11 DAYS TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS

Amazon Adventures

Chile

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

11 DAYS TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS
OF CHILEAN AND ARGENTINIAN PATAGONIA

with overnights in comfortable Lodges and cozy mountain huts

Day 1 | Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales - Reception at Punta Arenas airport then scenic bus ride to Puerto Natales, a charming southern port set on the "Fiord of Last Hope". Visit the Penguin Colony on Otway Sound along the way.
Overnight: Comfortable cozy family style hotel.

Day 2 | Torres del Paine National Park - B/BL/D - Early departure for Torres del Paine National Park. We shall pass across the southern reaches of the park to reach the Pudeto Cabins where we cross lake Pehoe by boat. Hike along the "Camino de los Vientos" or, the Road of the Wind. Approach of Grey Glacier and close up look at an imposing wall of ice. Later on during our walk we shall see the glacier calving thunderously into the lake below. Return to Pehoe Refugio in the afternoon. Staying here we are in the heart of the park and the surrounding scenery is truly spectacular.

Hike: 3 - 6 hours, moderate, strong winds could make the hike more strenuous. After 1,5 hours great view point to the glaciar. There is the possibility to continue to the glaciar or to return to the mountain hut. The cabins at Pehoe are simple cabins offering clean dormitories with bunk-beds and a shared bath

Day 3 Torres del Paine | Valle Frances B/BL/D - Day hike into the French Valley and up to the Campamento Britanico. Depending upon the group we shall hike as far as Campamento Italiano. During this hike we shall have tremendous views of the Cuernos (or Horns) of Paine.
In the afternoon we return to the Pehoe Refugio, where hikers from all over the world sit together and tell their stories.

Hike: 7 - 9 hours to the end of the French Valley, moderate, after two hours easy hiking great views of the valley and the Glacier. The hike can be shortened at any point.

Day 4 Torres del Paine| B/BL/D - We recross the Lake Pehoe to the Pudeto pier and hike to the Salto Grande and Lake Nordenskold view points. Transfer to Laguna Amarga and the Refugio Las Torres. Possibility to hike to the northern end of the Lake Nordenskold in the afternoon.
Overnight cozy Refugio Las Torres right at the base of the Torres Towers

Hike: Salto Grande and Lake Nordeskold look out - aprox 2 hours, Lake Nordenskold from Refugio Las Torres 2-4 hours.

Day 5 | Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales B/BL - Highlight: the foot of the Torres del Paine. An awe-inspiring close up look at one of the toughest climbs on earth. Alas we shan't climb in, but rather return to the Las Torres in the late afternoon. Transfer by bus to Puerto Natales .
Overnight: cozy family run Hotel.

Hike: Relatively long day with approximately 6-8 hours of strenuous hiking, in the upper part for approx. 1 hour steep and rocky terrain.

Day 6 | Puerto Natales - Perito Moreno Glaciar - Calafate B - Early departure from hotel to airport in Puerto Natales with english speaking guide and spectacular flight to Calafate, Argentina.
A highlight is viewing the calving of the world's most famous inland glacier into the Lago Argentino. We will spend the whole afternoon at the glacier and watch huge icebergs crashing into the lake.
In the late afternoon drive back to Calafate.Overnight in a cozy Hotel.

Day 7 | Calafate - El Chalten - Laguna Torre B - Early transfer, in regular bus, without guide to Chalten.Your trekking guide awaits you in the little mountain town El Chalten. Short drive to our Hosteria and some time to relax before we start for a new hiking adventure. Highlight: hike to the Laguna Torre with views of the legendary Cerro Torre, with its icecovered tower (finger) pointing to the sky. Only the world's top elite of climbers can even dream about reaching the top! We enjoy wonderful views of Cerro Torre from Laguna Torre. In the afternoon return to our Hotel in El Chalten for overnight.

Hike: 5 - 6 hours, easy, well-maintained hiking trails

Day 8 | Laguna de los Tres - Fitz Roy B - In the morning we start hiking from our Hosteria to the next famous trekking highlight of Patagonia: the mighty Fitz Roy. Great hiking trail with astonishing views. Best views of Fitz Roy are from Laguna de los Tres. With a bit of luck and good weather we will see a colorful sunset over the Andes and these magnificent peaks - probably one of the best on earth! In the afternoon return to our Hotel in El Chalten for overnight.

Hike: 7 - 8 hours, moderate, well maintained hiking trails

Day 9 | El Chalten - Calafate B - Another day of hiking in the Patagonian Andes awaits us to the "Pliegue Tumbado". Our trekking guides select the best trail according to the group preferences. In the afternoon transfer back to Calafate, in regular bus, without guide. Overnight in a cozy Hotel in Calafate.

Hike: 6 - 7 hours, easy to moderate, well maintained trails

Day 10 | Calafate - Puerto Natales B - Drive to Calafate airport and flight back to Chile
Arrival in Puerto Natales in the morning. Transfer to bus terminal. Drive to Punta Arenas by regular bus, without guide. In the afternoon private city tour in Punta Arenas. Overnight in a cozy Hotel.

Day 11 | Punta Arenas B - After breakfast transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas for flight to Santiago and/or Puerto Montt.

(Notes: B = Breakfast; BL = Box-lunch or Picnic; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

DEPARTURE DATES: (Start: Saturday in Punta Arenas End: Tuesday in Punta Arenas)
2007: Jan. 6-16, Jan. 20-30, Feb. 3-13, Feb. 17-27, March 3-13, March 17-27

Rates (1 October 2006 - 30 April 2007) per person in DBL Room: US$ 2186, SGL Room Supplement: US$ 446
Minimum: 4 persons

Note:-at the Refugio Pehoe only bunk bed accommodation is available
Note: Important there is a 10 kg pp luggage restriction on these flights. Excess luggage can be left in Puerto Natales. The charge is aprox US$ 3 per extra kilogram which has to be paid at the airport before departure.
Note: incl. return flight Puerto Natales - Calafate - Puerto Natales, except international airport tax (in Calafate), approx. 20 US$ per person
Note: flight Santiago - Punta Arenas - Santiago is NOT included in the rates mentioned above. Please request rates for domestic airfares.

We can also offer a 6 day version of the above trip with the same start dates (Start: Saturday in Punta Arenas End: Thursday in Punta Arenas). Days 6 is as follows:

Day 6 | Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas B - Transfer by public bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport for connecting flight to Santiago.

Rate per person in DBL Room: US$ 1231
SGL Room Supplement: US$ 65

Chile

11 DAYS TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS OF CHILEAN AND ARGENTINIAN PATAGONIA

with overnights in comfortable Lodges and cozy mountain huts

11 DAYS TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS
OF CHILEAN AND ARGENTINIAN PATAGONIA