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Ride, hike, sea-kayak
This is a unique one-of-its kind itinerary offering riding, hiking
and kayaking in one great trip. Along the ways visit the cute burrowing
Magellanic Penguins at the Otway Sound penguin colony and spend 3 days in the
beautiful and still rarely visited Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Then camp
in some stunningly beautiful and wild campsites, from where you will undertake
two fantastic and exciting riding trails across the Sierra del Toro and through
the heart of the park. What follows is a hike to the famous Towers; a
challenging but rewarding trail to the base of the Towers themselves. Then hike
up into the beautiful French Valley to witness the French Glacier and an
amphitheatre of granite peaks. Witness the enormity of Glacier Grey and
see the icebergs floating in the frigid waters of the aptly named Grey Lake.
Then experience a gorgeous long canter across open pampas as you ride to the
Serrano River, where your kayaking portion of the trip begins. Kayak on a
peaceful downriver journey through a virgin wilderness and paddle up close to
icebergs in Tyndall melt water lake (weather reliant). Ride up on top of the
world as you ascend the Sierra del Toro with panoramic views of the Park below
and enjoy a cutter ride across Last Hope Sound to Puerto Natales and the
convivial and beautifully situated Hotel Indigo. This trip is a true lifetime
adventure for those wanting to experience the best of three exciting activities
in one action packed trip.
The riding section
covers some fairly long riding days. The hiking is supported by pack horses with
hikers only carrying a daypack. The trip is guided throughout and baquianos will
accompany us to care for the horses.
 IT-CHRT40
Rates include lodging (camping and hotels, most meals, activities
14 days/ 13 nights $2,860
Single+ $310
.. based on total of 7+ riders on trip
Min/Max Participants: 7-12
4-6 only: +$110 per person
3 only: +$190 per person
2 only: +$470 per person
Dates 2008:
01/17-01/30 02/12-02/25
03/17-03/30*
11/24-12/07 12/24-01/06
Dates 2009:
01/17-01/30 02/12-02/25
03/17-03/30*
* March date offers overnights at estancias ..
+$375 ask for details
see availability
Meeting:
Punta Arenas (hotel)
Gratuity:
$50 to $100 recommended
Level:
B+ for the riding
Horses:
Chilean
Tack:
Chilean (similar to Western)
Pace: Slow to intermediate - some canters
Maximum Weight: 210 lbs
Note:
The hiking itself is ‘moderate – challenging’ and clients
should have the appropriate level of fitness. The kayaking part requires no
previous experience although clients should be confident around water. The riding section
covers some fairly long riding days so clients should be prepared for this and
should be confident at walk, trot and canter.
Rates include:
All
riding/walking/kayaking; all equipment (except
sleeping bags/mats); all transfers to and from Punta
Arenas and whilst in park; thirteen nights
accommodation (nine camping, three in hotels, one in
refugio) all based on twin share and meals with wine
whilst camping, English speaking and local guides;
baqueanos who care for horses; waterproof stuff
sacks for trip; use of saddle bags; river fees, camp
fees, entrance fees to park and penguin colony, two
nights in Punta Arenas at Hotel Terra Sur, one night
at Hotel Weskar, Puerto Natales.
Price Excludes: Flights,
airport taxes, airport transfers and meals in Punta
Arenas; lunch on Day 2 and Day 13 in Natales, dinner
on night 12 in Natales, local gratuities
ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive in Punta Arenas.
Taxi from airport to Hotel Terra Sur - and meet the
group leader
in hotel lobby at 7.30 p.m. to be escorted to
restaurant for dinner.
Day
2 Morning collection from Terra Sur
to start the day’s drive across the wide open pampas
and estancia lands that characterize this area
before arriving at the waterside town of Puerto Natales (the capital of the Esperanza region of
Chile). We will stop for lunch here and can choose
from a variety of restaurants and perhaps do some
souvenir shopping. After lunch we will continue our
drive towards the spectacular Torres del Paine
National Park. Our route takes us along the eastern
side of the Park where we will cross into the land
belonging to a local estancia. The last part of the
drive will be bumpy and with no other traffic as we
head towards our beautiful, remote camping spot in a
valley with awesome views of the Torres del Paine.
