Trekking the Torres del Paine Circuit
Trip Overview
This Patagonia adventure, hiking through famous Torres del Paine National Park along the Paine Circuit (also referred to as the “O” Trek), is an unmatched Patagonia hiking adventure. During this 9 day trek, we experience one of the world’s last great nature refuges, surrounded every step of the way by raw, unspoiled beauty and nature. At night, we refuel at camps located near the big eco-camp or other refugios, enjoying most of our morning and evening meals within their comforts, the stunning park as our backyard. This Patagonia hike is truly an unparalleled outdoor experience.
WOW FACTORS
- Trekking across John Gardner Pass
- Witnessing the magnificent Torres del Paine Towers
- Camping in one of the world's most beautiful national parks
Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine
Arrival and Hiking
This morning you’ll be picked up at your hotel in Puerto Natales and transferred to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. If we’re lucky we’ll see guanacos, rheas and huge rabbits grazing on the plains. Upon arrival at the park, we'll have lunch at the Eco-camp and have a trip briefing with the guide about what to expect in the coming days.
In the afternoon, we'll begin our hike to Camp Serón, where we'll spend our first night. Thanks to the long daylight hours in the summer months, with sunset not occurring until around 11 PM, we'll have plenty of light to take in the stunning views of the Patagonian steppe, complete with its roaming guanacos and the majestic backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 13km / 8mi
Hiking Duration: 4 hours
Elevation Gain: +386m (1266 ft)
Day 2
Camp Serón to Dickson Lake
Hiking
The day begins with breakfast at Camp Serón before we prepare for our hike towards Dickson Lake. The trail will lead us northwards along the eastern shore of the Rio Paine. We will stop at a natural lookout point which will afford us a stunning panoramic view of the Lago Paine below, before we descend and continue west across open grasslands towards Refugio Dickson. Tonight's campsite is situated in the Dickson Valley, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and the crystalline waters of Lake Dickson. From the campsite, we'll be able to spot stunning Dickson Glacier and parts of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the distance. We'll refuel with a nutritious dinner at the campsite, in a comfortable dining tent. Tonight, we will also have the luxury of accessing hot showers.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 18.7km / 11.6mi
Hiking Duration: 5.5 hours
Elevation Gain: +622m (2040 ft)
Day 3
Dickson Lake to Los Perros
Hiking
After breakfast at our campsite, we will continue our hike along the Los Perros River and cover the trek's most remote stretches. We will pass under Los Perros Glacier and cross a virgin forest before reaching Laguna Los Perros. Here, we will set up camp for the night at Los Perros Camp and feast on dinner in a comfortable dining tent. We will have the remainder of the evening to enjoy these tranquil surroundings.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 12.9km / 8.1mi
Hiking Duration: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: +373m (1224 ft)
Day 4
Los Perros to Camp Grey, through Gardner Pass
Trekking
Today, after a hearty breakfast at the refugio, we will ascend to the highest point in the circuit, reaching altitudes of around 1300 m (4000 ft) via John Gardner Pass. From here, we will have an awe-inspiring view of Grey Glacier. John Gardner Pass is a must-do for any serious trekker. We will then continue south along forested slopes and enjoy expansive views of the enormous Grey Glacier along the way. We will spend the night camping at Grey Campground on the shores of Lake Grey.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 17.3km / 10.7mi
Hiking Duration: 12 hours
Elevation Gain: +984m (3228 ft)
Day 5
Camp Grey to Pehoe Lake
Hiking
We will have a relaxing morning around Lake Grey to rest, replenish and revel in the beautiful surroundings. We will then begin our hike along the eastern side of the lake. As we hike, we'll witness giant icebergs drifting across the waters, a scenic highlight of the trek. Next, the trail will flatten out as we descend through a valley headed towards Lake Pehoe and its pristine turquoise waters. Here we will set-up camp and rest for the night.
*Optional Kayaking around Glacier Grey: This excursion starts at 8:30 AM and lasts 2.5 hours. You will kayak around huge floating icebergs towards the eastern side of the glacier to get closer to the giant ice wall. The minimum age is 15 years and the maximum age is 65.
(Note: The kayaking option is only available between November 1st and March 19th)
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 11km / 6.8mi
Hiking Duration: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: +243m (797 ft)
Day 6
Valle Frances
Hiking
After breakfast at Lake Pehoe's refugio, we will begin the challenging trek along a steep trail that leads to Valle Frances - how far we hike depends on the group's speed and rhythm. If walking swiftly, we will reach the hanging bridge over the French River. Then, we will continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will witness some of the valley's magnificent geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and Fortaleza (Fortress). We will take a break to picnic and relax before continuing our descent through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest, before arriving at today's end point and overnight campsite, Camp Frances.
