Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile

Day 1 - Depart London.

Fly overnight from London to Santiago in Chile.

Overnight: In flight

Day 2 - Arrive Santiago. Group airport transfer. Afternoon city tour.

Later this afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and driven downtown to the Plaza de Armas, the historical centre of Santiago. The most famous sights here are the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Central Post Office which was originally built as a house for the Spanish conqeror Pedro de Valdivia. On the northern side of the square you will see the necolassical Tribunales de Justicia building which houses the Supreme Court, ex-parliament and some beautiful gardens.

From the Plaza you will be driven towards Alameda, the main street in the city centre, and to the Presidential Palace – Palacio La Moneda. A model of 18th centure colonial architecture, the palace is one of Santiago’s most famous landmarks and a symbol of Chile’s turbulent political past as well as its indpendence. From here you will go to the Lastarria district and climb Cerro Santa Lucia – the hill where Pedro Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. There are great panoramic views of the city from the top. Afterwards you return to Lastarria and travel through this cosmopolitan neighbourhood lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, bookstores and small theatres. At the end of the tour you will be driven back to your hotel.

In the evening there there will be a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers before retiring for the night.

Overnight: Hotel 45 By Director Or Similar, Santiago

Day 3 - Fly to Punta Arenas. Drive to Torres del Paine National Park via Puerto Natales - 4 hours.

You will make an early start this morning, transferring to the airport for the 4 hour flight to Punta Arenas. (Planes often fly via Puerto Montt, but as this is just a 20 minute touchdown you will stay on the plane). Try to request a seat on the left hand side of the plane, because, good weather permitting, you will have some excellent views of the Patagonian Andes and see the Torres del Paine which you will be trekking so close to in a few days' time. You will also have a bird's eye view of many stunning lakes and glaciers. It is interesting to contrast the lush scenery around Puerto Montt with the dryer landscape close to Santiago.

You will be met at Punta Arenas Airport and driven to Torres del Paine National Park (380km/240miles) During "southern" summer the sun sets at around 11pm, so you should have plenty of time and light to admire the Patagonian steppe, with its guanaco and snow-peaked mountain horizon. Along the way you will make a couple of stops, firstly at Puerto Natales for lunch, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza - "Last Hope Sound". Here you will probably notice the change in temperature and Punta Arenas is renowned for the wind that can whip through the town. The second stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a giant prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890s. Having completed the formalities at the entrance to the National park, you'll arrive at EcoCamp in time for dinner.

Overnight: Eco Camp, Torres Del Paine - Standard Domes

Day 4 - Walk from Las Torres to Torres Del Paine Mirador (Lookout) and back to Las Torres – 22km, 8 Hours.

You will have breakfast in camp before setting off for your day's trek. Today is a fairly long, but very rewarding day and if the weather is clear you will have some spectacular views of the 3 impressive granite towers of Paine. Walking from the camp you head for the Hostería Las Torres and pick up the main path leading up the Ascencio Valley. The trail is on a good path for the first 2-3 hours, with a traverse of moraine and boulders required just to reach the final viewpoint. If the sun is out and there isn’t too much wind, it can be very hot, so ensure you drink lots of water (there are many opportunities to fill up your bottle from streams).

As you traverse high above the rushing Rio Ascencio you will have fine views of Lago Nordenskjold, behind you. After about 1½-2 hours walking you reach the Refugio Chileno, a very pleasant and well-kept refugio which sells drinks and snacks. It is also a good place for a water refill, although you will have several opportunities to fill your water as you continue upwards along the stream. Walking on, through the lenga forest and past a sign for the Torres campsite you reach the moraine (glacial debris). An hour or so of careful ascent now brings you face to face with the Torres del Paine. You can perch on the large boulders here and enjoy your lunch whilst taking many shots of the dramatic three towers – marvelling at the awesome feats of those climbers who have actually ascended these inspiring giants. Senses suitably sated you head back down the Ascencio Valley, following your outward route.

Overnight: Eco Camp, Torres Del Paine - Standard Domes

Day 5 - Trek to Camping Seron – 13km, 4-5 hours.

Today you begin your trek on the main circuit. It is a fairly easy, relaxing first day on a very good path throughout, with a fairly steady hill to climb and descend. Along the undulating terrain you will find the indigenous plant the calafate. If you eat the tasty calafate berry, local legend says that you will return to Patagonia. The last 1-2 hours of your trek are through flat, daisy-filled meadows, alongside the gushing Rio Paine. Eventually you arrive at the campsite and a small friendly refugio. You may be lucky enough to sample some of the refugio cook’s excellent bread. If there has been much rain and the river is high, one of the river crossings may potentially be wet: there are 2 good bridges and one reasonable one.

The picnic tables at the campsite are a good place to sit and pass around some traditional 'mate'. This tastes like strong green tea. The loose tea is poured into a small drinking pot and filled with boiling water. A long silver straw, which looks like a spoon with a strainer as a base, is planted in the bottom and then each person sips their fill and the pot is refilled and passed to the next person.