There is a small puesto or gaucho post here so we
will have some shelter for cooking, dining if the
weather is bad. Whilst dinner is being prepared we
can put our tents up and enjoy the view. No showers
(showers are under construction, check back with us
before season). Transfer time: approx. 5.5 hours.
Day 3 Today we will be meeting our
horses and the character baqueanos who care for
them for the first part of our adventure which will
be on horseback. After a short introduction to
western riding and safety briefing, we will set off
on our exciting and unique adventure into the hills
and forests of the Sierra Contreras. Our
destination is the pretty waterfall known as Cascada
Zamora. It is normal for us to see no other
visitors here enabling us to enjoy a peaceful lunch
in this pretty wood. After lunch we will ride out
to the remote puesto ‘mercado’ riding up high over
the pampas with views off to the Las Chinas Valley
and the Sierra Baguales in the distance. Return to
our camp by a different route passing the beautiful
Laguna Azul. Night back at puesto Tercera. No
showers
Hours in the saddle: 5-6.
Day 4 Today, now more familiar with our horses, we
will be setting off across some lovely open pampas
towards the heart of the Park and Laguna Amarga.
This is a beautiful ride, not least because we get
to ride towards the dramatically beautiful mountains
of the Paine Massif. We will also pass through the
summer grazing grounds of large guanaco herds.
Plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the athletic
antics of these fascinating and agile animals, or to
pick some lovely ripe calafate berries from the many
bushes that grow round here. Our trail takes us
across some rivers and finally along the dirt track
which leads into the Laguna Amarga area of the
Park. Here we will meet our transfer vehicle for
the short drive to camping Las Torres. Hot showers
available. Hours in the saddle: 4-5. Transfer
time: 45 minutes.
Day 5 After our hearty camp breakfast, a
challenging hike lay in store for us today as we
climb up to the base of the towers themselves.
Starting with an uphill walk and then following
wooded mountain trails this hike is beautiful. The
final section is a series of ‘hops’ over glacial
moraine before finally reaching our lunch
destination in the shadow of these fabulous granite
peaks. In the foreground waterfalls flow off the
hanging glaciers into a basin of green water where
icebergs float. You will hear sounds like thunder
as the ice breaks off the glaciers with crashing
roars. In the afternoon we will descend to our
camping spot in the valley and enjoy a shower….and
for those who have the energy to walk to the nearby
hotel bar, pisco sours can be enjoyed while dinner
is being prepared. Hiking time: 7-9 hours
depending on fitness.
Day 6 After an early breakfast, we will be starting
our hike round the shores of Lake Nordjenskold. Our
hike skirts this lake whilst always keeping close to
the huge granite mountains which form the
centrepiece of this geographical wonder. Tonight we
will be eating and sleeping in the Refugio Los
Cuernos which is beautifully situated beside a
turquoise blue lake with the mountains standing
watch behind. Dinner and wine included. Hiking
time: 4-5 hours.
Day 7 After breakfast in the convivial refugio we
will continue our hike along the shores of Lake
Nordjenskold towards the French Valley. This is a
beautiful and justly famous trail into a superb
natural granite amphitheatre where we will also see
the French Glacier. After lunch in our awesome
picnic spot we will hike to another beautiful lake,
Lago Pehoe. We will be setting up camp here on the
shores of these pretty turquoise waters before
relaxing a little while dinner is prepared.
Showers available, inside dining if weather bad.
Hiking time: 5 – 9 hours depending on how far the
group hikes into the French Valley.
Day 8 Today we will be hiking up to the spectacular
and immense Grey Glacier. The trail takes us through
ancient beech forests and along a spectacular trail
high above Grey Lake. We will enjoy fantastic
glacier views throughout. Our destination is refugio Grey and Mirador where we can enjoy lunch on
the shores of the iceberg choked lake before we
start our descent back to our pretty campsite at
Pehoe Lake. Second night at Pehoe. Showers
available. Hiking time: 6-7 hours.
