Patagonia Torres del Paine Full Circuit & Fitz Roy Trek

Day 1 Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales. An AE Expeditions Guide will meet you at the airport in Punta Arenas, located on the famous Strait of Magellan, and the largest, most southerly city in the world. You’ll be transferred to Puerto Natales, a centre for ranching and Patagonian tourism, located on the eastern shore of the Seno Ultima Esperanza, (Last Hope Inlet) a three-hour drive across the pampa. We’ll settle into Hostal Concepto Indigo or Aquaterra Lodge, have a rest, and then meet to overview the trip program. Dinner and overnight at our Hotel.

Transfer distance 152 miles – 246 km / Transfer time 3 hours / Hotel

Day 2 Puerto Natales – Hostería Las Torres – Camp Seron. Transfer by van to Torres del Paine National Park. This 2.5-hour journey through ranching country includes a brief stop in Cerro Castillo, a historic hamlet east of the Park, built on a former ‘estancia’, or ranch. We arrive at Hosteria Las Torres and set out on our inaugural trek, a four-hour hike into the Serón Camp. Our route takes us across meadows blanketed with a kaleidoscope of wildflowers and offering breathtaking views over the Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) to the east. Common and personal gear is carried by horses. Reaching our camp, we’ll settle in, have dinner, and rest.

Transfer distance 85.5 miles – 138 kms / Transfer time 2 ½ hours / Trekking distance 8 ¾ miles – 16 km / Trekking time 4 hours / Tent

Day 3 Camp Seron – Camp Dickson. This morning we set out towards Lake Dickson. Our route is dominated by superb views over Lake Paine. We stop for a picnic at the Coirón Camp. The terrain is mostly easy, allowing us to admire the middle Torre in the background, and the spectacular granite wall of the Paine mountain range. As we approach our camp, we can see the impressive Dickson Glacier flowing into Dickson Lake. Reaching our camp, we’ll settle in, have dinner and rest.

Trekking distance 11 ¼ miles – 18 km / Trekking time 6 hours / Tent

Day 4 Camp Dickson – Camp Los Perros. Today’s four-hour trek to Los Perros (The Dogs) Camp, takes us through extensive native forest. The trail follows Los Perros River with stunning views over Dickson Lake and Dickson Glacier, and towards the North Face of the Paine Massif. Approaching our camp we catch sight of the superb Los Perros Glacier. Reaching our camp, we’ll settle in, have dinner, and rest. 

Trekking distance 6 ¼ miles – 10 km / Trekking time 4 hours / Tent

Day 5 Camp Los Perros – Gardner Pass – Camp Grey. Today’s hike is by far the most challenging and tiring of the entire circuit. Early in the day we cross swampy terrain that can take as long as an hour. We then cross the Paso River and hike up to the John Garner pass at 1,241m (4,071 feet). Descending from the pass, we make our way to the Grey Camp through a forest of lenga trees with spectacular views towards the Southern Ice Cap and the Grey Glacier. Reaching our camp, we’ll settle in, have dinner, and rest.

Trekking distance 8 1/4 miles – 13.5 km / Trekking time 9 hours / Tent

Day 6 Camp Grey – Camp Pehoe. Before we continue our journey to Pehoe Camp, we have the option to make an easy short morning trek on the Grey Glacier**. This is an extraordinary opportunity to see the glacier at close quarters. In the afternoon, we´ll reach Pehoe Camp following a three- to four-hour walk across easy terrain with splendid views of Lake Grey and its glacier. Reaching our camp, we’ll settle in, have dinner, and rest. 

Trekking distance 6 ¼ miles – 10 km / Trekking time 4 hours / Tent

Day 7 Camp Pehoe – French Valley – Refugio Los Cuernos. Today we trek up the famous French Valley, the most beautiful in the park and unique in the world, surrounded as it is by hanging glaciers and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. Afterward, we will hike to the extraordinary turquoise-coloured Lake Nordenskjold and stop at the delightful Los Cuernos Refuge to relax, have dinner, and rest.

Trekking distance 15.8 miles – 26 km / Trekking time 9 hours / Refuge

Day 8 Refugio Los Cuernos – Refugio El Chileno. Today our route takes us along the shore of the beautifully-coloured Lake Nordenskjold. We pass below the impressive hanging glaciers of Mount Admiral Nieto, arriving to Refugio El Chileno in Valle Ascencio where we’ll have dinner and rest.

Trekking distance 8 ¾ miles – 16 km / Trekking time 5 hours / Refuge

Day 9 Refugio El Chileno – Refugio Las Torres. Today we finish the circuit with a hike to the base of the spectacular three granite towers that made the park famous around the world: Torre D’Agostini (2,850m / 9,350 feet), also known as Torre Sur; Torre Central (2,800m / 9,186 feet); and Torre Norte (2,600m / 8,530 feet), also called Torre Monzino. We’ll make a stop at the Refugio El Chileno to have lunch, relax, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Ascensio Valley. Reaching the Hosteria Las Torres, we’ll have dinner and rest.

