Patagonia Torres del Paine Full Circuit

Day 1 Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales. A AE Expeditions Guide will meet you at the airport in Punta Arenas, the largest, most southern city in the world, located on the famous Strait of Magellan. You’ll be transferred to Puerto Natales, a centre for ranching and Patagonian tourism located on the eastern shore of the Seno Ultima Esperanza, 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 quick stop in Cerro Castillo, a historic hamlet east of the Park that is built on a former ‘estancia’, or ranch, which was the principal site of wool and meat exportation to Europe from Chile during the 1960s. We arrive at Hosteria Las Torres and set out on our initial 4-hour trek to the Serón Camp. Our route takes us across meadows blanketed in a kaleidoscope of wild flowers and with breathtaking views over the Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) to the east of our destination. Common and personal gear is carried by horses and/or porters. 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 Serón – Camp Dickson. This morning we set out towards Lake Dickson. Our route is dominated by marvelous 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 stunning views of 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 trek takes us through a vast forest leading to our next camping site, Los Perros, (The Dogs) some four hours away. The trail follows Los Perros River with stunning views over Dickson Lake and Glacier, and towards the North Face of the Paine Massif. Approaching our camp we catch sight of the wonderful 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 difficult and tiring of the entire circuit. Just after starting out 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 mini trek on the Grey Glacier** in the morning. This is an extraordinary experience! In the afternoon we´ll reach Pehoe Camp following a three- to four-hour walk on 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 – Hosteria Las Torres – Puerto Natales. 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. On our way down to Hosteria Las Torres we will make a stop at the Refugio El Chileno to have our lunch, rest, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Ascensio Valley. From Hosteria Las Torres our private transport will take us back to Puerto Natales to hostal Concepto Indigo or Aquaterra Lodge.

Trekking distance 7.3 miles – 12 km / Trekking time 6 hours / Transfer time 85.5 miles – 138 km / Transfer time 2 ½ hours / Hotel

Day 10 Early transfer to Punta Arenas Airport to catch our flight back to Santiago Airport, and international connections. And the Torres del Paine Full Circuit 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, including airport pick-up and drop-off.
• Two nights in a Hotel based on double occupancy with breakfast, in Puerto Natales.
• Two nights in a Shelter, with common-room sleeping arrangements.
• Entry fee to Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks.
• Camping fees.
• 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 mattress, stoves and fuel.
• Porters to carry common equipment (tents only).
• VHF Radio communications equipment.
• First aid kit.

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.
• Gratuities.
• Any other services not mentioned above.

Optional Service

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

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.
• ** Walking and climbing on the Southern Ice Cap, US $ 100 per person.
• AE Expeditions reserves the right to upgrade the tour by staying overnight at Huts instead of at Camps at NO additional cost.