Torres Del Paine National Park Hiking
“The ultimate expedition camp for the outdoor type adventuresome spirit with a young heart.” Dr. Stephen Gunther, California
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK TREKING - Futaleufu Trip Extension (5 Days/4 Nights)
This 5 day add-on option to our Futaleufu Rafting and Multisport Adventure is a popular excursion for those who want to explore the world-famous sites of Torres Del Paine National Park. The itinerary for our Torres Del Paine trip add on includes the three most remarkable areas in the park: Valle Asencio, Valle del Francés, and Mirador Grey. Other areas of note include the Sraits of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, Puerto Natales, Cerro Casillo, Almirante Nieto Mountain, Paine Chico, The Towers, Laguna Asul, Salto Grande, Lago Grey, Glacier Grey, Milodon Cave and Estancia Consuelo.
5 DAY TORRES DEL PAINE TREKKING ADVENTURE ITINERARY
Day 1: (Wednesday): Arrive in Punta Arenas and drive 345km/216 miles to Torres del Paine National Park stopping at Milodón Cave. Overnight at Las Torres Eco Camp
Day 2: Hike (3-5hrs) up to Camp Italiano and thereafter Mirador del Francés (1.5-2.5hrs) for a magnificent broad view of the lakes below. Return to Refugio Pehoe for overnight;
Day 3: Hike 4hrs onwards the towering walls of Grey glacier and embark by 3PM the ship that sails the lake. Disembark at Grey beach and drive across the park spotting frequent guanaco herds beside the road. Overnight at Eco camp Las Torres.
Day 4 (Saturday): Hike 10km/6.3miles (8hrs rt) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine and admire the Paine gigantic granite monoliths. Return to Las Torres Eco Camp for farewell dinner and overnight
Day 5 (Sunday): Drive back to Punta Arenas airport.
To Reserve Your Spot email us at info@bbxrafting.com or call 1-800-246-7238 now!
EcoCamp Patagonia is the 1st truly "Eco-Hotel" in Patagonia and also the 1st south of the Amazon basin. Its operation started in January 2000, in Torres del Paine NP, with view of the famous granite spires.
The architectural solution that we adopted for this place arose from the old photographs of Kawesqar Indians, natives of this part: The huts which they constructed were of an igloo type covered with guanaco skins. Starting with that we realised that the domes could be the answer that we were looking for: they are semi-hemispherical structures formed by a number of isosceles triangles. This allowed the structure, when attacked by tremendous forces such as the not unusual winds of 160km per hour in this area, to receive the attack uniformly on the foundation part, reducing to a minimum the possibility that the structure might collapse. As well as this the round shape of the dome minimized its exposure to the wind. Finally, the semi-hemisphere gave the most internal space in relation to the surface and allowed us to be very efficient in the allocation of space and maintaining heat.
- The concept is being exposed to nature as in a camp tent but with the comfort and sophistication of a four star hotel.
- Designed and built interfering as little as possible with the environment. The whole hotel has been built over lifted wooden platforms eliminating the need of foundations and cement floors. Animals and fresh air circulate underneath
- Dormitories and common areas are contained on Geodesic domes inspired in the native Alacalufeâ?™s semicircular huts
- Geodesic form minimizes resistant to strong Patagonean winds and the exchange of temperature with the outdoors
- Circulation areas consist in raised walkways open to rain, sun, and wind that allow guests to be constantly exposed to the surrounded nature. Not to roof the circulation area allow an important reduction of constructed areas and therefore huge savings on materials
- Sunlight fills the domes minimizing the use of artificial light
- Every dome has the necessary privacy for personal introspection
- 30 people is the maximum concentration accepted at EcoCamp
- Only renewable energy sources are used. Wind generators provide energy supply for illumination, solar panels heat the compost toilettes and gas supply is used for cooking and refrigeration
- Insulation is passive and does not require the supply of energy. Domes are coated to minimize temperature exchange
- Toilettes are designed to separate solid and liquid waste and to make compost on two heated chambers
- Waste management system consider classification of waste, exportation out of the wilderness area and recycling
Dormitory Domes
These domes have vitrified wooden floors and are 2m/6.5ft high with a diameter of 4m/12ft, allowing plenty of space for sleeping comfortably. They are resistant to the strongest Patagonian winds, rains, and snow and come equipped with 2 single beds, fleece sheets, blankets, and feather quilts. There are round windows in the ceiling to observe the stars before falling asleep.
Dining & Living Room Dome
The EcoCamp core is a giant dining & living room dome. 9m/ 30ft in diameter and 4.5m/13.5ft tall. It is equipped with a resting area, dining room, and kitchen. The space is bright and airy with a big panoramic window that brings dusk and dawn straight into the dining area.
Bathroom dome
The same size as the dining dome, this has showers with hot water and compost lavatories as well as washbasins and mirrors.
Power
We use solar panels to recharge the batteries which provide the electricity for the camp radio and the extractors in the bathroom. The light in the individual domes is provided by table lamps with rechargeable batteries. These are recharged at our base in Puerto Natales. Right now we are testing the possibility of installing an eolic generator.
