South American Natural Adventures

Pumas Expanse

Our Pumas Expanse itinerary takes you through Unseen Patagonia for eight days and seven nights, experiencing the very best of Torres del Paine. A feature of this itinerary, the French Valley, is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in the entire Park, no small thing in a region of unsurpassed beauty.


Day 1: Punta Arenas / Torres del Paine
After being met by your guide in Punta Arenas you begin the five hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park. The drive takes you from the Chilean coas through the Patagonian plains. This journey alone is the equal of many “day trips” in other regions, but is just an introduction to your week in Patagonia. Lunch is taken along the way at a typical Chilean ranch. As you approach the park, the dramatic landscape of the park rises above the plain, the peaks often breaking from swirling cloud. The first wildlife may be seen along the way, including rheas and geese; occasional foxes may also be seen. If you wish –this is a private and personal tour – you can enjoy a small excursion of about an 1 1/2 hours to the top of Cerro Negro, where you can appreciate an expansive of mountains, forests and lakes. We then enter the Park, where we are often greeted by small groups of guanacos grazing by the side of the road. A short while later we arrive at our accommodation, Hosteria Las Torres, situated at the base of the peaks that give the park its name. A welcome reception awaits, and we are briefed of our next day’s activities. We have a little time to enjoy the hotel’s surroundings, then enjoy dinner in the dining room, with its stunning views of Almirante Nieto.

Day 2: Cleopatra’s Needles
Our first full day in the park offers an exclusive view of the main attractions of the park, the Torres del Paine. The National park owes its name to these peculiar formations that rise majestically to the height of 2800 meters above sea level. This excursion is available exclusively to guests of Hosteria Las Torres. Cerro Paine Chico is a hill of about 1508 meters high very close to the towers. The trail can be covered by horse to about half way, and the rest on foot, or alternatively it can be done entirely on foot. Before reaching the top, we travel through ñire forests, talus slopes and clearings where the expanse of the park’s lakes and mountains, such as Almirante Nieto, can be seen. Reaching the top, the “Torres del Paine” will appear, formations Lady Florence Dixie once called Cleopatra’s Needles. Here, with one of the world’s most spectacular views, we enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon we slowly make our way back to the hotel, experiencing how the ever-changing light and clouds of Patagonia make every hour a new experience. We are reminded that these spring or autumn seasons add a depth of color to the mountains rarely seen at other times. This evening we once again are briefed on our next day’s exclusive activities.

Day 3 – Hosteria las Torres / French Valley
After breakfast our three-day exploration of French Valley begins, covering a great part of the Parks most beautiful trails. To be able to explore the valley thoroughly, and experience the best it has to offer, we camp at the entrance of the valley, in our exclusive luxury semi-permanent camp. There is no better way to experience the wonder and wilderness of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve than this, away from the built environment and surrounded by the natural world. Again, we have the options of reaching our camp on foot, on horseback, or a combination of both. Lunch is once again a gourmet picnic along the trail, and dinner is taken at the camp.

Day 4 – French Valley
We continue our journey of discover in the French Valley. Situated between Cerro Paine Grande and the Cuernos (horns) del Paine, the valley boasts an incredible combination of landscapes and nature that has led many to believe it to be one of the most beautiful places in the National Park (and therefore in South America, if not the world). Throughout the trek the vegetation will vary, however the Ñire forest, with its characteristic perfume, will always be decorating the skirts of the mountains. As we continue deeper into the valley, the many impressive mountains and formations that surround the valley will be seen. After a day of unparalleled scenery and walking, we return to our camp for dinner.

Day 5 –French Valley / Hosteria las Torres
After breakfast we walk to Lake Pehoe, which we cross in the catamaran Hielos Patagónicos. Once we reach the other shore our private transfer takes us to Lago Grey. Don’t let the name mislead; this is a most beautiful and serene glacier lake. An easy walk along the shore through small trees and wildlflowers in season takes us to a gravel bar, where we have close-up views of the small, brilliant blue icebergs that dot the lake, and come to ground just off the bar. After our walk on the shores of the lake, admiring the drifting icebergs, we head back through the spectacular panorama of the full massif to Hostería las Torres, where the cozy rooms, saunas, massages and buffet will be waiting our arrival.

Day 6 – Hosteria las Torres
Today’s activities are open, depending entirely on your own interests and desires, whether it be one of the many excursions offered in Hostería las Torres, or just laying back and enjoying the scenery and services at the hotel; perhaps an active or gentle day of exploration on horseback will be just right, or an easy botanical or nature walk to the nearby lake. Your guide will assist you in choosing the best activity, or inactivity, available for you.

Day 7 – Sierra Baguales
This day’s outings emphasize the Parks’ origin, history and geography. Sierra Baguales is well known for its exotic rocky formations and for being the former habitat of hundreds of wild mustangs. While exploring this range it is more than likely that you or your guide will encounter several fossils and petrified wood. Sierra Baguales offers an unconventional experience of the Patagonia, past and present.

Day 8 – Torres del Paine / Punta Arenas
This morning we enjoy a final breakfast in the Park, once again marveling at the view from the dining room of the Towers. We then make our way back to Punta Arenas at our own pace. You may wish to get back as soon as possible for airplane connections, or take a more leisurely pace and enjoy lunch on the way. It’s up to you.

General tour information

Tour cost

Return to Unseen Patagonia

Call for more information - 1 866 TD PAINE
or email: unseen@naturetravelspecialists.com