Patagonia Brush Trek

Today we have an early beginning to our adventure, you will be picked up from your accommodation at 7.00am in Puerto Natales for a short drive, although very scenic, to the port. From here we will take a boat to travel to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, marvelling at the majesty of two of the biggest of Patagonia’s icy giants. Dropping you off at the Puerto Toro dock we will start our trekking adventure. It’s not a long walk today, just 5 to 6 hours through the mystical Nothofagus forest where we can encounter some of the diverse flora and fauna unique to this wet environment. The highlight of the walk ends in an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the Torres del Paine Massif and Brush Lake. On the shores of this lake lies the boat that we will hop aboard to take us across the front shore of the lake. From here it’s a short walk (150m) to our accommodation for the night. Here we will enjoy a cosy dinner and well-deserved rest. Overnight: Brush Lake Campsite (cabins or shared domes) Distance: Approx. 14 kms PLEASE NOTE: As this adventure departs early in the morning on Day 1, you will need to ensure you have a pre-night in Puerto Natales. If the boat navigation to the glacier is cancelled (due to weather conditions), an alternative route will be provided On Day 0 (Thursday) A briefing will take place at 5:00 PM (approximately) at the EcoCamp Office in Puerto Natales, located in Barros Arana 166, Puerto Natales. Assistance is important and mandatory, since relevant logistic details for your upcoming adventure will be reviewed.

Meals: L,D

We head back onto the boat to be dropped off at on the far shores of the lake to continue our way. Passing through Jote Lake, your feet may get a little wet, we are trekking our way through this incredible region to reach the Rio Serrano sector. A van will be awaiting our arrival to take us across to the Lago Grey Hotel or similar to enjoy a scrumptious Chilean dinner and a break for the evening. Overnight: Lago Grey Hotel, Pampa Lodge or similar Distance: Approx. 13 kms

Meals: B,L,D

A later start greets us this morning so make sure you enjoy your sleep in as today we will take the 9.00am navigation across to Refugio Grey. This is where we will start our hike to the lookout that overviews the immense Grey Glacier. Part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, this southern glacier is one of the more spectacular in the region and you will have a good chance of seeing a calving event (where the ice breaks off a glacier), keep an ear out for the loud cracking and booming as a pre-indicator of the event. We then walk along the shores of the Grey Lake to the northern side of Lake Pehoe finishing our day with a gentle climb through undulating terrains of light forest and mixed grassland to arrive at our campsite for the evening. Overnight: Paine Grande Campsite Distance: Approx. 12 kms

Meals: B,L,D

We come to the more challenging part of the adventure as we take a steep trail just after breakfast to lead us into the heart of the Paine Massif – the famous French Valley. Located on the southern side of the Cordillera Paine mountains, this valley splits the range between where we’ve just come from (Paine Grande) to the west and the Cuernos (where we are heading) in the east. Probably the most well-known part of the W-Trek this hike takes your through gorgeous forests with beautiful mountains surrounding and encasing the region. Following through we head towards the French River’s hanging bridge, at the foot of the south-eastern face of the Massif. Continue our ascent we head towards the upper regions of the valley stopping from time to time to marvel at the extensive mass of valley’s geological formations. Practice your Spanish with translating; Hoja, Máscara, Espada, Catedral, Aleta de Tiburón and the spectacular Fortaleza (in order: Blade, Mask, Sword, Cathedral, Shark’s Fin and Fortress – did you get them all right?). Here we pause for a bit to have a bite to eat before returning to either Los Cuernos or Frances campsite for the night. Overnight: Los Cuernos or Frances campsite Distance: Approx. 27 kms

Meals: B,L,D

Heading towards the EcoCamp Patagonia along the Cuernos trail we will follow beside the scenic Lake Nordenskjold. While today is a less strenuous walk your brains will be active as we learn more about the vast varieties of flora and fauna in the more diverse terrain that we are covering. Such as the Chilean firebush (or “fire” tree) which produces a deep red flower during the springtime or keep an eye out for Pataongia’s “Big Five” - the Andean condor, the guanaco, the huemul, Darwin’s rhea and the puma. As our trek ends for the day, we will arrive at the EcoCamp for a hearty dinner before tomorrow’s challenge. Overnight: EcoCamp Patagonia Distance: Approx. 12 kms

Meals: B,L,D

It’s the big day! Today we are walking to the base of the famous Paine Towers. Starting out from our campsite we go towards Hostería Las Torres before we ascend to the Ascenio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Along the scenic walk we are lined with mountain ridges, small rivers and beech forests. The biggest challenge today is the steep moraine, this huge mass of boulders will lead us up to the iconic base of the Towers. These three enormous granite monoliths are all that remains of the great cirque that has been sheared away by glacial ice. This tough uphill climb takes us into full view of the Towers rising majestically before us and the glacial lake visible below. What a perfect spot to stop for lunch! After gorging ourselves on the amazing view we head back down the same trail through the Ascencio Valley and back to our accommodation for a tasty dinner and well-deserved drink (perhaps some of the fabulous Chilean wine). Overnight: EcoCamp Patagonia Distance: Approx. 22 kms

Meals: B,L,D

Today is the last day of our adventure, we head off early in a vehicle to relax and take in the scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch an evening flight. If requested you can be dropped off in Puerto Natales or board a bus to head to El Calafate, please enquire at time of booking. PLEASE NOTE: The earliest flight from Punta Arenas should be after 1.00pm due to the transit time between the park and the airport.

Meals: B,L