Overnight: Camp

Day 6 - Trek to Lago Dickson – 18km, 7 hours.

Quite a long day today, but one of only moderately graded walking with one large hill to ascend and much flat and undulating terrain. You leave the campsite, walking on flat terrain through more daisy filled meadows for about an hour where, if you are lucky, you will see condors circling ahead. As you reach the highest point on the trail, there is a good rest spot in the lee of the wind. As you turn the corner and begin descending you have a great view of Lago Paine. You descend with Lago Paine on your right and here you can see the Paso John Garner which you will be crossing in a couple of days’ time. After about 3½-4 hours walking, you reach a good lunch spot with a stream where you can fill up your water bottle. After this the terrain is fairly flat and as you continue walking along the long, broad valley you start to have good views of Dickson Glacier. Approximately one hour before you reach camp Dickson, the flat terrain becomes quite marshy and you will need to walk across some strategically placed logs to avoid getting wet and muddy feet. However, if the weather has been very dry, it is unlikely that this will be too bothersome. Finally, after a long day you arrive at a high point where you can look down and see the refugio and campsite – a very welcome sight.

A half hour’s walking will now bring you to your campsite and a very well-earned rest. The refugio has showers, toilets and a store where you can buy snacks, soft drinks, postcards, beer and wine. However, make sure you have your insect repellent handy as mosquitoes are often found at this campsite.

Overnight: Camp

Day 7 - Trek to Los Perros – 14km, 4½-5 hours.

You will have a pleasant gentle walk today through lenga forest with views of gushing waterfalls, the rushing Rio de Los Perros and magnificent glaciers. You leave the campsite and head towards the forest, flat at first and then you climb for about half an hour. After about an hour’s walk in total you arrive at a pleasant lookout point where you can see Perros Glacier and Dickson Glacier. The walk continues on gently undulating terrain through the lenga forest. About half an hour to an hour before you reach the campsite, you cross a log suspension bridge and climb up for a while before reaching a lookout point with a view of Los Perros Glacier and large lumps of ice in the lake below it.

A walk of 20 minutes or so through the moraine from this point brings you to your campsite, situated in the forest. There is a store, two showers, toilets and a reasonably sized shelter for cooking/eating. Impressively, there are also some recycling bins.

Overnight: Camp

Day 8 - Trek across Paso John Garner, 1,180m/3,872ft, to Lago Grey – 24km, 9-11 hours.

After yesterday’s easier day you should be well rested and prepared for today’s crossing of Paso John Garner, 1,180m/3,895ft, the high point of the trek. It is a challenging, but rewarding day, with very spectacular views from the pass of the long Glacier Grey, and peaks behind. After breakfast, either in the shelter, or al fresco, you leave the campsite and after a few minutes cross the stream on a log bridge. You now wind your way up through the forest on quite boggy terrain. This can be hard going if there has been much rain – gaiters are advised. After an hour or so you reach a lovely open spot by the river, perfect for a 10 minute rest, snack and photo opportunity.

You then begin the hour or two climb on moraine to the pass, picking your way over the rocky terrain. As you approach the pass you have great views of the glacier leading from Cerro Amistad to your right. Crossing the pass you have incredible views of Glacier Grey and the snow-capped peaks behind, including ‘the 3 brothers.’ If the weather is clear and without too much wind, which is rare, then this is a perfect place to stop for lunch and many photographs.

You begin descending by traversing the hillside to your left on a reasonable path. After half an hour or so from the top of the pass, the descent enters the forest and becomes steep and quite difficult – all your concentration will be required to avoid a stumble here. A trekking pole will help. After an hour or so, the descent becomes less steep and hence easier, although do be on the lookout for trekkers dislodging loose stones from above. Eventually the ground levels out and where there are some slightly awkward spots there are ladders and ropes to help. An hour or so beyond Campamento Paso you cross the river on a log bridge and climb a log ladder to a small plateau. You then continue traversing the hillside high above the glacier before arriving at another viewpoint and good rest spot. Another 3 hours trekking brings you to today’s final destination - Campamento Grey situated on the beach beside Lago Grey – an exceptionally scenic and fine camping spot. There are hot showers, toilets, a store, a refugio and an ice hiking centre here.

Overnight: Camp

Day 9 - Optional glacier trek - 3 hours, or gentle walk/time at leisure. Trek to Pehoe – 11km, 4-5 hours.

After yesterday’s big day there is time for a relatively leisurely morning or there is the option of a glacier trek (this is payable locally and has a maximum age requirement of 65 in accordance with the National Park authorities).

For those not opting for the glacier trek there is the opportunity for an early morning walk to the Mirador to see the glacier and floating icebergs in all their glory is well worth the effort. This short round trip takes approximately ¾-1 hour from the campsite. However, you may prefer to relax on the rocks and gaze at the lake and watch boats and inflatables cruise up towards the glacier.