*An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is also available.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 20km / 12.4mi
Hiking Duration: 8 hours
Elevation Gain: +753m (2470 ft)
Day 7
Los Cuernos Trail
Hiking
After breakfast, we will begin our day's trek to the Eco-Camp, via the Cuernos trail along Lake Nordenskjold. Today's walk is far less strenuous but the terrain is more diverse. Today is the perfect opportunity to take in all of the park’s charming flora and fauna. We'll learn about the vast variety of species from our guide along the way before taking a relaxing pause for a boxed lunch. Today's trek ends when we arrive back at the Eco-Camp where we will enjoy a hearty meal before retiring to our campsite to prepare for tomorrow's big challenge.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 16km / 10mi
Hiking Duration: 7 hours
Elevation Gain: +181m (594 ft)
Day 8
The Towers, Ascencio Valley
Hiking
Today is the penultimate day of the Paine Circuit. After breakfast at the Eco-Camp, we will start out from our campsite towards Hostería Las Torres and ascend to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line today's scenic walk. Our greatest challenge will be hiking along a mass of boulders that will lead us to that iconic view of the Towers. The full view of these three gigantic granite monoliths, shaped by the incredible forces of glacial ice, will suddenly reward us after our challenging ascent. With the view of the Towers, and the glacial lake visible below. This may be the best place on earth for a picnic lunch. After feasting on this view, we will backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, returning to Eco-Camp for a well-deserved dinner.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 22km / 13.6mi
Hiking Duration: 10 hours
Elevation Gain: +796m (2611 ft)
Day 9
Torres del Paine - Departure
Departure
We will board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic ride back to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago. Alternatively, transportation to El Calafate can also be arranged.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What's Included
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Meals as indicated, all accommodation (twin shared in tents), all internal transportation (excluding domestic flights), most equipment, airport transfers and English-speaking guides.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International and domestic flights, airport departure taxes, gratuities, some equipment (such as sleeping bags and sleeping mat), meals not indicated and items of a personal nature.
MEALS:
8 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners
ACCOMMODATION:
Tent: 8 Nights
Trip Facts
Weather in Chile & Patagonia
Santiago
October to March: Summer. Dry. Average temperature is 29°C (85°F).
April to September: Winter. Average temperature is 15 to 20°C (59 to 69°F). Evenings are cool.
Patagonia
The weather in Patagonia, though extremely variable, can often be wet, cold and windy. Throughout the country, the proximity of the Pacific and the Andes creates numerous pockets of localized weather patterns known as microclimates. The average temperature during the day is 11°C (51°F). At night, the temperature drops to 3°C (38°F).
October to April: Cool, cloudy and dry.
May to September: Cold. Although there are no snowfalls, the influence of the ocean reduces the severity of winter.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required for Canadian and American citizens to travel into Chile. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival into Chile. Citizens of other nations should contact the embassy or consulate for entry requirements.
Food and Water
Some of the must tries in Chile are empanadas de pino (pastry-style turnovers stuffed with olives, meat, raisins and onions), parilla (a mixed grill of assorted meats cooked over charcoal) and pastal de choclo (traditional dish of beef, vegetables and chicken baked in a casserole). Exercise caution when eating food from street stalls. Tap water is treated in Buenos Aires & Santiago, although to be on the safe side it is advisable to drink only bottled water, which is available widely. Fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and safe to drink.
FAQ
Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 14 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings.
We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.
This is a “challenging” trip.
Although the hikes themselves are not particularly strenuous, their length and challenging terrain will be more taxing than expected. Days are full, average 6-9 hours per day. The terrain is along trails of rolling hills, through forests, along coastlines and partly scrambling over rocks and boulders (sometimes in the snow). The winds can be extremely strong and the temperatures change from one moment to the next. For the most part, you are only expected to carry your daypack on the trail while hiking. The rest of your gear will be carried by the included porter service. Your daypack should be large enough to include your lunch, water, camera, sunscreen and any layer clothing you may need to adapt to the changing weather on the trail.
We strongly recommend that you begin a regular fitness program - that is if you are not already doing so. Four times a week, 60 minutes per session should be a minimum to prepare you for this adventure. The optimal workout would include weight training and cardiovascular activities such as walking, cycling and aerobics.
The porter service for this trip is included in the trip’s price. During the trek, your belongings will be carried in three portions.
One portion you carry yourself in your daypack - this will be comprised of your lunch, water, camera, sunscreen, etc. and the clothing you will layer on and off as the weather changes during the day.
The second portion is your sleeping bag and sleeping pad (you need to bring these with you to Torres del Paine), which will be carried for you throughout the trip.
The third portion is a change of clean clothes and items you will need at night in the campsites - they will be carried for you in waterproof duffel bags (that will be supplied) as follows: On day 1 at EcoCamp we will provide you with two small 15 litre duffel bags and in the first bag you will put clothes needed for nights 2-5. Upon arrival at Pehoe you will be given the second bag in which you will have put clothes and any items needed for nights 5 and 6, before returning to EcoCamp on day 7 where the rest of your luggage will be waiting for you.
You are allowed to pack up to 5 kg (11 lbs.) in each duffel bag.
