Essential Torres del Paine National Park (7 Days)

Introduction

Glacier Grey, Patagonia

Trekking, Torres del Paine National Park

Luxury Chile Vacations

Patagonia Vacation Packages

Horses in Torres del Paine

Glacier Grey, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Santiago de Chile, Colonial and Modern

Plaza de Armas, Santiago de Chile

Glacier Grey, Patagonia

Trekking, Torres del Paine National Park

Luxury Chile Vacations

Patagonia Vacation Packages

Horses in Torres del Paine

Glacier Grey, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Santiago de Chile, Colonial and Modern

Plaza de Armas, Santiago de Chile

• 1

  Day 1

  Arrive into Santiago de Chile

  Located on the Mapocho River in the middle of the country, the City of Santiago is Chile’s cultural, political and financial center. Originally inhabited by Mapocho Indians, Santiago was officially founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. Today you’ll arrive into Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), where we will collect you and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Santiago.

• 2

  Day 2

  Morning Panoramic Tour of Santiago de Chile

  During the 17th century under the control of the Viceroyalty of Peru, Santiago was a minor concern for the Spanish. Only as trade routes grew to the north of the continent and across the Magellan Strait to Argentina and Europe, the real potential and wealth of Santiago flourished. Today you’ll take a tour of colonial Santiago visiting Plaza de Armas and the most important buildings including the Post Office, Santiago Cathedral and La Moneda Palace (Government Palace). The tour takes in the modern barrios of Santiago and San Cristobal Hill, a vantage point of 2,640 feet located in the north-east of the city.

• 3

  Day 3

  Fly to Patagonia, Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park

  Today you’ll fly to the remote port town of Punta Arenas in the far reaches of Patagonia. On arrival you’ll take the 3 1/2-hour journey to your hotel at the entrance of Torres del Paine National Park. With easy access to all the main attractions and offering all the modern comforts of a luxury hotel, this is the perfect location to start your Patagonia adventure.

• 4

  Day 4

  Boat Navigation to Grey Glacier

  This excursion truly lives up to its name by giving guests the fullest introduction to Torres del Paine National Park in a compact full day tour. This road trip into the heart of the park features stops at scenic viewpoints, short hikes to natural landmarks and includes a superb lake cruise to Grey Glacier. Along the way we include stops at Nordenskjöld Lake lookout, Puente Negro (Black Bridge), Sarmiento lookout and Salto Grande waterfall. After enjoying an al fresco gourmet lunch, guests have a choice of a hike along the southern shore of Lago Grey to a point where you can gaze down at icebergs or a narrated boat trip across the length of the lake to imposing Grey Glacier.

  Difficulty: Easy.

• 5

  Day 5

  Valle Bader (Horseback & Hiking)

  Explore a seldom visited section of the Torres del Paine National Park, on a scenic excursion that combines both horseback riding and hiking. The adventure starts from the hotel on horseback. Following five-miles of the famous “W” Trail, you’ll arrive at a small junction where the trail leads off steeply to the right. Here you’ll dismount the horses before starting a challenging hike into the Bader Valley. Situated between Los Cuernos and Mount Almirante Nieto, the valley offers breathtaking views across Pehoé, Sarmiento and Nordenskjöld Lakes and beyond to the Patagonian pampas.Distance: 11 Miles by horseback + 7.5 miles trekking.

  Difficulty: Challenging.

• 6

  Day 6

  Las Torres Base Trek (Hiking)

  Adventure by foot to the base of Las Torres, the most iconic attraction in the national park. Challenge yourself with a moderately-tough trek and reward your senses with views of the three slender towers looming over a turquoise glacier-fed lagoon. The hike ascends through the Ascencio Valley, a beautiful lenga forest to Refugio Chileno. Continuing along fairly flat terrain the trail crosses ice-cold mountain streams and threads past glacial moraines before reaching Base Las Torres. After taking some time to appreciate this natural spectacle and have your photo taken, you return to the hotel via the same route.

  Distance: 11 Miles.

  Difficulty: Challenging.

  Increase in elevation: 3,000 feet (start to base Las Torres).

• 7

  Day 7

  Transfer to Punta Arenas, Fly to Santiago, International Departure

  Following breakfast, you’ll return to Punta Arenas by road, where you’ll catch a domestic flight to Santiago de Chile and connect to your international flight home.