Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile

Day 1 - Depart London.

Fly overnight from London to Santiago in Chile.

Overnight: In flight

Day 2 - Arrive Santiago. Group airport transfer. Afternoon city tour.

Your flight from the UK will land in Santiago in the morning. Upon arrival at Santiago Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Later this afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and driven downtown to the Plaza de Armas, the historical centre of Santiago. The most famous sights here are the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Central Post Office which was originally built as a house for the Spanish conqeror Pedro de Valdivia. On the northern side of the square you will see the necolassical Tribunales de Justicia building which houses the Supreme Court, ex-parliament and some beautiful gardens.

From the Plaza you will be driven towards Alameda, the main street in the city centre, and to the Presidential Palace – Palacio La Moneda. A model of 18th centure colonial architecture, the palace is one of Santiago’s most famous landmarks and a symbol of Chile’s turbulent political past as well as its indpendence. From here you will go to the Lastarria district and climb Cerro Santa Lucia – the hill where Pedro Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. There are great panoramic views of the city from the top. Afterwards you return to Lastarria and travel through this cosmopolitan neighbourhood lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, bookstores and small theatres. At the end of the tour you will be driven back to your hotel.

In the evening there there will be a welcome dinner before retiring for the night.

Overnight: Hotel 45 By Director Or Similar, Santiago

Day 3 - Fly to Puerto Natales. Transfer to hotel. Time at leisure.

Today you will be met at the hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Puerto Natales which should take around 3½ hours. You will be met on arrival and driven to your hotel. The town is on the shores of Ultima Esperanza Sound (Last Hope Sound) and there is a pleasant walk along the waterfront if you want to stretch your legs and do a little exploration after you've settled in.

Overnight: Martin Gusinde Hotel Or Similar, Puerto Natales

Day 4 - Transfer from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park. Trek to Camp Seron - 4 hours.

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel between 10am and 11am and have a shared transfer from Puerto Natales to the EcoCamp in the Torres del Paine National Park. Upon arrival at around 1pm you’ll have lunch and some relaxation time. You will have a briefing by your guide, and then start the trek to Camp Seron.

This afternoon you begin your trek on the main circuit. It is a fairly easy, relaxing first day on a very good path throughout, with a fairly steady hill to climb and descend. Along the undulating terrain you will find the indigenous plant the calafate. If you eat the tasty calafate berry, local legend says that you will return to Patagonia. The last 1-2 hours of your trek are through flat, daisy-filled meadows, alongside the gushing Rio Paine. Eventually you arrive at the campsite and a small friendly refugio. You may be lucky enough to sample some of the refugio cook’s excellent bread. If there has been much rain and the river is high, one of the river crossings may potentially be wet: there are two good bridges and one reasonable one.

The picnic tables at the campsite are a good place to sit and pass around some traditional 'mate'. This tastes like strong green tea. The loose tea is poured into a small drinking pot and filled with boiling water. A long silver straw, which looks like a spoon with a strainer as a base, is planted in the bottom and then each person sips their fill and the pot is refilled and passed to the next person.

Hiking Distance: 13km/8 mi Hiking Time: 4 hours Max. Altitude: 392m/1,286 ft Elevation gain: 386m/1,266ft

Overnight: Camp

Day 5 - Trek to Lago Dickson - 5½ hours.

It's quite a long day today, but one of only moderately graded walking with one large hill to ascend and much flat and undulating terrain. You leave the campsite, walking on flat terrain through more daisy-filled meadows for about an hour where, if you are lucky, you will see condors circling overhead. As you reach the highest point on the trail, there is a good rest spot in the lee of the wind. As you turn the corner and begin descending you have a great view of Lago Paine. You descend with Lago Paine on your right and here you can see the Paso John Garner which you will be crossing in a couple of days’ time. After about 3½-4 hours walking, you reach a good lunch spot with a stream where you can fill up your water bottle. After this the terrain is fairly flat and, as you continue walking along the long, broad valley, you start to have good views of Dickson Glacier. Approximately one hour before you reach camp Dickson, the ground becomes quite marshy and you will need to walk across some strategically placed logs to avoid getting wet and muddy feet. However, if the weather has been very dry, it is unlikely that this will be too bothersome. Finally, after a long day you arrive at a high point where you can look down and see the refugio and campsite – a very welcome sight.

