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Torres Del Paine Circuit

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Trip Type: Mountaineering
Max People: 10
Arrival/Departure: Puerto Natales, Chile
Availability : November to February
Trip Grade:
Min Age: 15+
Lodging:2 nights hotel, 9 nights camping

Tour Details

This is an outstanding circuit for the trekker looking to complete a spectacular foray around the high peaks of Torres del Paine. On the initial stages porters carry some of our gear (and we carry some of our own gear) as we follow remote trails through undulating grasslands and woodlands to the least visited part of the national park. Hiking above the forests we enter a world of granite peaks, hanging glaciers and glacial lakes as we forge a route over the John Garner Pass.

From the pass we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Grey Glacier and as far as the Patagonian Ice Cap before completing a rugged descent to the shores of Lago Grey. We continue our circuit to the south for a different perspective of the ‘towers’ from the ‘W’ trek. We enjoy forays up the French Valley and the Ascensio Valley before we finally ascend to the base of Torres del Paine for one of the most unforgettable mountain views in the world.

Non-exclusive trips:

On selected departures, this trip is not exclusive to Rogue Adventures, and you will be joining a group of 2 – 8 adventurers from around the world.

At a Glance

Day 1 JOIN PUERTO NATALES

Day 2 BOAT TO TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK VIA THE BALMACEDA GLACIER

Day 3 COMMENCE TORRES DEL PAINE CIRCUIT TREK (5 HOURS – 10 KMS)

Day 4 TREK TO LAGO DICKSON (6 HOURS – 19 KMS)

Day 5 TREK TO CAMPEMENTO LOS PERROS (5 HOURS – 9.5 KMS)

Day 6 TREK OVER JOHN GARNER TO REFUGIO GREY (10 HRS – 22KMS)

Day 7 TREK TO REFUGIO LAGO PEHOE (5 HOURS – 13KMS)

Day 8 WALK VIA FRENCH VALLEY TO REFUGE CUERNOS (8‐10 HRS)

Day 9 HIKE TO REFUGIO TORRES (4 HOURS)

Day 10 ASCEND TO BASE OF TOWERS OF PAINE (8‐10 HOURS)

Day 11 DRIVE TO PUERTO NATALES

Day 12 TRIP CONCLUDES PUERTO NATALES

Included in Trip Price

Excluded from Trip Price

11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners
Specialized bilingual guide
Transport ‐ all group transport as detailed in the itinerary
Tours ‐ all guide fees and park entrance costs on all sections mentioned in the trip itineraries
Boat trip via Balmaceda Glacier to Torres del Paine
Group camping equipment – includes tents, sleeping mats, and cooking equipment (Sleeping bag is not provided)
1 Porter for every 2 clients on days 3 ‐ 7 to assist in carrying gear.
Group medical kit

Internal flights within Chile
Airport transfers
Porter charges are available at an additional cost if required for days 8‐9
If you would like to hire a porter to carry your backpack on day 8‐9 the cost is US$100 per day and is paid in Chile (This cost is subject to change without notice). This must be pre‐booked with Rogue Adventures
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry and drinks of any kind
Sleeping bag
Tips
International airfares and departure taxes

What to Expect

This is an expedition where you are a member of the team. Your guide will be assisted by very experienced camp staff and catering will mostly be handled by your guides, but due to the wilderness factor, one has to be flexible. You will be responsible for gathering water for drinking and meals, and expected to clean your own eating utensils, as well as erect and take down your tent.

Food will be as varied as much as possible with a lot of emphasis put on fresh food bearing in mind that we have to be largely self sufficient. You are expected to be able to carry your personal gear. All rubbish will be carried with us, except where proper receptacles are provided and we are able to deposit our litter in them. Accommodation will be in a combination of tents and refugio’s as detailed in the itinerary.

The daily routine will be dependent on the planned trek for the day. Most mornings we will rise by 7am and following a continental breakfast, we plan to be on the trail around 8am. Rest stops will be fairly frequent along the trail, depending on weather conditions. Lunch will be carried each day by individual group members and consist of fruit, sandwiches, tinned fish or cold meats. The beauty of this trek is that you will not be required to carry excessive amounts of water, due to a reasonable supply of good water during most sectors of the trek.

