See a different side of the iconic W Trek in Torres del Paine as few have ever seen or experienced it before. Trek into the heart of a Patagonian winter wonderland on this ultimate 7-day experience that takes you to the park’s iconic highlights such as the base of the Towers, French Valley and Grey Glacier. It’s a snowy trip (the use of crampons is highly recommend in some areas) made for true adventurers and those ready to explore Patagonia in a wild and rustic way!
(Available from May to August).
In the morning, you will be picked up from the Punta Arenas Airport. We recommend arriving before 11 AM. After gathering the group, we will start driving towards EcoCamp Patagonia in Torres del Paine. On the way, we will stop for lunch in Puerto Natales, a lively town on the shores of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza). Once arriving at EcoCamp, we’ll have some time to relax, eat dinner and get ready for the adventure to come. Additionally, our group will be introduced to the basic principles, methodology and history of “leave no trace.” We’ll also be briefed on the best way to pack and travel with a backpack. In the coming days, we will learn more about each of the seven “leave no trace” principles and gain a new sense of environmental awareness.
In the morning, we will head towards Serrano Village to begin the trek. Once we arrive, we’ll embark on a 9 hour (17 km) hike on the Carretas Trail and enjoy a perfect snowy view of the Paine Massif. After a long day of trekking, we will reach our destination for the night, the Refugio Paine Grande, which lies on the shores of Lake Pehoe at the base of the mighty Paine Massif. During the journey, we’ll learn about traveling and camping on durable surfaces, as well as how to properly dispose of waste. At the end of the day, we’ll spend the evening relaxing over dinner.
Today we’ll hike our 7 hour (12 km) from the Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern end of the glacial Lake Grey. Along the trek, we will have different views of this breathtaking glacier, as well as the chance to enjoy various perspectives of the Southern Ice Fields. Through our “leave no trace” training, our guides will explain why all travelers should “leave what they find.” We will walk back to Paine Grande Refugio to spend the night and share a comforting dinner.
Start your 7 hour (12 km) trek from Refugio Paine Grande, heading towards the French Valley. Pass through the dead forest (a sector impacted by forest fires) and towards an incredible lookout of the hanging glacier. Visiting the dead forest is an important reminder to minimize the impact of campfires and our guides will talk about this in more detail. After catching some spectacular winter views, we’ll backtrack to Francés Campsite. Here we will camp out for the night.
We’ll start our journey back towards EcoCamp Patagonia, taking the Los Cuernos trail along the shores of Nordenskjold lake. During our 7 hour (12 km) walk, we will spot lagoons and snowy mountain views. Along the way, our guides will also explain the importance of respecting wildlife and other visitors. After arriving at EcoCamp, you can snuggle in your cozy dome and enjoy a relaxing night with tasty food and fantastic company.
After a refreshing night sleep at EcoCamp Patagonia, we’ll walk from EcoCamp to the baseview of the Towers, three gigantic granite monoliths and the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
We’ll head up through the Ascencio Valley, located on the Tower's eastern face. Snowy mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which will lead us to that iconic base of the Towers. After a challenging uphill climb in the snow, the Towers eventually come into full view and will rise majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley to return to EcoCamp for the night. We’ll also finish up our “leave no trace” training and earn our certificate, hopefully passing on our new conservation knowledge to others!
Today it is time to board the transfer back to Punta Arenas Airport. Sit back, relax and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight. We recommend booking a flight that leaves after 4 PM.
Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants.
Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes which fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
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. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet
EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable and gender divided.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we will not be involved in the Standard Dome sharing option this season. All standard domes will be reserved for individual travelers or travelers from the same reservation group.
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 you will with your sleeping bag. The bathrooms are also shared and have hot water. The Refugio is heated and have a very comfortable dining area where plentiful meals are served.
Important notes:
This trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas* (hotel or airport) and includes all transfers.
*Please be sure your plain arrives before midday on the first day and departs after 4 PM on the last day of the program.
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia, transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people.
The Patagonian Andes is very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict.
Winter’s temperature range is between -2ºC/28ºF and 6ºC/43ºF. June, July, and August are the wettest months in Torres del Paine and sub-zero temperatures are common. Nevertheless, the winds are relatively mild in winter.
Essential equipment includes:
Please Note: This list is just to give you an idea of what you will need. We will send you a more detailed list prior to the departure date of the program.
The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to plan around at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary as well as modify, change, or eliminate parts of the itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide based upon operational considerations. Prices are valid from January 2020 to August 2020.
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Updated Oct.8th, 2021
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that as of November 1st, there will be no more mandatory 5-day quarantine for those arriving in Chile if you test negative for a PCR test upon arrival.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you would like to book a trip te to contact us if you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia