PAINE CIRCUIT FULL EXPERIENCE

““Real hiking adventure”

PROFILE

Adventure

DURATION

12 Days

SEASON

01 Nov – 02 Apr

ACCOMM

11 Nights

Day 1

Our representative will meet you at the Punta Arenas airport. Bus to Puerto Natales, a three-hour drive through the Patagonian pampa. Puerto Natales is the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park and outdoor adventure in the Patagonia region. The small town is located on the Señoret Channel along a scenic fjord, set against the dramatic backdrop of the southernmost peaks of the Andes. As a tourist hub, you’ll be able to find great food, supplies, and more to fuel up for your trek, along with local attractions to explore.

Lodging in Puerto Natales at Natalino hotel or similar. Dinner and meeting to discuss trip program. (D)

Tips:

Visit this charming little art store “Pueblito Artesanal”. Shop for handmade ornaments, art, handicrafts, and decorations inspired by Patagonia’s culture. These amazing products are handmade from natural materials and loved by the inhabitants and tourists of Magallanes. Next to the “Pueblito Artesanal” you will find a fantastic mural depicting native indians of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego as well as typical Patagonian traditions.

Day 2

We start our trip with a transfer by van to Torres del Paine National Park. This two-hour journey through ranch country includes a stop in Cerro Castillo, the principal site of wool and meat exportation to Europe during the 1960s. Arrival at Torres del Paine. Trek to the base of The Towers (7 hours roundtrip), a spectacular hike to view the three pink granite towers that made the park famous. Lodging & dinner at refugio Nash (B/L/D)

Day 3

Today we start our trek around the Paine Massif. In the morning we will meet our porters, load up our gear and head out across ancient glacial moraines on the way to Camp Seron. The trail goes through Lenga forests where we often see Austral parakeets, several species of geese and the occasional guanaco and fox (trekking time 4 hrs). Lodging & dinner at Camp Seron. (B/L/D)

Day 4

Early breakfast for the hike to Lago Dickson , a glacial lake on the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. We hike past bright blooming Notro bushes and make a stream crossing along the lake. A beautiful, leisurely hike (trekking time 6 hrs). Here we can take hot showers at the refugio and you can buy a cold beer! Lodging and dinner Refugio Dickson. (B/L/D)

Day 5

Today we do our packs and head out for a hike that is one of our personal favorites through pristine, old growth beech forest. We almost always see the incredible red-headed Magellanic woodpecker. Just before we arrive to our camp we will trek past glacier Perros with fantastic close up views of the glacier and its lake. We spend the night camping at the base of Paso John Garner at Los Perros. 5 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 6

Today we will explore this area offering an off the beaten Path experience. Your guide will take you to Puma glacier and surroundings. This a 6 hours round trip hike. Dinner and night at Los Perros Camp. (B/L/D)

Day 7

Today is our biggest day of hiking as we climb over Paso John Garner and down through thick forest directly above the massive Glaciar Grey. Once on the pass we look out over rugged, glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap – a view not to be missed! The Grey Glacier stretches out below us like a huge white highway 5 hours. After breakfast we start the 5 hours hike which continues descending towards Lake Grey through lenga forest where every so often appears a terrace looking out over Glacier Grey and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. Lodging and dinner at refugio Grey. (B/L/D)

Day 8

Ice-Hike; After breakfast the guides will have an introductory chat explaining the route, the time the tour will take and also testing the equipment adjusting it correctly for each passenger. Then, we go in a zodiac boat for 15 minutes until we reach the west side of the Grey Glacier. On arrival we will disembark on the island at the glacier (nunatak) and we will walk on it for about an hour until we reach the ice. Before walking onto the glacier, the guide will talk to us about the safety aspects and techniques of displacement in the ice. Once the safety briefing is complete we will begin our exploration of the Grey Glacier which will last approximately 3 hours. During this time we will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons and tunnels with their different tones of blue. After 3 hours on the glacier, we return to the zodiac boat and ride back to the base camp. Afternoon free. Dinner and night at Grey lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 9

KAYAK; from our base camp, located on the northeast coast of Lake Grey our guides will introduce us to the equipment needed for the tour and we will have a safety briefing. After this, we will carry the kayaks approximately 20 meters to the lakes’ edge. Now the tour really begins! We will be paddling around icebergs that are floating in the lake and afterwards we paddle towards the eastern side of the Grey Glacier to wonder at the spectacular scenery in this special place. If conditions permit, we can paddle closer to the glacier to get a really good view. After this, we will paddle back to the start point. During the afternoon we will cross a high plateau overlooking Lago Grey with its icebergs and the Grey Glacier on our way to Lago Pehoe, “hidden lake” in the Tehuelche language. 3-4 hours. The afternoon will be free to relax at Lodge Paine Grande and enjoy the area. Lodging and dinner is at Lodge Paine Grande where you can enjoy a pisco sour in the bar that overlooks Paine Grande & Los Cuernos mountains in the beautiful evening light. (B/L/D)

Day 10

Trek to the French Valley. This valley is the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world, its surrounded by hanging glaciers and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. After we trek out of the valley, we will continue to the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjold, where Refugio Cuernos is located (trekking time 8 hrs). Lodging and dinner at Refugio Cuernos. (B/L/D)

Day 11

Trek along Lake Nordenskjold and below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto, to the reach Hosteria Las Torres ( 5-6 hours ) ,our van is waiting at the parking lot. Transfer to Puerto Natales. Farewell dinner and lodging at Natalino hotel or similar. (B/L/D)

Day 12

Breakfast, bus to Punta Arenas or El Calafate. End of our services. (B)

MAP
INCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS:

  • All ground transportation with professional driver.
  • Lodging as noted in program.
  • Expert guiding.
  • Meals noted on program (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
  • All entrance fees where applicable.
  • Local excursions as indicated.
EXCLUSIONS:

  • Domestic airfare.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
  • Gratuities for guide, driver, porters.
  • Alcohol unless otherwise noted.

Gardner Peavy

“Well organized. Fantastic experience. Great guide. Highly recommend.”

Michael & Jastinder Westley

“Thanks for the great experience in one of a kind national park in a beautiful country. We had so much fun with our very hard working guide, and food was just great.”

Laurin Würdig

“We have returned to Natales and I am little bit sad that our adventure is over. I have to get used to stand on my one two feed again 🙂 Thanks a lot for everything again, you and Andrea are great!!!”

Greg DeVor

“I traveled to Chile and Argentina Patagonia in February 2019 with Antares Patagonia Adventure for an epic 2 week adventure. I was traveling alone which is always an adventure by itself. No amount of praise would be enough to describe the service and guide support that I received while traveling with A.P.A! Philippe and David were the guides that I had while I was there. Both were friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful in making this my best hike ever. The logistical end of things was incredible! I was always met with smile and right on time by the driver at my next location after transferring from one location to another. There were 2 times that I had a question while there (my own idiocy, of course). I sent an email to Fernando and was responded to extremely promptly. On a scale of 1-10 … I would rate A.P.A. at 743. If your trip is only half as good as mine, you’ll have the time of your life. Happy hiking!”

Steve Diggle

“We had a very good time, the guide especially was really excellent and added to our enjoyment and appreciation of the full circuit. I was disappointed by how many people were on the W part of the trail, I certainly wasn’t expecting the density of people on the trail and I’d advise anyone wanting or expecting seclusion to avoid the W. But the northern part of the trail was a great joy.”

Paine Circuit

Carolyne

“In March 2019 we did the 6 day Amazing Paine hike in Torres del Plaine National Park.
I went with my two adult children and had a great time. Our guide, Sergio, was fantastic and was with us the whole time (from our arrival at Punta Arenas airport to our departure). Everything was pre-arranged and went according to plan. The hiking was unbelievable and Sergio was very good at matching our pace and providing information on the geography and history along the hikes. Accommodations in the park were in refugios (Nash Serrano and Grey) which were comfortable and the food was good. We also went ice hiking and kayaking and very much enjoyed it. Everyone that was part of our trip was very friendly and helpful from Sergio, our drivers and the people who guided us on our kayak and hiking trips. We had a great experience and the fact that there was no Internet connection in the park was a plus as we talked a lot more than usual! I would recommend Antares and would also book another trip with them.”

Montreal, Canada

Michelle Jorgensen

“We had a fabulous trip and our guide was so helpful.  He really took personal interest in our family of six, with teenage kids that needed some encouragement at times.  We came in the winter and loved it!  It was cold but we dressed for the weather and were fine.  Coming without the crowds was worth it.  We would use Antares again in a heartbeat.”

Elen Ace

“Antares and Fernando did an excellent job arranging our unforgettable trip Valleys of W in Jan 2019. Topnotch organizational and communication skills, everything was smooth, on time, starting from pick up at the bus station to seeing us off at the airport. Everything was taken care of, transfers, transportation during the trip with very well maintained vehicle and excellent drivers, lunches, hikes, accommodation, etc. We had an excellent guide with us all the time, Rosalie,  she took good care of every member of our 6ppl group, very intelligent and knowledgeable young lady. Accommodation was fabulous,  hotel Natalino is probably the best one in Puerto Natales and Nash lodge in Serrano area is a gem, very patagonian with a character and awesome views. I’d highly recommend Antares in arranging any trips in Patagonia. Dont hesitate to contact me personally for more info. Fernando can provide my email address.”

Canada