A water bladder is the most effective way to carry water on the trek, allowing you to take sips as required. We plan to reach camp on most days by mid afternoon. The sun sets late during summer in Patagonia, and the resulting long days allow us to explore our campsites without the use of torches. The evening meal will begin with soup, followed by pasta or rice dishes. Many of the campsites have stores where we can purchase treats such as cookies, wine, beer and sweets.

Itinerary

Day 1

Join Puerto Natales by your own means and make your way to Hotel Vendanal. An arrival briefing will be held in the hotel this evening. Dinner not included. The rest of the day is for rest and personal exploration of this town.

Overnight: Hotel Vendanal or similar.

Day 2

A spectacular day cruising to the head of the Fiord to see glaciers tumbling down from the mountains, seals and abundant bird life. We continue on to the National Park by Zodiac. We skirt glacial blue lakes and pass herds of guanaco and rhea as we approach the towering peaks. The Horns of Paine are right before us, as is Paine Grande, the largest of this range. On arrival we transfer to our campsite for this evening. The experience of trekking in Patagonia will spoil you for most other trekking areas the scenery is truly awe-inspiring. Blue glacial and ice-berg strewn lakes combine with dramatic granite peaks and snow covered mountains which lead to the Patagonian ice-cap.

What you carry: Day pack.
Overnight camp.

Day 3

Transfer to the beginning of the Trek from Las Torres Refuge area to Camp Seron. Trek with full pack – assisted with porters. Today’s walk is a great introduction to Torres del Paine as we follow the Rio Paine. The trails are well defined and not overly undulating. The mountain views, the nice perspective of the Towers and the surrounding mountains, coupled with meadows of daisies, clear running streams and woods that smell of fresh beech, make it a great day.

What you carry: Trek with full pack – assisted with porters (7.5 kg/client). 1 Porters for every 2 pack will accompany us as far as Refuge Pehoe (Porters are to split our charge and have an easier trek. They are not private personal porters).
Overnight camp.

Day 4

We continue around Paine by heading north and then west towards Lago Dickson. Each stage of the trek provides a different perspective of the Towers as we head out into the most isolated section of the circuit. Photographers should be ready for the dramatic sunsets and sunrises at Lago Dickson. It is possible to buy cold drinks at reasonable prices on your arrival at the campsite; there are flushing toilets and showers available.

What you carry: Porters will carry a portion of your gear (maximum 7.5 kg per person). You will need to carry your main pack, with the reduced weight. You may wish to put your day pack into the main pack or consider a pack with a zip off day.
Overnight camp.

Day 5

A short ascent brings us to a natural viewing platform where we obtain more comprehensive views of the mountains and glacier beyond Lago Dickson, and towards our evening campsite near Glacier Los Perros. We walk through dense forests for most of the day, over fallen trees. The Magellanic Woodpecker can be heard although it is sometimes difficult to spot the actual bird. The key is to keep still when you hear them and look for the male which is black with a striking red head. The trail meanders through the forest, over many streams and past waterfalls on the Rio de los Perros. Wecross the river again and come to the base of the Glacier Los Perros, where a crater surrounds the lake in which it spills. Here we will be out of the forest and again exposed to the wind. Fortunately our camp nearby is sheltered by the elements, surrounded by beech forest.

Day 6

Today is the hardest day on the circuit. The first hour is a gradual uphill trek through the forest. Then we hit the mud, and in some places it will be hard to avoid getting your foot stuck in it. This section lasts about an hour, before we come to a large stream which we cross using a rope as a support. Another hour is spent ascending to the pass, over rocks and over snow drifts. The route is marked clearly by fluorescent orange markers on rocks and posts. On reaching the saddle of the pass we come to the view for which this circuit is famous, and more often than not the strong westerly winds will prevent you from lingering too long on the pass.

Looking behind us the view is mainly of forest and in the distance the glacial lake we passed earlier is strewn with ice-bergs. However, ahead the view is of the Grey Glacier and it is truly stupendous. The Patagonian ice cap is visible in the distance and the mountains and glaciers below are even more spectacular. In good weather conditions, we can stay on the pass enjoying the view for up to one hour.

Our descent is almost as spectacular as the view from the pass. It is precarious due to its steep gradient and concentration is required. We descend more than 700m in about one hour to Campamento Paso. This camp site is not popular due to little level land and water being available. We continue on down, and the terrain is difficult to negotiate with many fallen trees blocking our path which we need to climb over or walk around. The track ascends and descends the contours of the valley leading out to a natural rock viewing platform, from which a stream cuts through cascading to the Glacier below. This is a great place to have a well-earned rest and perhaps a picnic lunch (if we haven’t succumbed to our stomachs before this). Whilst we may believe that the hardest part of the day is over, we are soon enlightened by the most exhausting section. Here the trees we must climb over seem larger and the ascents and descents more frequent.

Our walking is interspersed with a difficult ascent followed by steep ladders taking us out of one of the deep river gorges we cross. We may be tempted to stop for the night at Campamentos Guardas, however it is just one hour (mostly downhill) further to Refugio Grey, where the idyllic bay setting will remind you of a tropical beach, except there are icebergs floating in the water! Cold drinks and a hot meal will never have tasted so good.

Day 7

Today is the last day we will count on porters to help us with our gear. A leisurely start is the order of the day however wind can make this section of the circuit more difficult. The first half of the day is gradual uphill with some steep sections. The views down to the glacier are spectacular and the flowers along the trail interspersed with mountain lakes make this a scenic walk.

The second half of the day is gradual downhill and we soon reach the campsite by the iridescent waters of Lake Pehoe. The camp site rivals camp Dickson in its beauty, incorporating all that Patagonia is – wind, snow covered mountains, dramatic skies, emerald lakes, flowers and birdlife. This will be our base for one night.

Day 8

The highlight of the first two hours of todays walk is the lovely lake we pass and the improving views of Cerro Paine Grande. We cross a new suspension bridge to reach Italiano Camp where we can rest by the thundering river of Rio del Francés. Continuing up the French Valley towards British camp, the scenery becomes even more dramatic. On one side of the valley is Cuernos del Paine and on the other side the aptly named Frances Glacier with Rio del Francés flowing from it. The whole area is quite unstable, being a glacial valley and certain sections of the path are quite treacherous and steep. The occasional ice falls from the French Glacier cause thunderous crashes onto the rocks below which reverberates off the valley walls. Within an hour the trail had brings us to a wide valley from where we have excellent views of the Torres and down to the emerald lakes below. The path ascends more gradually to British camp over waterlogged terrain and through alpine lenga forest to the view of the ice-formed horns of Cuernos del Paine.
The Paine Grande reaches 3,248m and is a point of interest for climbers from around the world. As an option, you may continue up to two mountain lakes close to the tree line at the head of the valley, an hour and a half return journey. We return down the valley the same way we ascended, then continue on to Refuge Cuernos (2 hours), pausing to appreciate the waterfalls and to witness the river sculptured valley before us.

Note: At busy times we will be camping in the grounds of this refugio.

Note: If you would like to trek without your full packs for days 8 & 9, your main luggage can be stored at Refugio Pehoe and will be transferred to Torres on day 9. Please request this with your guide. You will still need to carry enough personal equipment for the next two days.

What you carry: No porters. You will need to carry your main pack and day pack.

Day 9

Trekking along Lake Nordenskjoeld to reach Torres ranch. Before reaching the Torres refuge and along the trail we’ll be leaving behind the Cordillera Paine (where the mass of granite peaks are centred) towards the Ascencio Valley for the next day walk to the base of the towers. This will be fairly easy walking, in a flat terrain and short distance.

What you carry: No porters. You will need to carry your main pack and day pack.
Overnight: Camp Torres.

Day 10

Today is a big walk (8 – 10hrs round trip), although free from the weight of our packs. We plan to hike to the base of the Torres del Paine (or towers). An early start is recommended in order to view the towers with the sun directly on them, transforming the granite all shades of red and pink. Those with some puff left may forge on to the Japanese camp, about an hour further up the valley. On our descent we may encounter the strong winds for which this area is renown.

Return to Camp Torres. Transfer to Estancia Tercera Barranca , typicall Magellan estancia. Here we have our Goodbye dinner with a typical Patagonian barbecue.

What you carry: Day pack.
Overnight Estancia Tercera Barranca.

Day 11

After breakfast we depart from estancia Tercera Barranca for a short drive to Puerto Natales. Free afternoon.

Overnight: Hotel Vendanal or similar.

