INDEPENDENT PAINE O CIRCUIT

At 6:45 AM, you must be at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal to board the 7:00 AM public bus that will take you directly to Torres del Paine National Park.

You’ll cross through estancias and Patagonian plains, enjoying the region’s most iconic landscapes, flora, and fauna. Be sure to have your camera ready! Upon arriving at Laguna Amarga, the main entrance to the park, you will present your park entry QR code, which is included in your program. Then, you will board a shuttle heading to the Welcome Center.

From there, you’ll walk to Refugio Central, where you can leave your luggage before beginning the hike to the Base of the Towers.

You’ll start the hike by entering the Ascencio Valley, gradually ascending until reaching the Windy Pass. This section is as stunning as it is exposed, often with strong gusts of wind, so it’s essential to follow the instructions on your navigation app to cross safely.

A few meters further ahead, you’ll reach Refugio Chileno, the last stop on the trail with bathrooms, food for sale, and internet access. Remember to bring cash if you plan to purchase anything.

From there, you’ll continue into a lenga forest, crossing small streams until you reach a scenic lookout that reveals the most demanding section of the day. The trail then climbs steeply up a massive terminal moraine, where you’ll be rewarded with the breathtaking view of the iconic Towers.

If the weather allows, you’ll begin your morning with the stunning orange glow lighting up the Towers at dawn. You’ll then set out on a self-guided hike through an ancient beech forest, where you might hear woodpeckers or spot fresh puma tracks along the way.

This will be one of the easiest sections of the circuit, following a well-marked trail with a gentle incline and distant views of Cerro Paine Chico. You’ll make your way to Serón Camp, located in the northeastern sector of the Park, where your pre-booked campsite will be ready for you to rest and recharge for the next day.

Depending on the season, on your third day you’ll have the chance to admire the park’s floral beauty , from orchids and calceolarias to violets and blooming oxalis. As you hike around Lake Paine, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including Cerro Escudo and Cerro Cabeza del Indio, where the profile of an indigenous figure appears naturally carved into the rock.

You’ll also spot the curved summit of Cerro Cubo and reach the stunning Lake Dickson, one of the border glaciers between Argentina and Chile. The entire route will be available in your offline navigation app, so you can feel supported and safe every step of the way.

Today will be a day to indulge your senses with stunning sights and rich textures. You’ll trek through some of the oldest beech forests in the park, following gently rolling trails alongside the Los Perros River.

Throughout the day, you’ll be accompanied by breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, and lush vegetation. You’ll cross a suspension bridge over the river, leading to the base of a terminal moraine that feeds a crystalline lagoon below. From there, a final 30-minute hike will take you to your destination: Los Perros Campsite.

Tonight’s campsite is the only one on the circuit without hot showers or standard sanitary facilities such as flush toilets, so be prepared for a more rustic experience

This will be the most challenging day of the Paine Circuit, with demanding trails and ever-changing weather conditions. However, your effort will be more than rewarded with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Torres del Paine, places seen by only a few visitors to the park.

You’ll ascend to John Garner Pass, reaching 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) above sea level, where you’ll feel the full force of the Patagonian winds and be dazzled by panoramic views of Grey Glacier and the still-unexplored peaks of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

From there, the trail will take you along the edge of the glacier, climbing and descending through forests of fallen trees and beneath the towering, sculpted granite walls of the Olguín Range. As you approach Grey Glacier, you may even witness a dramatic ice calving event.

You’ll begin the day at the foot of the monumental Grey Glacier, where you’ll enjoy unbeatable views and, with a bit of luck, witness massive chunks of ice calving into the lake. On this penultimate day, you’ll have several activity options: hike to the Grey Glacier lookout, join an ice trek with crampons, or embark on a kayaking adventure across Grey Lake, paddling around icebergs and along the glacier’s face.

From there, you’ll take the trail toward Paine Grande, passing through forests and rivers while enjoying panoramic views of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field. As you descend, the trail will lead you to Laguna de los Patos, where you may spot southern steamer ducks.

On your final day, you’ll take on a challenging hike into the heart of the Paine Massif. After breakfast, a winding trail will lead you to the French River.

At the entrance to the French Valley, you’ll begin a gradual one-hour ascent, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the hanging glacier at the top of the valley, continuing until you reach the French Valley viewpoint: Le Plateau.

The return hike follows the same trail back to Paine Grande, where a catamaran will take you across Lake Pehoé. From there, you’ll connect with your pre-arranged transfer back to Puerto Natales.