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PATAGONIA - TORRES DEL PAINE CIRCUIT TREK
Hiking in the 'Land of the Tempest'
11 days - Crossing the John Gardner Pass - Scenic Campsites - Grey Glacier - Hikes into the Ascencio and French Valleys - Photographic Instruction
Discovered by Magellan, Patagonia is variously known as the ‘Land of the Tempest' and the ‘Land of Fire and Ice'. It is situated almost at the extreme southern tip of South America, just to the north of Cape Horn. We access this remote area by way of the small town of El Calafate. From here, we will transfer by bus to a comfortable fixed camp in the Torres del Paine National Park, which lies across the border in Chile. The rugged territory of Patagonia is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and this is nowhere better exemplified than in the Torres del Paine National Park, where pink granite towers, iridescent blue lakes and surreally sculpted glaciers compete for the viewer's admiration. This is also the setting for one of the world's great trekking challenges, the 60 mile-long circuit of the Paine Massif. Involving 6 days of continuously scenic hiking, by way of several lakeside camps and the remote and wind-swept John Garner Pass, this is the ultimate Patagonia trekking experience. Traditionally a route which involves some backpacking, we have managed to overcome this by arranging pack-horse and porter support throughout the trip. Also included within the itinerary are day-hikes to the most spectacular viewpoints in the Ascencio and Frances valleys. This is a short but quite testing trekking vacation in a mountain region which has been voted as the most dramatic on the planet.
Our December 27, 2010 group departure will be led by experienced trekking guide and photographer Charles Engelbert from Colorado. Throughout the trip, Charles will be available to give photographic advice.
2010/11 TRIP DEPARTURE DATE:
December 27, 2010 to January 6, 2011
The Patagonia Paine Circuit Trek is part of our Worldwide Trekking Series. We are able to arrange this trekking itinerary on custom dates for groups of 5 to 12 people during the months of November through February.
Please contact us with any questions or to receive a detailed day to day Trip Itinerary.
2010 LAND ONLY PER PERSON TRIP PRICE:
5 to 7 People: $3625.00
8 to 9 People: $3460.00
10 to 12 People: $3235.00
Single Supplement: $350.00 per person. The single supplement applies to our hotels and camping, but is not available in the yurts at EcoCamp!
TRIP SNIPPETS:
Hotels: 2 nights hotels and 3 nights at EcoCamp
Camping Trek: 5 nights camping
Trek Grade: 7 days STRENUOUS trekking
Max. altitude: 3,870 feet at John Gardner Pass
Strenuous Trekking = physically very challenging and more suited to hikers who are used to extended days (6-8 hours) and who are competent over uneven and difficult terrain.
TRIP OUTLINE:
Day 1: Arrive in Calafate.
Day 2: The Adventure Begins!
Day 3: Hike to Camp Dickson.
Day 4: To Camp Perros.
Day 5: John Gardner Pass to Camp Grey.
Day 6: Trek to Pehoe Lake.
Day 7: To Valle Frances – the Heart of the Paine Massif.
Day 8: Los Cuernos Trail.
Day 9: Day hike to the Paine Towers.
Day 10: Transfer to Calafate.
Day 11: Depart Calafate.
Country Information: About Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park: About the Torres del Paine National Park
El Calafate: About El Calafate