The Big Trek Tour (16 days)

This trip, for keen hikers, takes you along the relatively unfrequented route of the Paine circuit in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. In one week you will visit the beautiful glaciated valleys of the W circuit and also the lesser known parts of Paine such as the glaciers of Dickson, Perros and Grey. This exceptional trip involves long hiking days in the mountainous section of the park. On the Argentine side you will discover the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Massifs and follow an easier hiking route but one that is also quite superb.

Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, flight to Punta Arenas. Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales.

Day 2: Rest morning then transfer to the Torres del Paine National Park. Accommodation is in a mountain refuge located on the banks of Lake Pehoe with a view over the Cuernos (Horns).

Day 3: Trek to the Frances Valley, at the foot of Paine Grande and the Cuernos. Accommodation is in a mountain refuge at the foot of the Cuernos.

Day 4: Hike along Lake Nordenskjöld, towards the Hosteria Las Torres complex. Accommodation is in a mountain refuge at the entrance to the Ascencio Valley.

Day 5: Trek up to the Torres lookout which overlooks the granite towers that give their name to the park. Accommodation is in a mountain refuge.

Day 6: Long hiking day to join up with the trail that leads round the back part of the massif where the Paine River begins. Accommodation is in the Dickson mountain refuge.

Day 7: Rest morning and then in the afternoon hike to reach the Perros Glacier and its lagoon. Night spent camping.

Day 8: Long hiking day to reach the legendary Garner Pass which is 1200m high and offers a wonderful view overlooking all of the Grey Glacier. Steep climb down the other side to reach Lake Grey. Accommodation is in a mountain refuge close to the glacier.

Day 9: In the morning a zodiac boat takes us across the lake for an ice hike on Grey Glacier (with crampons) discovering its crevices and bluish caves. Return to the mountain refuge and then hike to Lake Pehoe. Transfer to Puerto Natales.

Day 10: Cross the border into Argentina and drive to the town of El Calafate.

Day 11: Day trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier, another ice giant. Afterwards a transfer to the village of El Chalten nestled at the foot of Cerro Fitz Roy.

Day 12: Trek to Cerro Torre.

Day 13: Hike to Fitz Roy and the Piedras Fraile Valley.

Day 14: Hike through this little known valley. Return to El Chalten and transfer back to El Calafate.

Day 15: Long road trip back to Punta Arenas.

Day 16: Flight to Santiago.

Cost: Contact us for prices

Additional services:

The trips that we offer include accommodation in comfortable hostels and the transport and tours are provided by public transport (regular service).

For the occasional night or the whole tour we can suggest accommodation of a higher category if you so wish. Perhaps you would like a night in a luxurious estancia, a charming small lodge or a fancy boutique hotel, if so just ask for our recommendations and we can suggest a variety of our favorite lodgings to you.

For more freedom and convenience you can choose a private transport service for your transfers and excursions. We have worked for several years with highly-qualified drivers who have modern and comfortable vehicles.

If you would like to get to know the area better we can arrange for a French or English-speaking guide to accompany you for a few days allowing you to find out about the local history, the fauna and the flora of the national parks.