Your Paine Circuit adventure starts with a transfer from Puerto Natales to EcoCamp Patagonia, where you’ll enjoy lunch and a detailed trekking briefing, including how to pack for the days ahead. In the afternoon, hike across the Patagonian steppe toward Camp Serón. This first stage follows rolling hills and native forest, with your first views of the remote backside of the Paine Massif.
Overnight Camping in Serón area.
Meals: lunch and dinner.
Continue into the remote northern side of the Paine O Trek, following the Paine River through broad valleys and open grasslands. Pause at a natural viewpoint overlooking Lake Paine before continuing toward Dickson Valley. The campsite sits beside Lake Dickson, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, native forest and views toward Dickson Glacier—one of the most spectacular camping settings in Torres del Paine.
Overnight Camping in the Dickson area.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Enter one of the wildest sections of the O Circuit, following the Los Perros River through native lenga forest. Before reaching camp, stop at the Los Perros Glacier viewpoint and its small glacial lake. Continue through the forest to the remote Los Perros campsite, the simplest of the trek due to its isolated location, with basic mountain facilities and cold-water showers.
Overnight Camping in the Los Perros area.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Rise before sunrise for one of the defining challenges of the Paine Circuit: crossing John Gardner Pass. At the highest point of the O Trek, vast views open over Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Descend through steep forested slopes and panoramic trails as the immense glacier unfolds below. This demanding but unforgettable stage ends near the shores of Lake Grey.
Overnight Camping in Grey area.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
After the demanding crossing of John Gardner Pass, start the day at a slower pace with time to visit nearby Grey Glacier viewpoints and watch for icebergs drifting close to shore. Then hike south along Lake Grey, now joining the classic W Trek trail, toward the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé. With fewer climbs and a shorter distance, today offers a welcome change of pace before reaching Paine Grande.
*Optional Grey Glacier Kayaking: Starting at approximately 8:00 AM, this 2.5-hour excursion takes you among floating icebergs toward the eastern side of Grey Glacier. Minimum age: 14 years. Maximum weight: 103 kg / 227 lb. Available from October to April, subject to weather conditions.
Overnight Camping in Lodge Paine Grande area.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
-1.jpg?width=650&height=433&name=Lago%20Pehoe%20(1%20of%201)-1.jpg)
Enter the spectacular French Valley, one of the signature landscapes of the W Trek. After roughly 7 km / 4.3 mi, begin the steeper ascent toward the French Glacier viewpoint, surrounded by hanging glaciers and dramatic granite walls. How far the group continues depends on weather, timing and physical condition. If the guide determines conditions are suitable, the hike may continue to Británico Lookout before descending to Francés or Los Cuernos.
Important: Continuing to Británico Lookout is determined by the guide according to weather, available time, trail conditions and the group’s physical condition.
Overnight Camping in Francés or Los Cuernos area.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
After breakfast, follow the Cuernos trail toward EcoCamp Patagonia, hiking beside Lake Nordenskjöld with the Paine Massif rising on the opposite side. This less strenuous stage crosses rolling terrain and offers time to enjoy the park’s flora, fauna and lake views. After a trail lunch, continue to EcoCamp, where a welcome drink, appetizers and a three-course dinner mark your return before the final major hike.
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia, Standard Dome (subject to availability).
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Optional: Upgrade to EcoCamp Superior or Suite Dome.
Complete your Paine O Trek with the legendary hike to the Base of the Towers. Hike through Ascencio Valley, passing mountain streams, lenga forest and dramatic ridgelines before tackling the steep final moraine. At the top, the three granite Towers rise above a turquoise glacial lake—one of Patagonia’s most iconic views. After a picnic and time to enjoy the landscape, return to EcoCamp for a farewell dinner with your team.
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia, Standard Dome (subject to availability).
Meals: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Optional: Upgrade to EcoCamp Superior or Suite Dome.
After breakfast, say goodbye to Torres del Paine National Park and enjoy a scenic transfer to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas for your onward journey. Transportation to El Calafate can also be arranged for travelers continuing their Patagonia adventure in Argentina.
Meals: breakfast and box lunch.
.jpg?width=8348&height=5665&name=Mapa%209%20day%20circuit%20(ultimo%20julio).jpg)
.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=Mapa%209%20day%20circuit%20(ultimo%20julio).jpg)
.jpg)
Six nights are spent camping at Serón, Dickson, Los Perros, Grey, Paine Grande and Francés or Los Cuernos. Tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags are provided. Facilities vary considerably along the route, particularly in the remote northern section.
On nights 7 and 8, all Circuit hikers are welcome to attend evening activities in EcoCamp's bar and Yoga Dome!
Spend the final two nights at EcoCamp Patagonia in a Standard Dome, subject to availability. Upgrades to Superior or Suite Domes may be available depending on season and availability.
Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with a unique view of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first fully sustainable accommodation south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in geodesic domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants.
Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact and maintaining the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove, and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes that fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace, and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
Spacious, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows, and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet
.webp?width=449&height=300&name=27163240598_ffdeea5f39_k%20(1).webp)
EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request, as in the photo), cozy fleece blankets, and feather quilts. There is a radiator for heating, which can also be used to hang your clothes for drying There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable, and gender divided.
Regular Departures are available every Wednesday from November to March.
IMPORTANT: Departures require a minimum of 4 participants. Groups of 2 or 3 people must pay a supplement. If a given departure isn't available, you will be put on a waiting list.
Do you want a private departure for this trip? We can do it, just send us an email.
Upgrades at EcoCamp Patagonia
Kayaking on Grey lake, Day 5
The trip starts on Wednesday morning and finishes on Thursday of the following week. To be ready for the beginning of the program, you must arrive in Puerto Natales during the afternoon before Day 1 and spend that night in the city.
If you arrive the day before and your schedule matches our regular transfer from Punta Arenas, you may use this service and be dropped off at your hotel in Puerto Natales. This option is also available for travelers arriving at Puerto Natales Airport in time for our regular transfer, or for those traveling from El Calafate to Puerto Natales Bus Station who require a transfer to their hotel.
At the end of the program, regular drop-off services are available to Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, or El Calafate. Please check our EcoCamp Transfer Schedule for available pick-up and drop-off times and locations.
This is a strenuous multi-day trek for experienced and well-prepared hikers. The standard route covers approximately 124.1 km / 77.1 mi over eight trekking days. If the guide continues to Británico Lookout on Day 6, the total can reach approximately 130.9 km / 81.3 mi.
Individuals aged 15 or older are considered adults and are welcome.
Children aged 14 may be accepted into this program provided that their legal guardian submits a formal letter confirming that the child is physically and mentally prepared for an intensive trekking experience and authorizing the hiring of a private guide to ensure the minor’s safety and performance throughout the trek.
Younger children are not permitted to participate in this trip.
This trip does not offer a special discount for children.
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia, transportation is in minivans that normally seat 8 to 14 people. Pick-up/drop-off times, as shown on the Weekly Transfer Board,are approximate and will be confirmed by our local operations team closer to departure. An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for anyone needing additional support while in Chile.
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the winds that circle the Antarctic landmass, making the weather hard to predict. Fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning; even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. Summer’s average temperature is 11ºC (52ºF), ranging between 2 to 24ºC (35 to 75ºF).
Once you have made your booking, we will send you a complete pre-trip info brochure that details the things you need to bring.
Here are some of the general items we recommend:
The porters are people who will help us with the logistics of transporting luggage during our trip. They will be in charge of carrying items such as: tents, sleeping bags, mats/insulators and dry bags*. They will transport these items from Ecocamp or the camps occupied during the trek, to our next stops, making sure to arrive on time so that we can find these items at our disposal once we arrive at the camps/refugios.
*Dry bags: Dry bags, as their name indicates, are waterproof bags in which we can store the items that we will not need during the walks and keep them dry and insulated while the porters transport them. The dry bag limit (regulated based on the weight that is healthy for porters to carry) is 15 Lt. and 5 Kg/11 Lb. each (in case there is more than one dry bag on your trip).
These bags will be labeled with your name so that they are not confused with those of other members of your group.
The porter service for this trip is included in the trip price. During the trek, your belongings will be divided into two main portions.
The first portion is what you will carry yourself in your daypack, including your lunch, water, camera, sunscreen, and the clothing layers you may need to put on or take off during the day.
The second portion is your change of clean clothes and other personal items needed at night in the campsites. These items will be carried for you in waterproof dry bags.
Sleeping bags and sleeping mats are included in your reservation and will be rented directly at the refugios/campsites, so you do not need to bring them with you to Torres del Paine or pack them in your dry bags.
On Day 1, at EcoCamp, we will provide you with two small 15-liter dry bags. In the first bag, you will pack the clothes and items needed for the following nights: Night 1 at Serón, Night 2 at Dickson, Night 3 at Los Perros, Night 4 at Grey, and Night 5 at Pehoé. In the second bag, you can pack clothes and any items needed for Night 5 at Pehoé and Day 6 at Cuernos, before returning to Camp Torre Central on Day 7, where the rest of your luggage will be waiting for you.
Upon arrival at Pehoé, you will have access to both dry bags at the same time.
You are allowed to pack up to 5 kg / 11 lbs in each dry bag.
Taking into account that you will only have access to 1 of the 2 dry bags during your trip (when your trip includes 2), we recommend the following to have optimal access to your items:
The weather in Patagonia can make planning difficult at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide. The trip guide can modify, change, or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
Group size and price
Searching Availability...
Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
.webp){kind=link}
