A ten day, small group trekking holiday in Chile’s Torres del Paine National park. Five full days of challenging, guided treks, so good fitness required. Staying in mountain refuges.
SantiagoPunta ArenasPuerto Natales Torres del Paine trekking, refuge to refugeThree Towers
Description of Patagonia expedition holiday, small group
This Patagonia expedition holiday is a stunning trekking trip into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, in Chilean Patagonia. Starting in Santiago, meet the other members of your trekking group and have time to get to know the capital city a little. The next day we take a domestic flight north to Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia to start our expedition, which starts with a three hour bus ride through the most magnificent mountain landscapes, with the ocean also in view.
We spend a night in the traditional town of Puerto Natales, and then embark on six days of trekking around 7-8 hours a day, staying at mountain refuges along the way. Sometimes you will be able to just carry your daypack but on most days you will be doing proper backpacking, so a high level of fitness is required for this trip. The trekking is second to none, however, with highlights including the journey along glacial rivers and lenga forest to the iconic Three Towers, or hiking past Pehoé and Grey Lakes to Grey’s Glacier.
We are very committed to sustaining Patagonian landscapes and also cultural heritage, and so we invest 10% of our total revenue in the form of microcredit to small-scale entrepreneurs in Chilean communities here. We also trek with strict Leave No Trace principles and practices which, when you see these unique Patagonian landscapes, will understand why. The views and pristine trekking routes will stay with you forever.
Price information
US $3199excluding flights
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Single Supplement: $300.
Custom and Private dates available on request.
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Reviews
1 Reviews of Patagonia expedition holiday, small group
5 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed on 04 Dec 2018 by Philip Tucker
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing a puma on the hill above the camp site our first day in Torres del Paine national park. Apparently this was a freak occurrence as pumas are usually pretty secretive. There were a lot of hares around that morning though... Otherwise there were so many amazing mountains and lakes to see (we were very lucky with the weather) particularly up the french valley and near Glacier Grey.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack as light as possible as there are some days with a full pack on your back which are a bit of a slog.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not directly although I suppose our park entry fees help to maintain the park. Everyone takes the park rules very seriously and it really is a pristine environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Good weather, excellent hiking, brilliant guide and the food wasn't bad either!
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
WASTE: In Chile, we practice a Leave No Trace principle. This is important in preserving the Torres del Paine National Park. Reducing waste and reducing the environmental impact of tourism is a big priority of our company in all the place we operate. In Patagonia we incentivize environmental stewardship in the Andes mountain regions by assessing all partner lodges based on local ownership, energy-sourcing, and waste disposal. Our lodges in the Torres del Paine National Park go to great measures to reduce impact in this remote area by packing in and out supplies and waste. The Andes region of Chilean Patagonia is a precious resource and we must help to protect it. All meals are provided with food that is sourced locally to minimize packaging and waste. Our Chilean guides serve as environmental and waste reduction educators on the trail. They talk about the environmental issues that are challenging the Patagonia region and they demonstrate and educate best practices for responsible travel to our travelers.
WATER: In Chile, we encourage the use of reusable bottles instead of purchasing plastic bottled water. We actively educate clients on the impact of plastic products on the remote environments of the Torres del Paine National Park and all of Patagonia. Within the Torres del Paine National Park the water in most of the streams is drinkable without treatment. Our guides encourage our travelers to drink the stream water to really demonstrate the importance of the protection of the water supply and environment.. In areas of Chile where water must be treated, we utilize ultraviolet (UV) purification systems on the trail to avoid boiling water over flame or propane when possible. Having to build a fire or boil water, or carry propane into the mountains creates waste pollution. This ultraviolet (UV) purification systems practice eliminates tens of thousands of wasteful water bottles being purchased and discarded and that could potentially pollute the Chilean environment.
People
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS: With our company, we are committed to doing travel right. We see travel in Chile as one of the most effective means of investing in amazing people and places. We hire experienced local Chilean guides from the local communities in which we operate. Our guides either come from Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales or have spent most of their lives in this southern Patagonia region. This is not only the responsible thing to do but provides a better and more authentic travel experience. We invest 10% of our total revenue in the form of microcredit to small-scale entrepreneurs in the communities of Chile. We partner directly with FINAM and Banigualdad, microfinance institutions that provide low-interest capital to small businesses in the regions where we operate. This is our mission, our passion, and what makes our company very unique in the travel industry.
A FAIR DEAL: In Chile our company partners up with local lodge owners in Santiago, Puerto Natales, and in the Torres del Paine National Park. We partner with local drivers and transport companies that employ local Chilean residents. We focus on partnering with other local businesses in the areas and communities we operate, to maximize the local benefit from tourism. We practice a Leave No Trace principle on all our expeditions and we incentivize environmental best practices among our partners. Our teams are locally hired within Chile. We travel with respect and preservation of local Chilean customs and with that perspective in mind we educate those who travel with us in the importance of preserving these important factors that make Chile an amazing place to visit and protect.
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