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The Classic Full Circuit

This route is the fastest way to complete the full Torres del Paine circuit at great value. Trek through the isolated northern side of the park, over the infamous John Gardner Pass with the ice field beneath you and back along the W Trek for the complete experience. With fully-supported camping you can travel light and keep the pace up on one of the world's most famous trekking routes.

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The Classic Full Circuit

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Trip type

Guided Activity

Trip length

7 Days

From

$2,995

Location

Torres del Paine

The Classic Full Circuit - 7 Days - $2,995

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

Day 1: Trek to Las Torres (The Towers) lookout; Camping at Refugio Las Torres 

Day 2: Trek to Séron; Séron Campsite 

Day 3: Trek to Dickson; Dickson Campsite

Day 4: Trek to Los Perros River; Los Perros Campsite

Day 5: Trek to Grey Glacier; Grey beach camp

Day 6: Free morning or optional activity; Trek to Lake Pehoé; Paine Grande Campsite

Day 7: Trek the French Valley; Puerto Natales

Start from Puerto Natales and end at Puerto Natales

Landmarks visited on The Classic Full Circuit

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Trek to Las Torres (The Towers) lookout; Camping at Refugio Las Torres

At 7.30am we pick you up at your lodging in Puerto Natales. Our transfer takes us along an unpaved road heading to Torres Del Paine. When entering the park, we will have excellent opportunities to photograph guanacos (llama family) and Grey foxes, driving alongside lagoons where you can spot Chilean flamencos and black-necked swans.

We will begin our trek to the base of the Towers, following the Ascencio River to enter the Ascencio Valley. We will walk uphill for one hour before stopping to observe the first glimpses of the valley surrounded by unbelievable beech forests (Nothofagus family), glaciers and waterfalls.

We'll continue through the valley for another hour and a half before ascending a huge terminal moraine to a lookout (900m), the perfect photo stop. At this point, we will be surrounded by three giant granite towers (2850m) and a lagoon with slurry waters due to erosion produced by glaciers. This amazing view will be accompanied by lunch, adding to the experience.

After being awed by the towers we'll start our descent, following the same path back to our camp at Refugio Las Torres.

Private transfer: 2hrs

Length of hike: 8-10hrs, 21km

Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Camping at Refugio Las Torres


Day 2: Trek to Séron; Séron Campsite

We will have an early start and, weather permitting, enjoy an impressive view of the Tower's peaks lit up in orange at dawn. We will start our walk through an ancient, tall deciduous beech forest with the chance to see woodpeckers or fresh puma tracks. We follow a well-marked trail on a gradual incline that will lead us to an excellent viewpoint of Paine Chico Mountain in the distance.

Continuing on further, we arrive at the Serón Campsite, which is situated in the more gentle northeastern part of the national park. Here, we will set up our camp and enjoy a good dinner together.

Length of hike: 4-5hrs, 13km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Séron Campsite


Day 3: Trek to Dickson Lake; Dickson Campsite

Today is the most relaxed stretch of our journey and especially interesting for flower lovers who, depending on the season, will see orchids, calceolarias, violets and oxalis. We will trek around Paine Lake along a flattish path with views of many mountains, including Cerro Escudo (The Shield) and Cerro Cabeza del Indio (Indian Head Mountain - the profile of an Indian is observed in the rocks).

As the hike goes on, we will arrive at the beginning of the Paine River, from where we will be able to see the incredible Cerro Cubo (Cube Mountain) and Dickson Lake. We'll spend the night at Dickson Campsite, a refugio campsite with pre-pitched tents.

Length of hike: 6-7hrs, 18.5km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Dickson Campsite


Day 4: Trek to Los Perros River; Los Perros Campsite

At this point we will start our adventuring in one of the most beautiful sections of the park, navigating some of the oldest beech forests, along an undulating path, following Los Perros River, with breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls and lush vegetation.

We will cross a hanging bridge over Los Perros River to arrive at the terminal moraine of a hanging glacier that feeds a crystalline lagoon at its base. Half an hour from this point is Los Perros Campsite where we will stay overnight. Tonight's campsite is the most basic camping on the whole trek.

Length of hike: 5hrs, 13km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Los Perros Campsite


Day 5: Trek to Grey Glacier; Grey beach camp

This is the most difficult day of the whole circuit, but the dramatic beauty of the scenery is more than enough to keep you going. We’ll begin along a clear trail through forests, then make our way through a swamp-like section before beginning our ascent. As we make our way up, we may come across some snow and eventually reach the John Gardner Pass at 1200m above sea level. From here we have an outstanding view of the Grey Glacier and the Southern Ice Field, with its many unclimbed peaks.

