Torres Del Paine O Circuit

On this Patagonia hiking tour, we will pick you up at the airport in Puerto Natales, Chile. Depending on what time you arrive, you’ll have time to rest, explore the town, or enjoy the views of the fjord before we meet for our orientation where we will review our itinerary, issue gear, and get to know one another. We will then head into town for our first delicious Patagonian meal and toast – salud! – to the adventure that lies ahead!

Important Note: When you enter Chile, you will be issued a document called a PDI (tourism card). Please do NOT throw this away. You will need it to exit the country and nearly every lodge we stay in also asks for a copy.

• Hiking Mileage: 12 miles (19 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3181 feet (970 m)
• Elevation Loss: 3181 feet (970 m)
• Trekking Duration: 9-10 hours

With an early wake up call this morning, we’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel before starting our drive to Torres Del Paine National Park. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for views of guanacos, rhea, and Andean condors. We will begin today’s challenging hike by trekking up the Ascencio Valley while having views of the Ascencio river. We will come to Refugio Chileno and break for water and snacks. We’ll continue through a beautiful forest of native Lenga (Beech) trees and then keep hiking until we reach a glacial moraine (a ridge made from earth pushed by the glacier). From the moraine, we trek about one more hour until we reach the most amazing view of the Torres del Paine rock towers! The views of the granite towers and glacial lake are simply breathtaking. We will then head back to our refugio (mountain hut) for dinner and accommodation for the night.

• Hiking Mileage: 10 miles (16 km)
• Elevation Gain: 900 feet (274 m)
• Elevation Loss: 730 feet (223 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we load up our gear and head out across the ancient glacial moraines, as we begin our hike around the Paine Massif. We begin trekking through more Lenga (Beech) forest, where people often see Austral parakeets, several species of geese, and the occasional Patagonian fox. Eventually, we arrive at our accommodation at Camp Seron. We have free time until dinner is served. Our guides will provide the plan for the next day.

• Hiking Mileage: 11 miles (18 km)
• Elevation Gain: 620 feet (189 m)
• Elevation Loss: 520 feet (158 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

We’ll wake for an early breakfast and then begin our hike to Dickson Lake, which sits on the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap. We will be hiking past bright, blooming Notro (Chilean Firebush), endemic to the Patagonian region. Additionally, we cross a small stream besides Lake Dickson. We continue to trek until we reach our refugio  for the night. Here you will be able to have a hot shower before dinner is served. Dickson is a magical place, giving one the impression that it is a universe of its own!

• Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (12km)
• Elevation Gain: 1758 feet (536m)
• Elevation Loss: 728 feet (222m)
• Trekking Duration: 6 hours

Today’s hike is often a favorite. The trail brings us through pristine, old growth beech forests, where the incredible red-headed Magellanic woodpecker can be frequently seen. Additionally, we trek close to the Perros Glacier lending us fantastic views of the nearby lake and the glacier itself. Eventually, we head to Los Perros, where camp is set up and waiting for us. We have free time to put our feet up until dinner is served.

• Hiking Mileage: 13 miles (21 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2070 feet (631 m)
• Elevation Loss: 3800 feet (1158 m)
• Trekking Duration: 8-10 hours

Today is one of the longest and most challenging days of the trek. We start out by climbing up to the John Garner Pass. At the pass, we have amazing views of glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonian Ice field, a view not to be missed! We then head down the pass through a thick forest, directly above the massive Grey Glacier. Along the way, we will have lunch and then begin trekking down to Grey Lake. The glacier stretches out below like a huge white highway. Upon arrival on the valley floor, we trek to the Refugio Grey for the night.

Please Note: Groups can commonly have very high winds and extreme weather at the pass this day. Please follow and prepare your gear using this trip’s packing list to ensure you are prepared for your own safety.

• Hiking Mileage: 4 miles (6km)
• Elevation Gain: 600 feet (183 m)
• Elevation Loss: 600 feet (183 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4 hours

We’ve carved out some time this morning to allow for some down time after yesterday’s challenging and rewarding hike. After lunch, our guides will brief you on today’s route and extra gear needed. We then take a zodiac boat for 15 minutes across the lake until we reach the west side of Grey Glacier. Upon arrival at Grey Glacier, we will disembark on the land in between the Ice (Nunatak) and hike across the small island until we reach the glacier. Our glacier guides will brief the group on safety aspects and teach the group the proper techniques and correct use of our equipment. After the brief, we will begin our exploration of Grey Glacier which last approximately 3 hours. We will be able to observe crevasses, rivers, lagoons and tunnels in different tones of blue. We then return to the zodiac boat and ride back to the docking point. At the docking point, we return to our refugio for dinner.

Due to occasionally harsh weather conditions, the glacier hiking is not always possible and will be substituted by a different activity.  It is also possible the ice hike will be in the morning after breakfast instead of the afternoon.

• Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (11 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1358 feet (414 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1528 feet (466 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

After our refugio breakfast, we head to the Northeast side of Grey Lake for our kayaking expedition. Here we’ll become intimate with electric blue Icebergs and the Grey Glacier by Kayak. Our kayak guides will provide a thorough safety briefing and introduction to the gear, then we’ll be on our way. After the kayaking exploration, we will head back to the refugio, pack up our gear, and begin our trek for the day. We will cross a high plateau overlooking Grey Lake on our way to Lake Pehoe. We’ll eventually come to our lodge and have the afternoon to relax until dinner is served. You may wish to try the local Chilean drink, pisco sour while overlooking the Paine Grande and Los Cuernos mountains!

Due to occasionally harsh weather conditions, the kayaking is not always possible and will be substituted by an alternative activity.

• Hiking Mileage: 13-15 miles (21-24 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2350 feet (716 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2200 feet (670 m)
• Trekking Duration: 8 hours

Today we head to the French Valley: one of the most picturesque valleys in Torres del Paine National Park. It is unique because of the hanging glaciers and amazing granite walls and spires. People often witness the glaciers calving (dropping giant ice bergs) and hear this natural symphony in the granite amphitheater. We continue to get closer to the granite spires and glacial lake and on the return journey we can see the turquoise color of glacial lake Pehoe. Pehoe means ‘Hidden Lake’ in the Tehuelche language. We then trek out of the valley and will continue walking to the extraordinary turquoise lake Nordenskijold. At the lake we check into our refugio and enjoy another beautiful evening in Patagonia.

• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles (13 km)
• Elevation Gain: 900 feet (274 m)
• Elevation Loss: 750 feet (229 km)
• Trekking Duration: 5 hours

Today is the last day of our trek so we’ll be sure to soak it all in. We begin trekking along Lake Nordenskjold, below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto. We will have lunch in route and eventually reach our private shuttle. Our driver will transport us to Puerto Natales, where we check into our hotel and have warm showers before meeting up for our final celebratory dinner out on the town. What a trip it has been!

Looking to make the most out of your time in Patagonia? We have you covered with our Villa Serrano Add-On Package that includes 2 nights at our charming and intimate lodge in the heart of Patagonia. All meals and transportation are included, and we have optional activities such as kayaking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, or spa you may choose to book. Note that this package begins in the afternoon of Day 10 of this itinerary. Further explore Patagonia and enjoy some well-earned relaxation!