In Torres Del Paine National Park

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Whe n? whe re?

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wh o? In Torres Del Paine National Park Itinerary Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

Day 6:

Winter W 2017

If you thought the southern hemisphere summer was the only time to hike , you are wrong; because Fantastico Sur has just launched an incredible new winter trekking program in Torres del Paine National Park at the bottom end of .

Spread across six days and five nights, the brand new "Winter W" program includes the visit to the three most outstanding places in this wonderful park: Base of the Towers, French Valley and Grey Glacier; as well as a nice ferry boat ride across Pehoe Lake and a private transfer to/from Puerto . You will spend unforgettable moments in mountain lodges operated by FSur and enjoy delicious meals and drinks; everything with the company and directions of your guide, especialized in adventure .

Given its uniqueness — a rare opportunity to experience Torres del Paine during the cold, crisp, blue- sky days between May and August when the park is nearly empty — "Winter W" is expected to be a very popular program. So book your place now!

Available from May to August 2017

Minimum 4 and maximum 8 persons per group

Trip begins on Mondays (Thursday groups may be added if demand dictates)

Meal and guide services included

ITINERARY 6 days, 5 nights

Day 1: Private transfer to Torres del Paine National Park

Check-in at Fantástico Sur office in Puerto Natales (661 Esmeralda Street) at 2 PM. Meet the rest of the group and your guide, who will brief you on the itinerary for the next six days. Embark on a private transfer to Torres del Paine Naitonal Park at 2:30 PM. The drive takes about 2.5 hours (112 km/70 miles), with a short stop at Cerro Castillo Village (54 km/34 miles from Puerto Natales). Arrive at National Park's Laguna Amarga entrance gate at about 5 PM and purchase your entrance ticket (www.fantasticosur.com/torres-del-paine/torres-del-paine-rates). Afterward that, the transfer drive continues into Cerro Paine cattle ranch and Refugio Torre Central where you spend the first night.

● No walking on day one ● Accommodation: Refugio Torre Central (NIGHT 1) ● Meals included in full board: Dinner (7 PM ), Breakfast (next morning 7 AM) & Box Lunch (distributed after breakfast)

Day 2: Trekking to “Base Torres” (8–9 hours, 19 km/12 miles)

Recommended start time: 8 AM.

The terrain is steep for the first hour and a half, but with fantastic views of Lake Nordenskjöld and the hanging glaciers of Almirante Nieto (2670 meters/8760 feet). After a rest stop at Refugio El Chileno, the trail continues through a Lenga forest for about an hour. Reaching the base of the "moraine” (that is a glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated soil), you begin a challenging 45-minute ascent. At the top, you're rewarded with one of the park's most impressive lookouts — boulder-strewn Base Torres — with its jade-colored glacial lake and panoramic view of Torre Sur (Southern Tower: 2850 meters/9350 feet), Torre Central (Central Tower: 2800 meters/9186 feet), Torre Norte (Northern Tower: 2600 meters/8530 feet) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor (Nest of Condor Hill)

● Difficulty Level: High ● Accommodation: Refugio Torre Central (NIGHT 2) ● Meals included : Dinner (7 pm ), Breakfast (7 am) & Box Lunch (distributed after breakfast).

Telephones: 56-61/ 2614184 - Address: Esmeralda 661, Puerto Natales - e-mail: [email protected] - www.fantasticosur.com

Day 3: Trekking from Torre Central to Los Cuernos (4–5 hours, 11 km/7 miles)

Recommended start time: 9 AM.

This trail goes along the base of Almirante Nieto, part of the Paine Massif, with great views to Lake Nordenskjöld. After four to five hours of trekking you reach Refugio Los Cuernos, where you can relax and recharge for the challenging French Valley trek that looms tomorrow.

● Difficulty Level: Medium ● Accommodation: Refugio Los Cuernos (NIGHT 3) ● Meals included : Dinner (7 pm ), Breakfast (7 am) & Box Lunch (distributed after breakfast)

Day 4: Trekking to French Valley (10–12 hours, 25.3 km/15.7 miles)

Recommended start time: 7:30 AM

The first two hours of trekking comprises ascents, descents and views of Nordenskjöld Lake. Upon reaching Italiano Campingsite, you can leave your large backpack at the ranger station and continue the rest of the trek with a small daypack of essentials (food, water, warm clothes). The trek continues upwards for another 1.5 hours to the French Glacier lookout, with its views of the hanging glacier and maybe even some small avalanches. You eventually reach the Británico area and another spectacular lookout point called Mirador Británico, considered by many as one of the highlights of the entire "W" Circuit. The viewpoint affords a close-up looks at peaks of different hills : Hoja, Máscara, Catedral, Aleta de Tiburón, Cuerno Norte, etc.

