9-Day Torres del Paine Circuit

Day 1: Transfer to Torres del Paine; Hike to Serón Camp

The trip begins in the morning with you being picked up from your hotel in Puerto Natales and transferred to Torres del Paine National Park (2hrs). 

After enjoying a delicious lunch you'll have a trek briefing with your guide and you can prepare your duffel bags which will be carried by your porters. You can leave the rest of your luggage at our headquarters in the park. In the afternoon, you'll hike to Serón Camp. 

If travelling from Punta Arenas or El Calafate (Argentina) you’ll need to arrive in Puerto Natales the day before the trip begins. These bus transfers are included in the overall price of your trip and should be requested in advance as they are subject to availability. The extra night’s accommodation in Puerto Natales is not included but can be added to your booking if you require.

Length of hike: 4 hours, 8 miles (13 km)

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Seron Camp

Day 2: Trek to the Dickson Valley; Dickson Camp

The day will start from Seron Camp and you'll hike to Dickson Camp, around 18km. 

Along the way, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the lesser-known reaches of Torres del Paine National Park and perhaps you'll be lucky enough to see Dickson Glacier in the distance. You gently descend and continue west across open grasslands towards Refugio Dickson.

Your campsite will be in the Dickson Valley, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dickson. Parts of the Southern Patagonian Icefield can be seen in the distance. You'll spend the night here at Dickson Camp and you can look forward to a hearty dinner and a hot shower.

Length of hike: 4-6 hours, 11.5 miles (18.5 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Dickson Camp

Day 3: Trek to Laguna Los Perros; Los Perros Camp

We'll continue along the trail by the Los Perros River into the wildest and most remote terrain on this entire trek. We'll pass under the Los Perros Glacier which merges into a small lake, and then navigate through a virgin beech forest before reaching the picturesque Laguna Los Perros.

Here, we'll finish for the day at Los Perros Camp and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Length of hike: 5 hours, 8 miles (13 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Los Perros Camp

Day 4: Trek to the John Gardner Pass and Lake Grey; Grey Camp

This day involves a climb to the highest point of the circuit as we reach altitudes of around 1300m (4000ft). From up here we'll be able to soak up an awe-inspiring view of Grey Glacier, a huge mass of fractured ice that towers in the valley.

The John Gardner Pass is one of the most famous sections of Torres del Paine and an essential target for serious hikers. From the pass, we'll continue south along forested slopes with stunning views of the enormous Grey Glacier (more than 28km in length) before finishing for the day at Grey Camp, on the shore of Lake Grey.

Length of hike: 10-11 hours, 10.5 miles (17 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Grey Camp

Day 5: Trek to Lake Pehoe; Paine Grande Camp

We'll take some time to relax in the morning and take in Lake Grey's surroundings before starting our trek along the eastern side of Lake Grey through areas of beautiful Calafate bushes. The view of the huge icebergs floating in Lake Grey is an unforgettable memory.

After this point, the path levels out and then descends through a shallow dry valley on its route to the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe. Here, at Paine Grande Camp, we'll set up camp and hopefully enjoy a wonderful sunset over the French Valley – our destination for tomorrow.

Today there is the option for kayaking around Glacier Grey in the morning: This excursion starts at 9am and lasts 2.5hrs. Initially, you'll receive a safety briefing from a specialist guide covering the kayak, paddling, route and conditions. All necessary equipment will be provided - neoprene suit, waterproof jacket, gloves, boots, kayak skirt and life vest. You'll kayak around huge icebergs, towards the east side of the glacier to get closer to the giant ice wall. The minimum age for this excursion is 15 years old and the maximum age is 65 years old. Kayaking is only available from Nov-Mar 19th. Advance booking and payment is required - please see the 'Additional Notes' section below.

Length of hike: 4-5 hours, 7 miles (11 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Paine Grande Camp

Day 6: Trek through the French Valley; Francés Camp

After breakfast, we'll begin the challenging trek to the French Valley (Valle Frances), along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far we go will be dictated by the pace of the group as a whole, but a faster walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif. From here there are fantastic views of the valley.

We'll then continue our ascent to the upper section of the valley where we'll take in the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburon (Shark's Fin) and the stunning Fortaleza (Fortress).

After all this ascent, we'll stop for a picnic lunch and rest up. Afterwards, it's a descent through the undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to the Francés Camp.

Length of hike: 8-9 hours, 13 miles (21 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Francés Camp or Refugio Cuernos Campsite

Day 7: Trek Los Cuernos trail; Las Torres Camp

Today's trek along the Los Cuernos trail will take us along the edge of the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. This trek is less strenuous but richer in the diversity of terrain that we will cover. In fact, it's the perfect opportunity to take in the park's huge variety of flora and fauna, and learn some more about the vast variety of species we encounter along the way.

We'll stop for a picnic lunch and relax in the beautiful surroundings before finishing up at Las Torres Camp. Here, we can look forward to a hot meal and prepare for the challenges that tomorrow will bring.

Length of hike: 5-7 hours, 10 miles (16 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Las Torres Camp (Option to upgrade to EcoCamp Patagonia)

Day 8: Trek to the Towers; Las Torres Camp

The goal of our eighth day will be to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park – the trek to the Towers! We'll walk from Las Torres Camp towards Hosteria Las Torres before climbing to the Ascencio Valley on the eastern face of the Towers. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley.

Our main challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine (a huge mass of boulders) which leads us to the base of the Towers – three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After a tough final ascent, the Towers eventually come into full view, soaring majestically before us. Here we'll stop at probably the best lunch spot in the world! After soaking up the view, we'll backtrack along the same trail through the Ascencio Valley and return to Las Torres Camp for a well-deserved dinner.

Length of hike: 8-10 hours, 13 miles (21 km)

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Las Torres Camp (Option to upgrade to EcoCamp Patagonia)

Day 9: Transfer to Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate

In the early morning, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Puerto Natales to catch an afternoon flight to Santiago. Please ensure flights depart after midday.

If you decide to depart from Punta Arenas pick flights departing after 2pm. Alternatively, you can continue your trip to El Calafate subject to booking in advance and availability. 

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch