Trip Code: PAT 017 / Style: Expedition9 DAY TORRES DEL PAINE CIRCUIT

Day 1, Wednesday, the Patagonic Adventure Starts…

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

The trip starts in Punta Arenas city during the morning either at your hotel or at the airport. From Punta Arenas we drive to camping Las Torres located in world famous Torres del Paine National Park. During summer the sun sets around 11 pm, so as you drive in you’ll have plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanaco and snow-peaked mountain horizon. Before arriving though, there are a couple stops. One is at Puerto Natales, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza - “Last Hope Sound”. You are invited to check out the town, leave any luggage you will not need for the trek in our office, and finally enjoy a hearty lunch with delicious local food. The other stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The surrounding area is very scenic with plenty of wild birds to be seen. The day ends with an overnight at the camping Las Torres.

Day 2, Thursday, Camp Torres to Camp Dickson

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

The day will start at EcoCamp with a long trekking heading to Dickson Lake. Once arriving to Dickson we enjoy a spectacular view on Dickson Glacier and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine. We will stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below and then we descend to the lake level and continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Our stunning campsite will be in the Dickson Valley surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers available. Overnight camping at Dickson.

Day 3, Friday, Camp Dickson to Camp Perros

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

The trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. A virgin beech forest crossed by many water courses leads the way towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp. Enjoy the night camping at Los Perros.

Day 4, Saturday, Cam Perros to Camp Grey, through John Gardner Pass

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Day 5, Sunday, Camp Grey to Pehoe Lake

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

After the big effort done yesterday, today the group will have the morning to rest and enjoy Grey Glacier surroundings. During the morning those who wake up with energy could do an optional ice trekking on Grey Glacier until midday. After having lunch is time to continue trekking. The trek continues going by the eastern side of Grey Lake through clearings of Calafate bushes. The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters is very impressive at this point. Finally, the track climbs onto flat ridges and passes a small lake one hour before descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago Pehoe. We spend the night in our camp by the turquoise lake Pehoe.

Day 6, Monday, Stepping into the Paine Massif’s Heart: Valle Frances

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

After breakfast, we begin a challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), a steep trail that goes into the very heart of the Paine Massif. How deep we go depends on our groups’ rhythm. An active walk leads us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, we can enjoy our first truly wonderful view and then continue up the trail until reaching the upper prospects of the valley. The entire group of geological formations of the high valley can be admired here: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza! (Fortress). It is time to have a picnic and recover from the walk. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is available as well. Next, we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and continue walking until we reach Camp Cuernos.

Day 7, Tuesday, Bordering the Nordenskjold Lake

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Once we are done with breakfast we start our trekking day heading to the EcoCamp through the curly Cuernos trail located beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During the day we take in the park’s charming flora and fauna, its strong wind and the curious 4-seasons weather that has accompanied us all these days. As we advance through the trail we enjoy magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and enjoy other perspective of the Paine’s Horns. We will of course stop to enjoy a delicious box lunch to energize us for the rest of the walk. The trek ends at the EcoCamp. The evening is left free to enjoy dinner and share experiences.

Day 8, Wednesday, the Final Challenge: The Mighty Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Time for a great breakfast and lots of enthusiasm! Our goal is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine NP. We walk from the camp site towards Hostería Las Torres and connect with the winding uphill path to Ascencio Valley – the valley which supports the eastern face of the Towers’ base. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers are passed along the scenic walk into the valley. It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before our face to face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is sufficiently steep to consider doing it slowly and with an adequate amount of precaution. After a considerable effort, the Towers come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. This is one of the most breathtaking sights of the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2, 900 m/ 9, 400 ft) consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Is there any better place on this planet to have lunch? Of course! But since we are in Patagonia, at the feet of the mighty Torres del Paine, we will enjoy life, the view, and a bite to eat! Once everyone is ready, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley, and return to camping Las Torres. This is sadly our last night in Torres del Paine, we take notes and talk with our friends, relax, feel the strong Patagonic wind while watching the heavens above, all these days in the Park will be profound memories when we return home.

Day 9, Thursday, Adios Torres del Paine!

Punta Arenas, Chile

We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight to Santiago.