ZAPATA VALLEY (4 DAYS)

Overview

Trek back in time to Torres del Paine’s hidden valleys and canyons, where paleontology is very much alive and evidence of Patagonia’s prehistoric life lies in wait. Pour over Ichthyosaurus fossils, hike the Zapata Valley and explore steppe dotted with the fossils of ancient leaves. This trek through ancient history weaves through secluded valleys, steppe and canyons far from the Park’s more crowded trails.

Trip highlights

• Visit Torres del Paine’s Most Remote Locations • Wild, Untouched Trekking & Camping Experience • Hike the Zapata Valley • Get Close to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field • Trek to the Summit of Cerro Zapata • See Impressive Ichthyosaurus Fossils • Visit Tyndall Glacier

Trip length

4 DAYS

Level

From USD

$1.195 Per Person

Start / End

Puerto Natales

Spaces:

MIN 2 MAX 8 PEOPLE

Season SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL

Day 1

Transfer to Torres del Paine - Full Day Trek through the Zapata Valley

2 hours by private transfer

6 hours hike, 14 KM

Night at Zapata Campsite (BL-D)

An early morning transfer will pick you up from your Puerto Natales hotel and take you to Torres del Paine National Park. After entering the National Park, we’ll drive to the post at Grey Lake and begin our 6-hour hike to the Zapata Valley, the most ancient one in Torres del Paine. This is an extremely unfrequented valley and your group will experience the peace of trekking alone, accompanied only by stirring scenery, and (if we’re lucky) the watchful gaze of the foxes, woodpeckers and huemuls (Andean deer) that live here. Hikers will share the weight of common equipment, carrying food and tents between them. A group porter and cook will carry the portable toilet and cook meals during your time at the Zapata campsite. This is a remote camping experience, staying at a basic campsite without access to hot water - but with the transcendent backdrop of Torres del Paine’s (truly) untamed landscapes on all sides. Upon arrival, we’ll set up camp, settle in and recharge with a nourishing evening meal.

Day 2

Explore the Ichthyosaurus Graveyard

12 hour round-trip/hike, 8 km

Night at Zapata Campsite (B-BL-D)

Today you’ll hike to rocky slopes near Tyndall Glacier to the site of a precious paleontological discovery. Here, 46 examples of Ichthyosaurus fossils, a dolphin-like “fish lizard” that lived 245 million to 90 million years ago in the Mesozoic Era, are seen as if etched into the rock itself. Adult and embryo specimens are present, showing us the remains of a what is likely a pack that was entombed by catastrophic mudflow that rushed into the underwater canyons they hunted. We’ll make our way back to our campsite via the same route and settle in to share a good meal. Tonight take time to stretch and rest: tomorrow’s hike is our most challenging.

Day 3

Full-day Hike to the Summit of Cerro Zapata

12-14 hour round-trip/hike, 26 km

Night at Zapata Campsite (B-BL-D)

This morning we’ll begin at around 4:00 am. Our destination is the Cerro Zapata (1590 m). This is a non-technical hike, but one that is long and requires hikers to interact closely with the landscape: weaving through forests of native trees, crossing snow and bouldering across huge rocks carved out by the glaciers’ ancient movements. The summit of Cerro Zapata has 360° views of fantastic Patagonian scenery, being surrounded by lakes, glaciers, mountain ranges and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Its peak is a particularly wonderful lookout for glaciers and the lakes they give birth to: from the summit, Glaciers Grey, Tyndall, Geikie, Pingo, Olguín (and others still unexplored) will be laid out below you. Our return hike to camp will be along the same route.

Day 4

Return hike, Transfer back to Puerto Natales

6 hour hike, 14 km

2 hours by private transfer

This morning we’ll break camp and begin our return hike across the grassy steppe and undulating slopes of the valley, with energy-boosting views of the Paine Massif along the way. At the end of our trek we’ll meet our driver, who will transfer us back to Puerto Natales.

INCLUDED

• All Private Transportation Indicated in the Schedule

• Entrance Fee to Torres del Paine National Park

• Three Nights at Zapata Campsite

• 4 Seasons Tent (Double Occupancy)

• 1 Porter to Carry Portable Toilet

• Cooking Utensils, Plate, Retractable Bowl, Sea to Summit Folding Chair

• All Meals Indicated in Schedule (B: Breakfast, BL: Box Lunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)

• Professional Hiking Guides (English-Spanish)

NOT INCLUDED

• Any Additional Nights

• Medical Expenses

• Travel Insurance

• Personal Expenses

• Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 4

• Sleeping Bag and/ or Sleeping Mat

• Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Gratuities for Guide & Driver

CHILE NATIVO WILD CAMPING

When we go off the beaten path, we must camp in places without modern facilities. We provide all the camping gear necessary for the most comfortable remote experience. Camping gear is provided to guests including tents (double occupancy), compact cooking utensils, & portable camp chair. The camping gear, food and cooking utensils must be shared among the group and each person will carry in total between 17 – 20 kgs (34 – 44 Lbs). Each group will have a porter who will carry the portable camping toilet throughout the excursion.

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