Expedition combining hiking and views of two major glaciers in Torres del Paine National Park
Grey and Geike Glaciers Experience
- Paine National Park
- 7 Days
- $5000 USD
- Difficulty Moderate
WHAT THE TRIP IS LIKE
Discover the grandeur of the Grey Glacier
This expedition offers a range of difficulty from moderate to challenging, featuring 4 days of strenuous hiking with distances of 12 to 20 kilometers (7.5 to 12.5 miles). While it includes physically demanding sections, no technical skills are required. Hikers should be prepared for conditions such as mud, loose footing, and unstable terrain in very humid environments. The weather can be quite variable and windy, especially during the summer months. Although all trails are below 1000 meters (3280 feet) in altitude, this will not be a concern in terms of physical health, but you might still encounter medium mountain weather due to the southern latitudes.
Overviews
This expedition is specially designed for adventurers who want to combine trekking with the chance to admire some of the last remaining glaciers in majestic Chilean Patagonia. We depart from the western side of the impressive Torres del Paine National Park, where we explore the vast Grey Glacier, one of the giants of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The adventure continues to the remote western boundary of the park, traversing pristine and wild landscapes, until we reach the spectacular and rarely visited Geike Glacier, the highlight of the entire expedition. We conclude the journey with views of the fascinating hanging glaciers, Serrano and Balmaceda. Though smaller, these glaciers offer dazzling beauty and visual impact, completing this unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- Access to the heart of Grey Glacier through a ‘glacier hike’ you’ll never forget.
- Visit one of the viewpoints of Geike Glacier by taking a nearly unexplored trail that offers a unique connection with nature in a wild and unknown Patagonian setting.
- Explore the western part of Torres del Paine, a nearly unexplored area where you rarely encounter other people, allowing for a deep connection with nature
- Two boat tours that offer views of
- glaciers and unique Patagonian landscapes
- A night in a unique lodge, located in the middle of pristine nature and facing a hanging glacier.
- Departure from Torres del Paine National Park by water
What’s Included
- Bilingual Local Guide for every 4 people (Spanish – English)
- Transportation starting from the beginning of the expedition in Puerto Natales
- Entry fees to National Parks and private areas
- Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 5 (All accommodations are in mountain refuges or fully equipped tents, except for the first and fifth nights which correspond to 3 to 4-star accommodations). There is also the possibility to upgrade to luxury Hotel and Hostel accommodations for the nights of day 1 and 3.
- Full meals except for day 1, which includes only a welcome dinner, and day 6, which includes breakfast and lunch
- All boat rides included
- Ice hike on Grey Glacier included
- Barbecue at Estancia Perales on day 6
- Optional equipment such as: daypack, trekking poles, and headlamp
Not Included
- Anything not mentioned in the included list.
- A list of the necessary personal equipment for this expedition will be provided to those who book the service, and equipment rentals will be available if needed.
Gallery
ITINERARY
It is important to mention that the guide may modify the itinerary based on climatic and environmental conditions, but the goal is always to adhere to the planned program as closely as possible.
Itinerary for the first 3 days
After arriving in Puerto Natales and attending a briefing with the guide, UnKnown Patagonia hosts the welcome dinner. On the morning of the second day, we head to Torres del Paine, taking a short boat ride across Lake Pehoe to start our first hike towards the Grey Glacier area, where we can view its majesty from various viewpoints. The third day is dedicated to a unique ice hike on the Grey Glacier, offering an unparalleled experience of the glacier’s deep blue ice. In the afternoon, we leave the Grey Glacier area via a second boat ride, allowing us to view the glacier’s three frontal walls, concluding a comprehensive experience with one of the largest continental relic glaciers.
Itinerary for days 3 and 4
We begin the second part of the expedition at the western edge of Torres del Paine National Park, where the great Serrano River is located. Early on, we start the hike that will take us to Brush Lake, where our friends from the Brush refuge will be waiting with a small boat to cross the lake and reach the area where we will spend the first night. It’s important to note that this day we enter a rarely visited area where nature is more pristine, and it is hard to see other people, allowing for a greater connection with the natural environment.
Our first morning in these wild landscapes (day 5) requires a long hike through unexplored terrain, leading to the Geike Glacier viewpoint and its beautiful icebergs accumulating at the river’s mouth. This day is one of the highlights from our perspective. Geike Glacier, one of the major glaciers in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, is rarely visited but its majesty and unparalleled beauty will remain in your memories forever.
Itinerary for days 6 and 7
We start day 6 by leaving the Brush refuge, again supported by a small boat until connecting with the trail that will take us to Hostería Balmaceda. Once more, we have a long walk through wild nature and beautiful views of the lesser-known Patagonia. Our main goal today is to reach our last lodging place and the point from which we will return to Puerto Natales. Upon arrival at Hostería Balmaceda, we are still surrounded by Patagonian ice, as from this place it is possible to see the distant hanging glaciers “Serrano” and “Balmaceda.”
On the last day, we will have the opportunity to cross in a small boat to Puerto Toro, located within Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, which is mostly covered by ice and snow. From Puerto Toro, it is possible to take a very short and easy walk to a viewpoint where we can see the imposing hanging glacier “Serrano” in front of us. We end the day with a boat ride back to Puerto Natales, passing by a viewpoint that allows us to see the hanging glacier “Balmaceda” and the landscapes of the wonderful “De La Última Esperanza” fjord. The return trip includes lunch at a typical Patagonian ranch. Arriving in Puerto Natales around 5:00 pm, a transfer will take you to your accommodations, marking the end of the expedition.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Refugio Grey
Un acogedor refugio en el corazón del Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, ideal para explorar el majestuoso Glaciar Grey y sus alrededores.
Hotel Lago Grey
Un hotel con vistas impresionantes al Lago Grey, ofreciendo comodidad y acceso directo a las maravillas naturales de Torres del Paine.
Brush Lake Refugio
Un refugio íntimo rodeado de naturaleza virgen, perfecto para quienes buscan tranquilidad y cercanía a la vida silvestre.
Hostería Balmaceda
Un encantador alojamiento con vistas panorámicas al río Serrano, ideal para descansar tras una jornada de exploración en la Patagonia.