INDEPENDENT O CIRCUIT

Day 1: Arrival to Torres del Paine National Park – Trek to Serón

After breakfast at the hotel in Puerto Natales, you have to ask for your box lunch and then go to the terminal bus to take the 07:00 am bus (we recommend being at least 10 minutes before departure) to go to Torres del Paine National Park. The journey is made in the middle of the Patagonian pampas, until you reach Laguna Amarga, the main entrance of the park, where you must register your entrance with CONAF (park rangers). Transfer to “Las Torres” shuttle, who will take you to the Visitor’s Center. Register yourself at the Cerro Paine Reserve and then follow the trail signs to Serón camping.
Although it is considered one of the easiest hikes of the circuit, the trail to Serón offers many breathtaking landscapes of the untamed side of Torres del Paine National Park. You walk along a vibrant green carpet of trees, to continue along a pleasant slope that descends towards an endless pasture in the Patagonian plain. Continuing along the relatively flat path towards the Serón campsite, you will see crystal clear streams. After settling into the campsite, you will have some time to enjoy the immense size of the pitch before dinner, which will be served inside Serón’s small, but cozy, dining room.

• Distance: 9 kms
• Time: 4 – 5 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium
• Accommodation: Serón camping
• Meals: Box lunch and dinner

Day 2: Trek to Dickson

Today begins with a long walk-through rolling hills and humid plains inside the park. Snowcapped mountains, pastel blue lakes, and vast expanses of grassland will be the backdrop as you explore the north side of the park, plus the stunning and commanding views of the Dickson glacier, Cuba hill (2.240 m.a.s.l.), and other rugged peaks that mark the border between Chile and Argentina. Once you reach the Dickson area, you must check in and, during the afternoon, you can take a walk along the stony shore of Dickson lake, all before dinner at the refuge.

• Distance: 18.5 kms
• Time: 6 – 7 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium – high
• Accommodation: Dickson refuge (full bed) or camping
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

Day 3:  Trek to Los Perros

Take in the crisp, organic, earthy smell as you enter a sea of ancient trees. Today the walk will take place in the most remote area of the park, in the middle of a lush and green vegetation. You can feel the wind blowing in the middle of the bushes and hear the pleasant sound of Magellanic woodpeckers. Bordering Los Perros River, you will climb a large moraine where you will be breathless to see another picturesque mountain as a backdrop, the wonderful Los Perros glacier and its blue-green lagoon. Continue along a rocky path before reaching Los Perros campsite, which will be the accommodation tonight. It is recommended to rest, tomorrow will be a long day!

• Distance: 9 kms
• Time: 5 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium – high
• Accommodation: Los Perros camping
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Trek to Grey via the John Garner Pass

Take a breath and get ready for the most demanding day of the Paine circuit but, at the same time, a very rewarding one. After having breakfast early in the morning at the quincho and requesting your box lunch, you will begin to make your way through gnarled tree roots and large mud puddles, under the green treetops. Leaving the forest, you begin to ascend through worn and loose rocks (sometimes with snow) until you reach the highest point of this circuit, the famous John Garner Pass (1.200 m.a.s.l.m). Surrounded by the strong Patagonian winds while you are impressed with the Southern Ice Field and its wonderful shining carpet, the descent is made by the side of a giant wall of ice and the trail is continued by El Paso campsite, where there is a park ranger outpost. Then, you will go through the exciting hanging bridges before arriving to Grey for dinner and a well-deserved rest!

•   Distance: 22 kms
•   Time: 10 – 12 hrs
•   Level of difficulty: High
•   Accommodation: Grey refuge (full bed) or camping
•   Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

Day 5: Trek to Paine Grande

Enjoy your breakfast in Grey refuge before you start marveling at more spectacular views of the Southern Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey lake (remember to request your box lunch before you leave!). You will hike up through a mountainous forest until you reach the sometimes very windy Grey glacier viewpoint. Continue your trek until you reach Los Patos lagoon, where you will begin the descent through a narrow and windy valley that takes you directly to Paine Grande.

