Recommended Routes

8 Nights Camping the Circuit

8 nights!

This will be the longest continuous hike ever for many.

Actually, it would be better to schedule 9 or 10 nights to allow a rest day, bad weather day — or an additional sidetrip day. But that is a lot of food to carry.

The pack is heavy at the start. Our itinerary takes this into account. Buy food as you go if needed.

Campsites are free unless marked with a $ sign.

We recommend you tent every night. If you want a bed or rental tent at any campsite you need book it when you get to Puerto Natales or online. Try Andescapetour.com

Our itinerary is almost identical to that in Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes. The only differences are:

1) Night 6 - Campamento Italiano rather than Refugio Pehoe $
free & better access to the Frances Valley sidetrip

2) Night 8 - Campamento Torres, not El Chileno $
free & quicker access to the Towers & Valley of Silence sidetrips

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Night 0 - sleep in Puerto Natales

Night 1 - tent or bed at Seron $
take van shuttle from Park gate to Camping The Towers (Las Torres) & start hike from there.

Night 2 - tent or bed at Dickson $

Night 3 - tent at Los Perros (the Dogs)

Night 4 - tent at Paso (the Pass)
... (no rental tents available in 2004)

Night 5 - tent or bed at Refugio Grey $
... (not to be confused with Hosteria Grey)

Night 6 - tent at Campamento Italiano: sidetrip to Frances Valley
... (or tent or bed at Refugio Pehoe $)

Night 7 - tent or bed at Los Cuernos $ (the Horns)

Night 8 - tent at Campamento Torres (Towers Camp): sidetrip to Towers Lookout in the afternoon, and/or following morning. Additional sidetrip to Valle del Silencio (Valley of Silence) if time allows.
... (or El Chileno $)

Night 9 - sleep in Puerto Natales

One obvious variation: If the weather is clear when you arrive at the Park gate, go directly to Campamento Torres (Towers Camp) first to see the Towers of Paine in good weather. Continue to Seron the second night and follow the route as described above. This gives you two chances to see the Towers in good weather; at the start & at the finish of your Circuit.

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Why this itinerary? Why counter clockwise?

• save the biggest highlights of the Circuit for the end of your hike
• earn the fantastic vista of Glacier Grey from John Garner Pass when hiking counter clockwise
• convenient start & finish for bus transport to Puerto Natales
• see fewer hikers each day as the majority are moving in the same direction as you, counter clockwise .

Many hike the opposite direction, however. The steep, slippery climb from Glacier Grey to John Garner is safer going up than down. This would be the main reason to reverse the normal hiking direction.

Note: It is possible to do the entire Circuit without carrying your own tent. We met a feisty, petite woman from New Zealand who did it. She paid for every meal she could too, to minimize the amount of food she carried.

However, you need book everything carefully with a travel agency in Puerto Natales. During the high season in January / February, it may be very difficult to get the dates you want. Best is to try to book on-line in advance of your trip. Try Andescapetour.com

Biggest problem is the LONG day between between Los Perros and Refugio Grey as there are no rental tents available inbetween. This is also the most difficult hiking day.

"W" hikers do not see this fabulous vista over Glacier Grey

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