About the Experience
The Torres del Paine Multisport Adventure checks all the boxes. Hikes, bikes, horses! Glide kayaks around bobbing bergy bits, take a catamaran ride in search of calving glaciers in Lake Grey! Ride a horse across undulating pampas! Picnic in the pampas!
It’s easy to feel untethered here, just like the wild horses that roam the steppes of Patagonia. The ice age and tectonic forces have relentlessly pushed and carved valleys and bottomless glass-like lakes at every turn. This landscape is ever-evolving: jagged mountains poke the sky’s belly, wildflowers colour the hillsides in punches of colour, the immense face of the Grey Glacier looms.
The wildlife surrounds–red fur guanacos, mountain lions! Elusive pumas taunt with tell-tale footprints. Andean condors cruising thermals above while Magellanic woodpeckers and Patagonian sierra finches surprise and overwhelm twitchers and newbie birders alike.
On our Torres Del Paine Multisport Adventure, you’ll push your quads on vertical climbs to the granite peaks of Torres del Paine, the coveted jewel of Chilean Patagonia. Spike your adrenaline in the French Valley on the suspension bridge! Track wild horses across the steppe and ride not-so-wild horses like the gauchos!
Expect a very pampered and dreamy stay at EcoCamp Patagonia–the world’s first geodesic dome hotel located in the pounding heart of Torres Del Paine National Park. There’s no electricity which makes the constellations above shimmer all the more. Each dome has a skylight to gaze at those very stars! On this trip you’ll also camp for three nights to maximize Chile’s chilly pure mountain air to the fullest!
About the Experience
The Torres del Paine Multisport Adventure checks all the boxes. Hikes, bikes, horses! Glide kayaks around bobbing bergy bits, take a catamaran ride in search of calving glaciers in Lake Grey! Ride a horse across undulating pampas! Picnic in the pampas!
It’s easy to feel untethered here, just like the wild horses that roam the steppes of Patagonia. The ice age and tectonic forces have relentlessly pushed and carved valleys and bottomless glass-like lakes at every turn. This landscape is ever-evolving: jagged mountains poke the sky’s belly, wildflowers colour the hillsides in punches of colour, the immense face of the Grey Glacier looms.
The wildlife surrounds–red fur guanacos, mountain lions! Elusive pumas taunt with tell-tale footprints. Andean condors cruising thermals above while Magellanic woodpeckers and Patagonian sierra finches surprise and overwhelm twitchers and newbie birders alike.
On our Torres Del Paine Multisport Adventure, you’ll push your quads on vertical climbs to the granite peaks of Torres del Paine, the coveted jewel of Chilean Patagonia. Spike your adrenaline in the French Valley on the suspension bridge! Track wild horses across the steppe and ride not-so-wild horses like the gauchos!
Expect a very pampered and dreamy stay at EcoCamp Patagonia–the world’s first geodesic dome hotel located in the pounding heart of Torres Del Paine National Park. There’s no electricity which makes the constellations above shimmer all the more. Each dome has a skylight to gaze at those very stars! On this trip you’ll also camp for three nights to maximize Chile’s chilly pure mountain air to the fullest!
DAY ONE: TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
Our adventure begins in Punta Arenas! Hotel pick-ups will be scheduled for 9:00-9:15am. We will drive to EcoCamp Patagonia, the world’s first geodesic dome hotel located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. En route we will stop for lunch in Puerto Natales, a small, buzzy town on the shores of Seno de Ultima Esperanza (‘Inlet of Last Hope’).
The 5-6 hour journey is super scenic and highly atmospheric, peppered with exotic bird sightings and knock-out Patagonian landscapes. The sun doesn’t set until around 11pm during the summer months which will allow us to absorb the Patagonian steppe, jagged mountains splitting into the horizon and guanacos! In time you’ll be able to discern the difference between the guanaco and its cousin, the llama (ID hack: llamas can be white, gray, brown, black or piebald but all guanacos have brownish backs, white underbellies, grey faces and small straight ears).
Tonight we will sleep in the warmth of a dreamy dome with a skylight that reveals the shimmery stars above. This will be your only source of light as the domes are electricity-free!
