Plan to arrive in one of the world’s most southern cities, Punta Arenas, by late afternoon. A short transfer will be provided to Hotel Almasur - time will be based on the flight information listed in your submitted travel details form.

Flights to Punta Arenas arrive at Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ).

We will gather at 5 p.m. in the hotel lobby for a trip briefing with your guide and a welcome dinner.

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 1
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Lobby of Hotel Almasur

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

Recommended Hotels in Punta Arenas:

Hotel Almasur (this is the tour's first and last night hotel)
Best Western Finis Terrae (just a 5 min walk from Restaurant La Marmita)
Hotel Rey Don Felipe (just a 10 min walk from Restaurant La Marmita)
Carpa Manzano (just a 5 min walk from Restaurant La Marmita)

Recommended Hotels in Santiago:

Garden Hilton Inn Hotel (it’s conveniently located just in front of the airport gates, saving time and shuttle arrangements!
Holiday Inn Hotel

DEPARTURES FROM PUNTA ARENAS

On Day 9, after breakfast at the hotel, a group shuttle will be provided in the morning to the Punta Arenas (PUQ) airport for those who are flying to Santiago and onward.

If you are planning to extend your stay in Punta Arenas, you are responsible for transportation and transfers once the trip is completed.

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 9
Time: After breakfast at hotel
Location: Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), Punta Arenas

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel Almasur (this is the tour's first and last night hotel)
Best Western Finis Terrae
Hotel Rey Don Felipe
Carpa Manzano

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

Visa:

Visa info can be obtained here.

The Chilean government collects a 'reciprocity' fee from arriving Australian / Canadian / Mexican citizens in response to these governments imposing a similar fee on Chilean citizens applying for visas. The fee for US residents has been lifted. This cash or credit card payment applies only to tourists arriving by air in Santiago and is valid for the life of the passport.

All tourists are issued a paper receipt (also referred to as a tourist card)upon arrival. It is valid for a maximum period of up to 90 days. You must retain this document and present it to immigration officers prior to departure from the country. You will also be required to show this receipt when you check into any hotel (including the EcoCamp) during your stay in Chile. For full details, check your country's travel website.

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

TIPPING

Ecocamp Gratuities:

All tipping is at your own discretion and you are under no obligation to tip. In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the service you received, your tip (or lack thereof) will reflect this, in that case we invite you to please let us know how we can improve.

These are our recommendations:

● Staff: Staff includes cooks, assistants, housekeeping maids, maintenance, yoga instructors, reception, the operations team and all those who work hard behind the scenes to make the Ecocamp work like a clock.

To leave a tip for the staff, please ask for an envelope at Ecocamp's Welcome dome, write "STAFF" on it and leave it inside the TIP BOX in the reception. We suggest a range of US$12 to US$20 per day depending on the level of satisfaction.

● Guides: ask for an envelope at our Welcome Dome and use it to give your tip directly to your guide (or write his/her name on it and leave it in the TIP BOX). We suggest a range of US$15 to US$25 per day.

● Assistant Guides: ask for an envelope at our Welcome Dome and use it to give your tip directly to your assistant guide (or write his/her name on it and leave it in the TIP BOX). We suggest a range of US$8 to US$15 per day.

● Drivers: We suggest a range of US$8 to US$15 per day and you can also give it directly or leave it in the TIP BOX with his/her name written on the envelope.

● Trek porters: Our treks (W, short W and Circuit) use porters to carry all your belongings. We suggest a range of US$5 to US$10 per day given directly to them. You can also leave that tip at receptions TIP BOX with his/her name/porter written on the envelope.

Tips are best paid in US cash or in Chilean pesos.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip prices are based on a twin share (two people per room, dome or tent), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.

Private upgrade is available for the nights in Punta Arenas only (Night 1 and Night 8)

Bathrooms:

The suite domes at Ecocamp have ensuite bathrooms with shower, sink and composting toilet.

Refugio bathrooms are shared (gender divided), with wash basins, toilets and independent showers with hot water.

Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage:

With NO WIFI ACCESS, being off grid in Torres del Paine NP is a place to leave social media behind and truly immerse yourself in the awesome scenery! There is also no phone reception. There is wifi available in the refugios that you can purchase with credit card but there is no wifi available at Ecocamp. There is a hotel down the hill (15 minute walk) from EcoCamp that has wifi available for purchase.

