Patagonia - Torres del Paine - 9 Day Trek

- All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.
- 8 nights camping. In addition we use backpacking stoves to cook our meals, take advantage of fresh water sources and beautiful views.
- Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / BL = Box Lunch / D = Dinner.
- Complete dinning & camping equipment.
- Ferry crossing over Lake Pehoe on day 8.
- One English speaking trekking guide. One assistant guide provided if 4 or more members in the trip.

- Air fares.
- Insurance (it is mandatory that you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips).
- Optional tipping to guides and staff.
- Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverages, etc.).

You will be picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas around 12:15PM or, from the airport in Punta Arenas, at 1 PM. The trip finishes on day 9 at the airport of Punta Arenas at 3 PM approx. If your are flying out of Punta Arenas that same day, you should book a flight departing from Punta Arenas later than 4PM.
Keep in mind that we might book for you any local flight in Chile. Shall you prefer to book them on your own, please contact us in advance to coordinate schedules.

Weather
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Ice field influence make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer's average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).

Physical Demands
This trip, rated strenuous, is recommended for people in good physical condition in the habit of walking long distances and camping outdoors. All passengers over 65 are requested to send ahead a medical examination that states that they are able to safely accomplish strenuous hiking. One portion of the 9-day circuit crosses a mountain pass called El Paso. This section takes app. 10 to 12 hrs. A person well trained, equipped and in good physical condition should have no problem hiking it, but it might be a very strenuous hike in bad weather conditions.

What you need to bring
Day backpack (30-40 lts), mountain backpack, waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear).

About the Itinerary
The numbers in brackets (distance-kms, time-hrs) are approximated and refer to the trekking portions exclusively. In general the itinerary submitted and the estimated of time is reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering also good weather conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing, pictures and lunch.

Itinerary Modifications
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety or weather considerations.

Additional Information and References
Once you book the trip, we will send you a pre-trip Information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us. Not sure about us? We will be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers living close to you.

In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 persons. When we have only 2 to 4 persons we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips you will share the vehicle with other EcoCamp guests joining other tours. On the private departure, the vehicle will be of your use exclusively with the limitation of their use to the given itinerary and time schedules.

Private Van

What is an Ecocamp?
It's a luxury camp, of a kind never seen before in Chile and similar in concept to the famous African lodges. It is a more comfortable alternative, but above all environmentally friendly, especially in a national Park with the characteristics of Torres del Paine.
The Cascada Ecocamp has been designed with the comfort of our travelers in mind but above all stressing the importance of interfering as little as possible with the surroundings in which we have installed it. This need to protect the environment has meant that we have had to be very efficient in managing the eco-camp; this has meant that we cannot offer some of the comforts normal in unprotected areas (private bathroom with septic tank, diesel generators etc) and, on the other hand, utilizing technologies and sustainable processes but ones which demand a greater effort and more patience from our guests (less availability of water and solar energy for electricity, making compost, less waste etc). We think that the solution that we have designed for our guests, in one of the most important national parks of the southern hemisphere, is a novel alternative, efficient and in harmony with the current demands of tourism.

What is the Eco-camp like?
Sleeping is in big comfortable domed tents that take 2 people. They are 2 meters high and the floor is of vitrified wood. The tents are resistant to the strongest winds, rain and even Patagonian snow and they are each equipped with 2 single beds, fleece sheets (very popular among our guests!), blankets and feather cover. The domes are very well insulated allowing comfortable temperatures even in cold nights. The Ecocamp also has a large dome for kitchen/dining room: this is a dome of 9 meters diameter (30 ft) and 4.5 meters high (15 ft). It is equipped with a living area, dining room and kitchen. The space is light and airy with a big panoramic window and it invites our guests to enjoy in a completely new way the surprising evenings of Patagonia. The Cascada Ecocamp also includes a bathroom module with showers and hot water. The toilet system uses a composting process (i.e. it transforms human waste into compost). A chef runs the kitchen of the Ecocamp.

Refugios
Our programs include one night in Pehoe (PAT 025 and PAT 026) and another night in Los Cuernos refuge (PAT 025). This are typical mountain huts, open to the public that visits Torres del Paine. It has rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single, bunk type and we will provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don't need to bring a sleeping bag!). The bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water. The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area.

8 Nights camping

Chile's diverse and marvellous environment is a gift to us and we feel in need to repay nature for all what we have received. As part of our commitment to support the environment, Cascada joined The International Eco-Tourism Society (VT-USA) in 1996 and has gained background, understanding and experience to model Cascada's own operations and o serve as an example to the others.

You will need to bring the following for your own personal use -
Day backpack (10lt), mountain backpack, waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear).

