people hiking on the grey glacier
people walking through the glacier
the lake besides the grey glacier
boy climbing in a tunnel
people helping other hikers crossing the crack
people walking on the ice
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Ice Hike Grey Glacier

Walk on ice on one of the most impressive glaciers in Chilean Patagonia

(2 reviews)
Puerto Natales
1 day
Spanish and English
Starts: From the meeting point "Campamento Base Grey" located inside Torres del Paine Park at 7:45 a.m. or 2:15 p.m. (depending on the selected option).
Ends: To the meeting point "Campamento Base Grey" 5 hours after the start (depending on the selected option).
Free cancellation!

Briefing

With the Ice Hike Grey Glacier of 5 hours, you will navigate in a zodiac boat to the main tongue of the glacier, disembark on the glacier island (Nunatak), walk one hour on the glacial moraine and two and a half hours on the ice.

Select your option and enjoy this adventure. We tell you all about it below 😊

Tour details

Included

  • Certified guide
  • Displacement by boat
  • Equipment: helmet, backpack, ice axe, harness and crampons
  • Snack
  • Hot drink

Not included

  • Entrance fees to Torres del Paine National Park
  • Transportation to the meeting point at Camping Grey

Important information

❌ Restrictions: 

Travelers under 14 years of age and those over 65 years of age are not allowed to take the tour.

The tour is physically demanding, so it is not advisable for people with heart problems, mobility problems, pregnant women, etc.

📍 The tour does not include pick up in Puerto Natales. The meeting point is located 10 minutes from the Grey campsite and refuge, located within the Torres del Paine National Park. In order to take the tour in the first shift you must stay the night before in the Grey sector. To take the tour in the second shift you must stay in the Grey sector at the end of the tour. It is not possible to do the tour in the same day leaving and returning to Puerto Natales.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 4 days before the tour starts, you will receive a 100% refund. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be given.

Tour itinerary

Ice Hike Grey Glacier

Difficulty: high
Duration: 5 hours
Total distance: 3 km
Season: summer (October-April)
Group size: 12 travelers

📍 Meeting point - Grey Base Camp

The Ice Hike Grey Glacier tour will start at the base camp located in the Grey beach sector, inside the Torres del Paine National Park. Below, in the section Where does the tour start, we give you all the details you need to know how to get there. 

how to get there map

Nunatak Island of Grey Glacier

Once the group is assembled, accompanied by your guide, you will board the zodiac boat and sail for about 20 minutes until we reach the main tongue of the Grey Glacier.

You will disembark on Nunatak sland and load the equipment into the backpacks. Following the instructions of the guide you will start walking on the glacial moraine for about an hour until you reach the ice.

landscape of the grey glacier

Walking on the ice

Before you get into the glacier, the guide will give you a safety talk in which he will explain the techniques of moving on ice and the correct use of the equipment. Once the theory is finished, the ice adventure begins!

You will hike on the ice for two and a half hours, during which you will be able to enjoy observing its crevasses, rivers, lagoons, tunnels and even ice caves.

people hiking on the ice of the grey glacier

Return to Grey Base Camp

Once you finish trekking on the ice, you will descend back down the glacier moraine until you reach Nunatak. There you will take the boat to return to Grey Base Camp, putting an end to this Patagonian adventure.

group at the end og the ice hike grey glacier

What to bring to Ice Hike Grey Glacier

  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm jacket (e.g. down)
  • Thermal first layers (top and bottom)
  • Semi rigid shoes with ankle support
  • Hat
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun protection
  • Water bottle

Where does the tour Ice Hike Grey Glacier start

The tour starts and ends at Grey Base Camp (inside Torres del Paine National Park), located in the Grey Beach area and a 10 minute walk from the Grey Refuge and Campsite. The tour is designed for those travelers who are already inside the national park doing one of the Macizo Paine circuits.

If you plan to travel from Puerto Natales to Grey Base Camp just to do the tour, keep in mind that it is advisable to spend at least one night at the Refugio or Camping Grey to properly enjoy this experience. There are 2 options to get to Grey Base Camp from Puerto Natales:

OPTION 1 - Grey III Navigation.

The Grey III navigation connects Hotel Grey with Refugio Grey through Grey Lake in a journey of approximately 45 minutes. It will be necessary to be at the Grey Hotel one hour before the departure time to check in. You can see the schedule and buy the ticket here. To get from Puerto Natales to the Grey Hotel you will have to take a regular bus or book a private transportation on your own.

OPTION 2 - Patagonian Ice Catamaran (Pudeto - Paine Grande)

The Patagonian Ice Catamaran connects Pudeto with Paine Grande through Lake Pehohe in approximately 30 minutes. It will be necessary to go to the Pudeto pier in advance to buy the catamaran ticket and check-in. You can check the schedule and fares here. To get from Puerto Natales to Pudeto you will have to take a regular bus or book a private transportation on your own. Once in Paine Grande, you will have to walk for 4 - 5 hours and 11 km until you reach Sector Grey.

Questions & Answers

  • Is this tour available all year round?

    No, it is only offered from October to April as the rest of the months are the winter season and therefore the weather conditions are not the best to guarantee the safety of all travellers.

  • What kind of clothes should I bring?

    We recommend that you wear warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat and trekking boots. It is essential to wear gloves as they are compulsory because in the event of a fall, the ice can cut your hands.

  • How long is the Ice Hike Grey Glacier tour?

    This tour has a total duration of 5 hours, of which you will spend about 2.5 hours walking on the ice. If you are looking for a less physically demanding option, there is the possibility to do a tour of only 3 hours, but without actually stepping on the ice. If you need more information, please contact us and we will tell you all the details.

  • How can I walk on the Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine?

    You will walk on the ice with the help of crampons, a small metal structure attached to your shoes. It is therefore advisable to wear the hardest possible mountain shoes. The guide will help you put on the crampons to ensure that you are wearing them correctly. Before you start walking, he will also give you the necessary instructions and help you to practice a bit in the area to be able to walk on the glacier safely.

  • How long will I walk on the ice?

    You will walk on the glacier itself for approximately 2 hours and a half.

Ice Hike Grey Glacier tour reviews with Howlanders

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