• Distance: 11 kms
• Time: 4 – 4.5 hrs
• Level of difficulty: Medium
• Accommodation: Paine Grande refuge (full bed) or camping
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

OPTIONAL
Today you will have time in the morning to kayaking the Grey lake previous reservation. Ask for rates and availability.

 Day 6: Explore to the French Valley

Get an early morning start for an all-day hike to the core of Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast, request your box lunch and prepare yourself for a jaw-dropping Patagonian landscapes. Walk amidst arid landscapes and along the shore of the wonderful blue waters of the Skottsberg lake. After approximately 2.5 hours of hiking, you will arrive to the Italiano campsite, where you will begin your journey up to the Valley.
Climb through the immense rocky terrain and continue until you reach the French plateau, where you will be rewarded with impressive landscapes of Los Cuernos (the Horns), turquoise glacial lagoons and wonderful hanging snowdrifts that fall in the form of waterfalls on the east side of Paine Grande mount (3,050 meters). If you are lucky, you will hear the rumble of water and ice falling! It is also a point where avalanches can commonly be observed. This is the ideal time to take some pictures and enjoy your box lunch.
Find your way back through the same path until the Italiano campsite and then hike to Francés or Los Cuernos refuge. Take it easy for the evening and enjoy a delicious dinner at the refuge you have chosen.

• Distance Mirador Francés: 15 – 17 kms (depending on your accommodation)
• Time: 6 – 7 hrs (depending on your starting point)
• Level of difficulty: Medium
• Accommodation: Los Cuernos refuge (simple bed) or camping / Francés refuge (simple bed) or camping (depending on availability)
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

Day 7: Trek to Torre Central

Whether starting your hike from Los Cuernos or Francés, you will make your way through pristine streams, admiring the hanging snowdrifts of Almirante Nieto mount (2,670 meters) and search for condors while bordering the captivating blue-green waters of the Nordenskjöld lake. Follow the well-signposted path eastward until you reach Torre Central refuge, where you will unwind for the evening.

• Distance: 12 kms (from Los Cuernos refuge) – 14.5 kms (from Francés refuge)
• Time: 4 – 6 hrs (depending on your starting point)
• Level of difficulty: Medium
• Accommodation: Torre Central refuge (simple bed) or camping
• Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

Day 8: Trek to the Base of the Towers – Return to Puerto Natales

Today’s hike follows the Ascencio Valley as its snakes through windswept hills and extensive forests. During the final ascent, you will traverse through an immense boulder field until reaching one of the most iconic mountain viewpoints in the world, the famous Base of the Towers. At an altitude of 900 meters above the sea level, you will marvel at the sheer granite walls of the north, central and south towers and the brilliant bright turquoise glacial lake at its feet. This is the ideal time to take pictures and enjoy your box lunch before returning along the same path, now downhill, to the Torre Central refuge and the Visitor’s Center.

At 7:00 pm hrs you must take “Las Torres” shuttle that goes to Laguna Amarga to connect with the 7:45 pm regular bus that goes to Puerto Natales. The estimated time of arrival to Natales is 9:30 pm.

•   Distance: 22 kms
•   Time: 8 – 10 hrs
•   Level of difficulty: High
•   Meals: Breakfast and box lunch

INCLUDES

• Camping and / or lodge accommodations according to your itinerary.
• Lodge accommodations are in shared and mixed dorms, with bunkbeds.

*Full bed in Vértice refuges includes sheets, cover and pillow.
*Simple bed in Las Torres includes sleeping bag and pillow.

• Camping accommodations include an already-pitched tent, sleeping bag and mat.
• Regular bus to and from the park + shuttle bus ticket to the Visitor’s Center.
• Meals according to your itinerary.
• If you have any dietary restrictions, make sure to inform us upon reservation. Food restrictions will only be honored with previous notice.
• Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine National.

DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Medical and / or travel insurance of any kind.
• Flights.
• Gratuities.
• Guide / Porter.
• Personal expenses.
• Kayak on Grey lake or ice trek on the Grey Glacier.

DEPARTURES

Every day (depending on availability) from November to March. For other dates ask for our guided departures.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

High.

RESTRICTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS

All excursions are subject to weather conditions.