A half hour’s walking will now bring you to your campsite and a very well-earned rest. The refugio has showers, toilets and a store where you can buy snacks, soft drinks, postcards, beer and wine. However, make sure you have your insect repellent handy as mosquitoes are often found at this campsite.

Hiking Distance: 18.7km/11.6mi Hiking Time: 5½ hours Max. Altitude: 382m/1255ft Elevation gain: 622m/2,040ft

Overnight: Camp

Day 6 - Trek to Los Perros - 5 hours.

You will have a pleasant gentle walk today through lenga forest with views of gushing waterfalls, the rushing Rio de Los Perros and magnificent glaciers. You leave the campsite and head towards the forest, flat at first and then you climb for about half an hour. After about an hour’s walk in total you arrive at a pleasant lookout point where you can see Perros Glacier and Dickson Glacier. The walk continues on gently undulating terrain through the lenga forest. About half an hour to an hour before you reach the campsite, you cross a log suspension bridge and climb up for a while before reaching a lookout point with a view of Los Perros Glacier and large lumps of ice in the lake below it.

A walk of 20 minutes or so through the moraine from this point brings you to your campsite, situated in the forest. There is a store, two showers, toilets and a reasonably sized shelter for cooking/eating. Impressively, there are also some recycling bins.

Hiking Distance: 12.9km/8.1mi Hiking Time: 5 hours Max. Altitude: 584m/1,916ft Elevation gain: 373m/1,224ft

Overnight: Camp

Day 7 - Trek across Paso John Garner, 1,180m/3,872ft, to Lago Grey - 12 hours.

After yesterday’s easier day you should be well rested and prepared for today’s crossing of Paso John Garner, 1,180m/3,895ft, the high point of the trek. It is a challenging, but rewarding day, with very spectacular views from the pass of the long Glacier Grey, and peaks behind. After breakfast, either in the shelter, or al fresco, you leave the campsite and after a few minutes cross the stream on a log bridge. You now wind your way up through the forest on quite boggy terrain. This can be hard going if there has been much rain – gaiters are advised. After an hour or so you reach a lovely open spot by the river, perfect for a 10 minute rest, snack and photo opportunity.You then begin the hour or two climb on moraine to the pass, picking your way over the rocky terrain. As you approach the pass you have great views of the glacier leading from Cerro Amistad to your right. Crossing the pass you have incredible views of Glacier Grey and the snow-capped peaks behind, including ‘the 3 brothers.’ If the weather is clear and without too much wind, which is rare, then this is a perfect place to stop for lunch and many photographs.

You begin descending by traversing the hillside to your left on a reasonable path. After half an hour or so from the top of the pass, the descent enters the forest and becomes steep and quite difficult – all your concentration will be required to avoid a stumble here. A trekking pole will help. After an hour or so, the descent becomes less steep and hence easier, although do be on the lookout for trekkers dislodging loose stones from above. Eventually the ground levels out and where there are some slightly awkward spots there are ladders and ropes to help. An hour or so beyond Campamento Paso you cross the river on a log bridge and climb a log ladder to a small plateau. You then continue traversing the hillside high above the glacier before arriving at another viewpoint and good rest spot. Another 3 hours trekking brings you to today’s final destination - Campamento Grey situated on the beach beside Lago Grey – an exceptionally scenic and fine camping spot. There are hot showers, toilets, a store, a refugio and an ice hiking centre here.

Hiking Distance: 17.3km/10.7mi Hiking Time: 12 hours Max. Altitude: 1,364m/4,475ft Elevation gain: 984m/3,228ft

Overnight: Camp

Day 8 - Gentle walk/time at leisure or optional kayaking trip in morning. Trek to Pehoe - 5 hours.

After yesterday’s big day there is time for a relatively leisurely morning. There is an optional kayaking trip to Glacier Grey (age limit 65 years). If you are interested in this option, this would be at extra cost, and would need to be booked in advance with Mountain Kingdoms – please contact the office for further details.

Continuing on the circuit, today’s walk is fairly short, reasonably gentle and very scenic. You leave the campsite and head uphill through the forest. The terrain is undulating and on a good path. There will be fantastic views to your right of Lago Grey and the glacier as you look behind. There are several lookout points for potential rest/photo stops. After about 3-4 hours trekking you come to a lovely lake, Lago Los Patos, in which you can swim if you are hardy enough to brave the cold water. It is an exceptionally photogenic lake, with the hills and snowy peaks behind. From the lake it is about ¾–1 hour’s walking downhill to Pehoe. You will start to see the stunning turquoise water of Lago Pehoe as you descend. The campsite has good facilities with showers, a store, toilets, a cooking room and close by refugio. Enjoy a trek down to the lake and don’t forget to look behind at the truly majestic Cuernos (horns) de Paine.

