This shorter alternative follows the northern part of the full Circuit but takes out the busier part of the W trail between Paine Grande and Las Torres (which takes two days) and replaces it with a day exploring the Park via vehicle with short walks, stunning views and good wildlife (see Day 8 below).
You would still spend a night at the comfortable Hotel Las Torres and finish with the classic hike to the base of the Towers. So you would complete the dramatic Northern Glacier hike plus two (out of the three) highlights of the southern W section; Grey Glacier and Las Torres.
You would also benefit from some less trodden trails in the west and south of the Park. You would not visit the French Valley on this trip. Note: there are two nights at Grey in this itinerary. Porters are included (if you are happy to carry your own gear this would result in a cost saving).
Highlights
- Trek the remote northern Circuit, including Serón, Dickson, and Los Perros
- Conquer the John Gardner Pass, the highest and most dramatic point of the Circuit Trek
- Camp under the stars with full support, gear, and meals provided
- Spend two nights near Grey Glacier, with options for kayaking or an ice hike
- Ride the Grey III boat across iceberg-filled waters
- Hike the quieter Ferrier trail for panoramic views outside the usual tourist paths
- Cross the Park by private vehicle with your guide, stopping for wildlife, waterfalls, and iconic photo spots
- Relax at Hotel Las Torres before tackling the final ascent to the Towers
Day to day
- ARRIVE into Puerto Natales. Guide’s briefing in the evening. Night Weskar Lodge. No meals.
- Private transfer to Las Torres. 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). Second night Grey CAMP as above. Meals in REF. B,L,D.
Optional activity, moderate day - Take morning GREY BOAT. HIKE the trail to Mt Ferrier. Transfer in private transfer to Serrano River. Night in comfortable Pampa Lodge. B,L,D Walk from Grey Boat to vehicle (roughly 1 mile). Hike to Mt Ferrier (bonus hike outside W/Circuit trails): 3.7 miles/5.92 km – 4 hours – 1,770 ft elevation gain
- Spend the day on a private vehicle safari as you cross through the heart of the Park. Today’s visual feast will expose you to some of Patagonia’s most iconic views and exotic wildlife with jaw dropping views of the turquoise lakes and granite peaks from the southern perspective. The guide will organise short walks to waterfalls, good wildlife areas and other picture-postcard lookouts as you cross from west to east. Arrive at the very comfortable Hotel Las Torres where you can relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities before dinner. Hotel Las Torres with meals at hotel. B,L,D. On site spa.
- Final HIKE to base of Towers. Private transfer to Puerto Natales. Night Weskar Lodge included. B,L. 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.
- Private transfer to Puerto Natales airport for onward travel. B.
Trip Price
2-3 hikers: US$7,295 per person 4-7 hikers: US$6,095 per person 8 hikers: US$5,825 per person
Includes
- Private round trip transfers from Puerto Natales airport to hotel; private round trip transfers from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (with pick up and drop off at Las Torres) and during trip (private transfer from Grey Boat to Serrano River, private transfer across the Park from Serrano to Las Torres with stops for good wildlife/short walks etc);
- English speaking guide (Park and Wilderness certified) with an additional guide for groups of 6-8 hikers;
- 9 nights accommodation as detailed above (two nights waterfront Weskar Lodge, one night Camp Seron, one night Camping Dixon, one night Camping Los Perros, two nights 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 9 + breakfast on Day 10 + 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;
- trekking poles; ground support provided by our experienced logistics team in Puerto Natales.
Extras
Single supplement: Add US$1,059
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.