Day 12

The trip concludes after breakfast. If you are planning to visit Los Glaciares, Perito Moreno and/or El Calafate, then please ask our staff for details of tourist buses that cross the border directly from Torres del Paine Park or from Puerto Natales.

Trip Extensions

Suggested Extensions

Antarctic Peninsula
Lakes Crossing
Perito Moreno Glacier and Calafate Walking in Fitz Roy
South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula

Map

Geography and Weather

Country Information

Weather

Chile boasts an astounding geographical diversity ranging from the driest place on earth (Atacama Desert) to the rain swept Patagonian peaks in the south where the Patagonian ice‐cap is the third largest mass of ice in the world. The country rarely exceeds 200km in breadth, yet is 4300 km long. To the north, Chile borders Peru and Bolivia, whilst to the east the Andes separate it from Argentina, and the Pacific Ocean runs the length of its western coast line. It has the largest European population in South America (5%) yet the traditions of its Indian population (5%) continue to thrive in the Andean foothills. Just over 14 million people live in Chile, of which 5 million are based in Santiago. The capital city of Santiago, like its Argentinean equivalent Buenos Aires, has a distinctly European flavour. The southern towns of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales are completely different again, located as they are near the end of the world! Both towns have great seafood and good scenery and Punta Arenas has the added bonus of some excellent museums.

There is a large variation of temperature between Santiago in the north and Patagonia in the south. It may be 8 degrees Celsius in Puerto Natales and 25 degrees Celsius in Santiago in the middle of summer. You will need to be prepared for such temperature variations.

The temperatures in Santiago vary from 17‐30 degrees during summer (December to February) and 18 – 14 degrees during winter. The temperature range further south in Patagonia is lower, equivalent perhaps to the highlands of Tasmania or Scotland, and can become quite cold in the evenings and early mornings during the high season which runs from October to March.
Patagonia’s southern coastal position leaves it exposed to the intense winds that circle the Antarctic land mass. As such, the climate of Patagonia is unpredictable.

The summer season spanning November to March, experiences average daytime temperatures of between 8‐20 degrees Celsius and in the evenings the temperature can reach zero. By Andean standards, the Patagonian Mountains are low in altitude, but they capture virtually all the south‐west air borne moisture cladding their summits with snow, and leaving the leeward side, the Patagonian plains, in a severe rain shadow. This makes for some very interesting contrasts in the landscapes.

Summer ‐ Nov to March

Photos

Other Rogue Adventures Information

Dietary Requirements

Accommodation

Equipment

Visas

Private Groups

Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‐free or allergen‐free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travelers with life‐threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‐administering these medications.

Accommodation ‐ on a twin share basis when staying in hotels. Refugio or camping accommodation in the national park where you may be required to share with 3 or more persons in bunk style accommodation.

For most of the trip you will only need to only carry a day pack. However you will need to carry your full pack on some days of the trek. Porters will carry a portion of your gear (maximum 7.5 kg per person) from day 4 until day 8. Each porter has their own pack; we suggest you use a stuff sack or strong plastic bag for the gear you would like to give to the porter. You will need to carry your main pack, with the reduced weight. You may wish to put your day pack into the main pack for days 4 to 8 or consider a pack with a zip off day pack.

Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre‐departure information provided on booking).

During the course of your trip, we will use a variety of vehicles, all of which are fit for purpose and the conditions encountered. It should be noted that laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and on occasion some vehicles may not have seat belts fitted. While game viewing within a national park could be one example, public bus transfers or specialised transport such as ‘tuk‐tuk’s’ could be another. Where seat belts are not provided we strongly recommend that you hold tight to a fixed part of the vehicle at all times.

Visas are not required for passport holders from the following countries visiting Chile however some nationalities are required to pay a “reciprocity fee” in USD cash on arrival if entering via Santiago International Airport, for short term tourism purposes.

Australia: fee of approx US$95

New Zealand: no fee applicable

Canada: fee of approx US$131

United States: fee of approx US$131

United Kingdom: no fee applicable

For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy. Please bear in mind that visas may be required for countries you are visiting en route or transiting through on the way to your destination. It is important that you check the requirements of all countries you will visit. Visa costs and requirements do change regularly so we suggest you check with your travel agent or Rogue Adventures reservations consultant. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary visas.

The adventures featured in our brochures, and on our website, are just a starting point for many of our private group travelers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organise custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. Contact our team today.

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