currency
El Circuito
cost
From GBP £1410
departure
Every Wednesday Oct-April
duration
9 Days
locations
Torres Del Paine, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natalaes, Valle Frances, Glacier Grey
A challenging, world-class trek in the stunning Torres del Paine
‘The Circuit’ around the famous Paine Massif is one of the world’s great trekking routes. This is the perfect adventure for trekkers looking for a challenging trip in Torres del Paine National Park.
Day 1: Weds: Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine
The trip starts in Punta Arenas this morning, either at your hotel or at the airport.
From Punta Arenas, we drive the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. On the way, we will stop in the town of Puerto Natales and at Milodon Cave, before ending in Las Torres Campsite where we spend the night.
Day 2: Thurs: Camp Torres – Camp Dickson
The day will start with a long trek heading to Lake Dickson. On arrival here, we enjoy a spectacular view on Dickson Glacier and part of the South Patagonia Ice Field.
The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Paine River. We will stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Paine Lake below, before reaching Refugio Dickson where we spend the night.
Day 3: Fri: Camp Dickson – Camp Perros
The trail follows Los Perros River through the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. A virgin beech forest, crossed by many watercourses, leads the way towards the lovely Los Perros Lagoon, where we set up camp.
Enjoy the night camping at Los Perros.
Day 4: Sat: Camp Perros – John Gardner Pass – Camp Grey
In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit (1,300m/4,000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of Grey Glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley.
On leaving the highest point, the route continues roughly south along forested slopes with evidence of occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous Grey Glacier.
We spend the night under canvas at Camp Grey.
Day 5: Sun: Camp Grey – Lake Pehoe
This morning, there is the option of a half day’s ice trekking on Grey Glacier. Or we can just relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
After lunch, we continue trekking along the eastern shore of Grey Lake, through clearings of Calafate bushes.
Finally, the track climbs up to flat ridges and passes a small lake before descending through a shallow, dry valley to arrive at Lake Pehoe.
We spend the night in our campsite by the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe.
Day 6: Mon: Camp Pehoe – French Valley – Camp Cuernos
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.
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.
Finally, we descend to our campsite at Cuernos.
Day 7: Tues: Camp Cuernos – Nordenskjold Lake – Eco Camp
Today, we trek along the winding Cuernos Trail beside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold and with magnificent views of the Park’s central lakes and iconic ‘Horns’.
The trek ends at the well-appointed EcoCamp, with an evening to enjoy dinner and share memories.
Day 8: Weds: Torres del Paine
After breakfast, we will embark on our last and possibly most rewarding hiking challenge: the trek to the famous Paine Towers. We set off from the Eco Camp and connect with the winding, uphill path to the scenic Ascencio Valley. Next, there is a steep trail up a moraine, until the magnificent Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us, with a glacial lake visible below: one of the most breathtaking sights in the world! Here, we have lunch.
Once everyone has had their fill, we backtrack along the same trail to the EcoCamp after quite a day.
Day 9: Thurs: Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas
We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas, in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago or check back into a hotel.
Is this trek too long for you? Try our shorter 7 day W trek or 5 day W trek options.
Day 1: Weds: Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine
The trip starts in Punta Arenas this morning, either at your hotel or at the airport.
From Punta Arenas, we drive the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. On the way, we will stop in the town of Puerto Natales and at Milodon Cave, before ending in Las Torres Campsite where we spend the night.
Day 2: Thurs: Camp Torres – Camp Dickson
The day will start with a long trek heading to Lake Dickson. On arrival here, we enjoy a spectacular view on Dickson Glacier and part of the South Patagonia Ice Field.
The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Paine River. We will stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Paine Lake below, before reaching Refugio Dickson where we spend the night.
Day 3: Fri: Camp Dickson – Camp Perros
The trail follows Los Perros River through the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. A virgin beech forest, crossed by many watercourses, leads the way towards the lovely Los Perros Lagoon, where we set up camp.
Enjoy the night camping at Los Perros.
Day 4: Sat: Camp Perros – John Gardner Pass – Camp Grey
In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit (1,300m/4,000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of Grey Glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley.
On leaving the highest point, the route continues roughly south along forested slopes with evidence of occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous Grey Glacier.
We spend the night under canvas at Camp Grey.
Day 5: Sun: Camp Grey – Lake Pehoe
This morning, there is the option of a half day’s ice trekking on Grey Glacier. Or we can just relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
After lunch, we continue trekking along the eastern shore of Grey Lake, through clearings of Calafate bushes.
Finally, the track climbs up to flat ridges and passes a small lake before descending through a shallow, dry valley to arrive at Lake Pehoe.
We spend the night in our campsite by the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe.
Day 6: Mon: Camp Pehoe – French Valley – Camp Cuernos
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.
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.
Finally, we descend to our campsite at Cuernos.
Day 7: Tues: Camp Cuernos – Nordenskjold Lake – Eco Camp
Today, we trek along the winding Cuernos Trail beside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold and with magnificent views of the Park’s central lakes and iconic ‘Horns’.
The trek ends at the well-appointed EcoCamp, with an evening to enjoy dinner and share memories.
Day 8: Weds: Torres del Paine
After breakfast, we will embark on our last and possibly most rewarding hiking challenge: the trek to the famous Paine Towers. We set off from the Eco Camp and connect with the winding, uphill path to the scenic Ascencio Valley. Next, there is a steep trail up a moraine, until the magnificent Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us, with a glacial lake visible below: one of the most breathtaking sights in the world! Here, we have lunch.
Once everyone has had their fill, we backtrack along the same trail to the EcoCamp after quite a day.
Day 9: Thurs: Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas
We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas, in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago or check back into a hotel.
Is this trek too long for you? Try our shorter 7 day W trek or 5 day W trek options.
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| Accommodation | Camping in two-person tents |
| Inclusions | Accommodation Entrance Fees All Meals Transfers Excursions, as specified in the itinerary |
| Difficulty Rating | 4 (average fitness and above) |
| Sustainability | Local foods used on tour Local English-speaking guides used (most university educated) Carbon Offsets not available for this tour |
| Single Surcharge | Contact us at info@chimuadventures.com |
| Notes | Possible to start and/or end the tour in El Calafate, Argentina Upgrades to dome accommodation at the EcoCamp are available: ask us for details |
| Price dependent on: | Availabilty Season: NB. Tour incurs a surcharge around Christmas time. |
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