Explorations
explora en Patagonia
I don't search for, I
find. --P. Picasso
A Dialogue With Nature
Each
exploration is designed for persons of normal physical condition and is classified
according to duration and fitness requirements. Five explorations are offered each day,
and our experienced guides can suggest those best suited to the interests and the exertion
level of each guest. The expeditions include lunch and are limited to ten guests, plus the
guide.
Note: It is recommended that the following items be brought on the treks: a parka
or waterproof windbreaker, waterproof trousers (long underwear or thermal underwear is
advisable in some cases), high quality hiking boots (leather or waterproof fabric),
comfortable gloves, a hat to protect from the wind, sunglasses with fasteners, lip
protection, sneakers, a camera and/or video camera.
1. Hike to the Peninsula of Lago de Grey
EASY
Itinerary: A short, half-day hike. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to Rio Paine,
Guardería Lago de Grey. On foot to the suspension bridge of Rio Pingo, Peninsula of Lago
de Grey. Return. Attractions: Hike through mature forests of lenga. View
of the magnificent Glacier de Grey. Icebergs next to the beach.
2. Hike to Glaciar de Grey
DIFFICULT
Itinerary: Full day, including picnic. Depart from Salto Chico by motorboat to Lago
Pehoé, Refugio Pehoé.
On foot to Refugio de Grey, Glaciar de Grey vista-point of Campos de Hielo Sur. . Return. Attractions:
Beautiful views of Glaciar de Grey and of Macizo Paine Grande. Icebergs, walk through
forests, rivers and brooks. Great vista points. Note: The possiblility
of crossing by motorboat is always dependent on the weather.
3. Horseback Riding to Laguna Verde
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Full day, including picnic. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to
Corrales ( Park's administrative office). By horseback to Quebrada La Feria, Laguna
Honda, Laguna Verde, Estancia Lazo. Return through Mirador Alto del Toro. Attractions:
Dense lenga forest and many small lakes. Spectacular view of Cuernos del Paine
and Lago Toro.
4. Hike to Las Alturas Del Toro
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Short half-day hike, including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan
to Quebrada La Feria, Alturas del Lago del Toro, Weberbridge. Return. Attractions:
Mature lenga forests, lagoons, unforgettable view of the enormous Lago del Toro
with its deep blue color, emerald waters of Rio Paine and golden plains of the valley of
Rio Serrano. Condors.
5. Excursion to the north of the park, with stop at Laguna Azul and Barbecue at the
Quincho.
EASY
Itinerary: Full day, including a Magallanes-style barbecue lunch of lamb and
vegetables. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to Waterfalls of Rio Paine, Guarderia
Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul, Rio de Las Chinas, Quincho explora. Short
tour through the area. Return. Attractions: Easy and enjoyable exploration and the
delicious barbecue. Along the tour it is possible to see a variety of fauna: guanacos,
nandues, condors, foxes, ducks, geese, etc. Waterfalls of Rio Paine.
6. Hike to Mirador de Nordenskjold
EASY
Itinerary: Short half-day hike, including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan
to Refugio Pudeto. On foot to the shores of Pago Pehoé,
Salto Grande, Lago Nordenskjold, Mirador Nordenskjold. Return. Attractions: Great
views of the spray and roar of the falls of Salto Grande. Breathtaking view of all of
Valle del Frances, Macizo del Paine Grande, Cuernos del Paine. Close-up views of guanacos
and condors. Note: Strong wind.
7. Hike to Mirador del Toro
EASY
Itinerary: Short half-day hike, including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan
to the shores of Rio Paine. Walk uphill to Mirador del Toro. Downhill to Posada Rio
Serrano, Park Administrative Headquaters. Return. Attractions:Interesting and
complete scientific information about the geography, geology, fauna, and flora of the Park
presented by the CONAF park rangers. Observation of birds, local fauna and characteristic
elements of the regional aquatic flora. View of Lago Toro, Rio Serrano and Rio Grey
flanked by large mountains such as Cerro Ferrier, Cerro Donoso and others.
8. Hike Through Las Cornisas
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Short half-day hike, including snack. Depart on foot from Salto
Chico to Cerros del Sud-Este, Mirador de los Condores, Cornisas, Mirador Alto Conaf,
Quebrada La Feria. Return. Attractions: During the winter, flocks of guanacos can
be found along the path; all along the way there are views of the southeast section of the
Park, including Lago Pehoé, Lago Nordenskjold,
Cuernos del Paine, Valle del Frances and different lakes. Nesting areas of the condors and
a walk through the Cornisas to Mirador Alto which drops to Quebrada La Feria, remarkable
for its small lakes and forests.
9. Hike to Laguna Verde
DIFFICULT
Itinerary: Full day, including lunch. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to
Quebrada La Feria. On foot through the shoots of the forest and by many small lagoons in a
unique landscape Laguna Honda, Laguna Verde, Estancia Lazo. Return by minivan. Attractions:
Spectacular view of Cuernos del Paine and the south shore of Lago Sarmiento with
its bizarre lime formations.
