Torres del Paine - Full Circuit Trek

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.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Embark on a 9-day excursion within Torres del Paine NP, hiking the full Torres del Paine circuit known as the O circuit. Start the 130km (80.7 mi) route by trekking to the base of Las Torres to see the dramatic three towers and turquoise lagoon below. 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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 1: Welcome Center of Torres del Paine to Base of the Towers: Be prepared to lose your breath - from the hike AND the gorgeous views! Hike the Torres del Paine trail to the base of the "torres" (towers) themselves. Enjoy the view of the three pink granite towers that make this park famous. Distance travelled: 22km (14 miles roundtrip) Time: 7-9 hours. Elevation gain: 750m (2,460 ft.)

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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 2: Welcome Center of Torres del Paine to Camp Serón: Trek all day through forests of Beech trees and view the Paine Chico Mountain in the distance before reaching the Northeastern part of the National Park. The hike today will be about 5 hours round trip and a total of 19 km. In the evening the group will return to the Camp Serón. Distance travelled: 19km Time: 5-7 hours. Elevation gain: 400m (1,315 ft.)

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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 3: Serón Camp to Dickson Camp: Hike from Serón Campsite to Dickson Campsite and enjoy amazing views of Lake Dickson and Glacier Dickson. Today's portion of the trek is rated as a moderate to challenging hike. Distance travelled: 18km Time: 6-7 hours. Elevation gain: 720m (2,362 ft.)

Continue along the north side of the park to an incredible lookout point of Lake Dickson and the surrounding valley. Follow the trail through the tall forest to reach another lookout for Perros Glacier, well worth the climb. 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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 4: Dickson Campsite to Los Perros Campsite: Enjoy a day hiking through beech forest to the Perros Glacier, before arriving at the campsite at Paso John Garner. Distance travelled: 13km Time: 5-6 hours. Elevation gain: 600m (1,968 ft.)

Today is the toughest day of the O trek, start with an uphill climb for 2-3 hours, passing over the highest point. The beginning of the trail is through forest, but once you reach 800m of altitude, the path starts to get rocky and may become a little slippery. Take in the first view of Grey Glacier and gaze into the distance to take in its 270km² (104 mi²) spread. Climb vertical ladders and pass a suspension bridge en route to Grey Camp. 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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 5: Los Perros Camp to Grey Glacier Camp: Hike for a full day over Paso John Garner, above the imposing Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. Distance travelled: 18km Time: 8-10 hours. Elevation gain: 1000m (3,280 ft.)

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.

Optional Experiences

• Grey Glacier Ice Hike: Get an introduction to ice axes and crampons, and join an expert local guide for a hike across this frozen landscape. Study the cracks, crevasses, and ice ridges and get up close and personal with Grey Glacier. Walking on this immense glacier is an experience you won’t soon forget. Reach the west side of the Grey Glacier on a zodiac boat. Enjoy a short trek to get to the glacier and start the amazing walk on top of it. The guide will do the safety talk first and provide all the necessary equipment. The walk on the glacier will last for about 3 hours, and you will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons and tunnels with their different tones of blue.

Head out on an optional morning kayak on the coast of Lake Grey with amazing views of Grey Glacier and its icebergs. Later, hike along Lake Grey to appreciate different viewpoints of the glacier. Hike to join the famous W Trek and end at Lake Pehoé. Relax at Paine Grande Camp and share trekking stories with the other hikers. 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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 7: Grey Glacier Camp to Paine Grande Camp: Head for Lake Pehoé and soak in the incredible views across the glaciers and mountains that fill up this national park. Enjoy a relaxing evening under the Cuernos del Paine. Distance travelled: 11km Time: 5 hours. Elevation gain: 400m (1,300 ft.)

Optional Experiences

• Grey Lake Kayaking Excursion: Glide through the crystal clear waters and blue icebergs of Grey Lake. Take in the views from your kayak, as your explore all the lake has to offer.

Hike to the French Valley lookout to see the mountain range spread across the national park, take in the contrasting greens and greys of the landscape. 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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 8: Paine Grande Camp to Cuernos Camp: Trek through the French Valley, surrounded by glaciers, before continuing to beautiful Lake Nordenskjold and Reugio Cuernos. Distance travelled: 17km Time: 8-9 hours. Elevation gain: 500m (1,640 ft.)

The concluding day of the O circuit continues along Lake Nordenskjöld. Take in the final views of Torres del Paine, reflect on the last nine days and relish in the sense of accomplishment before heading back to Puerto Natales. 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.

Included Experiences

• Torres del Pain Trek Day 9: Cuernos Camp to Hotel Las Torres: Follow the trail past Lake Nordenskjöld and Mount Almirante Nieto before ending the trek at Hosteria Las Torres. Distance travelled: 12km Time: 5 hours. Elevation gain: 300m (900 ft.)

Depart at any time.