Circuit C Torres del Paine

Puerto Natales

Before starting the C Circuit, a briefing (informative meeting about the circuit) will be held in person or online.

A few days before your arrival in Puerto Natales, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to pick up your welcome kit, confirm the time of your briefing, and resolve any last-minute doubts you may have.

Puerto Natales Rodoviario Terminal (bus station)

On the first day, you will go to Terminal Rodoviario in Puerto Natales to take the regular bus that will take you to Torres del Paine National Park. The bus leaves at 7:00 a.m. and we recommend you be at the station at least 10 minutes before. The bus ticket is included in the price of the tour and before boarding you will be given your lunch box.

This bus will take you to the Laguna Amarga entrance, where you will register as a visitor and enter the park.

Welcome Center

After checking in, you will take a minibus that in just a few minutes will take you to the Welcome Center of the Cerro Paine Reserve. The C! circuit begins. From the Welcome Center, you will already see the spectacular Torres del Paine and the Almirante Nieto Massif.

Start of Circuit C Torres del Paine

You will pass in front of the Central Refugio and begin the 8,69 mi. (14 km.) route to the Serón Campground. This route is divided into 3 parts: an initial ascent of 3.72 mi. (6 km.) (with about 820 ft of positive vertical drop), followed by a descent of 1.86 mi. (3 km.) and finally a flat of 2.48mi. (4 km). At the bottom of the valley, you will have a huge meadow full of daisies where you will find horses in freedom.

Serón Sector

The route will end when you reach the Serón Sector, where the only accommodation available is the Premium Campsite. A campsite equipped with everything you need so that you can rest directly. The facilities at Camping Serón include a shower and a common dining room where dinner and breakfast will be served, and where you can also have a drink to celebrate the end of your first day of the Torres del Paine C Circuit.

Camping Serón - Paine Lake

You will have breakfast around 8 am in the dining room of the campsite (the exact time will be indicated to you the day before during check-in). When you finish, you will pick up your lunch box to eat during the route and start the second day of Circuit C in Torres del Paine.

This route is divided into two sections. A first flat stretch of 3 km. along the Paine River, followed by a second stretch of 4 km. in which you will ascend and descend 200 m. up and down the slopes of Cerro Paine. This second stretch will give you unique panoramic views of Paine Lake and the Paine Massif.

Paine Lake - Dickson Sector

The second part of the route will be practically flat with small ascents and descents. Shortly after descending from the slopes of Cerro Paine you will find a CONAF (park ranger) post and a public restroom, which are not usually abundant on the route.

This part of Circuit C runs close to the Paine River and is a very hot and humid area. Be aware that you will encounter some mosquitoes. You will cross a stretch of footbridges installed to prevent erosion of some wetland areas. And finally, you will arrive at the Dickson sector, equipped with camping and shelter. The refuge has a small dining room, cozy rooms, and very good showers.

💙 HOWLANDERS TIP

When you arrive at the Dickson Sector and check-in, we advise you to go to the beach nearby. It is a glacier beach next to the lake, with the Dickson Glacier in the background. It is a super quiet place and perfect for relaxing.

Start of the trek to Camping Los Perros

Have breakfast, pick up your lunch box, and start the third day of Circuit C in Torres del Paine! This route is one of the quietest of the circuit, with only 7.76 mi (12.5 km). and no major climbs. You will ascend little by little until you reach Los Perros campsite. At the beginning, you will enter a lenga forest that will accompany you almost all the way. The density of the trees means that the sunlight does not reach you with full force, creating a dark environment perfect for the birds to feel at home.

Relax and enjoy the day, the route is short and easy, so take your time at the stops. If you like birding, this is your ideal day. In some sections, the route passes near slopes next to the river where there are viewpoints to rest for a while, as inside the forest there are usually a lot of mosquitoes.

Los Perros Glacier

At the end of the route, you will cross a couple of wooden bridges and make a small ascent of 100 meters along the moraine of the glacier lake until you reach the glacier Los Perros. It will be one of the best moments of the tour, as you will ascend without seeing what is in front of you until you suddenly reach the top and you will find the lake and the glacier hanging in the background. It will be a magical moment that you can not miss!

