Español
Semi Circuit Hike
Detailed Itinerary
Day 0 / Arrive into Puerto Natales in the far south of Chilean Patagonia.
*The preferred arrival airport is Puerto Natales with direct flights offered from Santiago with LATAM and Sky Airlines, for travel advice please contact us.
We can collect you from the airport or bus station as required. Tonight’s hotel is not included but we can book something suitable on request.
For groups we can also book a night an an authentic Estancia tonight for a welcome dinner and briefing before starting hiking the following day.
Guide’s briefing will take place in our office today. No meals included today.
*There are strict luggage allowances during this trek and these need to be adhered to to ensure the comfort and safety of the porters carrying the gear*
Day 1 / Private transfer to Torres del Paine. Start hiking at Las Torres. Camp Seron
After a leisurely breakfast you will take a short drive to the start of today’s hiking at Las Torres.
On reaching the trail head close to the base at Las Torres you will pack your day packs and start walking on a moderate trail through the valley as you make your way around the north east face of the Cerro Paine through the Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley).
As the mountain scenery unfolds around you, you can find your walking feet on this moderate first day’s hike.
Arrive at Camping Seron where your camp will be waiting for you.
Night Camping Seron with sleeping bags and mats provided *Note for small groups of 2-3 clients, meals will be taken in the Domo. For groups of 4+ clients, we will provide a BlueGreen cook and a dome for eating
Patagonia Hiking Details: 8 miles/14 km; gentle with some undulation around 250 ft elevation gain. Approximately 4 hours walking.
Meal basis: all meals included with wine included (groups of 4+).
Camping Seron
Located on the eastern side of the Park this smallish site has space for 100 tents with bathrooms and showers available. There is no accommodation here but there is a restaurant (the Puesto) in a dome tent on site. For larger groups we will provide a Bluegreen cook to prepare meals and a separate eating dome
Day 2 / Hike from Seron to Dickson Valley. Camp Dickson.
After packing up camp and eating breakfast we will pack our day packs once again and continue hiking along the valley of the Paine River with views of the beautiful Lago Paine to our right. Our horizon will be dominated by the Cerro Oggioni and the Cabeza del Indio off to our left as we follow a very pretty trail through the the valley, Vega de la Paloma.
We will enjoy a moderate trail with some undulation and gentle elevation gain.
After a few more hours hiking we will enter an ancient southern beech forest which takes us into the beautiful Dickson Valley where we will see the Paine River and lake and the towering mountains that surround this remote valley and the campsite which will be our home for the night.
Relax and sample Chilean wine and snacks while enjoying the fantastic Patagonia vistas.
Night Camping Dickson with sleeping bags and mats provided, meals taken in the Refugio
UPGRADE to Refugio, price on request.
Dickson Refugio/Campsite:
Dickson Refugio and campsite are located close to the lakeshore of Dickson Lake and the site is the farthest point from the trail head for those hiking the full Circuit trail. It also has some of the most amazing views. The refugio consists of 27 beds in dormitory rooms on the ground and first floors with shared bathrooms which are equipped with wash basins, toilets and showers with hot water (usually, not guaranteed). There are separate bathrooms for men and women but the dorms are mixed. The restaurant offers American breakfast and daily menus for lunch and dinner. Coffee, sandwiches and lunch boxes are also available as are wine and beer which can be bought in the refugio’s bar.
There is a small shop here for buying souvenirs, clothes, food and drinks.
You either camp or sleep in the Refugio here (no private accommodation is available). If you prefer your privacy then we would recommend camping. All groups will eat in the Refugio.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 9 miles/14.4 km; gentle with roughly 250 ft elevation gain. Approximately 5-6 hours hiking.
Meal Basis: All meals included (meals in the Refugio, wine and drinks available at extra cost).
Day 3 / Hike to Los Perros. Night Camp Los Perros.