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Standard Twin Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
How much further? 5 hours (driving)
Roadmap: Punta Arenas to the EcoCamp
DAY TWO: HIKE TO LOS CUERNOS
Today we will follow the sinuous Cuernos Trail which is bespattered with wildflowers in spring and skirts the alpine Lake Nordenskjold.
During this low-key 12 km (7.5 mile)walk we will have the opportunity to admire the park’s dynamic flora and fauna, panoramic views of the park’s central lakes and Cuernos del Paine or Paine’s Horns. The black spiked peaks of slate have been appropriately named: to the north, the Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin), to the east (from north to south) Fortaleza (Fortress), La Espada (The Sword), La Hoja (The Blade), La Máscara (The Mask), Cuerno Norte (North Horn), and Cuerno Principal (Main Horn). The maximum altitude point will be 244m (800ft) and whenever we reach our maximum hunger point, we’ll enjoy our boxed lunch!
Our 4-5 hour trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a cozy mountain refuge on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. This evening is all about chilling out and sharing stories and laughs over dinner. We will embrace the outdoors and our inner Girl Scout tonight as we will be camping in 2-person tents!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Tent Camping, Refugio Los Cuernos
The skinny on today’s hike: 4 -5 hours (hiking), covering 12km (7.5 mi).
DAY THREE: HIKE TO FRENCH VALLEY
After a nourishing breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that makes a beeline into the very heart of the Paine Massif. There are two options today–we can either hike to the tiptop of the French Valley or take a shorter walk to check out the views from the bottom.
Next, we cross the famed suspension bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif. The reward is an unmatched view of the valley and a big spike of adrenalin!
We will continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where to marvel the extensive mass of the valley’s geological formations: the Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress).
After our upward trek, we will take 5 and stretch out with a boxed-lunch picnic. Today’s 13km (8 mile) trek will end after our descent through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and sparse forest to our basecamp at Refugio Paine Grande where we will be sharing 2-person tents. Did we mention HOT showers? Refugio Paine Grande is located on the postcard-perfect shores of Lake Pehoé with uninterrupted views of Cuernos del Paine and Cerro Paine Grande.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Tent Camping Refugio Paine Grande
The skinny on today’s hike: Today’s hiking distance today is dependent on the route chosen. It can be between 13-26km (8-16 miles) with an estimated hiking time of 8-10 hours depending on the group’s skill level and pace. The maximum altitude point is 686m (2,250 feet)–including the climb up to the moraine.
DAY FOUR: HIKE AND KAYAK
Today we will hike from Paine Grande Refugio along Lake Pehoé shores to the northern side of Glacier Grey. We will indulge in an al fresco picnic lunch before sliding kayaks into the glass-like lake where we will navigate around icebergs and marvel at the crystalline facade of Glacier Grey. This 30m (98ft) tall glacier is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and measures around 6km (3.7 miles) wide. Yep, it’s a jaw-dropper.
All the necessary kayaking kit will be provided: wetsuit, boots, waterproof jacket, helmet, skirt, life jacket and a paddle with built-in gloves. We’ll have a safety briefing that will include paddling instruction, emergency plans and scenarios, details of our route and an update on weather conditions. We will be in the company of first level certified guide who are eager to help, answer questions and offer hot tips for a smooth, unforgettable paddle.
We will be paddling in an area dotted with icebergs, which often get stuck in the bay, forming an unrepeatable parade of serenity. If their presence isn’t enough to knock your kayaking boots off, we will also paddle to the east face of the glacier, and find ourselves approximately 100 meters (328ft) from its daunting walls. We’ll return on the same mesmerizing route, completing a total of almost 6km (3.7 miles) of paddling. The excursion also includes a snack and hot drinks to boost our biceps.
We will then transfer back to Refugio Grey, located on one end of this well-loved W trekking circuit, for another serene night of camping under the constellations.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Tent Camping, Refugio Grey
Head’s up: We’ll be kayaking for 3 hours today!
The skinny on today’s hike: The hiking distance today is 11km (7 miles) with an estimated duration of 4 hours. The maximum altitude point will be 244m (800 feet). We will be kayaking for around 3 incredible hours.