Day 9 After breakfast and packing up camp, we will
be reunited with our horses and the baqueanos who
care for them with a brisk and exciting ride across
wide open pampas to the Serrano River. Our path
first takes us along flower-lined trails skirting
Pehoe Lake before opening out onto flat pampas where
we can enjoy an exhilarating canter to the emerald
green waters of the Serrano River. Camp riverside.
Showers available and inside dining in case of bad
weather. Hours in the saddle: 4-5 depending on pace
traveled.
Day 10 Today, we will rise early to pack up camp and
prepare for our river adventure. We will start with
a lecture on safety and technique before loading our
luggage and associated equipment onto our kayaks.
Then we will board our two-man sea kayaks and start
our downriver float into this virgin wilderness.
Cameras will need to be kept handy as we enjoy
beautiful views of the distant snow capped mountains
and the variety of birdlife that inhabits these
shores The afternoon we will paddle “up stream” to
enter Tyndall lake. This is a short but fairly
strenuous leg that gets us into what we feel to be
one the most stunning sights/experiences in all of
Patagonia, an up close view of a towering valley
glacier that reaches 90 feet high in some spots.
This remote spot is supremely beautiful and visitors
are extremely rare here so we can enjoy the
spectacle all to ourselves while dinner is prepared,
a fire is lit on the beach and some local Chilean
wine is poured. Night camping in virgin wilderness
(or under the stars if you prefer. Hours kayaking:
5-6 but flexible depending on weather conditions.
Day 11 Today, we will once again board our sea
kayaks to continue downriver to the start of our
hike. This wilderness walk takes us into virgin
glacier country and we will be totally alone as we
enjoy views of Tyndall and Geike Glaciers and the
Patagonian ice sheet itself. The stunning setting
for lunch will be alongside a lake containing
hundreds of icebergs. Returning to the river and
our kayaks for the last leg of our journey, we will
spend the night in the shadow of Mount Balmaceda.
After dinner we will end this perfect day with the
sounds of the Serrano Glacier and its tumbling ice
lulling us to sleep for the night. Hours
kayaking: 4-5. Hours hiking: 3-4. Flexible
itinerary based on weather. |
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Day 12 After this morning's breakfast, time and
weather allowing,we will have an opportunity to take
our kayaks into the melt water lake fed by the
Serrano Glacier. We will spend the morning paddling
amongst the floating icebergs in a truly fantastic
setting not soon forgotten. After lunch we will be
boarding a modern cutter for a comfy ride back
across Last Hope Sound to the quayside at Puerto
Natales. On arrival in this interesting waterside
town, we will take a taxi to the newly built family
run Weskar Lodge. Situated a short walk from Puerto
Natales this wooden built hotel has lovely views of
Last Hope Sound and the Serrano Glacier in the
distance. There is ar restaurant and laundry and
internet are available. Dinner not included. Hours
kayaking: 3-4 (weather reliant). Hours on Cutter:
3-4.
Day
13 Morning at leisure in this beautifully situated
and pretty town. After an early lunch, we will
continue on to the Otway Sound Penguin Colony where
we will have a chance to see and photograph these
unique and fascinating burrowing penguins. After we
have had our fill of these cute creatures, we will
continue on to Punta Arenas and our cozy
accommodation at the Hostal Terra Sur. Dinner
tonight not included. Transfer time: 4.5 hours with
the penguins.
Day
14: Taxi to airport for onward travel.
Accommodation We use comfortable 3-man tents which are roomy, comfortable
and able to withstand the sometimes high winds in the area. Accommodation is
based on twin-share. If you require single accommodation, there is an extra
charge. Some of the camping will be true ‘wilderness’ style
camping with the only washing facilities being in a river or lake. Showers are
available for four out of the nine nights on the Glacier Ride. Guests typically
set up their own tents.
