From October to Christmas 2008...

8-23 Dec - High Level Patagonia Tents, hostels & hotels-Sara B & Maria-Argentina/Chile 15 nights part board + flight + 7 eve. meals: Provisional price £2650 A challenging high level holiday trekking in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, walking in the dramatic Mt Fitzroy region of Argentina; includes visit to the Moreno Glacier. (Final price in May 2008) Fuller detail Patagonia in the southernmost portion of South America contains some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world. It is a land of wilderness where broad expanses of pampa meet the glacially sculpted spires of the Andes. Unique in its flora and fauna, and the wind blows strongly here much of the time. This high level holiday includes the spectacular 5-night 'W' trek in Las Torres del Paine National Park taking you to the foot of the soaring spires of Las Torres and close to Glacier Grey. We will also visit the spectacular Moreno glacier where huge blocks fall off into Lake Argentino to float away as ice bergs. The holiday finishes with 3 days walking in the magnificent Mt Fitzroy region of the Andes, including walking past Laguna de los Tres to reach close up views of Fitzroy's incredible North Face. Though not at altitude, non-technical, with day pack only, the walking in these areas is strenuous with plenty of 'up', and some long days in challenging terrain. The accommodation will be in hotels in Buenos Aries, tents or refuges on trek, and a hostel in Chalten near Fitzroy. Besides the internal flight between Buenos Aries and El Calafete, there will be a total 19 hours of transfer by minibus during the trip: north on Route 40 to the Paine National Park, and south to el Chalten. The first and last nights are spent in Buenos Aries with time to relax, take a city tour, see the historic area of San Isidro, or shop for souvenirs. The holiday includes the flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. The final holiday price will be available in May 2008. Contact us if interested. (See WW website Accommodation page for planned itinerary. The price of this trip will be available in May 2008). Travel - Flight to Buenos Aries is included: Indirect overnight return flight most likely with Argentinian Airlines via Madrid, or Air France via Paris. Click buttons for more Grade, Accommodation & Guide details: Currency Converter? Price will include: Indirect overnight flight to Buenos Airies, 13 nights part board in Argentina & Chile, staying in a range of accommodation Ensuite twin rooms in Buenos Airies hotel, shared dormitory accommodation in refuges & hostel, 2 person tents on trek. Includes: all breakfasts, 10 packed lunches, 7 evening meals; international flight; transport to walks/trek; local guide Maria; & most other costs (see below). Atol No. 6497 Not included: 4 snack lunches, 7 eve. meals in BS AS, Calafate, & Chalten; Paine NP entrance; tips; any optional extra trips. (If it is not possible to buy a group ticket for the internal flight to El Calafate, the holiday price will be correspondingly reduced in price). None of these details are definite until the holiday is priced in May 2008 You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

High Level grades explained...

There are now 3 high level grades: Slow High, High Level, and Alpine High. You can see the differences between them below:

Slow High - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

We introduced the Slow High grade last year after talking to women who come on the holidays, and it has proved a huge success! Many women love high level walks - and may always have loved them - but now find they want to take them at a slower pace. For other women, 'high level' is the next step up, but it's still an unknown quantity and they worry about slowing others down. If these concerns have stopped you from choosing our High Level grade - even though you feel, or know, you have the stamina to cope with long 'ups' and 'downs' and long walking days, then this new grade is for you! Slow High walks will be similar to High Level walks in all other respects - see below - but will be taken at a slower pace with more stops along the way. The walking day may be a little longer than usual, and as a result we arrange them in Spring and Summer. (Intermediate walks are also offered at the same time so that you can vary your walks or swap to Intermediate if you find you prefer it).

High level - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

High Level walks are 'mountain' walks, offering the most exciting and dramatic views - wild crags where buzzards and ravens fly, expansive views, deserted high level lakes, and wonderful long ridges with views to the valleys below. The walks will be from 8-12 miles in length, and have an ascent and descent of up to 1000m (3300ft). The secret of getting up there is to take the 'ups' at a steady pace without so many stops that you keep losing your second wind. The gradients will vary over the day, but will generally include longer steep sections than the intermediate grades, with 1.5-2 hours of ascent overall. In general, the higher you go, the rockier the paths get, and in places you may use your hands; some high level walks can be unnerving for vertigo sufferers.

If you have reasonable balance for walking on rocky uneven ground and know you have the leg, heart, and lung fitness to cope with sustained exertion - either from recent hill walking or in some other sport - these wonderful walks could be for you! (See alsoIntermediate, High Intermediate, & Slow High above).

High Alpine - 8-14 miles, 850-1400m up & down

The high level holidays that are graded 'High Alpine' have some of the most stunning walks we offer - soaring views of snow-clad peaks, glaciers, ice-covered mountain lakes, and alpine flowers all around. However, on certain days, there will be more length or ascent than normal High Level walks - up to 14 miles a day and 1400m (4600ft) ascent/descent. On some holidays you may experience some altitude effects - e.g. headaches or shortness of breath. As a result, these wonderful mountains may require you to pace yourself, e.g. by swapping to an intermediate walk in Gran Paradiso and Bulgaria. On the Langtang Trek in Nepal we build in acclimatising days to diminish the effects of altitude, and you may need to take it easy then.

If you're a hill walker with good knees and stamina, who wants more of a challenge and incredible views, these wonderful walks could be for you! If you are not already a hill walker, Gran Paradiso or Bulgaria offer a choice of grades each day and are the safest High Alpine holidays to try first.

ATOL Protection

The flight-included holidays shown on this web page are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority since we hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 6497. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more.

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