Torres del Paine January 2009! Last Minute!
Dec 12th, 2008, 04:17 PM
#1
Original Poster
Torres del Paine January 2009! Last Minute!
Help! I found out I have an opportunity to go to SA in January. All I've done so far is book flights into Lima on LAN. I have three weeks exactly not counting flight days in and out.
I am determined to get to Torres del Paine. I think I will be able to book into the Hotel Las Torres in the middle of my stay. They operate similarly to Explora (all inclusive). I was thinking of booking their 4 night/5day package.
I wanted to hike part of the "W" (perhaps not necessarily all the way up to Glacier Grey) but it seems Torres is really not the most convenient spot to start the French Valley hike. If I can, should I try to add a few nights at one end around what is now called "Paine Grande" to do French Valley? Any other suggestions or tips?
Has anyone on fodors even been to TdP? There isn't much that comes up in search!
I made contact with an agent at "Patagonia Call Center" who advertises on TripAdvisor. They have offices in Miami and Chile. Anyone familiar with them or can recommend another US based/English speaking tour agent with Chilean expertise. I'll have to say my first impressions of my contact were favorable.
I need my Patagonia Guide Katie!!!!
I am determined to get to Torres del Paine. I think I will be able to book into the Hotel Las Torres in the middle of my stay. They operate similarly to Explora (all inclusive). I was thinking of booking their 4 night/5day package.
I wanted to hike part of the "W" (perhaps not necessarily all the way up to Glacier Grey) but it seems Torres is really not the most convenient spot to start the French Valley hike. If I can, should I try to add a few nights at one end around what is now called "Paine Grande" to do French Valley? Any other suggestions or tips?
Has anyone on fodors even been to TdP? There isn't much that comes up in search!
I made contact with an agent at "Patagonia Call Center" who advertises on TripAdvisor. They have offices in Miami and Chile. Anyone familiar with them or can recommend another US based/English speaking tour agent with Chilean expertise. I'll have to say my first impressions of my contact were favorable.
I need my Patagonia Guide Katie!!!!
Dec 13th, 2008, 05:03 PM
#2
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I just got back from explora in Torres del Paine a couple of weeks ago. explora just does day hikes of either half-day (I only did half day b/c I was with my 4-year-old and I am LAZY) or full-day length and are led by guides. I am not sure what the other place you are thinking of staying offers.
Dec 13th, 2008, 07:42 PM
#3
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From what I understand Las Torres assigns you a private guide and each day you select from among 25 excursions you want to do for the day, ranging from easy to strenuous.
Explora is significantly more expensive (although the rooms seem to be much nicer)and requires fixed entry dates.
I was wondering if anyone had tried the Las Torres program or had experience trying to reserve into the Refugios.
Explora is significantly more expensive (although the rooms seem to be much nicer)and requires fixed entry dates.
I was wondering if anyone had tried the Las Torres program or had experience trying to reserve into the Refugios.
Dec 14th, 2008, 03:44 AM
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If you are going to Hosteria Torres with the all inclusive you don't need a travel agent.
The refugios are owned by one of two companies: Fantastico Sur and Vertice. At this stage I doubt you will find space in a refugio for January as it is peak season but check. Refugio Paine Grande is run by Vertice.
www.verticepatagonia.cl
http://fantasticosur.com
It is worth phoning to speed things up.
Hosteria Pehoe is probably the nicest of the Hosterias in the park.
The refugios are owned by one of two companies: Fantastico Sur and Vertice. At this stage I doubt you will find space in a refugio for January as it is peak season but check. Refugio Paine Grande is run by Vertice.
www.verticepatagonia.cl
http://fantasticosur.com
It is worth phoning to speed things up.
Hosteria Pehoe is probably the nicest of the Hosterias in the park.
Dec 14th, 2008, 08:01 AM
#5
Original Poster
Thanks Huentetu. I was thinking of getting a 5-day 4 night stay. I was hoping to get some extra nights to do some more excursions. Do you think even booking in Puerto Natales and taking some other tours would be possible at this date? I saw a few SA operators such as Chalten and Southern Expeditions.
I sent an email to Vertice, but I'm not expecting a reply until Monday or Tuesday. I will try Fantastico Sur.
Thanks again.
I sent an email to Vertice, but I'm not expecting a reply until Monday or Tuesday. I will try Fantastico Sur.
Thanks again.
Dec 16th, 2008, 02:32 PM
#6
Original Poster
If anyone else is interested, I did get a reply from Vertice and was able to book 3 nights in Lodge Paine Grande. I called Fantastico Sur's tour office and asked about booking Las Torres Hotel and some other options through them. I never could get thru to Las Torres own toll-free number and Patagonia Call Center never got back to me!
Dec 30th, 2008, 12:53 PM
#7
Original Poster
I know TDP doesn't get much interest on Fodors. I guess everyone here just goes to explora, and after trying to do this myself I understand.
I thought I would share that I did finally reserve for refugios both through Vertice Patagonia and Fantastico Sur, although it takes a LOT of emailing (and calling Fantastic Sur), I guess they are just swamped plus the holidays.
I also was able to book a few days at the Las Torres Hotel without signing up for the all inclusive. Interesting that this was only offered the second time I called, perhaps it is done only within a few weeks of the visit.
Finally, I will comment that it seems very difficult to plan this area as an independent traveler.
There is one place that I want to recommend even before I stay there, La Casa Escondida, as a base for arrival and departure in Punta Arenas. Great communication and helpful in arranging pickups, penguin vist, etc. Hopefully the stay is as great as the reservation process. Listed under B&B on TripAdvisor.
www.lacasaescondia.com
For Puerto Natales I got lucky and a very nice lady who spoke Spanish slowly and was patient with my bad Spanish took my reservation...name of place is Lady Florence Dixie..I will have to find out who she was.
If anyone else is attempting independent travel I can post a report when I return in February.
I thought I would share that I did finally reserve for refugios both through Vertice Patagonia and Fantastico Sur, although it takes a LOT of emailing (and calling Fantastic Sur), I guess they are just swamped plus the holidays.
I also was able to book a few days at the Las Torres Hotel without signing up for the all inclusive. Interesting that this was only offered the second time I called, perhaps it is done only within a few weeks of the visit.
Finally, I will comment that it seems very difficult to plan this area as an independent traveler.
There is one place that I want to recommend even before I stay there, La Casa Escondida, as a base for arrival and departure in Punta Arenas. Great communication and helpful in arranging pickups, penguin vist, etc. Hopefully the stay is as great as the reservation process. Listed under B&B on TripAdvisor.
www.lacasaescondia.com
For Puerto Natales I got lucky and a very nice lady who spoke Spanish slowly and was patient with my bad Spanish took my reservation...name of place is Lady Florence Dixie..I will have to find out who she was.
If anyone else is attempting independent travel I can post a report when I return in February.
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