Day 1
2022/2/1
Depart USA, Fly to Puerto Natales
Day 2
2022/2/2
Explore the town of Puerto Natales
Day 3
2022/2/3
Puerto Natales - Base of the Torres
At 7.30 am we pick you up at your lodging in Puerto Natales. Our transfer takes us along an unpaved road heading to Torres Del Paine. When entering the park, we will have excellent opportunities to photograph guanacos (llama family) and Grey foxes, driving alongside lagoons where you can spot Chilean flamencos and black-necked swans.
We will begin our trek to the base of the Towers, following the Ascencio River to enter the Ascencio Valley. We will walk uphill for one hour before stopping to observe the first glimpses of the valley surrounded by unbelievable beech forests (Nothofagus family), glaciers and waterfalls.
We'll continue through the valley for another hour and a half before ascending a huge terminal moraine to a lookout (900m), the perfect photo stop. At this point, we will be surrounded by three giant granite towers (2850m) and a lagoon with slurry waters due to erosion produced by glaciers. This amazing view will be accompanied by lunch, adding to the experience.
After being awed by the towers we'll start our descent, following the same path back to our camp.
Day 4
2022/2/4
Torres Campsite - Seron Campsite
We will have an early start and, weather permitting, enjoy an impressive view of the Tower's peaks lit up in orange at dawn. We will start our walk through an ancient, tall deciduous beech forest with the chance to see woodpeckers or fresh puma tracks. We follow a well-marked trail on a gradual incline that will lead us to an excellent viewpoint of Paine Chico Mountain in the distance.
Continuing on further, we arrive at the Serón Campsite, which is situated in the more gentle northeastern part of the national park. Here, we will set up our camp and enjoy a good dinner together.
Day 5
2022/2/5
Paine Lake - Paine River
Today is the most relaxed stretch of our journey and especially interesting for flower lovers who, depending on the season, will see orchids, calceolarias, violets and oxalis. We will trek around Paine Lake along a flattish path with views of many mountains, including Cerro Escudo (The Shield) and Cerro Cabeza del Indio (Indian Head Mountain - the profile of an Indian is observed in the rocks).
As the hike goes on, we will arrive at the beginning of the Paine River, from where we will be able to see the incredible Cerro Cubo (Cube Mountain) and Dickson Lake. We'll spend the night at Camping Dickson, a refugio campsite with pre-erected tents.
Day 6
2022/2/6
Los Perros River - Los Perros Campsite
At this point we will start our adventuring in one of the most beautiful sections of the park, navigating some of the oldest beech forests, along an undulating path, following Los Perros River, with breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls and lush vegetation. We will cross a hanging bridge over Los Perros River to arrive at the terminal moraine of a hanging glacier that feeds a crystalline lagoon at its base. Half an hour from this point is Los Perros Campsite where we will stay overnight.
Day 7
2022/2/7
Grey Glacier
This is the most difficult day of the whole circuit, but the dramatic beauty of the scenery is more than enough to keep you going. We’ll begin along a clear trail through forests, then make our way through a swamp-like section before beginning our ascent. As we make our way up, we may come across some snow and eventually reach the John Garner Pass at 1200m above sea level. From here we have an outstanding view of the Grey Glacier and the Southern Ice Field, with its many unclimbed peaks.
We will journey alongside the glacier on an undulating path through fallen trees which contrast against the vivid Nothofagus forests. We also walk beneath the huge thick granite walls of the Cordon Olguín. If we're lucky, we may see ice calving from the front wall of the Grey Glacier, before we reach our beach camping location for the night.
Day 8
Glacier Grey - Pehoe Lake
Today we enjoy a leisurely morning, around the camp or in front of the Glacier Grey watching for some ice calving from the huge glacier wall!
You may wish to do an optional ice hike on Glacier Grey or kayak on Grey Lake*, paddling around icebergs and in front of the glacier.
We have lunch in the Refugio before we start a hike to the Pehoe Lake.
*The ice hike and kayaking expedition are at an additional fee and must be booked in advance. Please enquire for more details.
Day 9
French Valley - Puerto Natales
Today's hike is a return trek, so we will be able to leave our packs at Refugio Paine Grande and hike lightly. We will start by skirting the south-west side of Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Park. This will take us through native forests of fire bush and evergreen beech (Nothofagus Bethuloides), up to the hanging bridge over the French River to observe the first glimpses of the glacier.
As we take in these sights, we will ascend further (300m) for one hour in a surreal Japanese garden landscape, crossing beech forests, to reach a viewpoint where we get jaw-dropping views of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. In this stunning location we'll stop for lunch.
We will then follow the same path back to Pehoe Lake, pick up our packs, cross the lake by catamaran and take a private transfer back to Puerto Natales; where we will end the trip.
Day 10
French Valley - Puerto Natales
Today's hike is a return trek, so we will be able to leave our packs at Refugio Paine Grande and hike lightly. We will start by skirting the south-west side of Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Park. This will take us through native forests of fire bush and evergreen beech (Nothofagus Bethuloides), up to the hanging bridge over the French River to observe the first glimpses of the glacier.
As we take in these sights, we will ascend further (300m) for one hour in a surreal Japanese garden landscape, crossing beech forests, to reach a viewpoint where we get jaw-dropping views of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. In this stunning location we'll stop for lunch.
We will then follow the same path back to Pehoe Lake, pick up our packs, cross the lake by catamaran and take a private transfer back to Puerto Natales; where we will end the trip.
Day 10-13
We will be traveling to several humanitarian project to see if they are a good fit for effgg.org to get involved.
Day 14
Fly home
Only a few spots still available, request a spot on the trip here.
Direct questions to eric@zasady.com 614-554-4385
My life changed the day I walked through the gates of a school in a remote village of Africa.I heard stories about the school many years ago and started following their progress, but I finally got a chance to see it for myself. My cousin Tannen started the school about 10 years ago and her story is extraordinary.
