CanToo Patagonia Challenge 2025

Join the CanToo team to discover the incomparable beauty of Torres del Paine National Park on our guided W Trek, staying in the unique Ecocamp and raising much needed funds for Cancer Research

Challenge Highlights

  • Join CanToo team captain Annie Crawford
  • Stay at award-winning EcoCamp Patagonia and enjoy a cozy EcoCamp Dome
  • Take on the visually stunning, world famous 'W' trek
  • Experience beautiful nature and the best of Torres del Paine National Park
  • Explore unique local fauna and flora
  • Trek scenic Valle Frances
  • Journey by boat to Grey Glacier
  • Enjoy the base of the Towers and views of Los Cuernos

Overview

Torres del Paine in Patagonia is one of the world's most beautiful wilderness areas. An unrivalled landscape of craggy granite peaks that pierce the skyline, impossibly blue lakes, cascading waterfalls and lush valleys carved by ancient glaciers. Experience all of this on our guided W Trek, one of the world’s great walks. An astonishing landscape of twisted volcanic peaks, tumbling glaciers and aquamarine lakes, it zigzags across the Cordillera del Paine like a giant W. The trip is designed so that you visit the three main valleys of the park that make up the W and include hiking to the lookout point to the famous Towers, the rushing French river and the hanging glacier of the French Valley. Most nights will be spent in our cosy and unique EcoCamp with its comfortable dome tents, perfectly immersed in the park's wilderness.

Fundraising Portal

You will have your own fundraising page which will chart your fundraising targets and your journey to Patagonia. Upon registration on the CanToo website a fundraising page will be automatically created for you. You will also receive a Huma Charity Challenge comprehensive confirmation kit that includes a Fundraiser’s Guidebook; a great resource for fundraising ideas and support.

Itinerary

After all the planning and preparation you are finally on your way to South America! The trip begins with you being picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas airport (please arrive before 3pm) and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, which is located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. (Alternatively, you can start your trip in Calafate or Puerto Natales.) En route we make a stop in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of "Seno de Ultima Esperanza", where we enjoy a hearty local lunch. The journey is very scenic, with wild birds and wonderful landscapes. The day ends with our arrival and overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia, which is nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and boasts a prime view of the majestic Torres. Sunset is usually around 11 pm during the summer months. For this reason, upon arrival there will still be enough daylight for you to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon. Overnight: EcoCamp Patagonia Please note: This trip can also start in El Calafate (please arrive the night before day 1 of the trip for an early pick up in the morning) or Puerto Natales at no extra cost. Please advise us at the time of booking where you would like to start this trip.

Meals:  L,D

The experience of walking in the Torres del Paine National Park will leave you awe-inspired by the wonderful scenery. It is worth remembering that the Andes is the youngest chain of mountains in the world. One can imagine the great pressures and movements of the earth that created these spectacular peaks. We begin our Patagonian adventure with a pleasant walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads us alongside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this warm-up walk we will have the opportunity to admire the park’s exquisite flora and fauna, as we enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif. The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refuge located on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Alternatively, the trek ends at Domo el Francés, located between Cuernos and Italiano camping sites, with an amazing view of Nordenskjöld Lake. The evening is free for relaxing and enjoying dinner. Please be aware that accommodation for tonight and tomorrow will be camping in tents, the campsite provides bathroom facilities. Camping is located near traditional mountain huts, referred to as refugios, these are open to the public visiting Torres del Paine. Refugios are heated and feature comfortable dining areas where plentiful meals are served. Tent accommodation is based on double occupancy. If you would prefer an upgrade to a shared dorm (based on availability), please advise your reservations consultant. Distance: 12 km/7.5 mi, 4-5hrs Accommodation: Mountain Refugio or camping area at Cuernos or Domo El Francés (depending on availability)