After breakfast in the refugio you will be leaving this magical setting and heading out on the more challenging part of the trail as you make your way out of the valley and start the ascent to the higher back country.
The trail starts with a walk through the forest before you start an ascent. This is a fairly short but punchy hike that wakes up your muscles and gets the blood running as you head out of the valley along the Los Perros River crossing a number of bridges as you weave your way through a lovely old-growth forest in the shadow of Indian Head Mountain. As you make your ascent there are some spectacular vantage points giving you picture perfect views of the immense Dickson Lake with its impressive glacier and icebergs floating down river.
Continuing on you will meet a moraine field that ascends to a promontory overlooking the wonderful Los Perros Glacier with its meltwater lake in front often home to a number of icebergs. Here while admiring this remote, dramatic scenery you will start to feel the remoteness of Patagonia as you enjoy the views and take some photos before trekking on past the glacier and making your way your way to the campsite in the woods that will be your home for the night.
Night Camping Los Perros with sleeping bags and mats provided.
Los Perros Campsite
This campsite is located just beneath the famous El Paso, the John Gardner Pass at 550 metres above sea level. Reached only by hiking the Circuit trail it is also the jumping off point for the Punta Puma Glacier. The campsite offers basic toilets and cold showers. There is a grocery store for snacks and basic supplies and a public shelter in case of bad weather. *We provide a cook here to prepare meals as there is no restaurant (a dining tent is provided for larger groups, smaller groups eat in the shelter).
**There is no accommodation here so you need to camp.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 6.8 mi/11km; with 2,132 ft elevation gain. Approximately 5 hours hiking.
Meal basis: all meals included with wine included at dinner.
Day 4 / Hike over the John Garner Pass to Refugio Grey
Today is our most challenging hike and it is a long day so we will be having an early breakfast and making an early start. After packing day packs we will head out from Los Perros and almost immediately we will be starting our ascent that will continue for the greater part of the morning.
The trail starts as we work our way up out of the forest before passing the tree line and catching our first glimpse of the winding trail ahead of us to the John Gardner Pass. It is a gruelling ascent with some rocky areas and it is steep in parts but the guide will set a steady pace that works for the group with plenty of rest stops as required.
As you venture higher and higher you start to feel you are on top of the world as you look back at the trail below and take in the magnitude of the landscapes all around you. Eventually you will reach the famous El Paso, the John Gardner Pass and with luck you will see the southern Patagonia Ice Cap laid out in front of us with endless glaciers, mountains and waterfalls in every direction.
Your efforts are rewarded; this is a truly special place in Patagonia that sees very few visitors. Plenty of time for photos and to enjoy the magnificent landscapes and have a snack before heading over the pass and starting the afternoon’s descent with the ocean of ice in front of you that is Grey Glacier.
The trail first takes you around the mountain but as you reach the tree line it becomes more challenging as you make your way down the muddy and sometimes slippery path holding on to various ropes and trees and using your poles to take the weight as you tackle this challenging descent.
Once down to the woods you can rest your weary muscles and have lunch before tackling the next section of the trail as you climb some more steep inclines known locally as the Ascent of the Tears located high above the Glacier before navigating more steep, rocky areas, some metal ladders and two suspension bridges, all with awe inspiring and dramatic views.
After a long day hiking you will be pleased to see the signs informing you that you have arrived at Refugio Grey. A celebratory beer can be enjoyed in the refuge’s lively bar before being shown your accommodation.
Our base for the next two nights is the Refugio Grey situated in the forest close to the glacier (sleeping bags provided)
Refugio Grey
This refugio is located a few minutes walk from look-outs of Grey Glacier reached either by hiking over the Pass from Los Perros, hiking up from Paine Grande (Pehoe) or by taking the Grey III launch close to the glacier. The refugio has a restaurant and comfortable bar area and 30 bunk beds arranged in dormitory style rooms on the ground and first floors. There are shared bathrooms on both floors with separate facilities for men and women. Dorms are mixed. Toilets and hot showers are available.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 11.6 mi/17km; with 3,503 ft elevation gain. Approximately 10 hours hiking. Very long day walking with a challenging ascent followed by a challenging descent with various hazards including tree roots and slippery sections.
