KAYAK, HORSEBACK, BIKE & TREK DURING THE QUIET, BEAUTFIFUL MONTHS OF WINTER
Overview
Come on a 5-day multi sport odyssey to Torres del Paine’s winter highlights. Trek to the Towers lookout, ride fat bikes between surreal lagoons, kayak through icebergs and let beautiful Criollo horses lead you through native forests. With crisp, clean winter air and quiet peaceful trails, this adventure getaway will leave you more in love than ever with the outdoors!
Trip Highlights
• Have Torres del Paine almost to yourself • Complete winter multi sport program • Full-day trail ride • Kayak through icebergs on Grey Lake • Trek to the Towers lookout • See condors and other birdlife • Ride fat bikes • Visit lagoons, valleys and rivers
Weather Conditions: Chilean Patagonia is famous for its unpredictable weather and the possibility of experiencing the four seasons in one day. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared for anything. The winter climate is dry and cold with temperatures of between -10º C and 10º C. Weather conditions are more stable between May and October. Because trails may be covered in snow and/or ice, it’s highly recommended that hikers bring appropriate gear to accommodate these conditions.
Trip length: 5 Days
Trip level: II - Enthusiastic
Start / End: Puerto Natales
Spaces: MIN 2 - MAX 8 people
Season: MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
Itinerary
Day 1: Blue Lagoon & Fatbike ride to Laguna Amarga
2 hours by transfer to the Blue Lagoon
Fat bike ride back to Laguna Amarga
1,5 hours transfer back to the Mountain Hut or Hotel
Night at Mountain hut or Hotel (BL-D)
An early morning transfer will drive you from Puerto Natales to Laguna Azul on the border of Torres del Paine National Park.
This is an area abundant in birdlife (watch out for coots, swans, ducks and woodpeckers) and the lagoon offers a great view of the three Towers; mirrored in its blue waters on clear, still days.
Here, we’ll ride fat bikes to Laguna Amarga, a lagoon whose waters contrasts with Laguna Azul’s in both color and texture. (Its name, Amarga or “sour”, is due to its high pH level, cloudy turquoise color and the distinctive white salty rim at the shoreline.) Highlights along the way to Laguna Amarga include Cascada Paine waterfall and the chance to photograph wildlife and the Park’s endlessly changing views.
Day 2: Round trip hike to Las Torres lookout point
1,5 Hour Transfer
8-10 hours hike, 22 KM
1,5 hour transfer
Night at Mountain Hut or Hotel (B-BL-D)
After breakfast we’ll take a transfer to the Las Torres area to begin our trek, first following the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley.
After an hour’s hike uphill, we’ll stop to admire the valley: its contours, textures and panoramic views of Lake Nordenskjöld.
The next 2 hours take us through tall beech forests, past waterfalls, then up a huge terminal moraine (the ridge formed at a glacier’s end point).
After reaching the lookout point 900 meters above sea level, we’ll be rewarded by the arresting sight of the Towers themselves.
Here, take your time to have lunch, take photos and enjoy the unforgettable views.
Once rested, we’ll descend along the same path to meet our transfer service back to our accommodation.
Day 3: Half day hike to Cuernos lookout point – Half day hike to Cerro Condor
1 hour driving
2 hours hike in the morning
2 hours hike in the afternoon
1 hour transfer back to Hotel or Mountain Hut
Night at Mountain Hut or Hotel (B-BL-D)
A morning transfer will take us to Salto Grande Waterfall where we’ll begin our hike. Our destination this morning is the Paine Grande and Lake Nordensjköld lookout point.
Here we’ll have lunch before setting off for Cerro Condor along a path offering changing panoramic views of the Park.
Have your cameras ready at the condor viewpoint: besides superb views of Pehoe Lake and twin black granite peaks Los Cuernos, this is a prime spot for observing condors and black-chested buzzard eagles as they glide and soar above.
We’ll later return along the same path and take a transfer to our accommodation.
Day 4: Full day Sea Kayaking at Lake Grey & Grey River
1 hour transfer
4-5 hours paddling, 25 km
1 hour transfer back
Night at Mountain Hut or Hotel (B-BL-D)
After breakfast a transfer will take us to Grey Lake. Here, on its shores and surrounded by views of Paine Grande and Grey Glacier, our guide will give us an introduction to kayaking safety and paddling techniques.
Following this, we’ll board our kayaks and enjoy two hours paddling the lake and river, weaving through floating icebergs that have calved from Grey Glacier and been sculpted into almost postmodern shapes by the wind and sun.
While paddling, don’t forget to look up: from the waters we’ll have fantastic views of Paine Grande, Los Cuernos and Cordillera Olguín.
The textures and colors of these enormous granite peaks and walls interplay wonderfully with Grey Lake’s turquoise waters. Leaving Grey Lake, we’ll begin our descent down Grey River as it snakes through canyons bubbling with rapids and framed by steep rock faces.
On the way we’ll see different types of aquatic birds, including the spectacled duck and torrent duck. We’ll paddle for 25 km alongside the Paine Massif, down Grey River until it joins the Serrano River.
After a total of 4-5 hours on the water, our expedition ends at Serrano Village, where we’ll take a transfer to our accommodation.
Day 5: Full day horseback ride Estancia Lazo
2 hour transfer
5 hours of walking, trotting and galloping
1,5 hours transfer (B-BL)
Early in the morning a private transfer will take us to Estancia Lazo. Today’s destination is a valley on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, reached via horseback along a path that will take us across rivers and through memorable landscapes of lenga forests and lakes. After leaving our horses in their caretakers’ hands once again, we’ll take a private transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Lodgins
HOTEL LAGO GREY
Located on the shore of Lago Grey, this ideally located and beautifully designed hotel is surrounded by forests of Lenga, Coihue and ñirres. From the dining room and sitting areas you will be astonished with breathtaking views of the deep blue icebergs floating on the lake´s quiet surface and the immense Glacier Grey in the distance. Each room offers a unique view and has modern amenities that make your stay a refreshing and a special treat during your Patagonia adventure.
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