We will journey alongside the glacier on an undulating path through fallen trees which contrast against the vivid Nothofagus forests. We also walk beneath the huge thick granite walls of the Cordon Olguín. If we're lucky, we may see ice calving from the front wall of the Grey Glacier, before we reach our beach camping location for the night.

Length of hike: 10-11hrs, 2km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Grey beach camp


Day 6: Free morning or optional activity; Trek to Lake Pehoé; Paine Grande Campsite

Today we enjoy a leisurely morning, around the camp or in front of the Glacier Grey watching for some ice calving from the huge glacier wall.

Optional excursions that you may like to participate in are a 5-hr ice hike on Grey Glacier, or a 2.5-hr kayak excursion on Lake Grey.

The ice hike on Glacier Grey starts with a safety briefing. Following this you'll take a boat ride, then hike for an hour to safely reach the glacier. From here your guide will check the equipment provided to you - ice axe, crampons, helmet and harness. You must have your own hiking boots with ankle support, gloves and sunglasses - without these you will not be permitted to take this ice hike. The hike on the glacier lasts for 2.5hrs, with the whole trip taking about 5hrs. You must be in very good physical shape for this excursion as the hike to the glacier is challenging.

The 2.5-hr kayaking excursion allows you to paddle around the huge floating icebergs that have calved from the glacial wall. You'll first receive a safety briefing from a specialist guide covering the kayak, paddling, route and conditions. All necessary equipment will be provided - neoprene suit, waterproof jacket, gloves, boots, kayak skirt and life vest.

Advance booking and payment is required for both of these excursions - please see the 'Additional Notes' section below.

We'll have lunch in the Refugio before we start a hike to the Pehoé Lake and the Paine Grande Campsite.

Length of hike: 3.5hrs, 11km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Paine Grande Campsite


Day 7: Trek to the French Valley; Puerto Natales

Today's hike is a round-trip, so we'll be able to leave our packs at Refugio Paine Grande and hike lightly. We'll start by skirting the south-west side of Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Park. This will take us through native forests of fire bush and evergreen beech (Nothofagus Bethuloides), up to the hanging bridge over the French River to observe the first glimpses of the glacier.

As we take in these sights, we will ascend further (300m) for one hour in a surreal Japanese garden landscape, crossing beech forests, to reach a viewpoint where we get jaw-dropping views of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. In this stunning location we'll stop for lunch.

We will then follow the same path back to Pehoe Lake, pick up our packs, cross the lake by catamaran and take a private transfer back to Puerto Natales; where we will end the trip.

Length of hike: 7-8hrs, 21km

Catamaran duration: 35mins

Transfer duration: 2hrs

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

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Customer review background image

What our customers think of The Classic Full Circuit

The Classic Full Circuit trips scored 4.1/5 from 51 reviews

There were so many memorable moments! I'd say the most memorable was getting to the top of Garner Pass and looking down on Grey Glacier. So windy! Sun was out! Glacier was glowing! Jose was excited for us!

Travelled: March 2024

Mark -

John Gardner Pass in the wind with my friends.

Travelled: February 2024

Mollie -

Sleeping in an elevated tent at Dickson campsite with the wind howling all night. The tent was rock solid and it was a beautiful campsite.

Travelled: January 2024

Rachel -

The Glacier

Travelled: January 2024

Ian -

John Gardner Pass - Awesome!

Travelled: January 2024

Conrad -

Many.

Travelled: December 2023

Andrew -

Walking along the ice field.

Travelled: December 2023

Anonymous -

Deep in the forrest on the backside of the Full Circuit.

Travelled: December 2023

Caleb -

Ice hiking on the Grey Glacier

Travelled: March 2023

Anonymous -

I don’t think I can pick just one! We had an awesome guide. The scenery was beautiful and everyone in my group had an amazing time.

Travelled: March 2023

Jenna -

Getting Covid from a fellow participant

Travelled: March 2023

Louise -

Day 1 of the Trek was the most memorable moment for me. It was a difficult climb, and seeing the towers for the first time was breathtaking! Seeing the Perito Moreno Glacier was another highlight. I have never seen anything like it!

Travelled: January 2023

Laura -

Hiking over John Gardner to see glacier grey.

Travelled: December 2022

Kelsey -

Sitting on a piece of a glacier that I swam out to off the beach at camp Dickson

Travelled: December 2022

Michael -

Finding my son after he went missing for 6 hours on John Gardner Pass.

