OVERVIEW

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02

Trip Highlights

• 6-day trekking trip to Torres del Paine National Park and the famous "W" hiking trail. Optional additional day available (see day-by-day itinerary).

• Full-board accommodation at up to 4 of the mountain huts (refugios) located along this famous park's trail.

• Scenic catamaran trip at Pehoe Lake, a delightful commuting service at the heart's of Torres del Paine park.

• Available guided option with a focus on nature photography and natural history interpretation.

This program departs daily from Puerto Natales, Chile. Available public and private transfers from Punta Arenas, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina.

The Difference of Traveling with Fantastico Sur Expeditions:

• Full flexibility by giving you the chance to choose the dates that are most suitable for your travel plans.

• Leave the hassle of booking at individual companies and related transportation logistics in the hands of local tour operator, that will be responsible for every trip arrangement. We will also be available if you need assistance in the field.

NOTE: Fantástico Sur Expeditions is a sister company to Fantastico Sur Lodges; however, we work as individual organizations, under different administration and with different staff.

What are the differences of these packages in comparison with the services you can book directly by using our Torres del Paine Hiker Trip Planner?

• These packages are fixed in terms of itinerary and accommodations; you don't need to have a prior knowledge or to plan your hiking journey with a huge anticipation; we take care of all the logistical aspects of your trip whereas by using the Trip Planner you can decide the total length of your hike and many nights you want to spend in one particular mountain hut (refugio).

• During our 'Torres del Paine Hiker' programs we use beds [with linens, blanket and pillow] in those 'refugios/lodges' where this service is available [Refugios Torre Central, Torre Norte and Paine Grande]; we provide sleeping bags in all the rest of the refugios along the trail.

• We provide to each of our guests booked in any of our 'Torres del Paine Hiker' programs [TDP02] with printed vouchers for their journey.

Torres del Paine Hiker can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

• King Penguins of Tierra del Fuego (2 days, 1 night), our exciting new program to see the 'Lords of Patagonia';

• Torres del Paine Explorer (3 to 5-day private trips) which will supplement your hiking adventure by allowing you to explore the eastern and western sectors of the park and have close encounters with the wildlife.

• Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 and 5 days), discover the wildlife and landscapes of the world's end.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Torres del Paine Luxury Expedition • 5 days | Trip Code: TDP05

Day 1 • Boat trip to Balmaceda Glacier - Zodiac journey in Serrano river - Torres del Paine National Park

Hotel Lago Grey (4*), Torres del Paine. (L,D)(G)

Day 2 • Boat trip to Grey Glacier - Hike to Pehoe Lake and 'Los Cuernos' Camp

O/N Cabañas Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D)

Day 3 • Hike to Valle del Francés (French's Valley) - Back to Lago Pehoe - Boat trip to Pudeto - Private transfer to 'Las Torres'

O/N Hotel Las Torres (4*), Torres del Paine (B,L,D)(G)

Day 4 • Hike to 'Las Torres' Base (the 'towers')

O/N Hotel Las Torres (4*), Torres del Paine (B,L,D)(G)

Day 5 • Private transfer to Puerto Natales

(B)

Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide.

• W Circuit without a guide? See what the forums say. Click here.

• Another good introduction to this famous hiking trail. Click here.

MAP

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02

PRICING & DEPARTURES

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02

2011 | 2012 Dates:

Available from mid-September 2011 through April 2012.

Meet/Depart: Daily departures from Puerto Natales, Chile. Optional transfers to/from Punta Arenas, Chile (Please inquire).

Trips are guaranteed to depart with no minimum of participants.

Rates (you choose the date, late September 2011 through late April 2012):

Notes:

- The above prices are per person in US$, based on shared occupancy.

- The refugios normally have 6 bunks per room. See refugio descriptions.

- Christmas & New Year's eve dinner have an extra charge of $20 per person

Do you want us to arrange your stay in Puerto Natales?

Book our Torres del Paine Hiker program and you will get a 10% discount on the room rates. Our recommended hotels and hostels in Puerto Natales. Rooms with private facilities, including breakfast.

Do you want us to arrange your flights to Punta Arenas, Chile?

Please ask us. We can do that for you.

What the trip includes/excludes

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

The trip price includes: All accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary, guide services (only guided option), tickets on scheduled buses to/from Torres del Paine, and catamaran one-way tickets from Refugio Paine Grande to Pudeto.

The trip price excludes: Park entrance fees (USD 30 per person), domestic flights, tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Tour Registration:

To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it (by email or fax). Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 days prior to tour departure.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

If cancellation is made 60 days or more before departure date, the trip fees less 30% is refundable.

If cancellation is made fewer than 59 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

THE HUTS

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02 

Check out the descriptions and set of images of the mountain lodges we use on this hiking | trekking itinerary and their comfortable facilities. 

Refugio Las Torres, Torres del Paine

Refugio "Las Torres" is located at the starting point of the many hiking excursions that make this park, a true mecca for hikers, adventurers and explorers from all over the world. Among the best-known hiking trails is the hike to the base of the Towers (Base de las Torres), the long "O" round-circuit, and of course, the spectacular and popular "W" Circuit.

The lodge (or refugio) is a meeting point of hikers from different corners of the planet and the local people. Here you will have the opportunity to rent horses, learn how to rock climb or have a bath in a hot tub with an amazing view, among several other services. This "refugio" is divided into two buildings (plus a camping site) as described below:

Refugio Torre Central
This is the main and the newest building of this mountain lodge facility. The lodge have 54 beds plus a restaurant, a bar, two lounge rooms, a souvenir shop and a store. This section of the lodge offers slightly better comfort and infrastructure than the more older Refugio Torre Norte. 

Refugio Torre Norte
This building is situated only a few yards from the Refugio Torre Central and has 64 beds, a bar and a lounge room. All the meals are  served at Refugio Torre Central.

This is a mountain lodge and as such it offers shared rooms, each one having six bunks. There are spacious shared bathrooms (with WC and hot showers) for gents and ladies.

For this program you can bring your sleeping bag or we can arrange a proper bed (with sheets and blankets) ready for your arrival. This "treat" is available at most of the different "refugios". Try to minimize the weight of your backpack; don't bring too much camping gear as you will spend each night on a refugio, with cozy bedrooms and cooking facilities. Bring your camera, memory cards, battery chargers, and even a light tripd instead!

Refugio Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine

This refugio is located along the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld,approximately 4 hours hike from Refugio Torre Central.The lodge is surrounded by  beech forests and scrub vegetation, but it is renowned by its setting; its is flanked by the impressive granite walls of the Cuernos del Paine (the Horns). This mountain lodge facility has 32 bunks, a restaurant, shared bathrooms (separate facilities for gents and ladies) and a camping site.

Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine

This mountain lodge can hold up to 100 people, distributed into 23 bedrooms with 2-3 bunks each. The rooms have fantastic views over Pehoe Lake, Paine Grande Mount, the French Valley and the eastern side of the Paine Horns.

Each bedroom has comfortable bunk beds and drawers for storing gear. The toilets, located on the first and second floor, are equipped with sinks, toilets and hot showers, and there are separate facilities for men and women.

Refugio Grey, Torres del Paine

This lodge is located just a few minutes walk from Grey Glacier, at the end of the W circuit. The refugio has a restaurant, and 30 beds, arranged in comfortable bedrooms; all bunk beds are located on the second floor. The shared bathrooms are on the first floor, and there are separate facilities for men and women and all equipped with toilets and hot showers.

SLIDE SHOW

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02  

Check out our set of images from recent trips to the "W" Circuit in Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park.