Meals Meals are varied and wholesome and include fresh salmon
and local fish, pasta, chicken, beef, lamb and some local Chilean meals. Fresh
salad is served every night. Local wine is served with dinner and all meals are
prepared. Packed lunches are prepared by the clients at breakfast and are
carried with us in saddle bags. These consist of sandwiches (e.g. tuna, cheese,
ham, peanut butter, salami), fresh fruit, trail mix, chocolate, biscuits, snacks
etc. Clients are responsible for looking after their lunch boxes. Breakfast is
normally hot and cold cereals, toast, jams, marmalade, coffee, tea and juice. At
times a cooked breakfast is served. Vegetarians can be well catered for and
clients should indicate their requirements at the time of booking. A dining tent
is carried for eating meals and cooking although sometimes we choose to eat in a
camp ‘shelter’ or around the campfire (weather obviously permitting)! Where
possible, vehicle support is arranged. Supplies of bread, salad and fresh fruit
are replenished. On arrival at the campsite, wine and canapes are served giving
clients ample time to relax while the evening meal is being prepared. All meals
are included. Wine is also included (generous though necessarily limited
supplies!). Meals in Punta Arenas and lunches in Day 1 and Day 10 in Puerto
Natales are not included. A dedicated, professional chef is provided on groups
of 6 and over.
Suitability
This trip is a true once in a lifetime
adventure for those wanting to experience the best of three exciting activities
in one action packed trip. It runs for 14 days and clients will enjoy some
amazing riding; spectacular hikes and a unique kayak journey through a
pristine wilderness area. This trip is camping throughout (except the Punta
Arenas and Puerto Natales nights and one refugio night at Cuernos) and the
hiking is supported by pack horses with hikers only carrying a daypack. The
riding section offers manageable riding for more novice riders but clients
should be comfortable in the saddle at walk, trot and canter. The hiking is
‘moderate – challenging’ and clients should have the appropriate level of
fitness. The kayaking part requires no previous experience although clients
should be confident around water. The trip is guided throughout and baqueanos
will accompany us to care for the horses. Clients joining this trip should love
the outdoors, be comfortable travelling in remote areas, be prepared for weather
changes and most of all have a sense of humour and a flexible attitude!
Horses: The horses are Criollo-cross and vary in size with the majority
being between 14.0 and 15.2 hands. They are strong, fit, willing and
sure-footed. We are able to provide good horses for both experienced riders and
for riders who are more novice or a bit ‘rusty’. The pace of the ride will be
adjusted to suit the majority of riders but as we always travel with more than
one riding guide, there is great deal of flexibility and riders soon find their
own pace for the trip. Riders are not responsible for grooming or tack.
Climate: Torres del Paine has a milder and drier microclimate than the
surrounding areas of Patagonia because of some unique geological features. The
weather however is famously unpredictable and it is possible to experience four
seasons in the course of a few hours! Average daily temperatures vary but in
summer one can expect 10 - 20 degrees Celsius with the occasional hot day of 25
degrees. Temperatures can drop to zero at night and high winds are common in
this area. Although you can never be sure of how Paine will treat its guests, we
ask that clients are prepared (both mentally and physically) for unpredictable
and sometimes challenging weather conditions and that you pack accordingly. Good
waterproofs (top to toe) are essential.
Pace of Ride: Moderate with some canters. The pace is largely dictated by
the terrain and the distance we need to travel on a certain day but where
possible there.
Riding Experience: As a multi-activity trip, clients should have a good
level of stamina and be in good health. As it is not a dedicated riding trip, we
are able to accept a lesser standard of riding than on our scheduled riding
trips. Clients should however be fairly comfortable in the saddle and feel safe
at walk, trot and canter.
Age Limit: We can accept clients between the ages of 12 and 70. Younger
clients need to be experienced riders (and used to completing a trip of this
nature) and be accompanied by an experienced and capable adult. Older clients
are very welcome to join us on the completion of a medical suitability
questionnaire.
Non-Riders: For non-riding partners, we can arrange a hiking trip which
follows a similar route taken by the riders. This will be guided where necessary
(with occasional vehicle assistance to enable him/her to make up the distance)
and the hiker will meet the riding group at the end of each day (with one or two
slight deviations). Price according to the number of non-riders in the group.
