Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)
5 Days ~ Dec 15 - 19, 2020
LAND COST
$3,985 (11 - 15 members)
$4,595 (4 - 10 members)
Patagonia has some of the most rugged pristine landscapes on earth. It covers some 400,000 sq. miles, about the size of California and Texas combined. There are few place on earth where you experience such mind-blowing awe at the beauty and isolation. During our exploration of the Torres del Paine National Park, we immerse ourselves in the spectacle that is - and always will be - Patagonia.
In the far south of Chile your adventure begins when we arrive in the town of Punta Arenas and drive to Puerto Natales, on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound.
In 1557 sailor Juan Ladrilleros named the sound, “Última Esperanza,” or “Last Hope,” as it seemed to be his last possibility of getting to the Straits of Magellan. Puerto Natales was then foudned in 1911, and long served as a main port from which much of Patagonia's wool wealth sailed.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Overnight at Indigo Hotel or similar.
These days the scent of adventure wafts over town, as it is the perfect launching point to the Torres del Paine National Park and our last hope to stock up before we venture deeper into the Patagonian wild.
On day two in Natales we get out on a spectacular hike to Laguna Sophia, and visit the Milidon cave, where remains of the now extinct giant sloth were found.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Overnight at Indigo Hotel or similar.
After breakfast, we drive to Machame gate, sign into the national park, and start our climb. The track narrows, and then winds uphill through the dense mossy rain forest, where Colobus monkeys bark at you from the tree canopy. Tusker's guides are experts on the habitat, and they share their knowledge of the plant and animal life as you trek higher through the forest.
The Tusker Crew goes ahead to Machame camp and sets up our camp in a clearing, so all you needd to do is roll out your sleeping bag and show up for a hot cup of tea, while soaking up the beauty of Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping 
We start out after breakfast and after an hour, leave the last glades of the rain forest behind, toward the Shira Plateau, actually a caldera, which is collapsed volcano. After lunch we start climbing up the ridge to the edge of the caldera at 11,560-ft/3534-m, mid afternoon.
Passing through fields of heath and moorland, the mountainside gradually opens up, with stunning views of the caldera. You now start to feel the effects of the altitude, as you hike slowly to our camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping 
We hike through the Heather and Moorland, uphill to Lava Tower (14,950-ft/4557-m), where you rest at a hot lunch and acclimatization break. Then, it's a steep trek downhill slowly trek downhill into the Barranco valley, past beautiful Lobelia plants and towering giant Senecios.
On your left, looming above are the dwindling south-facing glaciers of Kibo Peak. The view of the towering walls are spectacular. After a full day's hike, our team arrives at camp at the foot of the Barranco wall.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping 
As you emerge from your tent, you can’t help focusing on the wall, contemplating its fortress-like mass. It stands like a guardian blocking your highest goal, the final ascent to Uhuru Peak .Right after a hot breakfast, we start our steep climb.
You ascend about 500-ft/152-m out of the valley, taking about 2 hours, surrounded by dazzling views of ancient lava flows and towering peaks. Then it’s a meandering hike down toward the steep Karanga valley, and up the other side to camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping 
It's a tough, but a rewarding uphill climb to the rocky, craggy slopes at Barafu High Camp, sometimes called Kosovo. Tusker has special permission to camp here. Because the camp is at 16,000-ft/4877-m, it gets quite cold and windy at night.
The air starts getting quite thin, and you find yourself breathing hard. There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as our climbing team anticipates the toughest day just ahead. The clouds move in and out, revealing the eroded Mawenzi Peak, rising from the plains below.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping 
We start climbing a couple hours before sunrise, so we climb during daylight on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain, reaching the Crater rim after a pack lunch on the trail. Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight at your back and the crater's ice-walls looming ahead.
We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs,) the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m). The feeling of euphoria is intense, and the descent is invigorating. We continue back down to Barafu Camp for a rest and a refreshment, then down to Millennium camp for your last night on Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping 
After celebrating your success at the summit, and marveling at the view from the highest point on the African continent, you're on a buzz of euphoria. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu camp for a short break and a snack.
Then a further 2-hour hike brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at MIllennium camp. Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
After celebrating your success at the summit, and marveling at the view from the highest point on the African continent, you're on a buzz of euphoria. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu camp for a short break and a snack.
Then a further 2-hour hike brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at MIllennium camp. Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel 
Wildlife Safari
Fly home from Tanzania, or even better -- continue on an incredible Wildlife Safari through some of the most spectacular animal reserves on the planet.
Zanzibar
For a total immersion in cultural history, you can also travel back 300 years in time to the mystical Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar, just off Tanzania’s coast & enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches on earth.
Heading Home?
Your Pre-Travel Breakfast Meal is also Included Dec 15 ~ Fly to Puerto Natales, Chile
Your South Patagonia adventure begins when you arrive in Puerto Natales, on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound.
Named by sailor Juan Ladrilleros in 1557, “Última Esperanza,” or “Last Hope,” seemed to be his last possibility of getting to the Straits of Magellan.
After we collect our bags and load up, we have a short drive to the start of the hike up to the tranquil Laguna Sophia. The moderate 2-3 hour hike gives us far reaching views of the stunning mountains, towering granite walls and an exciting condor nesting area that surround Natales.
From Laguna Sophia we descend to the renowned Milidon Cave where the remains of an extinct giant sloth were found. Consisting of multiple fascinating caverns, the site holds many archeologic treasures, including human remains that give us clues to the area's earliest inhabitants.
Accommodation ~ Hotel Weskar ~ Dinner
Dec 16 ~ Estancia Peninsula
This morning we embark on our catamaran ride across the fjords heading to one the oldest ranches in the region, Estancia La Peninsula. At the ranch we spend the day immersed in classic Patagonian estancia culture. We head out for a hike or horse ride after our traditional estancia lunch.
We boat back to Natales and drive the winding road in to the Torres del Paine National Park, for dinner at our lodge in Serrano village, set in the shadow of the towers of magnificent Torres del Paine.
Accommodation ~ Pampa Lodge or Hotel Lago Grey ~ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we drive deep into the park to Grey Lake where we hike the shore to meet the Grey catamaran for a 2 hour exploration. Our voyage amongst the icebergs takes us up close to Grey Glacier, the largest glacier in Torres del Paine.
A 2-3 hour hike after lunch takes us to a solitary spot with magnificent views of the entire western region of Torres del Paine.
Accommodation ~ Pampa Lodge or Hotel Lago Grey ~ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dec 18 ~ Torres del Paine
Today we hike the heart of the park! First a short drive to our trail head, and then the incredible scenery begins. The views on our 4-5 hour hike are dominated by the granite spires of the Paine Massif, as condors soar amongst the peaks, and guanacos scatter on our approach.
After the invgorating hike we'll drive to Estancia Tercera, a comfortable authentic ranch guest house with the best views in the park.
Accommodation ~ Estancia Tercera ~ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dec 19 ~ Torres del Paine/Depart!
Our final 3-4 hour hike of the trip is filled with more stunning Torres del Paine landscapes. We reach the salt encrusted Lago Armaga (bitter lake), where the magnificent towers reflect in the glassy lake surface.
After the hike we drive back to Puerto Natales to meet your flight home.
Breakfast, picnic lunch.