Meal basis: all meals included with dinner in the refugio (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
Day 5 / Take the Grey Boat to Grey Beach and return to Puerto Natales.
After breakfast in the Refugio you will be walking the short distance to the dock nearby and boarding the Grey Launch for the journey back across Grey Lake to the boat dock close to Grey Beach where you will be meeting your transfer vehicle for the transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Trip ends in Puerto Natales
Meal basis: breakfast and packed lunch included.
*If you would like to continue with the highlights of the W trail, please see prices for a 3-day extension below. **Alternatively if you would like to continue with the full W trail (guided or unguided) contact us for pricing.
Three day hiking extension to Paine Semi-Circuit to include highlight of the famous W trail
Day 1 | Pick up from Grey Beach and transfer the short distance to the Serrano River.
Night Pampa Lodge (lovely intimate boutique lodge with comfortable rooms and uninterrupted views of the Paine Massif (or camping, see below).
Dinner included in hotel (wine/drinks excluded)
*Option to camp at Los Andes, see costs below (chef and all equipment provided)
Day 2 | Transfer to Pudeto south of Lake Pehoe and take the catamaran across the lake.
Hike out to the amazing natural amphitheatre known as the French Valley. After a full day hike you will take the return catamaran and a transfer back to the Pampa Lodge for a second night (or camping).
All meals included (wine/drinks excluded)
*Option to camp at Los Andes, see costs below (chef and all equipment provided)
Day 3 | Transfer east to the trail head at Las Torres.
Hike the challenging trail to the base of the Towers, one of the W and Circuit’s most famous trails. Return to the trail head and meet your private transfer vehicle back to Puerto Natales where the trip ends. Breakfast and packed lunch included.
Price from $1,105 (US$925 per person for camping)
A group size of 4 would be priced at $1,375 (camping $1,225)
We can collect you from the airport or bus station as required. Tonight’s hotel is not included but we can book something suitable on request.
For groups we can also book a night an an authentic Estancia tonight for a welcome dinner and briefing before starting hiking the following day.
Guide’s briefing will take place in our office today. No meals included today.
*There are strict luggage allowances during this trek and these need to be adhered to to ensure the comfort and safety of the porters carrying the gear*
Day 1 / Private transfer to Torres del Paine. Start hiking at Las Torres. Camp Seron
After a leisurely breakfast you will take a short drive to the start of today’s hiking at Las Torres.
On reaching the trail head close to the base at Las Torres you will pack your day packs and start walking on a moderate trail through the valley as you make your way around the north east face of the Cerro Paine through the Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley).
As the mountain scenery unfolds around you, you can find your walking feet on this moderate first day’s hike.
Arrive at Camping Seron where your camp will be waiting for you.
Night Camping Seron with sleeping bags and mats provided *Note for small groups of 2-3 clients, meals will be taken in the Domo. For groups of 4+ clients, we will provide a BlueGreen cook and a dome for eating
Patagonia Hiking Details: 8 miles/14 km; gentle with some undulation around 250 ft elevation gain. Approximately 4 hours walking.
Meal basis: all meals included with wine included (groups of 4+).
Camping Seron
Located on the eastern side of the Park this smallish site has space for 100 tents with bathrooms and showers available. There is no accommodation here but there is a restaurant (the Puesto) in a dome tent on site. For larger groups we will provide a Bluegreen cook to prepare meals and a separate eating dome
Day 2 / Hike from Seron to Dickson Valley. Camp Dickson.
After packing up camp and eating breakfast we will pack our day packs once again and continue hiking along the valley of the Paine River with views of the beautiful Lago Paine to our right. Our horizon will be dominated by the Cerro Oggioni and the Cabeza del Indio off to our left as we follow a very pretty trail through the the valley, Vega de la Paloma.