We offer our guests the most rewarding experience by means of travelling to a remote destination such as Chile or Argentina with the highest degree of safety. comfort and exposure to nature and culture. As part of Cascada's safety mission fulfillment we became the first outfitter in South America to provide the guides with the Wilderness First Responder degree, training wich is widely accredited in the US and Canada.

None

200ft to 3000 ft above sea level

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Icefield influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summers average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).

Cascada Expediciones

Cascada Expediciones services are designed to create a worthwhile experience and deep exposure to nature and culture. Our mission can be stated as:

Create and provide quality Tourist Services, innovative and with the highest value in terms of the life experience related to it.
Promote the benefits of Nature and Wilderness in its many forms, facilitate the discovery of the primitive spirit and create a deep understanding and respect to it.
Provide the best life conditions for all the ones working at Cascada Expediciones, assuring it to become a tool for personal and professional development.

Participate actively in the larger community serving it through contributions of employment and to respect and care for the environment.
Develop and promote Tourist Services which are environmentally sustainable, to provide ecotourism.

As part of our environmental mission fulfillment we became members of The International Ecotourism Society(USA) and gained information, understanding and experience from it that have helped us to model our own operations to follow the principles of ecotourism and to serve as an example to others.

As part of our quality mission fulfillment we were the first outfitter in South America to provide its guides with the Wilderness First Responder degree, training which is widely valid and accredited within the US and Canada. Since 1996 we have been bringing experts from the Wilderness Medical Associates to train our staff as well as other local outfitters.

We live and work in Chile, so we have the experience and in-depth knowledge of the region and its people, hence the ability to design and operate great trips for you; we are passionate adventure travelers ourselves: we have traveled extensively in remote places of Chile, Argentina and the world and we'd like to show you how the adventure of a lifetime can be.

Our travel in Chile and Argentina is designed for travelers who are seeking a holiday with plenty of outdoor activity and soft or hard adventure, who enjoy discovering nature and local culture while respecting the ecology and the environment.
The trips include various levels of physical activity, from easy to strenuous.

We include, in varying degrees, activities such as hiking, trekking, camping, backcountry walking, kayaking, diving, climbing, horsebackriding, whitewater rafting and seakayaking. This brings the traveling group together, and closer to nature. There are usually plenty of wildflowers and birds to be seen on our tours, with opportunities for botanists and bird watchers to pursue their interests. Most of our tours are outside the big cities and off paved roads visiting remote places, discovering the wildlife and local cultures, with emphasis on personal experience and respect for the ecology.

Most of our trips are suitable for all ages, from teens to seniors, and solo travelers or women traveling alone will find the groups friendly and welcoming with easy integration. Moreover our ECOCAMP 'lodge' in Torres del Paine, Patagonia offers a true wilderness experience in a comfortable setup.

Insurance:
Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind; unexpected medical emergencies or illness before or during your trip and several other contingencies could make you lose pre-paid, non-refundable trip payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulance during your trip to a remote location might be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan.
That is why it is compulsory that you purchase personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses which may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring during your trip. We also suggest you to purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance. When obtaining travel insurance, you must ensure the insurer of the type of travel to be undertaken, especially when "adventure activities" are included in your trip.
There are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans through the web. Cascada Expediciones has selected some of them for your convenience. Click here to check different alternatives.

Medical & Health:
It is mandatory that clients with medical problems make themselves known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify anyone, at any time, during the trip if he feels the trip member is physically incapable and/or if a trip member's continued participation will be detrimental to the individual involved or the group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances.
Because of the fact that Hospital facilities for serious problems are often unavailable and evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive, it is that we assume no liability regarding provision of medical care at any time during the trip. This statement is included on the Release & Assumption of Risk form provided by our company. All passengers over 65 are requested to fill out a Medical Certificate that would entitle him/her to safely accomplish the trip he/she is applying for.


Physical and/or Technical Certificates:
These certificates are issued in addition to the general medical certificate and are asked to secure a safe accomplishment of the activities included on certain specific mountaineering and kayaking trips.