Hiking Distance: 11km/6.8mi Hiking Time: 5 hours Max. Altitude: 302m/990ft Elevation gain: 243m/797ft

Overnight: Camp

Day 9 - Trek to Mirador Frances and Los Cuernos – 8 hours.

After breakfast at Camp Paine, you will begin a challenging trek along a steep trail into the heart of the Paine Massif in the French Valley. The goal is to get to the French Valley lookout, to enjoy the view of the geological formations of the Paine Massif, and the French Glacier. This is one of the highlight hikes of many visitors in the park because of its stunning views. On top, you will take a lunch break if the weather permits. Afterwards, you'll descend through mixed grassland and forest to Camp Frances.

Please note: An optional hike to Británico Lookout is available if weather and group conditions are favourable. This hike adds 6.8km (4.2m) to the day's distance. The guide will decide if it’s feasible.

Hiking Distance: 20km/12.4mi (Including Británico Lookout) Hiking Time: 8 hours Max. Altitude: 800m/2,624ft Elevation gain: 753m/2,470ft

Overnight: Camp

Day 10 - Trek to Camp Torres Central – 7 hours.

Once you have finished breakfast, you will begin the day's trek to Camp Torres Central along the Cuernos trail, which will take you along the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. Today's walk is less strenuous yet richer in the diversity of terrain that you will cover. It will, therefore, be the perfect opportunity to take in the park’s charming flora and fauna and learn more about the vast variety of species along the way. You will pause throughout the walk and eat your box lunch, rest your legs, and admire the stunning surroundings. The trek ends as you arrive back at the EcoCamp where you will enjoy a hearty meal and prepare for tomorrow's big challenge.

Hiking Distance: 16km/9.94mi Hiking Time: 7 hours Max. Altitude: 247m/810ft Elevation gain: 181m/594ft

Overnight: Ecocamp, Torres Del Paine - Standard Domes

Day 11 - Walk from Las Torres to Torres Del Paine Mirador (Lookout) and back to Las Torres – 10 hours.

You will have breakfast in camp before setting off for your day's trek. Today is a fairly long, but very rewarding day and if the weather is clear you will have some spectacular views of the 3 impressive granite towers of Paine. Walking from the camp you head for the Hostería Las Torres and pick up the main path leading up the Ascencio Valley. The trail is on a good path for the first 2-3 hours, with a traverse of moraine and boulders required just to reach the final viewpoint. If the sun is out and there isn’t too much wind, it can be very hot, so ensure you drink lots of water (there are many opportunities to fill up your bottle from streams).

As you traverse high above the rushing Rio Ascencio you will have fine views of Lago Nordenskjold, behind you. After about 1½-2 hours walking you reach the Refugio Chileno, a very pleasant and well-kept refugio which sells drinks and snacks. It is also a good place for a water refill, although you will have several opportunities to fill your water as you continue upwards along the stream. Walking on, through the lenga forest and past a sign for the Torres campsite you reach the moraine (glacial debris). An hour or so of careful ascent now brings you face to face with the Torres del Paine. You can perch on the large boulders here and enjoy your lunch whilst taking many shots of the dramatic three towers – marvelling at the awesome feats of those climbers who have actually ascended these inspiring giants. Senses suitably sated you head back down the Ascencio Valley, following your outward route.

Hiking Distance: 22km/13.6mi Hiking Time: 10 hours Max. Altitude: 914m/3,000ft Elevation gain: 796m/2,611 ft

Overnight: Ecocamp, Torres Del Paine - Standard Domes

Day 12 - Transfer to Puerto Natales Airport and fly to Santiago. Transfer to hotel.

Sadly your adventure in the Torres del Paine ends today as you have a shared transfer to Puerto Natales for your flight back to Santiago. You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel 45 By Director Or Similar, Santiago

Day 13 - Group transfer to airport. Depart Chile.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your overnight flight back to London.

Overnight: In flight

Day 14 - Arrive back in London.

Today you will arrive back in the UK.