We will enjoy a moderate trail with some undulation and gentle elevation gain.
After a few more hours hiking we will enter an ancient southern beech forest which takes us into the beautiful Dickson Valley where we will see the Paine River and lake and the towering mountains that surround this remote valley and the campsite which will be our home for the night.
Relax and sample Chilean wine and snacks while enjoying the fantastic Patagonia vistas.
Night Camping Dickson with sleeping bags and mats provided, meals taken in the Refugio
UPGRADE to Refugio, price on request.
Dickson Refugio/Campsite:
Dickson Refugio and campsite are located close to the lakeshore of Dickson Lake and the site is the farthest point from the trail head for those hiking the full Circuit trail. It also has some of the most amazing views. The refugio consists of 27 beds in dormitory rooms on the ground and first floors with shared bathrooms which are equipped with wash basins, toilets and showers with hot water (usually, not guaranteed). There are separate bathrooms for men and women but the dorms are mixed. The restaurant offers American breakfast and daily menus for lunch and dinner. Coffee, sandwiches and lunch boxes are also available as are wine and beer which can be bought in the refugio’s bar.
There is a small shop here for buying souvenirs, clothes, food and drinks.
You either camp or sleep in the Refugio here (no private accommodation is available). If you prefer your privacy then we would recommend camping. All groups will eat in the Refugio.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 9 miles/14.4 km; gentle with roughly 250 ft elevation gain. Approximately 5-6 hours hiking.
Meal Basis: All meals included (meals in the Refugio, wine and drinks available at extra cost).
Day 3 / Hike to Los Perros. Night Camp Los Perros.
After breakfast in the refugio you will be leaving this magical setting and heading out on the more challenging part of the trail as you make your way out of the valley and start the ascent to the higher back country.
The trail starts with a walk through the forest before you start an ascent. This is a fairly short but punchy hike that wakes up your muscles and gets the blood running as you head out of the valley along the Los Perros River crossing a number of bridges as you weave your way through a lovely old-growth forest in the shadow of Indian Head Mountain. As you make your ascent there are some spectacular vantage points giving you picture perfect views of the immense Dickson Lake with its impressive glacier and icebergs floating down river.
Continuing on you will meet a moraine field that ascends to a promontory overlooking the wonderful Los Perros Glacier with its meltwater lake in front often home to a number of icebergs. Here while admiring this remote, dramatic scenery you will start to feel the remoteness of Patagonia as you enjoy the views and take some photos before trekking on past the glacier and making your way your way to the campsite in the woods that will be your home for the night.
Night Camping Los Perros with sleeping bags and mats provided.
Los Perros Campsite
This campsite is located just beneath the famous El Paso, the John Gardner Pass at 550 metres above sea level. Reached only by hiking the Circuit trail it is also the jumping off point for the Punta Puma Glacier. The campsite offers basic toilets and cold showers. There is a grocery store for snacks and basic supplies and a public shelter in case of bad weather. *We provide a cook here to prepare meals as there is no restaurant (a dining tent is provided for larger groups, smaller groups eat in the shelter).
**There is no accommodation here so you need to camp.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 6.8 mi/11km; with 2,132 ft elevation gain. Approximately 5 hours hiking.
Meal basis: all meals included with wine included at dinner.
Day 4 / Hike over the John Garner Pass to Refugio Grey
Today is our most challenging hike and it is a long day so we will be having an early breakfast and making an early start. After packing day packs we will head out from Los Perros and almost immediately we will be starting our ascent that will continue for the greater part of the morning.
The trail starts as we work our way up out of the forest before passing the tree line and catching our first glimpse of the winding trail ahead of us to the John Gardner Pass. It is a gruelling ascent with some rocky areas and it is steep in parts but the guide will set a steady pace that works for the group with plenty of rest stops as required.