DAY FIVE: RELAX
After breakfast, we will board the boat that sails right to the facade of Glacier Grey. We’ll take in the unreal views of this stunning glacier while sipping on a chilled drink clinking with genuine glacier ice. This super scenic one-hour catamaran (boat ride) will be spent in search of calving glaciers on Lake Grey. Pocketed in the eastern side of Torres Del Paine National Park, the time-carved ice sculptures glint and dazzle in surreal hues of bubbled blue. Bonus: the backdrop of the daunting Paine Mountains!
Sufficiently wowed, after the boat crossing we’ll stop at Salto Grande falls and Mirador Cuernos (Spanish for “the viewpoint of the horns”) on the way back to the EcoCamp. The magnificent Salto Grande waterfall is an impressive cascade as the water thunders from Nordenskjold Lake into Pehoe Lake.
From the falls, it’s a short walk to the dramatic Cuernos viewpoint and a knock-out view of the mighty Horns. Here, the Cuernos will be smack dab in front of us, presenting a different angle from our Day 2 campsite view (from the foot of the mighty Cuernos). We’ll gently traverse the steppe vegetation and learn about the resilience of the local flora. This soft but stunning hike is full of distractions–like the piercing blue-as-husky-eyes Pehoe Lake and Paine river. It’s easy to re-energize while taking in the enormous Paine Mountain range and its seemingly faux snow-capped peaks.
After a hearty lunch in this soul-hugging location, we’ll backtrack along the same trail and drive to the EcoCamp (a 2-hour transfer). We can opt to recharge even further with an afternoon yoga class upon our return or vote for a cat nap instead of a downward dog.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Standard Twin Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
Head’s Up: The yoga classes can be co-ed as the opportunity is open to all EcoCamp guests, not just exclusively Wild Women.
The skinny on today’s hike: Short and sweet.
DAY SIX: HIKE TO THE TOWER’S BASE
Today we will walk from EcoCamp towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small serpentine rivers colour the scenic walk towards the valley.
Our biggest challenge will be the steep moraine. The huge mass of boulders lead us to that iconic base-view of the three gigantic glacial ice-sheared granite monoliths known as the Towers.
After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising grandly before us with the glacial lake visible below. We’ll take advantage of the vantage point and stretch out with a picnic before backtracking along the same trail to the EcoCamp for a decadent dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Standard Twin Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
The skinny on today’s hike: The challenging 22km (14 mile) hike will take an estimated 9-10 hours (including a picnic lunch). The maximum altitude point will be 914m (3,000 feet).
DAY SEVEN: HORSEBACK RIDING IN TORRES DEL PAINE
One of the most spirited ways to experience all that Patagonia has to offer is by riding through the prodigious landscape on horseback. After a filling breakfast at the EcoCamp, we will walk to the ranch stables. Here, we will meet our local baqueano (Patagonian cowgirl) guide and be introduced to our distinguished Patagonian horses. These horses have been raised in the area’s wild surrounds but are well-trained and patient with beginner riders. Our expert baqueano will teach us a few cowgirl skills to help make the ride more comfortable as we move along the deep indigo pocket of Lake Nordenskjöld. This famed lake is situated at the base of the Paine Massif and is named after Otto Nordenskjöld (1869-1928), a Swedish-Finnish explorer who dedicated himself to navigating the landscapes of Chile, Antarctica, Peru and Greenland.
The powerful rhythm of the horse’s strong and confident gait will allow us to experience the true freedom of Patagonia and its big skies. Mount Almirante Nieto and its hanging glacier dominates the skyline here. We’ll drink in several viewpoints and sprays of Patagonian flora as we cross clear rivers and dense forests on horseback. In Asencio Valley, we’ll cross the Asencio River to witness the rare juxtaposition of an ecotone (the intersection of two distinct ecosystems). The forest and the pampas transition seamlessly into one another, uniquely blending together in the middle.
We’ll stop for a scenic picnic and reflect on the generations of baqueanos who have traveled across Patagonia’s plains before us. Our guide will share stories about the region’s horse riding history and the geography of this area near the “end of the world”. Satiated with stories, scenery and a wholesome lunch, we’ll make our way across the plains back to the stables. After saying goodbye to our guide and gentle horses we’ll walk back to EcoCamp for an evening aperitif before dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Standard Twin Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
The skinny on today’s horseback ride: Our estimated riding time will be around 4 hours, covering 15-17km (9-11 miles).