The return retraces your route back to ItalianoCamp and then onwards to Sector Pehoé and Refugio Paine Grande. Your guide will decide which lookout point you ultimately reach today depending on the weather and trail conditions.

● Difficulty Level: High ● Accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande (NIGHT 4) ● Meals included : Dinner (7 pm ), Breakfast (7 am) & Box Lunch (distributed after breakfast)

Day 5: Trekking to Grey Glacier (3–4 hours, 11 km/6 miles)

Recommended start time: 8 AM.

Today's hike is to Grey Glacier Lookout. The trail goes along the western side of the Paine Massif with views of Grey Lake and the mountains. After about 1.5 hours you reach the first lookout point, massive Grey Glacier looming in the distance. Continuing for another 1.5 to 2 hours, the trail reaches the main lookout point in front of the glacier. You can spend the time relaxing or enjoying the incredible views of the glacier, lake and icebergs from Refugio Grey.

● Difficulty Level: Medium ● Accommodation: Refugio Grey (NIGHT 5) ● Meals included : Dinner (7 pm ), Breakfast (7 am) & Box Lunch (distributed after breakfast)

Day 6: Back to Sector Pehoe & Puerto Natales. (3–4 hours, 11 km/6 miles).

Recommended start time: 8 AM.

Immediately after breakfast begin your return trek to Paine Grande and Lake Pehoé, arriving to the pier at noon, in order to take the ferry boat at 12:30 PM crossing Pehoe lake and getting to Pudeto Sector. It lasts 30 minutes. Upon arrival to the other side, your private transfer will be waiting for the return to Puerto Natales (arrival time around 5 PM).

● Difficulty Level: Medium

Alternatively, with a minimum of eight people from Monday group, you can skip the final 11 km/8 mile trek and board the Grey III on Saturday. The boat trip takes you to Hotel Grey. Those interested in kayaking can be practiced this activity here, on the shore of Grey lake, and should contact their travel agent before hand to arrange these activities.Ask your travel agent for details and the extra cost involved with making this change to your itinerary.

Includes ● 5 Nights accommodation in our refugios with sleeping bag or made-up bed (depending on availability) ** Made Up Bed = sheets + pillow + bed cover ● Private transfer to/from Puerto Natales ● Lake crossing from Pehoé sector to Pudeto sector to connect with transfer to Puerto Natales ● All meals at the refugios (dinner, breakfast & box lunch box) Not Included ● Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine National Park ● Medical insurance of any kind ● Services not indicated in the above program

Telephones: 56-61/ 2614184 - Address: Esmeralda 661, Puerto Natales - e-mail: [email protected] - www.fantasticosur.com

PRICES US$ per person:

Nº per. 1

Winter W with Guide + Full Board US$1,440 (minimum 4 people) (May to August)

● Rack rate per person ● Price in US Dollars is exclusively for foreign guests (without residency in Chile) and paying in American currency ● Full Board includes dinner, breakfast and box lunch box in this order (beverages not included)

IMPORTANT INFO In order to promote tourism, Chile has a foreign franchise law that exempts tourists from paying 19% sales tax at check-in. For that reason, please don't forget to bring your:

● Passport ● Tourist card (given at the border when entering to Chile).

If you do not present these documents at check-in, you are required to pay the tax in Chilean pesos.

WHAT TO BRING What to bring: Clothes for trekking: Clothes in refugio:

Passport & Immigration card Hike boots (never a new pair) Flip Flops (for shower)

(PDI ticket) Camara with batteries Trekking pants Warm Socks Head Lamp with batteries First Layer (top & bottom) Comfortable pants and pullover Sunglasses Waterproof jacket and pants Warm jacket or fleece (GORE TEX) Sunscreen (45+) Syntetic jacket (primaloft type) Comfortable & light sport shoes (optional)

Chapstick Gloves

Toiletries (Shampoo / soap / Warm Hat toothpaste / etc..) Padlock Cap (for sunny days) Earplug Syntetic socks Trekking Poles (highly Buff / Scarf (bandana type) recommended) 40lts Backpack Long and Short sleeve t - shirts Plastic Bags / Ziploc Fleece jacket Books – cards (optional) Binoculars / Compass / Gps (Optional)

Medicines (if necessary)

Clothes according to the activity (see next columns)

Check our Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGMtwzbMJDM

Telephones: 56-61/ 2614184 - Address: Esmeralda 661, Puerto Natales - e-mail: [email protected] - www.fantasticosur.com