As you venture higher and higher you start to feel you are on top of the world as you look back at the trail below and take in the magnitude of the landscapes all around you. Eventually you will reach the famous El Paso, the John Gardner Pass and with luck you will see the southern Patagonia Ice Cap laid out in front of us with endless glaciers, mountains and waterfalls in every direction.
Your efforts are rewarded; this is a truly special place in Patagonia that sees very few visitors. Plenty of time for photos and to enjoy the magnificent landscapes and have a snack before heading over the pass and starting the afternoon’s descent with the ocean of ice in front of you that is Grey Glacier.
The trail first takes you around the mountain but as you reach the tree line it becomes more challenging as you make your way down the muddy and sometimes slippery path holding on to various ropes and trees and using your poles to take the weight as you tackle this challenging descent.
Once down to the woods you can rest your weary muscles and have lunch before tackling the next section of the trail as you climb some more steep inclines known locally as the Ascent of the Tears located high above the Glacier before navigating more steep, rocky areas, some metal ladders and two suspension bridges, all with awe inspiring and dramatic views.
After a long day hiking you will be pleased to see the signs informing you that you have arrived at Refugio Grey. A celebratory beer can be enjoyed in the refuge’s lively bar before being shown your accommodation.
Our base for the next two nights is the Refugio Grey situated in the forest close to the glacier (sleeping bags provided)
Refugio Grey
This refugio is located a few minutes walk from look-outs of Grey Glacier reached either by hiking over the Pass from Los Perros, hiking up from Paine Grande (Pehoe) or by taking the Grey III launch close to the glacier. The refugio has a restaurant and comfortable bar area and 30 bunk beds arranged in dormitory style rooms on the ground and first floors. There are shared bathrooms on both floors with separate facilities for men and women. Dorms are mixed. Toilets and hot showers are available.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 11.6 mi/17km; with 3,503 ft elevation gain. Approximately 10 hours hiking. Very long day walking with a challenging ascent followed by a challenging descent with various hazards including tree roots and slippery sections.
Meal basis: all meals included with dinner in the refugio (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
Day 5 / Take the Grey Boat to Grey Beach and return to Puerto Natales.
After breakfast in the Refugio you will be walking the short distance to the dock nearby and boarding the Grey Launch for the journey back across Grey Lake to the boat dock close to Grey Beach where you will be meeting your transfer vehicle for the transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Trip ends in Puerto Natales
Meal basis: breakfast and packed lunch included.
*If you would like to continue with the highlights of the W trail, please see prices for a 3-day extension below. **Alternatively if you would like to continue with the full W trail (guided or unguided) contact us for pricing.
Three day hiking extension to Paine Semi-Circuit to include highlight of the famous W trail
Day 1 | Pick up from Grey Beach and transfer the short distance to the Serrano River.
Night Pampa Lodge (lovely intimate boutique lodge with comfortable rooms and uninterrupted views of the Paine Massif (or camping, see below).
Dinner included in hotel (wine/drinks excluded)
*Option to camp at Los Andes, see costs below (chef and all equipment provided)
Day 2 | Transfer to Pudeto south of Lake Pehoe and take the catamaran across the lake.
Hike out to the amazing natural amphitheatre known as the French Valley. After a full day hike you will take the return catamaran and a transfer back to the Pampa Lodge for a second night (or camping).
All meals included (wine/drinks excluded)
*Option to camp at Los Andes, see costs below (chef and all equipment provided)
Day 3 | Transfer east to the trail head at Las Torres.
Hike the challenging trail to the base of the Towers, one of the W and Circuit’s most famous trails. Return to the trail head and meet your private transfer vehicle back to Puerto Natales where the trip ends. Breakfast and packed lunch included.
Price from $1,105 (US$925 per person for camping)
A group size of 4 would be priced at $1,375 (camping $1,225)