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A swifter walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley. We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's trek will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande. Accommodation: Camping at Paine Grande Distance: 26 km/16 mi, 10hrs N.B. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is also available. Please be aware that the weather in Patagonia can be difficult to deal with at times. Thus, we reserve the right to change the order of the days at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of this itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will hike from Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern side of the glacially beautiful Lake Grey. We will feast on a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails right to the huge, crystalline facade of Glacier Grey, where we will have plenty of time to marvel at the calving glacier. From the southern end of Glacier Grey, we will transfer to EcoCamp. Boat trips across the lake may occasionally be cancelled due to weather conditions of the region or if the required minimum of passengers is not reached. If either is the case, we will trek up to the sightseeing point and profit from wonderful, panoramic views of the Glacier instead. Then we will return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to Pudeto’s dock, where we will be picked up and driven to EcoCamp. Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia Distance: 11km/7mi, 4hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

The goal of our fifth day of this 7-day trip is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park! We will walk from the campsite towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which will lead us to that iconic base-view of the Towers - Three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp for a well-deserved dinner. Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia Distance: 22km/14mi, 9hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

The sixth day will consist of a less strenuous trail, in order to counter the exhausting efforts of the previous day. After breakfast we will take a leisurely car journey towards Laguna Azul, passing Cañadón Macho en route - which is home to many wild guanacos and ñandúes. Occasionally we will stop to admire the views of the Patagonian steppe and the towers from different perspectives. At Laguna Azul, we will hike to the lookout point where we will be treated to a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. After lunch, we will drive to the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake where the Fauna Trail begins. As we hike northbound, we will spot an impressive range of Patagonian fauna on the vast plains, including guanacos, ostrich-like ñandús and perhaps the occasional puma print! We will pass the charming Goic lagoon and after approximately 5km of relaxed walking, we will reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station where we will be picked up and driven back to Ecocamp to celebrate over our farewell dinner. Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia Distance: 6km/4mi, 3hrs *Please note that if there are more than 6 travelers in the group there is an option to split into two groups, with one group (or the whole group if everybody's in the mood!) cycling to Laguna Azul!

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic drive to Punta Arenas, (on time to catch the evening flight to Santiago if required) and the trip concludes. Please don't book flights before 4pm out of Punta Arenas. Please note: This trip can also end in El Calafate or Puerto Natales at no extra cost. Please advise us at the time of booking where you would like to end the trip.

Meals:  B,L

What's Included

  • 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 7 (private service basis)
  • 4 nights Ecocamp in standard domes twin share
  • 1 night accommodation at Camping Paine Grande
  • 1 night at Camping Los Cuernos or Camping El Frances
  • Camping equipment incl sleeping bag is provided if needed
  • Experienced English speaking guides
  • Guide to passenger ratio is 1:6
  • Sightseeing, national park and site entry fees as listed
  • All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary
  • Boat crossing on Grey Lake
  • Huma training manual, gear list and fundraising guidebook

What's Not Included

  • International flights and departure taxes
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Tips and gratuities

What You Carry

  • During all walks you will need a daypack. In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing, a rainjacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables, snacks and personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm etc.

Fundraising Impact

• Our Vision - Transforming lives through improving health and well being in the community and supporting the research, prevention, care and control of cancer.

• Our Mission - To inspire and support the community to achieve health, fitness, wellbeing and fundraising goals, which invests in research to better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

• Our Values - We are about fun, fitness, friends and fundraising! Out goals are to inspire, motivate, support, empower, and include others.

Chile Challenge Reviews

Travel Dates

Other Challenge Costs

Optional Single Supplement:USD$1690 

Fast Facts

Trip Dates: DepartReturn
 23 Feb 20251 Mar 2025
Duration:7 Days
Activities:5 Days walking
Grade:Moderate  Click for more information
Trip Code:CA9
Registration Fee:USD$140
Travel Cost:USD$140

• Our Vision - Transforming lives through improving health and well being in the community and supporting the research, prevention, care and control of cancer. • Our Mission - To inspire and support the community to achieve health, fitness, wellbeing and fundraising goals, which invests in research to better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. • Our Values - We are about fun, fitness, friends and fundraising! Out goals are to inspire, motivate, support, empower, and include others.