Torres del Paine
Navigation Grey
The Torres del Paine Navigation Grey offers passengers two options. One is to use it purely as a ferry service between Hotel Grey and Refugio Grey (and vice versa), where passengers are dropped off and picked up at Refugio Grey. And, the other is to use it to see the beauty of Glacier Grey up close as the catamaran passes in front of the glacial face.
Embarkation Point at Grey Beach
Onboard the Navigation Grey Catamaran
Glacial Face of Glacier Grey
In Front of Glacier Grey
Icebergs on Grey Lake
On the Way to the Glacier
Torres del Paine Navigation Grey
Operated between October to February
Subject to local weather conditions
FULL REFUND IF TRIP CANNOT BE OPERATED
Note: We offer this activity to be built into your main itinerary and not as a standalone.
Introduction to Torres del Paine Navigation Grey
The Torres del Paine Navigation Grey is a catamaran that operates between Hotel Grey and Refugio Grey. Passengers can board the vessel either from the Hotel Grey end, or from the Refugio Grey end. Most important is that the service will drop passengers off at the Refugio Grey end as well as collect them, thus making the Navigation Grey a ferry service between these two places.
It should be noted that all the sailings take in the “pass by” of the Glacial face of Glacier Grey. However, it is important to get the timing right to be able to see the glacier because the route can change. For example, the usual route is to depart from Hotel Grey beach, drop and collect people at Refugio Grey and then continue on to see the glacier and back to Hotel Grey. But, one of the sailings will do this in reverse, therefore, if you come from Refugio Grey, you may miss out on seeing the glacier if it has already passed by it before arriving to the refugio. Further below we have the timings.
However, many people also book this as a soft adventure half day excursion to go from Hotel Grey to see the glacial face of the glacier and return back to Hotel Grey.
Embarkation
In the first instance, passengers must have a pre-paid ticket and check-in at the Hotel Grey or Refugio Grey at the time specified.
From Hotel Grey passengers will then be transported to the carpark at a place called Pingo, which is about 2kms away from the hotel. Once at the Pingo carpark you will need to walk through a nice, wooded area and on to Grey beach. From this point it is, sometimes a challenging walk (more so if the wind is blowing) on the black sand for about 1km to where you board the catamaran. If boarding at Refugio Grey you will be met at a ramp that leads down to the lake (near to Refugio Grey) and get into a small zodiac to be taken to the catamaran. For those getting off the catamaran the process is in reverse.
NOTE: Due to this walk, the navigation will NOT be suitable for people who have any kind of mobility issue.
ExperienceChile.Org offers to include the Torres del Paine Navigation Grey boat as a return trip from Hotel Grey to Grey Glacier, or a one-way trip from Hotel Grey to Refugio Grey. Alternatively, we can also include the Navigation Grey boat as a one-way trip from Refugio Grey to Hotel Grey. However, we will only offer Navigation Grey if it is part of the rest of your itinerary that we are arranging. We do not offer this as a standalone reservation.
The Navigation Starting from Hotel Grey
Once onboard the catamaran, it will start its navigation from a small inlet and then take in the length of Lago Grey passing by any icebergs that are floating in the lake. On a clear day the surrounding scenery is spectacular with views of hanging glaciers and snow-capped peaks around the park. After about 45mins the boat will reach the drop-off point for people going to, and coming from, refugio grey.
From Refugio Grey
Once other passengers coming from refugio grey have come aboard the trip continues towards Glacier Grey, passing by the face of the glacier. Here, in the face of the glacier you will see the stunning spectrum of blue-colored ice and jagged ice peaks and hear the crack and rumble of the glacier splitting as it moves. NOTE: This route changes for the THIRD sailing from Hotel Grey when the navigation passes by the glacier FIRST and then collects passengers at Refugio Grey.
The lined walls of the mountains will show clear evidence of the glacial forces that twisted and scratched lines onto the rock.
Unpredictable Weather
It should be noted that in Patagonia the weather is unpredictable, one day it is calm and warm and the next it can be blowing “hurricane-force” winds, and be cold, wet and rainy. Therefore, the scheduled navigation times from Navigation Grey can be interrupted at short notice. In this event we have the following options whereby your itinerary will be adapted.