Please ask for details and prices.
Tack: The tack is Chilean and comprises of metal framed saddles onto
which is layered felt, sheepskin and leather. Rope, rawhide and leather form the
bridles, girths, straps etc. The saddles provide adequate comfort for the long
days riding and the stirrups consist of a leather cup through which the foot
cannot pass. Most of the horses are ridden in simple snaffles. Halters are worn
throughout the ride with rope tied around the horse’s neck to tie up at lunch
stops/rest stops etc.
Water: During the trip we use local water supplies from rivers, streams
and lakes. Clients should bring a water bottle to fill for their personal daily
drinking supply. Water is always available at camp and there are further rivers
and streams to replenish supplies en route. This water is clean and pure and is
about as close to the source as is possible. We have never had any problems with
any client drinking this water (there are no communities in the park to
contaminate the water and there are no tropical water bourne diseases such as
guiardia). If however a client does not feel confident in drinking this, we
would recommend they bring iodine drops (and the taste inhibitors that are sold
with them) for their personal supplies as it is impossible to carry any
alternative source of water on the pack horses.
Equipment: On our Camping trips clients are required to bring a sleeping
bag (on Estancia Ride these are provided for the two nights in refugios but
clients might like to bring a sleeping sheet) and for our camping trips they
should also bring a mat. The sleeping bag should be 3 or 4 season and should be
carried in an effective stuff sack. We can rent sleeping bags and mats to guests
and you should indicate this at the time of booking. For those clients renting a
sleeping bag, we recommend you bring a sleeping bag inner (available in silk,
cotton and fleece) for your comfort and hygiene.
Waterproof stuff sacks are supplied to each client for the duration of the trip
(the size of an average 60 litre backpack/3,200 cubic inches and is sufficient
for the demands of the trip). This enables clients’ belongings to be packed
comfortable, safely and drily onto the pack horses. Excess luggage not required
for the trip can be stored either at the client’s hotel in Punta Arenas or with
us in Puerto Natales.
Tips/Gratuities: At the end of the trip it is customary for each client
to contribute towards a tip for the baquianos who have traveled with us. The
normal amount given by each client is between $50 and $100 for the trip although
of course it is up to you to decide on how much they would like to give.
This is presented by one of the group to the head baquiano at the end of the
trip.
Single Supplements: For those clients who prefer not to share, we can offer
single accommodation in tents (Glacier Ride) and in hotels.
Please be aware that even on payment of a single supplement we cannot guarantee
single accommodation in the refugios and some of the ‘homestay’ accommodation
although we will do our best to secure it. The single supplement is charged to cover extra camping fees
and cargo space on the packhorses.
Special Notes on Kayaking the Serrano River.
This exciting sea kayak adventure covers 42 kilometers from the Serrano
river in Torres del Paine National Park through some beautiful wilderness and
into Bernardo O’Higgins National Park finishing at the river’s confluence with
Last Hope sound and the beautiful Serrano Glacier. Enroute we will visit one of
the areas most spectacular and least visited sights, the Tyndall Glacier whose
remote location sees very few visitors. A stop at one of Patagonia’s more remote
estancias will also give us a chance to see local gauchos living off the land
and maybe share some of their customs.
Camping is wild and remote. There are no facilities but you are sure to witness
some stunningly beautiful campsites. Beach campfires, wholesome food, beautiful
scenery and amazing tranquility are all found on this exciting river adventure.
Weather in both the Torres del Paine National Park and Bernardo O’Higgins
National Park is notorious and fast changing. Conditions can change in an
instant and it isn’t unusual to witness all four seasons in one day! Clients
should be prepared for these weather conditions and pack accordingly.
Clients should note that the itinerary is subject to weather conditions and may
change accordingly.
Provided by us:
-
60 kilometers of river travel
-
paddling up close to the Tyndall Glacier (weather permitting)
-
paddling amongst the icebergs of the Serrano Glacier (weather permitting)
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waterproof stuff sacks for personal clothing and cameras
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