We have also prepared a packing list that you can download by clicking the link to the right on this page.
You are allowed to pack up to 5 kgs (11 lbs) in each duffel bag.
Packing for this trip must be very organized. During the trek, your belongings will be carried in three portions. See our FAQ about porter service above for more details.
We have also prepared a packing list that you can download by clicking the link to the right on this page.
We have prepared a packing list that you can download by clicking the link to the right on this page.
Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. This trip attracts one of our most diverse groups. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 30-55, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.
You will need to arrive the afternoon before the first day of the trip into Puerto Natales and stay the night there. There are flights into Puerto Natales from Santiago. Alternately, you can fly into Punta Arenas, and from there we can arrange a transfer for you to Puerto Natales (please contact us for these details). For departure on the last day of the trip, you can either fly out of Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas (again, please contact us for the options available).
BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.
The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.
Can I take this trip if...
This trip is quite popular with singles. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge.
We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.
This trip is generally not a family focused trip for young children. However, this trip could be suitable for strong and active older teenagers.
We do offer many other Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.
More about this trip...
During this trip, there is no wifi connection.
The season for this trip runs from October to April. In Patagonia the weather is always unpredictable, and it’s possible to experience all four seasons in one day, even in the summer months of December to March. Patagonia is also renowned for its intense winds. It is best to come prepared for all types of weather from cold and snowy to hot and sunny. The summer’s average temperature is 11’C / 52’F.
All nights of accommodation are in tents. Camping on this trip involves rustic camping. You will not have to set up the tents as the team will set up the tents for you at the camping site. These mountain tents are twin share and have enough room to comfortably sleep 2 people. Camping gear is provided, though sleeping bags and mats are not. The tent sites along the hike have mountain bathroom facilities in good condition with toilets and warm showers. On mornings and evenings when the tent site is next to a permanent camping site, meals will be served at the permanent camping sites (refugios).
Accommodation
This trip is tenting as that is what the Torres del Paine experience is all about.
Specifically, this trip includes the following types of CAMPING accommodation along the way.
CAMPING
Camping on this trip involves rustic camping. You will not have to set up the tents as the team will set up the tents for you at the camping site. These mountain tents are twin share and have enough room to comfortably sleep 2 people. Camping gear is provided, though sleeping bags and mats are not. The tent sites along the hike have mountain bathroom facilities in good condition. On mornings and evenings when the tent site is next to a permanent camping site, meals will be served at the permanent camping sites (refugios).
Night 1: We will set up camp for the night at Camp Serón. There will be a comfortable dining tent for dinners and breakfasts. There will also be mountain bathroom facilities.
Night 2: Tonight's campsite is situated in the Dickson Valley. From the campsite, we'll be able to spot stunning Dickson Glacier and parts of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the distance. We'll refuel with a nutritious dinner at the campsite, in a comfortable dining tent. Tonight, we will also have the luxury of accessing hot showers.
Night 3: We will set up camp for the night at Los Perros Camp and feast on dinner in a comfortable dining tent.
Night 4: We will spend the night camping at Grey Campground on the shores of Lake Grey. Dinner is at the refugio.
Night 5: We will set-up camp at Lake Pehoe, after enjoying dinner at the refugio.
Night 6: We will set-up camp at Camp Cuernos. Dinner is at the campsite's refugio.
Night 7: We arrive back at the Eco-camp where we will enjoy a hearty meal before retiring to our campsite.
Night 8: Our last night, we return to our campsite next to Eco-Camp again and we'll enjoy our final and well-deserved dinner at the Eco-camp.
Trip At A Glance
| Day | Destination | Activity |
Duration
|
Distance | Ascent / Descent | Lodging | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine
|
Arrival and HIking
|
4 hours
|
13 km
8 mi
|
+ 386 m (1266 ft)
|
Tent
|
l,
d
|
| 2 |
Camp Serón to Dickson Lake
|
Hiking
|
5.5 hours
|
18.7 km
11.6 mi
|
+ 622 m (2040 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 3 |
Dickson Lake to Los Perros
|
Hiking
|
5 hours
|
12.9 km
8.1 mi
|
+ 373 m (1224 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 4 |
Los Perros to Camp Grey, through Gardner Pass
|
Hiking
|
12 hours
|
17.3 km
10.7 mi
|
+ 984 m (3228 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 5 |
Camp Grey to Pehoe Lake
|
Hiking
|
5 hours
|
11 km
6.8 mi
|
+ 243 m (797 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 6 |
Valle Frances
|
Hiking
|
8 hours
|
20 km
12.4 mi
|
+ 753 m (2470 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 7 |
Los Cuernos Trail
|
Hiking
|
7 hours
|
16 km
10 mi
|
+ 181 m (594 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 8 |
The Towers, Ascencio Valley
|
Hiking
|
10 hours
|
22 km
13.6 mi
|
+ 796 m (2611 ft)
|
Tent
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 9 |
Torres del Paine - Departure
|
Departure
|
— | — | — / — | — |
b,
l
|
