This stripped-back Circuit Trek kicks off in the East with a tough hike to the Towers; then tracks anti-clockwise around the Paine Massif over the John Gardner Pass past Grey Glacier. After taking on the French Valley, you are perfectly positioned in the West of the Park for a downriver kayak or a well-earned rest
Highlights
- Climb to the base of the iconic Towers (Las Torres)
- Cross the dramatic John Gardner Pass with sweeping views of Grey Glacier
- Hike to the immense Grey Glacier, with optional ice hike or glacier kayak
- Soak in a hot bath at Grey (optional add-on, subject to availability)
- Sail across Lake Pehoé by catamaran and return after hiking the French Valley
- Explore the stunning French Valley with its hanging glaciers and panoramic views
- Conclude your trek in the west of the park, perfect for continuing with a downriver kayak on the Serrano River
Day by day
- ARRIVE into Puerto Natales. Guide’s briefing in the evening. Night Weskar Lodge. No meals.
- HIKE to base of Towers. Night Hotel Las Torres with meals at hotel. B, L, D. 11.8 mi/19km; roundtrip with 3,291 ft elevation gain. Challenging ascent at the start, final steep climb over glacial moraine. Long descent on return. Approximately 8-9 hours walking.
- HIKE to Seron. CAMP (no upgrades here) with meals in REFUGIO. B, L,D 8 miles/14 km; gentle with some undulation around 250 ft elevation gain. Approximately 4 hours walking.
- HIKE to Dickson Valley. CAMP with option to upgrade to REFUGIO. Meals in REF. B,L,D 9 miles/14.4 km; gentle with roughly 250 ft elevation gain. Approximately 5-6 hours hiking.
- HIKE to Los Perros. CAMP (no upgrades here). Meals prepared by a BlueGreen cook. B,L,D 6.8 mi/11km; with 2,132 ft elevation gain. Approximately 5 hours hiking.
- HIKE over Pass to Grey. CAMP with option to upgrade to REFUGIO. Meals in REF. B,L,D 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.
- Morning Ice Hike or Kayak (optional extra, see below). Afternoon GREY BOAT. Take private transfer to Serrano River. Night in comfortable Pampa Lodge. B,L,D.
- Private transfer from Serrano River to join catamaran to Paine Grande. HIKE the French Valley and return on same trail back to Lake Pehoe. Meet private transfer to Puerto Natales for a final night at the Weskar Lodge. 17mi/27km. The first part of the hike to the foothills of the French Valley takes around 2 – 2.5 hours. From the French valley floor to French glacier is 750 ft elevation gain with another 1,000 ft elevation gain to camp Britannica so another 5-6 hours to make the full ascent and return. The trail can be very wet and slippery depending on the time of year, the ascent is challenging but there are various viewpoints to enjoy along the way.
- Private transfer to Puerto Natales airport.
Trip Price
2-3 hikers: US$6,825 per person 4-7 hikers: US$5,795 per person 8 hikers: US$5,500 per person
Is this trip for me?
- The Mt Ferrier hike is not included.
- The W trail between the foot of the French Valley and Las Torres is not included.
Includes
- Private round trip transfers from Puerto Natales airport to hotel; private round trip transfers from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (with drop off at Las Torres and pick up from catamaran) and during trip (private transfer from Grey Boat to Serrano River and back to catamaran);
- English speaking guide (Park and Wilderness certified) with an additional guide for groups of 6-8 hikers;
- 8 nights accommodation as detailed above (two nights waterfront Weskar Lodge, one night Camp Seron, one night Camping Dixon, one night Camping Los Perros, one night Camping Grey, one night Pampa Lodge in double/twin share rooms with private bathroom, one night Hotel Las Torres in superior double/twin share rooms) + staff accommodation on trail;
- all meals as detailed from breakfast on Day 2 through to lunch on Day 8 + breakfast on Day 9 + staff meals;
- porters to carry your gear leaving you free to hike with just a day pack (luggage limit is 6 kilos including sleeping bag/liner, so 1 x porter per 2 x hikers), additional porters to carry food and snack at Los Perros (to date there is no meal service here);
- cook to prepare meals at Los Perros; some food top-ups as required; trail snacks;
- mountain tents and sleeping mats while camping; quality lightweight sleeping bags with fleece liners;
- entrance fees to Park, Grey III boat; round trip catamaran across Lake Pehoe;
- trekking poles;
- ground support provided by our experienced logistics team in Puerto Natales.
Extras
Single supplement: Add US$1,013
Upgrade costs
From Camping at Dickson & Grey to Refugio: ADD: US$10 per night per person, simple bed (with sleeping bag), or ADD: US$69 per night per person, full bed (blankets, sheets, towels provided).
Optional activities
Ice Hike on Grey Glacier: US$270 Kayak close to Grey Glacier: US$200
Excludes
Flights, airport taxes/fees, dinners in Puerto Natales; wine/beer in hotels and refugios; gratuities.