The Hidden Valley Trek

For a slightly different view of the Park, we invite you to experience this unique adventure!

We hike the three valleys part of the famous W trek, visiting glaciers, passing through southern beech forests and enjoying impressive views of the famous Torres, spending the nights in comfortable mountain huts.

Then our final hike takes us through a less visited part of the Park, where we will walk through a hidden valley that leads us to our final destination, an authentic estancia, waiting for us with a Patagonian style lamb barbecue.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 We recommend you take the early flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas (4 hours), flying over the Andes and observing incredible views of the Patagonian Ice Fields. Upon your arrival in Punta Arenas, the most southern city on the continent, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Torres Del Paine.

(Chile Nativo will offer a pick-up from the airport at 2:25 PM, corresponding with LAN airline, Flight # La285, or at 2 PM from your hotel in town). (Flight numbers and times subject to change)

As we leave Punta Arenas we will be able to see the Strait of Magellan and the island of Tierra del Fuego. The beginning of our drive will take us through open pampas and huge ranches (estancias) and chances are we will be able to observe one of the most typical animals in this area, the ñandu, (similar to ostrich). Then we will head north, passing Puerto Natales, located on the Sound of Last Hope, a typical fishing town surrounded by mountains. We will follow an unpaved road heading to the park and the Refugio Las Torres to spend our first night.

(5 hours by private transfer) (D) (Night at Refugio Las Torres)

Day 2 We will start our first day trekking to the base of the Towers, following the Ascencio River to enter the Ascencio Valley. Our walk will be uphill for one hour before stopping to observe the first glimpses of the valley surrounded by unbelievable beech forests (Nothofagus family), glaciers and waterfalls. We'll continue through the valley for another hour and a half before ascending a huge terminal moraine to a lookout (900 M), excellent for picture taking. At this point we will be surrounded by three giant granite towers (2850 M) and a lagoon with slurry waters due to erosion produced by glaciers. This amazing view will be accompanied by lunch to add to the enjoyment. After being awed by the towers we'll start our descent, following the same path back to the hut.

(7-8 hours round-trip, 18 KM) (B-BL-D) (Night at Refugio Las Torres)

Day 3 A private transfer will take us to the west side of the Park going around Almirante Nieto Mountain (2750 M) with Nordenskjold Lake at its base. We will take a catamaran across the Pehoe Lake. From here we commence our out and back trek to the French valley. We will start going around the south-west side of Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Park, through native forests of fire bush and evergreen beech (Nothofagus Bethuloides), up to the hanging bridge over the French River to observe the first glimpses of the hanging glacier. Then we will ascend (300m) for one hour amidst a surreal Japanese garden landscape, crossing beech forests, to reach a view point, gifting us with magnificent panoramic views, where we enjoy a good lunch. Our way back will be the same, spending our first night at Lodge Paine Grande.

(30 minutes by private transfer, 35 minutes by catamaran, 6-7 hours, 17 KM) (B-BL-D) (Night at Lodge Paine Grande)

Day 4 We will begin early morning with our hike to the Grey Glacier. Initially we will ascend 200mts up a winding narrow path leading us to Laguna Negra, and our first glimpses of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field with its many unclimbed mountains. We will advance through forests and crossing rivers, with possible sightings of spectacle and flying steamer ducks, up to the glacier view point. We will enjoy lunch at this place and if we are lucky, witness ice calving from the huge glacier wall into Lake Grey. We return, following the same path, with views of Cordon Olguín and Paine Grande, to reach the same hut at the Shore of Pehoe Lake to spend our second overnight.
(7-8 hours walking, 22 KM) (B-BL-D) (Night at Lodge Paine Grande)

Day 5 Early today we board the catamaran again. Our transfer will be waiting on the other side of Lake Pehoe to drive us to our walk. Our direction is toward Estancia Lazo-Hosteria Mirador Del Payne, and we'll follow a one-way path, rarely visited, with panoramic glimpses of almost all the park. According to the season we should be able to see specific flowers such as orchids, calceolarias, and neneos or maybe even experience the flight of the condor. The Estancia Lazo, it is a huge cattle center dating from the last century, with magnificent views of the Paine Massive and Laguna Verde. The rooms are very comfortable; the main Estancia's house has been remodeled as a dining room-bar, keeping it cozy and country style. A typical Patagonian style lamb barbecue will be waiting for us at the Estancia-Hosteria where we will spend the night.

(35 minutes by catamaran, 20 minutes by private transfer, 5 hours walking, 12KM) (B-BL-BBQ) (Night at Estancia-Hosteria Mirador Del Payne)

Day 6 We will take a private transfer to Punta Arenas. (Clients should take the flight at 03:10 PM, from LAN airline, flight LA#282, arriving to Santiago at 07:30 PM) (Flight numbers and times subject to change), if you decide to stay the night in Punta Arenas; we will drop you at your hotel.

(5 hours by private transfer) (B)

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Mountain Lodge (Refugio) Torres Central & North

All mountain lodges used by us for our trips are located in strategic places in the park and with fantastic views. There are 6 beds to each room (bunk-bed style) and have shared bathrooms with hot water.

The Mountain lodges of Torres Central and North are two comfortable refugios located at the base of the hike to the Towers lookout and part of the “W” and “Circuit” walks. Wood fired out-door hot tubs are a recent addition to these accommodations. They are within walking distance to the Hotel Spa at Las Torres for a variety of services including massage and saunas.

Mountain Lodge (Refugio) Paine Grande

All mountain lodges used by us for our trips are located in strategic places in the park and with fantastic views. There are 6 beds to each room (bunk-bed style) and have shared bathrooms with hot water.

Paine Grande is a large and modern refugio set on the banks of the Lake Pehoe, including internet connection and full service bar. It´s the jump off point for the catamaran crossing Lake Pehoe and the walks to the French and Grey Valleys part of the "W" and "Circuit" hikes.

Hostería Mirador Del Payne

Located on the park border and part of the working estancia, Lazo, a huge cattle ranch dating from the last century, if offers magnificent views of Paine Massive and Laguna Verde. The rooms are comfortable and simple; the main Estancia's house has been remodeled as a dining room-bar, keeping it cozy and country-style.