Continuing on the circuit, today’s walk is fairly short, reasonably gentle and very scenic. You leave the campsite and head uphill through the forest. The terrain is undulating and on a good path. There will be fantastic views to your right of Lago Grey and the glacier as you look behind. There are several lookout points for potential rest/photo stops. After about 3-4 hours trekking you come to a lovely lake, Lago Los Patos, in which you can swim if you are hardy enough to brave the cold water. It is an exceptionally photogenic lake, with the hills and snowy peaks behind. From the lake it is about ¾–1 hour’s walking downhill to Pehoe. You will start to see the stunning turquoise water of Lago Pehoe as you descend. The campsite has good facilities with showers, a store, toilets, a cooking room and close by refugio. Enjoy a trek down to the lake and don’t forget to look behind at the truly majestic Cuernos (horns) de Paine.

Overnight: Camp

Day 10 - Trek to Mirador Frances and Los Cuernos – 26km, 7-8 hours.

Another spectacular day’s walking lies ahead today as you take a detour off the circuit path and follow the Valle Frances deep into the Paine massif. You leave the campsite and walk along a good path uphill for half an hour or so. As you look behind you will see the stunning aqua blue Lago Pehoe and snow-smattered peaks in the distance beyond. Eventually the trail levels out somewhat and you have another scenic lake to view – Lago Stottsberg - on your right. The trail meanders high above and at a distance from the lake where you have the dramatic sight of the Cuernos de Paine before you. All of these rock-faces have been climbed, without fixed protection – an impressive feat when you gaze up and see how sheer they are.

After about 2½-3 hours walking you arrive at a bridge and after crossing this you arrive at Campamento Italiano, a campsite situated in the trees. You take the path northwards here, away from the main circuit trail. Heading into French Valley this path becomes slightly steeper and rockier. There is also one section where a couple of fixed ropes help you over a slightly steep and potentially slippery part. Not long after you leave Campamento Italiano, a massive torrent appears on your left with fantastic views of Paine Grande. At a viewpoint for this, you can sit and marvel at this awesome rock-face and you will undoubtedly witness at least one avalanche from its slopes. It is quite a mesmerising spectacle.

For those who are tired, it would be wise to either descend at this point, or await anyone wishing to carry on ahead. A further 1½-2 hour walk from here, uphill on a rocky path, partly through forest, leads to Campamento Británico. It is worth it however for the panoramic view you have of the Cuernos and surrounding rock towers at the Mirador (about ½ hour uphill from Campamento Británico) From the Mirador you can see ‘the Fin’ which climbers attempt from both sides. From the Mirador, from left to right you can see: Paine Grande Mount, Castillo, 1,421m/4,662ft, Cota, 2,000m/6,562ft, Catedral, 2,200m/7,218ft, Co. Aguja de los Quirquinchis, Paine Negra, Aleta de Tiburon, 1,717m/5,634ft, Gemelos, 1,998m/6,555ft, Trono Blanco, 2,197m/7,208ft, Paine Catalina, 2,100m/6,890ft, Cabeza Del Indio, 2,230m/7,317ft.

You return the same way to Campamento Italiano, where you regain the main circuit trail and walk eastwards for a further couple of hours alongside Lago Nordenskjold to your campsite next to the Refugio Los Cuernos.

Overnight: Camp

Day 11 - Trek to Las Torres – 13km, 8 hours.

Your final day on trek sees you return to Las Torres and complete your circuit of the Torres del Paine massif.

After breakfast you take to the trail, which once again leads you parallel to the shores of Lago Nordenskjold. Heading eastward you have great views across the Park’s central lakes and can take in a different perspective of Paine “horns.” You arrive back at Las Torres by mid-afternoon; your circuit of the entire massif now well and truly complete. Dinner is taken at the EcoCamp where you will doubtless swap tales and memories with your fellow trekkers and perhaps one or two other guests for whom the adventure has yet to begin.

Overnight: Eco Camp, Torres Del Paine - Standard Domes

Day 12 - Transfer to Punta Arenas - 380km.

This morning you make an early start for the 380km/240mile drive back to Punta Arenas. Located on the Magellan Strait it is a pleasant place in which to spend the night. Although its importance as a port diminished after the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, Punta Arenas continues to play an important role in the wool trade as the principal export centre and for providing services and amenities to the many farmsteads of the region. You are free to explore the town this afternoon, perhaps looking for some last minute souvenirs or picking out a nice restaurant for dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Isla Rey Jorge or Similar, Punta Arenas

Day 13 - Transfer to the airport and fly to Santiago. Transfer to hotel.

Today you will fly back to Santiago. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel close to the airport.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport Or Similar, Santiago

Day 14 - Group transfer to airport. Depart for London.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your overnight flight back to London.

Overnight: In flight

Day 15 - Arrive back in London.

Today you will arrive back in the UK.