10. Hike to the Glaciar del Valle del Frances
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Full day, including picnic. Depart from Salto Chico by motorboat to Lago
Pehoé, Refugio Pehoe. On foot to Lago Skottsberg,
Valle del Frances, Italian camp-site, Mirador del Glaciar. Return. Attractions:
Valle del Frances is one of the favorite places in the Park, penetrating into the
Cordillera del Paine. Marvelous view of the Cuernos del Paine, the Macizo Paine Grande
(3,050 m), the Cerro Paine Grande, the Glaciar del Frances, the Lago Nordenskjold and
numerous other lakes and lagoons. Note: The possibility of
crossing by motorboat is always dependent on the weather.
11. Horseback Riding Around the Granite Circus of Valles Del Frances
DIFFICULT
Itinerary:
Full day, including picnic. Depart from Salto Chico by motorboat to Refugio Pehoé. By horseback to Valle del Frances, Laguna Skottsberg,
italian camp-site. On foot to Campo Morrenico del Ventisquero del Frances, British
camp-site. Return. Attractions: The Valle del Frances, a favorite place in the
Park, which penetrates the Cordillera del Paine. Marvelous view of the Cuernos del Paine,
the Macizo Paine Grande (3,050 m), the Cerro Paine Grande, the Glaciar del Frances, the
Lago Nordenskjold and numerous other lakes and lagoons. Spectacular granite walls at the
end of the valley form, among others, the Cerros Espada, Hoja y Máscara, with an
impressive view looking back over the difficulty of your completed journey. Note:
This exploration includes a short training session on horseback riding the day before, for
those who require it. The possibility of crossing by motorboat is always
dependent on the weather.
12. Hike to the Base of the Towers of Torres Del Paine National Park
DIFFICULT
Itinerary: Full day, including picnic. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to Rio
Paine, Guarderia Laguna Amarga, Estancia Cerro Paine, Cerro Almirante Nieto. On foot to
Valle del Rio Ascensio, Chilean camp-site, forests, Torres camp-site, vista point from the
Lake towards Torres del Paine. Return. Attractions: One of the most
complete and challenging explorations that can be done in the Park. Habitat for many
animals and birds; lakes of many colors. View of the imposing Almirante Nieto (2,640 m).
View of Lago Nordenskjold, Laguna Amarga and Rio Paine. Century old lenga forests
and one of the best view of the famous Torres del Paine. Note: The exploration
demands an extra degree of physical effort.
13. Archeological Hike Between Guarderia Sarmiento and Guarderia Laguna Amarga
EASY
Itinerary: Short half-day hike. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to Guarderia
Lago Sarmiento. On foot along the northern limits of the Park, Primitive paintings,
Guarderia Laguna Armaga. Return. Attractions: The exploration allows a wide
overview of the landscape. Primitive paintings of the Tehuelches, native inhabitants of
the region, can be observed on the rock walls. Abundance of guanacos and the
expectation for a visit from the puma. Note: Normally
offered before the Quincho barbecue.
14. Hike to Lago Sarmiento
EASY
Itinerary: Half a day,
including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by minivan to Lago Pehoé, Largo Nordenskjöld. On foot to Lago Sarmiento
shores. Return. Attractions: Bizarre lime formations on the shore, and,
during the winter, guanaco flocks on the way.
15. Horseback Riding to Refugio Pehoe
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Half a day, including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by
minivan to Corrales (Park's Administrative Office). On horseback to Las Carretas
camp-site, Río Grey, Refugio Pehoé. Return. Motorboat across Lago Pehoé.
Attractions: Spectacular view of Macizo del Paine and Lago
Pehoé. Notes: The possibility of crossing by motorboat is
always dependent on the weather. This exploration requires basics horseback riding
experience.
16. Horseback Riding on the Quincho
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Half a day, including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by
minivan to Guardería Laguna Amarga, Cascada Paine, Laguna Azul, Quincho explora.
On horseback to Río de Las Chinas, ñirre and lenga forests,
return to the Quincho. Attractions: Spectacular view of
Sierra Baguales, Torres del Paine, Río de Las Chinas. Notes:
Normally offered immediately before or ater Quincho barbecue.
17. Hike to Laguna Azul
MEDIUM
Itinerary: Half a day, including snack. Depart from Salto Chico by
minivan to Guardería Laguna Amarga, Cascada Paine, Laguna Azul. On foot to Laguna
Azul shores, Torres del Paine vista-point. Attractions:
Relaxed contemplation of lenga and ñirre forests, views of the Torres
del Paine and Laguna Azul. Notes: Normally offered before or
after the Quincho barbecue.
Note: explora reserves the right to alter,
change, or omit part of the explorations itinerary, without prior notice, whether
necessary or advisable for the well-being of its guests.
explora
Sociedad Exploradora del Sur De America
Avda. Americo Vespucio Sur 80, Piso5
Las Condes, Santiago de Chile
Reservations: (56-2) 2066060
General Office (56-2) 2066060
Direct Fax: (562) 228-46-55
Toll Free Fax # USA (800) 858-0855
Canada: (800) 275-1129
Germany: (013) 082-23-53
E-mail: explora@entelchile.net
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1998
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