Regular Departures
Every Monday from October 3rd 2011 to April 23rd 2012.
Private or Customised Departures
We can do it, please contact us.
Starting / Finishing Points
The trip starts on Monday morning in Punta Arenas: last pick-up time 12:30 pm at the airport.
The trip finishes on Sunday at Punta Arenas Airport at 4pm, or later, depending on the group flight schedule. For domestic flights you have to be at the airport 1 hour before the flight leaves.
ARGENTINA
You can either start or finish this program in El Calafate, Argentina. The program price includes the transfer from your downtown hotel (the transfer is not included for hotels outside of Calafate) to/from El Calafate’s bus terminal and the regular bus tickets to/from Puerto Natales (Chile), where you join our groups starting/finishing in Chile. Please check more details in the final section of this page.
If you want to book a private transfer service in either Chile or Argentina please contact us.
Included
- All ground transport - private and domestic - as indicated in the itinerary
- Regular bus tickets Calafate <> Natales if starting/finishing in Calafate (check last section).
- Boat crossing on Grey Lake* please check day 4 of the itinerary
- 4 nights accommodation in EcoCamp standard domes (shared basis)
- 1 night accom. at Refugio Paine Grande and 1 night in Refugio Los Cuernos**
- Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park
- One expert English speaking trekking guide
- Sleeping bag for refugios if needed
- Transportation for your luggage within the Park: while trekking you will carry just your daypack
- Meals:
day 1: L, D
day 2: B, BL, D
day 3: B, BL, D
day 4: B, BL, D
day 5: B, BL, D
day 6: B, BL, D
day 7: B, BL
B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, L: Lunch, D: dinner.
*During Shoulder Season (October and April) the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be cancelled as the boat requires a minimum of 8 passengers to sail, which might not be reached in some cases. If this is the case we will plan an alternative excursion in the Park.
**If refugios are unavailable, alternative accommodation will be provided in tents with prior notice.
N.B. During Shoulder Season (September, October and April) the Towers Trek excursion might be cancelled because of weather conditions and safety considerations.
Excluded
- Flight tickets
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
- Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
- Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bringing US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP is recommended
- Items of a personal nature
Accommodation Details
EcoCamp
Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with a unique view of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first fully sustainable accommodation south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in geodesic domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants.
EcoCamp’s Standard Domes
EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first Geodesic Dome hotel room. At 3.6m/12ft in diameter and 2.4m/8ft in height, they allow two people to sleep and stand comfortably inside. They are resistant to the strongest Patagonian winds, rains, and snow, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), very cozy fleece blankets, feather quilts and organic elements for decoration. There are round windows in the ceiling to look at the stars. EcoCamp’s standard domes offer shared bathrooms, which aid our environmental initiative by collecting waste in a central heated composting chamber and allowing more control of water consumption and heating.
N.B. Standard Dome accommodation at EcoCamp Patagonia (trips PAT 025, 026 and 017) works on a sharing basis. If you are a solo traveller you will be be expected to share a dome with another traveller of the same gender (you will never be made to share with someone of the opposite gender). If there is availability at Ecocamp, most likely in low season, you may be allocated your own dome.
Superior Domes at EcoCamp (Optional upgrade)
Spacious, comfortable and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Guests can fall asleep looking up at the star-lit sky from their cozy bed and wonder at nature’s immensity as they hear the wind hurtling outside. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet.
Refugios
These are typical mountain huts, open to the public visiting Torres del Paine. They have rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single bunks and we will provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don't need to bring a sleeping bag!). The bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water. The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area where plentiful meals are served. If refugios are unavailable, alternative accommodation will be provided in tents with prior notice.
Group Size & Guiding Staff
9 travelers is the most typical group size, plus guiding staff. Maximum 12 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6
Transport
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. Pick up / Drop off times shown in the Weekly Transfer Board are approximate and will be confirmed locally by our operations team. An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for anyone needing additional support while they are in Chile.
Weather
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the affect of the Southern Patagonia Ice field make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min). However, just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become lovely and sunny. So come prepared for all types of weather!
Physical Demands
This is the right trip for energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to regard this trek as a means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a program of conditioning well before departure.
Children
- Youngsters who are 14 years of age or older are welcome and are considered adults.
- Children between 12 and 13 might be accepted in this program if their legal guardian sends a formal letter stating that the child is prepared for such an intense trekking trip and authorizes us to hire a private guide in case the child cannot perform well during the trek.
- Children under 12 years of age cannot participate in this trip.
- This trip doesn’t offer a special discount for children.
What you need to bring
Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. Essential equipment includes a one day backpack (30 liters - to carry camera, glasses, rain coat, etc), trekking or hiking boots, extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet, waterproof jacket, two pairs of woollen socks, fleece jacket or sweater, shorts or comfortable loose pants, sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen) and optional capilene underwear for the upper and lower body. US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP.
Itinerary Modifications
The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to deal with at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
Transfers to Start / Finish in El Calafate, Argentina
Option 1: Inter-provincial Public Bus (tickets included in the program price)
***Calafate to Torres del Paine***
Pick up at hotel 7:00-7:30 AM, arrive at EcoCamp 7 PM.
We pick you up at your downtown hotel in Calafate, take you to the bus terminal and give you the tickets to board a public bus heading to Puerto Natales. You reach this town around 2 PM, we are waiting for you at the bus terminal and arrange lunch for you. Close to 4 PM you board our van going to Torres del Paine and reach EcoCamp in time for dinner.
***Torres del Paine to Calafate***
Leave EcoCamp at 8 AM; arrive at your hotel in Calafate at 2 PM.
After breakfast you board the van that will drop you off at Cerro Castillo (borderline) on time to catch the public bus going to Calafate. You arrive at Calafate bus terminal where our transfer is waiting to drive you to your downtown hotel. Transfers to Calafate Airport have an additional cost.
Option 2: Semi-private van transfer (not included); +US$120 p.p. each way
(This service is available from mid October to March)
This service consists of comfortable vans seating a maximum of 9 people, all of them guests at either EcoCamp or neighbouring Hostería Las Torres. The service provides a direct and relaxed connection between El Calafate and Torres del Paine NP, with just one stop at the borderline to change vans.
***Calafate to Torres del Paine***
Pick up at hotel 7:00-7:30 AM, arrive at EcoCamp 1 PM.
We pick you up at your downtown hotel in Calafate and start driving to Chile. Once we reach Cancha Carrera (borderline) at about 11 AM we complete the immigration process, and then drive to the Chilean side where we board another van. We continue driving towards Torres del Paine NP and arrive at EcoCamp in time for lunch.
***Torres del Paine to Calafate***
Leave EcoCamp at 10 AM; arrive at your hotel in El Calafate at 3:30 PM.
After breakfast we board the van and drive towards the borderline. We reach Cerro Castillo around 11:30 AM, go through immigration and continue to the Argentine side where we board another van. We start driving towards El Calafate city and reach your downtown hotel in the early afternoon.