Potable Water:

Tap water throughout EcoCamp is drinkable unless otherwise specified and it is stated that the water in streams is safe to drink as long as it is not downhill from a campsite.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Hotel Almasur (Nights 1, 8)
Suite domes at Ecocamp (Nights 2, 5, 6, 7)
Camping in tents or, if available, staying at Refugio Los Cuernos or Refugio Frances - Dormitories (Night 3)
Camping in tents or, if available, staying at Refugio Paine Grande - Dormitories (Night 4)

Sleeping Bags: All camping gear is provided.
There will be other people staying at the EcoCamp and the refugios. The EcoCamp and refugios are co-ed.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT CHILEAN PATAGONIA

Chilean Patagonia is home to some of the most impressive sights in the Southern Hemisphere and to some of the world’s most classic trekking routes, encompassing ancient forests, glaciers, lakes, rivers and fjords, and fauna.

At the Southern tip of the Andes in Chile lies Torres del Paine National Park. The park is located in Chile’s southernmost and largest region, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, where the main economic activities are sheep farming, oil extraction, and tourism. The population density is sparse at 1.1 per km², but the region’s main city Punta Arenas is home to a sizeable 120,000 people. The park draws in approximately 100,000 tourists each year who visit the main attractions - Paine Towers, Los Cuernos, French Valley and Grey Glacier. The ‘W’ trek and the Paine Circuit are popular routes.

Climate & Weather:

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, the influence of the strong marine currents and Southern Patagonian Ice Field make the weather hard to predict.

In Torres del Paine in spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find cold, strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer’s average temperature is 52ºF (11ºC) [75.2ºF (24ºC) max, 35.6ºF (2ºC) min]. Rest assured, however, that just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become pleasantly warm! Night-time temperatures will most likely range from 30.2 to 33.8ºF (-1 to -5°C), depending on the weather.

Weather in Torres del Paine - AccuWeather Forecast for Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Chile

Electricity:

Electricity in Chile is 220 Volts. The 'Euro Plug' two pin plug sockets used in continental Europe are the same as those in Chile, so if you are bringing appliances from France, Germany, Spain etc. you shouldn't need an adaptor. Some hotels may have adapters for appliances, but it's probably wise to bring an adaptor from your own country to be on the safe side.

The camp’s Community Domes have plug sockets for charging camera batteries etc.

Plug type C (two round pins) and type L (three round pins) are recommended. Chile operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Note: Hair dryers, electric razors, etc. are not permitted due to a large amount of electricity they consume.

Common Animals:

Guanacos, flamingos, condors, foxes and pumas.

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

The Chilean unit of currency is the peso (CH$/ CLP). Bank notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos. Coin values are one, five, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, although one-peso coins are fast disappearing, and even fives and tens are uncommon.

Note: In Chile, the peso is indicated with "$" while amounts in U.S. dollars are preceded by "US$" or "$US."

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM):

One of the most convenient ways to get cash is by using an ATM. You will often receive better exchange rates, even though you have to pay a service fee, as with most ATMs outside your bank network.

ATM machines are available at the airport in Punta Arenas. There are also ATMs in Punta Arenas centre and Puerto Natales. We recommend taking a small amount of cash into Torres del Paine to pay for drinks at EcoCamp’s bar, souvenirs in the shop, tips for guides and staff etc.

Credit Cards:

Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted throughout Chile, and Diner's Club isn't far behind. Many Chilean businesses are charged a 2% to 4% service fee and will pass that cost on to you, so expect cheaper deals with cash. Smaller hostels and hotels often do not accept credit cards at all. Ecocamp will accept your credit card and you can keep a tab and pay everything on the last day. Internet is available at the refugios (not at Ecocamp) and you will need a credit card to purchase minutes.

If you have a credit card, you can use the ATM to purchase currency directly. Your monthly balance usually shows the exchange rate you received on purchases made with the credit card.

Cash:

This is the best way to pay for items throughout your trip.

Taxes:

Chile levies a steep 19% VAT tax, called IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) on all goods and services.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Literature Highlights:

Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin
Riding Across Patagonia by Lady Florence Dixie
Travels in a Thin Country by Sara Wheeler

Useful Websites:

Lonely Planet

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Hill training.

The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.

Work on your upper body and core strength.

Weight lifting, yoga and pilates can help with this.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Practice 'backpacking'.

Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking everyday, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.

Break in your hiking boots.

Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].