Physical Certificate:
The following programs will require the passenger to be physically qualified to be accepted on the trip. This is not a technical demand but a provision towards the physical condition of the participant and the enforcement to be accomplished during the excursion:
High Altitude Mountain Trips: Aconcagua, Ojos del Salado, Parinacota

Technical Certificate:
The following programs will require the passenger to be physically and technically qualified to be accepted on the trip. This is a provision towards the level of skills owned by the participant and the degree of technical difficulty and risk involved on the trip: Rafting River Futaleufu; Intermediate and Experts River Kayaking;

Responsibilities of Trip Members:
Trip members are responsible for understanding the conditions implied in the Trip Itinerary and selecting a trip that is appropriate to their interests and abilities. In order to assist you we grade each trip with a Trip Rating. We are also happy to discuss the trip with you, as well as provide you with names of past participants who can discuss their experience with you.; Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip; - for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment as advised in the equipment list; - for following normal standards of personal hygiene in order to lessen risk of traveler's diseases; - for following normal social behavior patterns with fellow trip participants; - for acting in an appropriate and respectful manner in accordance with the customs of areas visited;- for completing the itinerary as scheduled (or as adjusted in the field as necessary).
Normally the travelers will be asked to carry a day-pack containing the extra personal belongings they wish to take such as: camera, glasses, extra clothing, etc. In the 10day Patagonia trekking and Aconcagua, Plomo, Parinacota, Ojos del Salado ascents, travelers will be asked to carry their own personal items including back pack, sleeping bag, pad, daily box-lunch and others. The 10-day Patagonia trip offers the option to hire a porter. In camping trips, the cooking and the cleaning will be the responsibility of the guiding Staff and they may ask the passenger for help in setting up his/her tent;
Reasonable changes may be made in the itinerary due to weather conditions or if judged to be in the best interest and well being of the participants;

Pricing:
The price for the land portion of the trip is called Land Cost and includes:
-All accommodations in hotels, inns, mountain huts, camps and tents; -Ground transportation in private vehicles or domestic buses depending on the itinerary including reception & transfer from the nearest airport; - Meals in the field as specified in each program except for those meals in cities or towns where the travelers will feel inclined to make their own choices; -All trekking, horse-riding, diving, marine and river arrangements in the field (as specified in each program) including group equipment, permits and mules or pack horses if specified; -Entries and park fees; -Expert leadership including English speaking guides in all our fixed departures trips. The guide/participant ratio varies from 1/5 to 1/10 depending in the type of program;
Costs not included in the trip are some meals as noted in the itinerary, soft drinks and liquor, medical expenses, cost of hospitalization or evacuation, laundry, airport departure taxes, visas, international and domestic airfares, gratuities and insurance. Please refer to the trip itinerary for detailed information on what is included and not included in the Land Cost. If a trip must be extended or an itinerary modified due to weather, road conditions, lack of transportation, political or civil disputes, medical emergency or other causes beyond our control, the associated costs including any nonrecoverable costs are not included in the trip rates or refunds. In such circumstances it is your responsibility to pay directly for actual extra costs in the field (i.e. food, transport, accommodations, etc.). Obtain trip cancellation/interruption insurance!
Prices listed on our website and marketing material are subject to change since the trip dates and prices have often been published more than a year in advance. Between that time and the time of the trip's actual departure, we are occasionally faced with exceptional cost increases or currency fluctuations that we cannot absorb. We do everything we can to keep our prices the same as published.

Tier Pricing:
In order to operate small groups, some trips are priced according to the number of full-price passengers on the trip. Cascada Expediciones staff, invited passengers as travel writers, photographers or tour operators' representatives under a familiarization trip and other discounted travelers are excluded from the count for this purpose. We initially invoice you at the highest tier level price. If the price drops due to an increase in the group size, you will be refunded the difference.

Accommodation:
The prices correspond to accommodations in a share basis. If the passenger is traveling alone and there is no one with whom to share, or if he/she wishes single accommodation, then he/she will be asked to pay the Single supplement Fee listed in the Price-List. Accommodations in hotels are based on double occupancy. Accommodations in tents are based on double occupancy.
The criteria for picking out the accommodations are a mixture of comfort, security, location and local atmosphere.

Meals:
All meals on the field are included as well as all others to be taken in places such as National Parks where the travelers will not be able to purchase their own food or where we consider it is not recommendable to do so. Please refer to each trip itinerary for information on which meals are included and not included. The meals included are shown as B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=box-lunch, D=dinner.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip, money will be returned less the cancellation fees charged by Cascada plus any additional nonrefundable cancellation fees and payments already advanced to airlines, hotels and other local suppliers.
a- Cascada Land cancellation fees for regular departures: these are departures with fixed dates. Cancellation of the confirmed booking outside 30 days prior to departure entails loss of deposit, which is 20% of the total trip cost. Thereafter the following applies:
30 - 23 days 40% of total fare
22 - 14 days 60% of total fare
13 - 0 days 100% of total fare

b- Cascada Land cancellation fees for private departures: these are trips operated in a non-fixed date or as special requests. Cancellation of the confirmed booking outside 60 days prior to departure entails loss of deposit, which is 20% of the total trip cost. Thereafter the following applies:
60 - 45 days 40% of total fare
44 - 31 days 60% of total fare
30 - 0 days 100% of total fare