Camping Los Perros

In a little more walking, you will reach Los Perros campsite. It is the most remote and complex to reach, so don't expect great luxuries: the showers are cold water and the food will be served freeze-dried instead of cooked. But we assure you that the adventure is worth it!

💬TO KEEP IN MIND.

Due to its location, in the Los Perros Sector it is not possible to offer a cooked meal service as in the rest of the sectors. The 5-day Torres del Paine Circuit C tour also includes the meals corresponding to this sector (dinner on day 3 and breakfast + lunch-box on day 4) and will be served freeze-dried. In the confirmation of your reservation you will receive all the detailed information about the diets. If you consider it necessary, you can bring extra food in your backpack for this day.

South Ice Field

To make the most of the fourth day, we advise you to get up early and calculate the time well, as it will be a long day. At Los Perros camp they will tell you that the latest departure time is 8 am. This is the most challenging part of the C Circuit in Torres del Paine and also our favorite, so be prepared for a great adventure!

The route is divided into three parts: first, you will leave the Lenga forest where Los Perros camp is located and climb up to the Jhon Gardner pass, with 5 km and a drop of 562 meters. It is common to find snow in this area, so some travelers choose to wear gaiters and a raincoat in case the clouds decide to make an appearance.

John Garner Pass

You will climb gradually and suddenly, boom, you will be at the top of the John Gardner Pass. There you will have the most amazing views of the C Circuit: the South Patagonian ice field, the glaciers, the Grey Glacier and maybe even a rainbow. We only tell you one thing: enjoy it to the fullest!

Grey Glacier

Now comes the second part of this stage! It is time to descend from the Gardner Pass to the trail that passes near the Grey Glacier. This section is complicated, with a lot of unevenness and a terrain full of rocks and roots that will make you go slowly and be very attentive to the road. At the end of this part you will arrive at the CONAF camp called "El Paso", where many travelers take the opportunity to eat their lunchbox, and recharge your batteries!

Grey Sector

And now comes the last part of this stage! You will continue with the Grey Glacier on your right, giving you incredible views. Besides enjoying the scenery and the flatness of this stretch, the coolest thing is the 3 suspension bridges that you will cross before reaching the Grey Sector, the perfect moment to have a drink at the bar or on the terrace and relax!

Grey Glacier Activity

The last day of the tour comes with a bonus 😏. You will have the easiest route of the entire C Circuit ahead of you and this will allow you to enjoy one of the two available activities to do on Grey Glacier in the morning and make the trek from Grey to Paine Grande in the afternoon.

• Kayaking on Grey Glacier
• Grey Glacier ice trekking

Remember that this activity is not included in the tour price, so if you want to do it you just have to select it as an extra when booking. Enjoy!

Trekking to the Paine Grande sector

The route will be short, only 11 km in total with hardly any positive slope and you can complete it in about 3 or 4 hours. Do not forget to calculate your time well and keep in mind that at 18:30 the catamaran to Pudeto leaves from the pier of Paine Grande.

You will start with a flat stretch and then there will be a climb of about 200 meters where the forest will open up little by little. Afterwards, you will descend until you reach the Paine Grande sector. The coolest thing about this day is the spectacular views on both sides. To your right you will have Grey Lake with the glacier in the background, from which you will gradually move away. To your left, you will see the Paine Massif with the Cerro Paine Grande standing out as the highest peak, with more than 2800 meters of altitude! What an amazing view!

Lake Pehoé - Paine Grande Sector

In the final part, when you are descending, the trail will move away from Grey Lake and take you directly to the Paine Grande sector, which is right in front of Pehoé Lake. This sector is one of the largest in the park and has a large and super-equipped refuge. In addition, its bar is usually one of the liveliest, what a good vibe!

The 5-day Circuit C does not include one night's accommodation in Paine Grande. If you want to enjoy a more complete experience and also sleep in this and the other sectors of the park (Central, Frances or Cuernos) we recommend booking the 8-day Circuit O Torres del Paine.

Once in Paine Grande, you will take the catamaran back to Pudeto at 18:35 and upon arrival the bus will be waiting for you to take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales. You will arrive at the station at 21:30.