Trekking distance 7.3 miles – 12 km / Trekking time 6 hours / Refuge

Day 10 Refugio Las Torres – Calafate. Early transfer to Calafate, Argentina, through the border pass at Cerro Castillo. Calafate is a beautiful Swiss-style town located 80 km from the impressive Perito Moreno glacier. Dinner and overnight at a local hotel.

Transfer distance 69 miles – 273 km / Transfer time 5-6 hours / Hotel

Day 11 Calafate – Perito Moreno – El Chalten. We travel to the Los Glaciares National Park for a view of the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier and to enjoy the spectacle of ice breaking off the glacier, crashing into Lake Argentino, and floating in the water. In the afternoon, we move on to the village of El Chaltén, the base camp for our next trekking circuit, where we’ll settle into our hotel to rest.

Transfer distance 206 miles – 332 km / Transfer time 8 hours / Hotel

Day 12 El Chalten – Maestri Look-out Point – Camp Poincenot. Today we’ll approach the Torre Glacier at the Maestri Look-out Point, starting from the village of El Chaltén and continue on to Poincenot Camp, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. The trail makes a steep ascent towards the Mirador Laguna Torre, a hike of approximately one hour. Following the Fitz Roy River, we’ll reach the Maestri Look-out following a three-hour hike, where we’ll enjoy stunning views of the Cordon Adela (Adela Range) and the Cerro Torre (Tower Hill). The transition trail takes us past the Madre and Hija (Mother and Daughter) Lakes, and we’ll arrive at our camp site in approximately 2.5 hours of easy walking.

Trekking distance 14 miles – 22 km / Trekking time 6 hours 15 minutes / Tent

Day 13 Camp Poincenot – Laguna de los Tres – Camp Piedra del Fraile. Leaving Poincenot Camp, we’ll have an hour of steep climbing to reach Laguna de los Tres (Lake of the Three), where we’ll enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fitz Roy. After descending to Rio Blanco (White River), we’ll continue on to Piedra del Fraile (Friar’s Rock) Camp, through Lenga forests, on the banks of the Río Blanco (White River) and Rio Electrico (Electric River).

Trekking distance 9 miles – 14.5 km / Trekking time 5.5 hours / Tent

Day 14 Camp Piedra del Fraile – Paso del Quadrado – El Chaltén. From our camp, we’ll climb to the Paso del Quadrado (Square Pass), a splendid viewpoint of the North Face of Mt. Fitz Roy. Back at Piedra del Fraile (Friar’s Rock) we continue our trek along the Rio Electrico (Electric River) until we reach the point where it meets the Rio de las Vueltas, (River of Curves), enjoying the spectacular views of the Cordon Gorra Blanca (White Hat Range) to the north, and the Cordon de los Condores (The Condor’s Range) to the east. Here our private transport will be waiting, to take us back to the village of El Chaltén for a hot shower and dinner.

Trekking distance 9.3 miles / 14 km / Trekking time 8.5 hours / Hotel

Day 15 Transfer to Puerto Natales. Today’s transfer will take us back across the border into Chile. Reaching Puerto Natales, we’ll settle into Hostal Concepto Indigo or Aquaterra Lodge. Dinner and overnight at our Hotel

Transfer distance 228 miles – 368 km / Transfer Time 6 hours / Hotel

Day 16 An early transfer will take us to the Punta Arenas airport to catch a domestic flight back to Santiago, where international connections will be made. And the Torres del Paine Full Circuit and Fitz Roy Area Tour comes to an end!

Transfer distance 152 miles – 246 km / Transfer time 3 hours

Services included

• Professional Bilingual Trekking Guide.
• Ratio Guide to Clients: 1-6.
• All local organization and supervision by AE Expeditions staff.
• Airport assistance at Punta Arenas.
• Private transfers during the entire tour.
• Two nights in a Hotel based on double occupancy with breakfast, in Puerto Natales.
• One night in a Hotel based on double occupancy with breakfast in Calafate.
• Three nights in a Hotel based on double occupancy with breakfast, in Chaltén.
• Three nights in a Shelter, with common-room sleeping arrangements.
• Entrance and camping fees to Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks.
• Full board on the trekking and camping days, box lunch included.
• Top quality common gear and equipment: The North Face, Mountain Hardware and Marmot tents, inflates and isolate mattresses, stoves and fuel.
• Porters to carry common equipment (tents only).
• VHF radio communications equipment.
• First aid kit.

Optional Service

• Walking and Climbing on the Southern Ice Cap.**

Services not included

• All personal climbing equipment and gear.
• Porter for personal gear.
• Any costs involved in an early or late departure.
• Any drinks (soda, beer, or wine) in the cities and during transfer days.
• Cancellation, accident, and rescue insurance.
• Cash for extra expenses.
• Any other services not mentioned above.
• Gratuities.

Important

• All itineraries are subject to modification due to changes in the weather, group dynamics, and the guide’s criteria.
• Any departure can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 6 persons.
• A service providing a Private Porter, to be shared between two expedition members carrying 10kg each, is available upon request at an additional cost.
• AE Expeditions reserves the right to upgrade the tour by staying overnight at Huts instead of at Camps at NO additional cost.
• ** Walking and climbing on the Grey Glacier, US $ 100 per person.