Head’s Up: An EcoCamp guide will accompany us on this excursion, if anyone wishes to return to the stable at any point, and not ride the full distance.
DAY EIGHT: BIKE TO LAGUNA AZUL
After breakfast, we will drive to Estancia Laguna Amarga, hop on mountain bikes and tear up the tar! We will cycle past classic Patagonian plains, grazing guanacos and ñandús to the cascading power of Paine waterfall.
The 7km (4 mile) morning bike excursion follows an exhilarating route inside Laguna Azul Estancia close to where it meets Baguales, heading up to Saltos Las Chinas. Back at Laguna Azul, we will enjoy our hotly-anticipated box lunch with a knock-out view of the Towers. After taking five and digesting, we will jump in the shuttle van which will take us to our next bike track.
This 4km (2.5 mile) ride follows a single track through Cañadón Macho before finishing at a junction with the road near Cascada Paine. Although this ride is not overly demanding, there are some sections of the trail that have an added degree of difficulty–notably at the point where Cañadon Macho crosses a meadow and begins climbing, followed by an undulating stretch of descent, which is a little steep and rocky. Be careful on your brakes and be sure to apply pressure evenly! If you are nervous, you can always walk this stretch!
The bike ride back to Ecocamp is optional and weather-dependent (our guide will determine if it is safe to ride back)–you can also choose to jump in the support van and get a head start on a hot shower or sundowner at the EcoCamp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Standard Twin Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
The skinny on today’s bike (bike, not hike!): Expect a 11km (6.5 mile) ride with a few challenging sections. The maximum altitude point of the ride will be 180m (590 feet). If you choose to ride back to the EcoCamp, it’s an additional 11km (6.5 miles). For perspective: The highest point of elevation reached in the Tour de France was 2,802m (9,193 feet) at the Cime de la Bonnette loop road in the Alps.
Head’s Up: Today’s bike route could change due to weather conditions but an awesome alternate will always be found!
DAY NINE: WILD HORSE TRACKING
After an indulgent buffet breakfast at EcoCamp, we’ll make a beeline for the Laguna Azul sector. From here, we’ll begin our 45-minute journey by 4×4 through the verdant folds of the Cordillera Masle and postcard-perfect views of Cordillera Baguales, Salto Las Chinas and Barranca de Los Toros pass.
At a typical “puesto” where Patagonian “gauchos” (South American cowboys) would take refuge while caring for their livestock, we’ll learn about the area’s history, evolution and characteristics of its wild horses. (Can you hear that Rolling Stones tune already? “Wild, wild horses, couldn’t drag me away…”)
With the assistance of satellite tracking equipment and our gaucho guide’s experience and knowledge, we’ll begin our trek, searching for the 100 untamed horses that remain isolated and unbridled in the Torres del Paine terrain.
We’ll choose a place to have lunch that will be dependent on the location of the horses. They’re not predictable or great at making reservations. However, the experience of tracking, observing and analyzing the horses in the Patagonian wilds is incomparable. We’ll also be surrounded by the otherworldly views of Lago Stokes, Cordillera Dickson and the imposing Towers. After 7-8 hours, we’ll return to EcoCamp to share laughs and reflections over aperitifs before a savoury dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Standard Twin Domes
The skinny on today’s hike: Depending on the wild horses and where they are hanging out, the hike can be around 7-8 hours. It’s not a strenuous walk though–you can stop and smell the edelweiss!
DAY TEN: ADIOS PATAGONIA
We will board an early morning shuttle, sit back and reflect on a truly wild experience on our scenic ride back to Punta Arenas. Horses, hikes, bikes! 4×4! Kayak, catamaran…
The drive is around 5 hours, so there’s plenty of time to swap stories, Airdrop iPhone pics and trade contact info with your Wild Women.
We’ll arrive at the airport mid-afternoon for hugs goodbye and evening flights to Santiago. Sigh, where next?
Meals Included: Breakfast
How much further: 5 hours (driving)
Roadmap: EcoCamp Patagonia to Punta Arenas
Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!
