Torres del Paine - Full Circuit Trek - 11 Days

Arrive at any time. If arriving into Punta Arenas in Chile, it is recommended to arrive prior to 14:00 to allow enough time to transfer to Puerto Natales for the welcome meeting. If arriving to El Calafate in Argentina, you will need to get there a day before and then take the bus to Puerto Natales today.

The group will enter the park through the main entrance of Amarga Lagoon. The trail begins with a slope and a side view of the imposing Ascencio Valley and the river with the same name, passing through the famous “Windy Pass” to get to the first official stop at Refugio El Chileno.

From there the group will continue towards a forest of native Lenga trees before arriving to the glacial moraine. Here the last, and hardest, part of the trail starts as we will be gaining 300m of altitude in the last kilometer. Please note this last kilometer is steep and rocky, carrying hiking poles (available for rent in Puerto Natales) will really help make this section of trail more manageable. The last km takes around 1 hour, but it is SO worth it! The spectacular view of the three granite towers will be waiting at the top, where we will have lunch with a view! Return along the same trail and meet our driver who is going to take everyone to the first campsite, Laguna Azul.

Transfer by van to the Las Torres area. Today we start our trek around the Paine Massif. Head out across ancient glacial moraines on the way to camp Serón. The trail goes through Lenga forests where we can spot some wildlife. The hike today will be around 5 hours. Arrive to Camping Serón where the group will have dinner and rest up for tomorrow.

Eat an early breakfast before the hike to Lago Dickson, a glacial lake on the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. Hike past bright blooming Notro bushes and cross a stream along the lake. A beautiful, leisurely hike that will take around 6 hours today. Arrive at Camping Dickson and opt for a hot shower and a beer as a reward.

Pack up and head out through pristine, old growth beech forest. Look and listen for the red-headed Magellanic woodpecker. Just before we arrive to camp, trek past the Perros glacier and enjoy fantastic close-up views of the ice and the lake. Spend the night camping at the base of Paso John Garner at Los Perros.

This is the biggest day yet as we climb over Paso John Garner and hike down through thick forest directly above the massive Grey Glacier. Once on the pass, look out over rugged, glaciated peaks, and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap – a view not to be missed! The glacier stretches out below like a giant white highway. To get to the Grey Glacier Camp, there is a big descent of approximately 1700m through the forest.

Enjoy the day exploring Grey Lake and Grey Glacier. The spectacular scenery is a highlight of the trek with the back drop of snow-capped mountains and floating pieces of piercing blue glacier. The afternoon is free for resting and exploring the area. Opt for a short trek along the west side of the Grey Glacier.

Cross a high plateau overlooking Grey Lake and see icebergs and views across Grey Glacier on the way to Lake Pehoé. Pehoé means "hidden lake" in the Tehuelche language. The afternoon is free to relax at Lodge Paine Grande and enjoy the area. At night, enjoy a pisco sour cocktail in the bar overlooking Paine Grande & Los Cuernos mountains.

Continue the trek to the French Valley. Surrounded by hanging glaciers and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires, this is the most beautiful valley in the park and one of the most unique in the world. After, trek out of the valley to the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjold. After six to eight hours, end the day at Cuernos Camp for dinner and sleep.

Trek along Lake Nordenskjöld and below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto, to the reach Hosteria Las Torres, where our van awaits us. Transfer to Puerto Natales.

Depart at any time.