Navigation Grey Request here: request@experiencechile.org
Torres del Paine Navigation Grey
WHEN THE NAVIGATION IS CANCELLED
OPTION 1
If your trip is from HOTEL GREY to REFUGIO GREY you will be taken to PUDETO from where you can board the catamaran that crosses Pehoe Lake to Refugio Paine Grande. You will need to pay for the catamaran on board, approx USD50 per person. From Paine Grande the hike to Refugio Grey is approx 4hrs.
OPTION 2
If your trip is from REFUGIO GREY to HOTEL GREY you will need to hike approx 4hrs to Refugio Paine Grande to take the catamaran at 11:30hrs OR 17:00hrs across to PUDETO. You will need to pay for the catamaran on board, approx USD50 per person. At PUDETO the private transfer will be waiting for you.
What to Wear
- Take a warm jacket (even if the day is warm and sunny), warm hat and even gloves as it can be quite cold when the wind blows down off the frozen ice.
- Note that this service is subject to local weather conditions and when there is too much wind it will not operate.
- Included: Pisco or a Whisky, with ice from the glacier (made thousands of years ago).
FULL REFUND IF TRIP CANNOT BE OPERATED
Navigation Grey Request here: request@experiencechile.org
Torres del Paine Navigation Grey
Check-In and Departure Times Information
NOTE: THE INFORMATION BELOW IS SUPPLIED IN GOOD FAITH AND WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CHANGES TO TIMES
Navigation 1 – Refugio First, Glacier Second
Check-in Hotel Grey: 09:00hrs
Depart: 10:00hrs
Check-in Refugio Grey: 10:15hrs
Arrive Refugio Grey: 10:45hrs – (pick up pax at refugio grey and on to the glacier)
Depart Refugio Grey: 11:00hrs
Arrives Back to Hotel Grey: 12:45hrs
Navigation 2 – Refugio First, Glacier Second
Check-in Hotel Grey: 12:00hrs
Depart: 13:00hrs
Check-in Refugio Grey: 13:15hrs
Arrive Refugio Grey: 13:45hrs – (pick up pax at refugio grey and on to the glacier)
Depart Refugio Grey: 14:00hrs
Arrives Back to Hotel Grey: 15:45hrs
Navigation 3 – Glacier First, Refugio Second
Check-in Hotel Grey: 15:00hrs
Depart: 16:00hrs – On to the glacier
Check-in Refugio Grey: 17:00hrs
Arrive Refugio Grey: 17:30hrs (pick up pax at refugio grey)
Depart Refugio Grey: 17:45hrs
Arrives Back to Hotel Grey: 18:45hrs
Navigation Grey Request here: request@experiencechile.org
What ExperienceChile.Org says about
Torres del Paine Navigation Grey
The Navigation Grey is a great way to traverse between Hotel Grey and Refugio Grey, or vice versa and get the added bonus of seeing Glacier Grey up close. Alternatively, if you just want a half day excursion to see Glacier Grey up close (from the water) then this is the only way to achieve it. However, considering that it is popular, some navigations have a lot of people on board.
Note that we have been creating Torres del Paine W Trek itineraries and other Patagonian itineraries since 1996. We are based in Chile, English owned, and a leading receptive travel operator, covering in particular – Patagonia.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Please Send Us Your Enquiry
For the best service please supply us with as much information as you can. For example, where you want to go, what you want to do, what you want to experience and how much money you want to spend (or do not want to spend!). How many people, what type of beds (matrimonial, twin, single etc.)
VIP
In the event that you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and/or political and/or business, and you need “special attention”. For example, privacy and/or security for your trip please use an alias in the enquiry but mention that you are VIP and one of the directors will handle your request and keep your real name and details confidential.
OFFER
Ask us to handle ALL of your South America, or Chile trip and we WILL include some items for free or at special lower-than-public rates. How much we can offer you depends on how much we can arrange and book for you. REQUEST@EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Remember, our specialty is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.