Punta Arenas airport (PUQ) is approximately 2.5 hours from Puerto Natales, which is a two-hour drive from the EcoCamp and the heart of Torres del Paine.
Group Rendezvous Point Day 1
- Time: Between 9:00 – 9:15AM
- Location: At the pre-trip hotel in Punta Arenas that you listed in your Travel Details Form – please make sure this is clearly stated under the question ‘Where are you staying the night before your trip?’.
Your guide and driver will be picking you up at the rendezvous point. Please be ready with all of your luggage. You will have lunch in Puerto Natales around 1:00 PM on the first day and then arrive at the Eco Camp in time for dinner and your trip Welcome Briefing.
- Garden Hilton Inn Hotel (it’s conveniently located just in front of the airport gates, saving time and shuttle arrangements!
- Holiday Inn Hotel
Recommended Hotels in Punta Arenas
- Best Western Finis Terrae (just a 5 min walk from Restaurant La Marmita)
- Hotel Rev Don Felipe (just a 10 min walk from Restaurant La Marmita)
- Carpa Manzano (just a 5 min walk from Restaurant La Marmita)
Accommodations are not included on this night, so be sure you book this before the trip. If you are staying extra nights in Punta Arenas it is possible to be dropped off at the post trip hotel listed in your Travel Details Form on the last day of the trip.
Drop-Off Point:
- Day 10
- Time: 2 PM
- Location: Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), Punta Arenas.
Megan and Zale | ****Now Boarding Travel Specialist
Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
- Passport
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.
- Visa/Tourist Card
Visa information can be obtained here.
The Chilean government collects a ‘reciprocity’ fee from arriving Australian / Canadian / Mexican citizens in response to these governments imposing a similar fee on Chilean citizens applying for visas. The fee for US residents has been lifted. This cash or credit card payment applies only to tourists arriving by air in Santiago and is valid for the life of the passport.
All tourists are issued a tourist card upon arrival. It is valid for a maximum period of up to 90 days. You must retain this document and present it to immigration officers prior to departure from the country. For full details, check your country’s travel website.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
These are our recommendations:
Staff: Staff includes cooks, assistants, housekeeping maids, maintenance, yoga instructors, reception, the operations team and all those who work hard behind the scenes to make the Ecocamp work like a clock.
To leave a tip for the staff, please ask for an envelope at Ecocamp´s Welcome dome, write “STAFF” on it and leave it inside the TIP BOX in the reception. We suggest a range of US$12 to US$20 per day depending on the level of satisfaction.
Guides: ask for an envelope at our Welcome Dome and use it to give your tip directly to your guide (or write his/her name on it and leave it in the TIP BOX). We suggest a range of US$15 to US$25 per day.
Assistant Guides: ask for an envelope at our Welcome Dome and use it to give your tip directly to your assistant guide (or write his/her name on it and leave it in the TIP BOX). We suggest a range of US$8 to US$15 per day.
Drivers: We suggest a range of US$8 to US$15 per day and you can also give it directly or leave it in the TIP BOX with his/her name written on the envelope.
Trek porters: Our treks (W, short W and Circuit) use porters to carry all your belongings. We suggest a range of US$5 to US$10 per day given directly to them. You can also leave that tip at receptions TIP BOX with his/her name/porter written on the envelope.
Tips are best paid in US cash or in Chilean pesos.
- Rooming Arrangements
Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum of two people per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner. Private domes (with shared bathrooms) are subject to availability.
- Bathrooms
Shared bathrooms are large, comfortable and gender divided. Bathrooms have 3 toilets, 3 showers, hot water, and shampoo/conditioner/soap etc. are provided. Refugio bathrooms are shared (gender divided), with wash basins, toilets and independent showers with hot water.
- Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage
With NO WIFI ACCESS, being off grid in Torres del Paine NP is a place to leave social media behind and truly immerse yourself in the awesome scenery! There is also no phone reception. There is wifi available in the refugios that you can purchase with credit card but there is no wifi available at Ecocamp. There is an interpretation center down the hill from Ecocamp that has wifi available for purchase.
