Torres del Paine National Park, located at the tip of the Chilean Patagonia, has long attracted adventure seekers and nature lovers. It is no surprise since thrilling snow-capped mountains and vast glaciers are everywhere to be seen.
This trek will take you around the Paine massif and allow you to enjoy the most beautiful places of the park with its abundant wildlife and vegetation. This trip is a perfect opportunity for anyone who loves hiking and camping to push their limits in an exhilarating 10-day adventure.
Trip features
Type of trip: trekking
Accommodations: camps
Duration: 10 days
Suggested period: October to March
Fitness level: very demanding
Technical level: advanced
Highlights of the trip
- Torres del Paine National Park
- French Valley
- Grey Glacier
- John Gardner Pass
Itinerary
DAY 1: PUERTO NATALES – TORRES DEL PAINE – LAGUNA AMARGA
Meet at Puerto Natales. Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park with a stop to visit la “Cueva del Milodón”. “Paine” means dark blue in the Tehuelche indigenous language and sure enough the mountains here take on that colour at dawn. The park, created in 1959, is a paradise for nature lovers: the fauna, flora and landscapes are just fabulous! We set our camp in Laguna Amarga.
Overnight in CAMP, lunch and dinner included
Transfer: 110km – 2h15 approx
DAY 2: LAGUNA AMARGA –SERON CAMP
Transfer to Torres Ranch from where we begin the Paine Circuit Trek. Mountain and glacier views coupled with meadows of daisies, clear running streams and woods that smell of fresh beech. Spend the night at Camp Seron.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 5 hours approx
DAY 3: SERON CAMP – DICKSON LAKE
Starting early, we begin trekking north, observing and learning about the fauna and flora. We circle around the northern cordillera to reach the impressive Dickson Lake, where we set our camp.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 6 hours approx
DAY 4: DICKSON LAKE –PERROS CAMP
Hike for approximately 4 hours to Los Perros River. We camp near the river.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 4 hours approx
DAY 5: PERROS CAMP –JOHN GARNER PASS – GREY GLACIER
Hike down ridges located at the foot of the Grey Glacier. Fascinating granite peaks loom overhead. Cross the John Gardner Pass and enjoy a spectacular view on the tremendous ice mass of the Continental Ice Fields. We walk down on a trail that borders the Grey Glacier and spend the night in camp.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 10 hours approx
DAY 6: GREY GLACIER – PAINE GRANDE
Walk along Grey Lake. Enjoy fantastic view of the lake and the Paine Grande peak. We spend the night by the shore of the beautiful Pehoe. Lake.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 4-5 hours approx
DAY 7: PAINE GRANDE – FRENCH VALLEY – CUERNOS CAMP
Hike to the French Valley, to the feet of Mt. Fortaleza with its incredible granite towers. Paine Grande reaches 3,248m, fascinating entire generations of climbers. We trek to Cuernos Camp where we spend the night.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 8-10 hours approx
DAY 8: CUERNOS CAMP –TORRES CAMP
Hike along Lake Nordenskjöld to reach Torres area.
Overnight in CAMP, all meals included
Trekking: 4 hours approx
DAY 9: TORRES CAMP – TORRES DEL PAINE – PUERTO NATALES
Full day hike (8h) to the foot of the Torres del Paine, granite pinnacles of more than 1,000m high. There is a beautiful lake at the feet of the towers. Head back to Camp Torres and transfer to Puerto Natales, breakfast and lunch included.
Trekking: 8 hours approx