Tour to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors
3 days in the Grey sector to kayak or walk on the glacier.
Bookings for the 2024-25 season are now available! 😃 *Confirmations will be sent from May onwards
Briefing
This 3-day all-inclusive tour (transportation, lodging, food...) will allow you to get to know the eastern area of Torres del Paine, the Paine Grande and Grey sectors. You will sail on Lake Pehoe, disembark in Paine Grande and walk to the Grey sector, where you will spend two nights. By staying two nights in the Grey sector you will have enough time to walk the route to the glacier viewpoint and beyond, to the hanging bridges next to the Grey glacier. In addition, you will be able to do kayak in front of the Grey glacier wall or walk on the ice of the glacier.
Live the experience of staying in one of the most beautiful areas of Torres del Paine and walk its trails. Sounds good, doesn't it? Well, keep reading and we'll tell you all about it 😉
Tour details
Included
- 2 nights lodging (according to selected option)
- Food (full board)
- Transportation Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine (round trip)
- Catamaran transportation (round trip)
- Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
Not included
- Activities on Grey Glacier (kayaking or ice walking)
- Day 1 breakfast
- Day 3 dinner
- Guide
- Porter
Important information
Activities on the Grey glacier are not included, you can book them with us: kayaking or walking on the glacier ice.
This tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old.
The camping accommodation includes all the material (tent already set up, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, sleeping bag). The tents are for 2 people, in case of booking only for one person, you will be assigned a tent just for you.
The "refugio" is a montain hostel and its dorms are shared with 4 to 6 travelers and includes bed linen.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation!
If you cancel more than 90 days before the tour starts, you will receive a 100% refund.
If you cancel between 89 and 70 days before the tour starts, you will receive a 80% refund. If you cancel between 69 and 45 days before the tour starts, you will receive a 50% refund. After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refunds will be made.
*Reservation modifications are subject to the cancellation policies indicated, applying the corresponding penalty in each case according to the anticipation with which it is requested.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine - Grey Trekking
Distance Paine Grande - Grey: 7 miles (11 km)
Approximate hiking time: 3-4 hours
Lodging: Grey Sector (camping or "refugio")
Highlights: Grey Viewpoint
Puerto Natales - Pudeto - Paine Grande
The first day starts with the pick up at your accommodation in Puerto Natales, at 6:30 in the morning. You will be taken to the bus station in Puerto Natales to take the shuttle to Pudeto, located within the Torres del Paine National Park. Pudeto is the port from where the catamaran departs and sails for 35 minutes across Lake Pehoé, taking you to Paine Grande sector.
Paine Grande Sector - Grey Sector
When you disembark at Paine Grande, the route begins. For 7 miles (11 km) you will hike along the path that runs up the valley, with small ups and downs and a difference in altitude that does not exceed 350 meters. You will pass by Laguna Los Patos and little by little you will approach Grey Lake, which carries floating icebergs that falls from the wall of the glacier.
You will reach the Grey sector and, at this point, we recommend you keep hiking up the valley, until you reach the Grey Glacier Viewpoint, with incredible views of the Southern Ice Field.
You will return to the Grey sector, settle into the campsite or "refugio" (depending on the option selected) and between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM dinner will be served, always at the "refugio".
DAY 2: Grey glacier activities - hanging bridges
Lodging: Grey sector (camping or "refugio")
✨ Highlights: Activities in Grey glacier or hike to the hanging bridges.
Activities in Grey Glacier
This is your free day in the Grey sector, and you have different possibilities. The most popular is to book one of the two activities we offer on Grey Glacier (not included in the tour):
💬 Howlanders tip!
We recommend you to book the first shift of the activity, as these excursions are only 10 minutes away from the Grey "refugio", and in case of cancellation due to bad weather, you will have the opportunity to join one of the following groups (subject to availability).
Hanging bridges
You can complete the day walking to the hanging bridges, which are located in front of the glacier, from there you will admire not just the tongue of the glacier, but all the valleys that are forming the Grey Glacier. The first bridge is only 1,2 miles (2 km) from the "refugio" Grey, the second is 2 miles (3.5 km) away and the third is 3,7 miles (6 km) away. Consider these distances and plan your itinerary based on your preferences. Please note that the distances indicated are per way (one way), and you will return to the Grey "refugio" by the same trail, so the distance will be doubled.
Day 3: Trekking to Paine Grande - Catamaran - Puerto Natales
Distance Paine Grande - Grey: 7 miles (11 km)
Approximate hiking time: 3-4 hours
✨ Highlights: Activities in Grey or route to the hanging bridges.
Activities in Grey sector
On the third day you can do one of the activities listed on day 2: ice walking or kayaking (not included) or the hiking trail to the hanging bridges.
Paine Grande - Puerto Natales
At lunch time you will have to start hiking the 7 miles (11 km) back to Paine Grande, doing so by the same route as the first day, but this time with negative slope, which can be completed in just over 3 hours.
You will board the catamaran back to Pudeto at 7:35 PM and, upon arrival, the bus will be waiting for you to take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales. Once at the bus station, a private transport will take you to your accommodation, where you will arrive at approximately 9:45 PM.
What to bring to Tour to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors
Passport
PDI: Migratory Card (foreign travelers not residing in Chile)
Lodging reservation ticket
Hiking pants: thin or short
Long hiking pants for more warmth
First layer: thermal T-shirt
Middle layer: fleece or similar
Outer layer: waterproof jacket
Warm jacket or fleece
Cap or hat
Hiking shoes (if possible waterproof boots)
Slippers for resting
Sandals (for showers)
Personal hygiene products
Flashlight and battery (especially useful in campsites)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Walking sticks
Cash (USD or CLP)
Medium trekking backpack (40 liters approx)
Long/short sleeve T-shirts
Where does the tour Tour to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors start
The tour starts in the city of Puerto Natales. If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile the best option is to fly directly to Puerto Natales or take a flight to Punta Arenas, and from there you can take a bus that in only 3:15 hours will take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales or book a private transfer Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales with us.
If you are traveling from El Calafate (Argentina), there are direct buses to Puerto Natales, it takes 5 hours. If you want a more comfortable service, you can book with us the transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales or the direct transfer from El Calafate and Torres del Paine.
Questions & Answers
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