Travelled: December 2022

Vincent Michael -

Looking at the Dickson campground with the mountains and glacier in the background.

Travelled: December 2022

Anonymous -

hike was good

Travelled: November 2022

Mula -

Coming over the pass and seeing the towers were amazing.

Travelled: March 2022

Mike -

Day 2 - although it wasn’t the most memorable hike (Day 7 was the winner there), it was the first day with a full pack and we got to camp on the early side. Got to sit by the river and reflect on everything. It was honestly so amazing to be out there without any distractions, doing something I never thought I’d be able to do.

Travelled: March 2022

Amy -

Hanging out every day with Baru, he was the best Guide ever!!! Vacation/trek was awesome and am going to recommend to all my friends, worth ever penny.

Travelled: December 2021

Christopher -

Review:

Classic Full Circuit

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices for the 2023/24 season are:

4-8 people: USD $2,995 per person

2 people: USD $3,795 person

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Book now to guarantee your place for the 2024-25 season. Prices as follows:

4-8 people: from USD $3,195 per person

2 people: from USD $4,195 per person

2024

2025

Start date Price (pp)
March 2024
26-Mar-2024 $2,995* Fully Booked Enquire
November 2024
6-Nov-2024 $3,295 Guaranteed Date Enquire
12-Nov-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
19-Nov-2024 $3,295 Fully Booked Enquire
26-Nov-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
December 2024
3-Dec-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
10-Dec-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
17-Dec-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
24-Dec-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
31-Dec-2024 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
January 2025
7-Jan-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
14-Jan-2025 $3,295 Limited Availability Enquire
21-Jan-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
28-Jan-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
February 2025
4-Feb-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
11-Feb-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
18-Feb-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
25-Feb-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
March 2025
4-Mar-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
11-Mar-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
18-Mar-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire
25-Mar-2025 $3,295 Provisional Date Enquire

* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $2,995

Additional Notes

Joining & departure instructions – Please arrive in Puerto Natales on the afternoon before for your trip starts for your group briefing. It is also recommended that you plan to stay in Puerto Natales when you finish your trek. If you would like help booking your pre/post-trek arrangements please just let us know.

Route – This is a slightly shortened version of the Full Circuit, missing the 4/5-hr hike along Lago Nordenskjöld.

Equipment – All camping equipment is provided, along with sleeping bags and mats which will be at each Refugio/Camp along the Circuit (so you will not need to carry them between camps). We still recommend you bring your own sleeping bag liner for hygiene purposes and to enhance comfort and temperature regulation. 

Single tent supplement - There is a single tent supplement of USD $478 per person for six nights. Solo travellers who are willing to share a tent with another group member will not be charged a single supplement if another solo traveller, of the same sex, is not available. Price for 2024/25 is to be confirmed.

Private Porters – These are available for USD $825 for five days (Days 2-6) and can carry up to 15kg (usually enough for 2-3 people). They must be booked in advance. Price for 2024/25 is to be confirmed.

Camping Facilities – Las Torres, Dickson, Grey and Paine Grande Campsites all have shared bathroom facilities and a hot shower (hot water available from 6-9pm). Serón Campsite has shared bathroom facilities and showers. At Los Perros Campsite facilities are limited – only one cold shower.

Optional excursions – On the morning of Day 6 you can choose between a 5-hr ice hike on Grey Glacier (USD $240 per person), or a 2.5-hr kayak excursion on Lake Grey (USD $180 per person). Both excursions are subject to availability and must be booked and paid for in advance as they are not included in the trip price. Price for 2024/25 is to be confirmed.

Christmas/New Year's Eve surcharge – Trips starting on the 17th, 24th, and 31st Dec 2024 will be subject to a surcharge.

Includes

  • Meals: 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Accommodation: 6 nights camping
  • 4-season tent (double occupancy tent)
  • All cooking equipment and utensils
  • Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee
  • English and Spanish speaking trekking guide (ratio 1:6)
  • All private transport included in the itinerary
  • Catamaran across Lago Pehoe (Day 7)
  • Porters to carry group camping equipment and food (you still need to carry your sleeping bag, mat, clothing, etc)

Excludes

  • Meals not indicated in itinerary
  • Drinks other than those included in the meals
  • Backpack (day-pack/65ltr minimum size)
  • Sleeping bag and roll mat (can be hired locally)
  • Any extra/optional excursions such as ice-hiking and kayaking
  • Porters to carry your personal belongings
  • Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list – hiking poles can be hired locally)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuities/tips
  • International and domestic/in-country flights
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses

Questions about this Trip?