Patagonia - Paine Circuit Chile

In brief: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Visit Patagonia's real wilderness. A Patagonia expedition would not be complete without trekking around Torres del Paine.

The Torres del Paine National Park is nothing less than awe inspiring and justifiably world famous. Photographs of its spectacular scenery cover every adventure brochure and are used to illustrate the word 'wilderness' in many magazines. Indeed thousands of people come to view the spectacle from the look-outs and occasionally wander up the path to take a closer look at the Central Tower base camp. It is only those seeking to find the real Patagonia that complete the route that not only circumnavigates the whole massif but takes in all the delights of its many nooks and crannies. Come and join us on this journey and discover not only the well-publicised sights but the unexpected beauty of the red headed Magellan woodpecker, creaking glaciers and hidden valleys surrounded by massive hanging glaciers.

An expedition that is sure to go beyond your own expectations of what this magical land is all about.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart UK - overnight flight to Buenos Aires

Day 2: Morning arrival in Buenos Aires & transfer to hotel

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires (B & B).

Day 3: Morning flight to Calafate

Afternoon trip to Perito Moreno Glacier. Pre-trek briefing and last minute shopping. Overnight in Calafate (B & B).

Day 4: Transfer to start of trek - 4hrs trekking to Campamento Seron

Early morning transfer to Torres del Paine National Park (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) via the border crossing point between Argentina and Chile. Lunch on arrival at Refugio Las Torres and final preparations for the trek.

After lunch we start our 133km trek around the Paine Massif. At Refugio Las Torres we will meet our baqueano (Chilean mountain guide/horse packer), load up our gear and head out across ancient glacial moraines on the way to Camping Seron. The trail passes through lenga forests where we often see the Austral parakeet, several species of geese and the occasional guanaco and fox. Camping Seron lies in the upper Valle Encantado, just south of Lago Paine. Overnight at Camping Seron.

Day 5: 6hrs trekking to Refugio Dickson

The trail to Refugio Dickson stays to the south of the Rio Paine with northward views across the valley to Cerro Stokes (2,150m) and the Paine Medio and Grand Ranges. Continuing onwards the route becomes boggy but the views overlooking Lago Dickson and beyond, to the Patagonian Ice Cap make this well worth the effort. Refugio Dickson must rank as one of the world's most spectacular overnight venues because of the views across the lake to the Patagonian Icecap. Overnight camp at Refugio Dickson.

Day 6: 4hrs trekking to Campamento Los Perros

Today we say good bye to our good friend the baqueano, load our packs and head out for three days trekking with our porters. Today's trek is one of our personal favourites - through pristine, ancient beech forests. We almost always see the incredible red-headed Magellan woodpecker. After leaving the forest, we cross a suspension bridge at the foot of Los Perros Glacier. Los Perros Lake is often dotted with small blue icebergs, carved from the glacier. We spend the night camping at the base of John Garner Pass just to the southwest of Los Perros Lake. Overnight camp at Campamento Los Perros.

Day 7: 5hrs trekking to Campamento Paso

Today is our biggest day of trekking as we climb over John Garner Pass (1,241m) and down through thick forest directly above the massive Grey Glacier. Once on the pass we look out over rugged, glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. The Grey Glacier stretches out below like a huge white highway which for many will be the highlight of the trek. Overnight camp at Campamento Paso.

Day 8: 6hrs trekking to Refugio Grey

After breakfast our trek continues descending towards Lago Grey through lenga forest where every so often appears a terrace looking out over Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. We will be pitching our tents right next to Lago Grey where you can watch the icebergs drifting past and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. It is possible to do an optional glacier walk on Glacier Grey from the Refugio. Overnight camp at Refugio Grey.

Day 9: 8hrs trekking to Campamento Britanico

We cross a high plateau overlooking Lago Grey and the Grey Glacier on our way to Lago Pehoe, "the view place" in the Tehuelche language. A 4hr walk to Refugio Pehoe makes it a good place to stop for lunch and view the small ferry crossing the turquoise Lago Pehoe. Refugio Pehoe is one of the most scenically situated huts in the national park. After lunch we continue past Lago Skottsberg with the far larger Lago Nordenskjold to the East. Crossing a suspension bridge just before Camamento Italiano we then follow the tributary river into the Valle de Frances to Campamento Britanico. Overnight camp at Campamento Britanico.

Day 10: Day at leisure to explore the surrounding area

The Valle del Frances contains the national park's most spectacular scenery and is worthy of a day spent in the area. This valley, the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world, is surrounded by hanging glaciers and an amphitheatre of granite walls and spires. A mirador, or viewpoint, lies an hour's walk to the East of the campsite. Overnight camp at Campamento Britanico.

Day 11: 4hrs trekking Refugio Los Cuernos

Descending from the Valle del Frances we continue eastwards, passing Campamento Italiano, along the northern shore of Lago Nordenskjold to Refugio Los Cuernos. The trail crosses several small tributary streams below Cuernos del Paine (2,600m) and follows the shingle beach for some of the way. Overnight camp at Refugio Los Cuernos.

Day 12: 6hrs trekking to Refugio Chileno

Continue trekking along the North shore of Lago Nordenskjold towards Hosteria Las Torres before heading into the Valle Ascencio leading to Refugio Chileno. An early start from Refugio Los Cuernos would give the group more time during the afternoon at the Base Las Torres to view the spectacular Paine Towers. Overnight in Refugio Chileno followed by a farewell dinner.

Day 13: Optional sunrise trek to Base Las Torres (2.5hrs), 2hrs trekking to Hosteria Los Torres - transfer to Puerto Natales

An early start to see the sun rise over the Paine Towers before breakfast back at Refugio Chileno. Trek back to the road head at Hosteria Las Torres for an end of trek Austral beer (from the southernmost brewery in the world) before catching our minibus back to Puerto Natales (117km) for lunch. Continue by bus to Punta Arenas (247km), hopefully stopping off at the penguin nature reserve North of Punta Arenas. Overnight in Punta Arenas.

Day 14: Transfer to Punta Arenas Airport and fly to Santiago - transfer to hotel

Overnight in Santiago (B and B).

Day 15: Morning tour of Santiago and transfer to airport for the overnight flight to London

Day 16: Group arrive UK