Included
-
All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in
the itinerary;
-
Boat crossing over lago Grey and lago Pehoe;
-
4 nights accommodation sharing a 2 person dome in Ecocamp.
-
1 night accommodation
in Refuge Pehoe and 1 night accommodation
in Refuge Los Cuernos;
-
Park fees for Cueva del
Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park;
-
Meals as indicated on
the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=boxLunch, D=dinner
-
One expert English
speaking trekking guide for 6 clients; one English speaking assistant
guide added for groups larger than 6.
Not Included:
-
Air fares;
-
Insurance (it is
mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips);
-
Optional tipping to
guides and staff;
-
Items of personal nature
(laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and
wine offered in dinners, etc.)
What is an Ecocamp?
It's a luxury
camp, of a kind never seen before in Chile and similar in concept to the
famous African lodges. It is a more comfortable alternative, but above all
environmentally friendly, especially in a national Park with the
characteristics of Torres del Paine. The Ecocamp
has been designed with the comfort of our travellers in mind but above all
stressing the importance of interfering as little as possible with the
surroundings in which we have installed it. This need to protect the
environment has meant that we have had to be very efficient in managing the
eco-camp; this has meant that we cannot offer some of the comforts normal in
unprotected areas (private bathroom with septic tank, diesel generators etc)
and, on the other hand, utilizing technologies and sustainable processes but
ones which demand a greater effort and more patience from our guests (less
availability of water and solar energy for electricity, making compost, less
waste etc). We think that the solution that we have designed for our
guests, in one of the most important national parks of the southern
hemisphere, is a novel alternative, efficient and in harmony with the
current demands of tourism.
What is the
Eco-camp like?
Sleeping is in
big comfortable domed tents that take 2 people. They are 2 meters high and
the floor is of vitrified wood. The tents are resistant to the strongest
winds, rain and even Patagonian snow and they are each equipped with 2
single beds, fleece sheets (very popular among our guests!), blankets and
feather cover. The domes are very well insulated allowing comfortable
temperatures even in cold nights. The Ecocamp also has a large dome for
kitchen/dining room: this is a dome of 9 meters diameter (30 ft) and 4.5
meters high (15 ft). It is equipped with a living area, dining room and
kitchen. The space is light and airy with a big panoramic window and it
invites our guests to enjoy in a completely new way the surprising evenings
of Patagonia. The Ecocamp also includes a bathroom module with showers and
hot water. The toilet system uses a composting process (i.e. it transforms
human waste into compost). A chef runs the kitchen of the Ecocamp.
Refugios
Our programs
include one night in Pehoe and another night in Los Cuernos. This are
typical mountain huts, open to the public that visits Torres del Paine. It
has rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single, bunk type 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.
Vehicles
A private van will deliver
us in Torres del Paine National Park on day 1 and will pick us up on the
last day. We also use a private van for transfers within
the park.
Group Size & Guiding
Staff
8-12 clients most typical
group size plus staff. Maximum is 20 clients.
Fixed Departures
The trip starts every Monday morning in the airport of
Punta Arenas from October 1st to April 15th.
You must arrive into Punta Arenas in any flight that arrives
around noon. The trip ends in the airport of Punta Arenas at 5PM approx. You
should book your return flights after 6PM. Departure trips are guaranteed
with 2 people minimum being the average size of the group 8 to 12 people. If
wished, you may ask us to also handle your local flights and hotels
arrangements while in Chile and/or Argentina.
Itinerary
modifications
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any
itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on
operational considerations.
The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate part of
the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
Physical Demands
This are the right trips 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 programme of conditioning well before
departure -in fact as soon as you book- and be aware that short walks on the
flat do little to prepare you for the gradients of the Torres del Paine
National Park. Regular aerobic exercise (power walking, jogging, cycling on
hills, swimming, cross country skiing, etc) for al least one hour 4-5 times
a week is suggested. Consult your physician if you have questions concerning
your underlying health.
What you need to bring
Day backpack (20-30lt), duffel bag (70 liters), waterproof
trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or
wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals
(for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles
(optional), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp,
extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear. A
complete booklet with detailed information about what to bring will be sent
to you once you book the trip.
About the itinerary
-The numbers in brackets
(distance-kms/miles, time-hrs) are approximated and refer to the trekking
portions exclusively. In general the itinerary submitted and the estimated
of time is reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering also good weather
conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing and pictures.
The climate
The vast unbroken stretch of
ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the
Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the
Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic
Icefield influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early
summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains
and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come
prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The
summers average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).
Extra services
We can
also book and purchase for you at the best rates available the following
side services: Domestic flights, Hotel accommodation in Santiago (3 to 5
star), Airport and Hotel pick ups in Santiago, side trips in Santiago and
longer extension trips (rafting, riding, hiking, etc) in other areas
throughout Chile.
