INDEPENDENT EXPRESS W

Day 1: Arrival to Torres del Paine National Park – Trek to the Base of The Towers

After breakfast at the hotel, you have to request for your box lunch and then go to the bus terminal to take the 7:00 am bus (we recommend being at least 10 minutes before departure) to go to Torres del Paine National Park. You will travel through beautiful landscapes until you reach the main entrance, Laguna Amarga, where it is necessary to register with CONAF (park rangers). Here you will transfer to “Las Torres” shuttle, who will take you to the Visitor’s Center. Check yourself in at the Cerro Paine Reserve and, after about 5 minutes’ walk, you will arrive to Torre Central where you must check in, either in refuge or camping, before starting your trekking.

Today’s hike begins in the Ascencio Valley, enjoying its extensive forests. During the final ascent, you will cross an immense field of giant rocks, until you reach one of the most emblematic viewpoints in the world, the famous Base of the Towers lookout. At an altitude of 900 m.a.s.l.m., you will marvel with the 3 granite towers (north, central and south) and the bright turquoise glacial lake at its feet. Take beautiful photos and enjoy your box lunch before returning along the same path back to Torre Central. After a long day and enjoying the Towers, delight in dinner at the refuge.

• Distance: 22 kms
• Time: 8 – 10 hrs
• Level of difficulty: High
• Accommodation: Torre Central refuge (simple bed) or camping
• Meals: Box lunch and dinner

Day 2: Catamaran – Trek to Grey (optional hike to the hanging bridges)

After breakfast, ask for your box lunch and take the 8:30 am shuttle bus back to Laguna Amarga. Here, you must board the Bus Sur bus that will bring you to the Pudeto boat dock. At 10:30 am you will board the Hielos Patagónicos catamaran, which will sail for approximately 35 minutes through the Pehoé lake, arriving directly to the Paine Grande refuge. Here starts your hike to Grey.

The journey begins through a narrow and winding valley that leads to Los Patos lagoon. As you keep moving forward, you will start to get glimpses of the immense Southern Ice Field as well as the icebergs in the Grey lake. After passing the sometimes very windy viewpoint, the path descends through a mountainous forest until it reaches the Grey refuge. From here, you can continue your walk for about 10 minutes until you reach the Grey’s glacier lookout, where you will be facing the bluest glacier in the world. Dinner will be served at the refuge between 6:00 and 9:00 pm.

• Distance: 11 kms
• Time: 4 – 4.5 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium
• Accommodation: Grey refuge (full bed) or camping
•  Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

OPTIONAL:
For an unforgettable panoramic view of the Grey glacier, set off for an extra 3 – 4 extra hours (round trip) past the refuge in the direction of the famous hanging bridges. In addition to contemplating the impressive ice, you can see the depth of the ravines formed by the rivers and waterfalls that come from the Olguín Range. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see ice detachments from the glacier into the cold waters of Grey lake.

• Distance: 4 kms
• Time: 3 – 4 hrs (round trip)
• Level of difficulty: Medium

Day 3: Trek to Paine Grande

Enjoy breakfast in the dining room at Grey refuge and remember to ask for your box lunch! In case you haven’t managed to visit the hanging bridges yesterday afternoon, take the morning to explore the spectacular panoramic views of the Grey glacier.

Today you will follow the same trail back to Paine Grande refuge. Rest and enjoy a warm dinner inside the lodge.

• Distance: 11 kms
• Time: 4 – 4.5 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium
• Accommodation: Paine Grande refuge (full bed) or camping
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

Day 4: Explore the French Valley – Catamaran – Return to Puerto Natales

Today’s hike will be a round trip, starting and finishing at Paine Grande, so we recommend beginning early! After breakfast, ask for your box lunch and get ready for a new day full of amazing Patagonian landscapes.

Hike to the core of the park, bordering the blue waters of the Skottsberg lake. After approximately 2.5 hours of walking, you will arrive to the Italiano camp (park rangers), where you will begin your journey to the French Valley. Climb large rocks and then continue through the forest until you reach the French viewpoint. Here, you will be rewarded with incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons and amazing hanging glaciers that fall down the east face of Paine Grande Mountain (3.050 m.a.s.l.m). If you are lucky, you can hear the resounding noise of the glacier and the falling water, as well as it is very common to witness an avalanche. Enjoy your box lunch and the well-deserved rest.

Descend the same path to the Italian camp and then to Paine Grande refuge.

At 6:00 pm you must take the catamaran that will take you back to Pudeto, where you will board the regular bus at 6:30 pm to Puerto Natales. The estimated time of arrival to Natales is 9:30 pm.

• Distance: 19 kms
• Time: 7 – 8 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium – high
• Meals: Breakfast and box lunch

INCLUDES

• Camping and / or refuge accommodations according to your itinerary.
• Lodge accommodations are in shared and mixed dorms, with bunkbeds.

*Full bed in Vértice refuges includes sheets, cover and pillow.
*Simple bed in Las Torres refuges includes sleeping bag and pillow.

• Camping accommodations include an already-pitched tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
• Bus transportation to and from the park + shuttle bus ticket to the Visitor’s Center and back.
• Meals according to your itinerary.
• If you have any dietary restrictions, make sure to inform us upon reservation. Food restrictions will only be honored with previous notice.
• Catamaran tickets.
• Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine National Park.

DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Medical and / or travel insurance of any kind.
• Flights.
• Gratuities.
• Guide / Porter.
• Personal expenses.

DEPARTURES

Every day (depending on availability) from October to April.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Medium – high.

RESTRICTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• This program is not recommended for children under the age of 10.
• Passengers should be able to carry their personal belongings for the duration of the program.
• We recommend using a 40-liter backpack.
• We offer luggage custody at our office in Puerto Natales for those who wish to leave belongings during their trek.

ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS

All excursions are subject to weather conditions.