the late afternoon transfer back to Puerto Natales and overnight.

Day 4 (B) Monte Balmaceda & Serrano Glacier
In the morning we shall start the full day boat excursion to the glaciers Balmaceda and Serrano on the Fiord Ultima Esperanza. During this boat excursion we shall approach the spectacular Balmaceda Glacier flowing out from the eastern side of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.
At the end of the fiord we shall walk about 1 kilometer through native forests to the foot of the Serrano Glacier. During the afternoon we shall return leisurely to Puerto Natales through spectacular southern channels and isles. Overnight at your selected hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day 5 (B) Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas.

Price per person in US$ (Hosteria Las Torres included in price - other lodges available on request)

TORRES DEL PAINE WITH ONE NIGHT IN THE PARK

Day 1 - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales Reception at the airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas. Drive north through the vast patagonian "Pampa" to Puerto Natales

Day 2 - (B) - Torres del Paine N.P. Early start driving for full day inside Torres del Paine National Park. Busy day travelling and walking including unforgettable views of the Towers and the Torres Massif, Lago Grey and Grey Glacier and tremendous wildlife. Weather permitting there is an optional boat excursion on Lago Grey to get closer to the Glacier. Transfer to your lodge in the National Park in the late afternoon.

Day 3 - (B) - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales A day in this tremendous park at the end of the world to walk, hike and/or ride any one of many optional excursions beginning directly at your hotel. There are options for all from light walks to guided hikes. Transfer to Puerto Natales in the late afternoon return.

Day 4 - (B) - Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas Transfer to connecting flight in Punta Arenas or continue with extension program in Puerto Natales

Price per person in US$ (Hosteria Las Torres included in price - other lodges available on request)

TORRES DEL PAINE WITH TWO NIGHTS IN THE PARK

Day 1 - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales - Reception at the airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas. Drive north through the vast patagonian "Pampa" to Puerto Natales

Day 2 - (B) - Torres del Paine N.P.- Early start driving for full day inside Torres del Paine National Park. Busy day travelling and walking including unforgettable views of the Towers and the Torres Massif, Lago Grey and Grey Glacier and tremendous wildlife. Weather permitting there is an optional boat excursion on Lago Grey to get closer to the Glacier. Transfer to your lodge in the National Park in the late afternoon (unless you have selected Hosteria Grey in which case you are already there).

Day 3 - (B)- Torres del Paine - A day in this tremendous park at the end of the world to walk, hike and/or ride any one of many optional excursions beginning directly at your hotel. There are options for all from light walks to guru hikes. Overnight in your selected lodge.

Day 4 - (B) - Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas - Early morning transfer to airport in Punta Arenas or connecting program.

Price per person in US$ (Hosteria Las Torres included in price - other lodges available on request)

SELF-DRIVE TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

This sample itinerary we have been carefully developed - with convenient day stops. Anyhow we will be happy to modify them accordingly to your wishes: maybe a shorter trip - or maybe a more off-road trip leading into the Andes? Just let us know the days you´d like to have the car in each region and we will send you a sample itinerary. After booking you will receive the detailed day-by-day route descriptions. We will provide you with information for intersting side-trips, detours, museums, points of interests and of course - with the best restaurants.

Day 1 Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
* Pick up car in airport Punta Arenas
* Drive north through the Patagonian Pampa towards Puerto Natales
* Visit the Penguin Colony Seno de Otway
* Overnight in your selected hotel in Puerto Natales
* 300 km paved road
* 70 km detour to Penguin Colony

Day 2 Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park
* Drive towards the Torres del Paine National Park
* See en route much wild life
* Enjoy the mighty Torres Towers from several viewpoints
* Overnight in the Hosteria Las Torres
* 150 km unpaved road

Day 3 Torres del Paine National Park
* Do a complete circuit in the National Park
* See huge mountains, the lakes and rivers
* See the Grey Glacier and Grey Lake with huge icebergs
* Enjoy the many guanacos and many different species of birds
* Overnight Hosteria Las Torres
* 120 km unpaved road

Day 4 Torres del Paine National Park
* Time for your own activities:
* Go hiking, horseback riding
* Drive to the Laguna Azul
* Overnight Hosteria Las Torres

Day 5 Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas
* Drive back to Punta Arenas via Puerto Natales
* See the city of Punta Arenas
* Overnight in your selected hotel
* 440 km total / 300 km paved road

Day 6 Punta Arenas
* Return car in airport Punta Arenas

Price per person in US$

RATE PER VEHICLE INCLUDING CDW. * 350 USD min. deductable (depending on car). * unlimited km/mileage, all local taxes. * International Credit Card needed as guarantee. * Approx. 0,30 USD/km for one-way return rental. RENTAL LOCATIONS NORTHERN CHILE: Arica, Antofagasta, Iquique, Calama, Copiapó, La Serena RENTAL LOCATIONS CENTRAL CHILE: Santiago, Concepción. RENTAL LOCATIONS SOUTHERN CHILE: Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, Puerto Montt, Coyhaique, Punta Arenas. Rental locations at airports or city office. Minimum age: 21 years. International driving licence: required. Air Conditioning: is only necessary in Northern Chile and Santiago and environs. Please request air conditioning especially.