- Potable Water
Tap water throughout EcoCamp is drinkable unless otherwise specified and it is stated that the water in streams is safe to drink as long as it is not downhill from a campsite.</>
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
- EcoCamp Standard Domes
Standard domes are tough, resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes are 10m²/108ft². There is no heat or electricity in the domes. Bathrooms are shared.
Please note: There will be other people staying at the EcoCamp.
- Refugio Paine Grande
It will either be Shared Dormitories (6-8 women per room) or Camping (2 person tents). We are queued for bookings along with all other tour providers for the dormitories and if they are not available then the group will be camping. We will notify you once accommodations are confirmed and provide an updated itinerary.
All camping gear is provided.
Helmets will be provided, which is a universal size, with. most being considered a size M or L. The size provided will fit most, as it is expected that you may be wearing a hat or next warmer as well. Our partners on the ground will work with you to find the best fit for you.
- Refugio Refugio Gray
Set against a peaceful forest backdrop, it is only a few minutes’ walk from the gigantic bluish-white wall of ice of Gray Glacier.
Plug type C (two round pins) and type L (three round pins) are recommended. Chile operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Note: Hair dryers, electric razors, etc. are not permitted due to a large amount of electricity they consume.
- Cash
This is the best way to pay for items throughout your trip.
- Currency Exchange Offices & Banks
The Chilean unit of currency is the peso (CH$/ CLP). Bank notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos. Coin values are one, five, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, although one-peso coins are fast disappearing, and even fives and tens are uncommon.
Note: In Chile, the peso is indicated with “$” while amounts in U.S. dollars are preceded by “US$” or “$US.”
Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
- Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
One of the most convenient ways to get cash is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you have to pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network.
ATM machines are available at the airport in Punta Arenas. There are also ATMs in Punta Arenas centre and Puerto Natales. We recommend taking a small amount of cash into Torres del Paine to pay for drinks at EcoCamp’s bar, souvenirs in the shop, tips for guides and staff etc.
- Credit Cards
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted throughout Chile, and Diner’s Club isn’t far behind. Many Chilean businesses are charged a 2% to 4% service fee and will pass that cost on to you, so expect cheaper deals with cash. Smaller hostels and hotels often do not accept credit cards at all. Ecocamp will accept your credit card and you can keep a tab and pay everything on the last day. Internet is available at the refugios (not at Ecocamp) and you will need a credit card to purchase minutes.
If you have a credit card, you can use the ATM to purchase currency directly. Your monthly balance usually shows the exchange rate you received on purchases made with the credit card.
- Taxes
Chile levies a steep 19% VAT tax, called IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) on all goods and services.
- Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin
- Riding Across Patagonia by Lady Florence Dixie
- Travels in a Thin Country by Sara Wheeler
Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense.
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.
That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
- Take every opportunity you can to be active.
You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!
- Rev up your ticker!
Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.
- Join a local walking or running group.
This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.
- Hill training.
The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.
- Warm up, cool down and stretch.
If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
- Practice ‘backpacking’.
Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking every day, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.
- Break in your hiking boots.
Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your shoes. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.
- Hydration.
When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
- Nutrition.
Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
- Have fun!
The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.
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BOOK NOW -
Starting At$5,995Deposit From$995Duration10 DAYS
- 🇺🇸USD PRICEFOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES MAY APPLY
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What's Included
- AWESOME English-speaking female guide plus activity specialist guides
- 6 nights shared accommodations in EcoCamp Patagonia Domes (2 women per dome, shared bathrooms) and 3 nights camping (2 women per tent) at refugios
- All decadent meals – Day 1 lunch to Day 10 lunch (boxed)
- All equipment for excursions as outlined in the itinerary: sleeping bags for camping, mountain bikes, sea kayaks, horses, tack etc., and all corresponding safety equipment. Helmets are provided and mandatory. Full details are provided in our Trip Information Package once you book.
- Hiking sticks are available for free at the lodge but we strongly recommend you bring your own set of lightweight hiking poles as the provided sticks are truly that–wooden sticks, not poles. Rentals are available in Punta Natales en route to the EcoCamp.
- Please note: There is no electricity, cell reception or WiFi access in the EcoCamp domes. WiFi is available in the refugios or you can visit the interpretation center down the hill from EcoCamp to purchase internet access there.
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price