Il viaggio
Lun. 08 feb 2010. Volo intercontinentale da Roma, via Madrid.
Mar. 09 feb 2010. Arrivo a Buenos Aires e trasferimento aereo Buenos Aires – Ushuaia.
Mer. 10 feb 2010. “4×4 lagos off road”, visita dei laghi Fagnano e Escondido (Canal Fun & Nature).
Gio. 11 feb 2010. “Parque nacional”, escursione nel Parque nacional Tierra del Fuego (Canal Fun & Nature).
Ven. 12 feb 2010. Crociera sul Canal Beagle.
Sab. 13 feb 2010. Trasferimento aereo Ushuaia – El Calafate.
Dom. 14 feb 2010. “All about glaciers”, crociera sul Lago Argentino (Tolkeyen).
Lun. 15 feb 2010. “Perito Moreno glacier”, escursione al ghiacciaio Perito Moreno (Tolkeyen).
Mar. 16 feb 2010. Trasferimento bus El Calafate – Puerto Natales. Trasferimento Puerto Natales – Parque nacional Torres del Paine. Visita della grotta del Milodon. Arrivo all’Eco Camp.
Mer. 17 feb 2010. Trek Valle del Frances trail.
After breakfast, we begin a challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends on our groups’ rhythm. An active walk leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, we can enjoy our first truly wonderful view and then continue up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the valley. The entire group of geological formations of the high valley can be admired here: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza! (Fortress). It is time to have a picnic and recover from the walk. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well. Next, we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching the Refugio Paine Grande, located in the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. Finally, upon reaching the Refugio, the luggage is organized and there is time to talk about the day while enjoying a replenishing dinner.
Gio. 18 feb 2010. Sail to Glaciar Grey.
Today we’ll hike from Paine Grande Lodge along the shores of mountain-lined Lake Pehoe to the northern end of glacial Lake Grey. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails to the blue face of Glacier Grey. You’ll have lots of time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat ride across Lake Grey with its floating pieces of ice. You clothes and personal belongings are once again transported separately from the lodge in duffel bags. From Lake Grey’s southern end we transfer to the EcoCamp. If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate Lake Grey, we’ll instead hike to Glacier Grey. Then at Pudeto we’ll board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there, we’ll take a short drive back to Cascada EcoCamp in where we’ll enjoy the night.
Ven. 19 feb 2010. Trek to the Torres del Paine.
Time for a great breakfast and lots of enthusiasm! Our goal is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine NP. We walk from the camp site towards Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed along the scenic walk into the valley. It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before our face to face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with an adequate amount of precaution. After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. This is one of the most breathtaking sights of the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2, 900 m) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Is there any better place on this planet to have lunch? Of course! But since we are in Patagonia, at the feet of the mighty Torres del Paine, we will enjoy life, the view, and a bite to eat! Once everyone is ready, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to the EcoCamp.
Sab. 20 feb 2010. Trasferimento con mezzi pubblici Eco Camp – El Calafate. Trasferimento aereo El Calafate – Buenos Aires.
Dom. 21 feb 2010. Giorno libero a Buenos Aires.
Lun. 22 feb 2010. Giorno libero a Buenos Aires.
Mar. 23 feb 2010. Volo intercontinentale per l’Italia.
Mer. 24 feb 2010. Arrivo a Roma.
