Torres del Paine Circuit Trek

Which Incorporates the W Trek

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Torres del Paine Circuit Trek

Torres del Paine Circuit Trek Introduction

The Torres del Paine Circuit Trek name derives from the reality that the trail loops around, from start to finish, in a circle. In addition, it is also “nicknamed” the “O” circuit, because that letter depicts a circle. Moreover, it begins at the Eastern side of the W Trek trail, from Refugio Central, Refugio Norte, Eco Camp or Hotel Las Torres. Also, in this sector is the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre.

Torres del Paine Circuit Trek

It is worth considering that the Torres del Paine Circuit Trek is the trail that includes the W Trek, but also the route that goes around the back of the Torres del Paine Central massif. Some would term this area as “the back country”. However, this trail has to be walked anti-clockwise starting at the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre.

The Full Circuit Itinerary from Puerto Natales, and back to Puerto Natales is from USD2,100 per person.

Camping Seron

From the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre area, the first stop off is Camping Seron (see photo below). This is a fully-serviced camp site whereupon we will have your tent already set up on a platform. Also included, will be your sleeping bag with liner. In addition, you can take all your meals in the adjacent food service cabin.

Refugio Dickson

Moreover, the next day involves a trek to Refugio Dickson (see photo above) in the back country taking in incredible sights behind the “Towers” of Torres del Paine. Most important, at Refugio Dickson you will have dorm room, bunk bed accommodation, sleeping bags with liners and all meals included.

Camping Los Perros

Shortly after Dickson, the following day’s trek will lead to Camping Los Perros, for a good nights sleep. However, at Camping Perros there are not many services. You will get your tent, set up, sleeping bag and liner, but there is no food cabin apart from a small minimarket.

In the morning you will need to be energized for the steep climb to the John Gardner pass for a spectacular view over Glacier Grey.

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Further below is a full Circuit Trek trail description covering each of the sectors, along with photos and complete trail map.

If you’d like us to suggest or create an itinerary for you, please EMAIL US.

Direct W Trek Request Email: request@experiencechile.org

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The "O" Circuit Trail Map (Click to Make Bigger)

The Full Circuit Itinerary with Sector Maps

Torres del Paine Circuit Trek Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival to Puerto Natales.
Transfer- own arrangements (use local service) to hotel (or we can arrange this as an extra if required).

Hotel in Puerto Natales, matrimonial or twin-bed room, breakfast included

Day 2

Following a good nights sleep we will come and collect you at 06:30hrs for your private transfer to the bus terminal. Here you will board the regular bus to the Laguna Amarga entrance at Torres del Paine, arriving at around 12:00hrs. Moreover, here you need to pay park entrance fee. Following the entrance payment you will board the shuttle to the Torrs del Paine Welcome Centre from where you can begin the trek to Camping Serón, which will take around 5hrs.

Camping Serón

Previously set up tent, sleeping bags, ground matts

Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch included.

Day 3

Optional early start, 6hr trek to the Dickson sector.

Refugio Dickson

Dorm room on bunk beds

Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch included.

Day 4

Optional early start and start trek to Perros which is approx 5hrs

Camping Perros

Tent, sleeping bags, ground matts.

Day 5

Crossing the John Gardner path.

Very early start and trek to Refugio Grey, which is approx. 11hrs.

Refugio Grey

Dorm room on bunk beds Refugio Grey.

Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch included.

Day 6

Late start, trek to Paine Grande sector, 4hrs.

Refugio Paine Grande

Dorm room on bunk beds Paine Grande.

Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch included.

Day 7

Optional early start and start trek to Cuernos or Frances sector, which is approx. 5hrs direct, or 10hrs via the French Valley.

Then either a 5hr trek to the Frances sector or 6hrs on to the Cuernos sector.

Cuernos or Frances

Dorm room on bunk beds in Refugio Cuernos, or Private Cabin, or Dorm room on bunk beds in a dome at Frances.

Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch included.

Day 8

Hike from Cuernos or Frances to Refugio El Chileno, approx. 5 hrs.

Camping El Chileno

Full Equipment: tent, sleeping bags and ground matts.

Hot dinner, breakfast and box lunch included.

Day 9

Optional very early start, 2hr trek up to Torres base, Rest, then 2hrs back to Chileno, collecting any bag you left behind and hike down to the Welcome Center.

Take the shuttle to Laguna Amarga, and make the connection with the regular bus at 14:30 hrs or at 19:30 hrs

Transfer to your Hotel

Hotel in Puerto Natales, matrimonial or twin-bed room, breakfast included

Day 10

Depart

NOTE:

In the event that any of the accommodation on the W trek is not available we will seek to secure alternative accommodation that may involve a different refugio or camping, but with the tent set up on a platform, ground mat, sleeping bag and all meals included. The rate will be the same.

If you’d like us to arrange this itinerary for you, please send us your request…

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Torres del Paine Circuit Trek

Meeting the W Trek

John Garner Pass

Torres del Paine Circuit Trek meets the W Trek once you have arrived to the John Garner viewpoint. Here, the trek will lead towards the western start of the W Trek. Considering the John Gardner pass is high, the next sector is mainly a downhill stretch that passes through forests and beside Glacier Grey (see photo below) until you get to Refugio Grey.

Refugio Grey

At Refugio Grey you will find you have a bunk bed in a dorm room, sleeping bag with liner and all meals included in the dining room. After a night at Refugio Grey the trail follows Grey Lake and then up and down to Refugio Paine Grande.

Refugio Paine Grande

Perhaps the largest refugio on the trail is Refugio Paine Grande, and here you will also get a bunk bed in a dorm room, sleeping bag with liner and all meals taken in the dining room. Following dinner and a good night’s sleep at Grande you will be heading to the French Valley with its hanging glaciers and steep-sided valley walls.

If you’d like us to suggest or create an itinerary for you, please EMAIL US.

Direct W Trek Request Email: request@experiencechile.org

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The French Valley

The Middle of the W Trek

Following the French Valley trek (see photo below) you will either be stopping for the night at the Frances or Cuernos sector. Each place will have a bed for you with sleeping bag and liner and all meals set up for your consumption.

The next leg of the trek will take you to Refugio Chileno. Here you will find a bunk bed in a dorm room, sleeping bag with liner and all meals set up for your enjoyment.

If you’d like us to suggest or create an itinerary for you, please EMAIL US.

Direct W Trek Request Email: request@experiencechile.org

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The Torres Base

One of the iconic places on the W Trek Trail is the Torres del Paine, Torres Base (see photo below). In the morning will be the final part of the trek, which leads to the famous Torres Base. When you get to the view point you will see a lagoon at the feet of the three, needle-carved, vertically-sided towers of granite rock. Following this achievement you will back track to Refugio Chileno, and head down to where Hotel Las Torres, the Welcome Centre and Refugio’s Central and Norte are all located. Once you get here you will have completed the Full Torres del Paine Circuit, or “O” Trek.

If you’d like us to suggest or create an itinerary for you, please EMAIL US.

Direct W Trek Request Email: request@experiencechile.org

Ask Us About the Circuit Trek Click Here

Please Send Us Your Enquiry

For the best service please supply us with as much information as you can about where you want to go, what you want to do, what you want to experience and how much money you want to spend (or do not want to spend!). How many people, what type of beds (matrimonial, twin, single etc.)

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Remember, our speciality is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.