Circuit C Torres del Paine
Walk the 5 stages of the north face of the O Circuit from Serón to Paine Grande in 5 days.
🗓️ Limited availability, we recommend booking in advance.
Briefing
The C Circuit Torres del Paine is a 5-day self-guided tour that takes you through the 5 stages of the north face of the O Circuit. Of all our programs in Torres del Paine, this is the only tour that runs only on the less traveled trails and the most remote sectors of the park. Hike from Serón to Paine Grande along the north face of the Macizo Paine Circuit.
The tour includes 4 nights of equipped lodging in Torres del Paine, full board, roundtrip transfers from Puerto Natales, entrance fee to the National Park, welcome kit, and complimentary drinks at the refuges. You will sleep the first night in the Serón Sector, the second in the Dickson Sector, the third in the Perros Sector, and the fourth and last night in the Grey Sector.
In addition, on the fifth and last day of the C Circuit, you will be able to enjoy one of the unique activities that can be done on the Grey Glacier (available as an extra): ice walking or kayaking on Grey Lake. If you have more time, want an even more complete experience, and complete the whole Macizo Paine Circuit 👉 book the 8-day O Circuit Torres del Paine (Patagonia) tour by clicking here.
Tour details
Included
- 1 night of lodging in Sector Serón
- 1 night of lodging in Sector Dickson
- 1 night of lodging in Sector Perros
- 1 night of lodging in Sector Grey
- Full board (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners)
- Welcome Kit
- Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
- Regular bus Puerto Natales -Torres del Paine (round trip)
- Transfer Portería Laguna Amarga - Welcome Center
- Paine Grande - Pudeto Catamaran Ticket
Not included
- Breakfast day 1
- Dinner day 5
- Beverages
- Guide
- Luggage porter
- Grey Glacier Ice Hike (available as an extra)
- Glacier Grey Kayak (available as an extra)
Important information
Lodging options:
- CAMPING: includes all camping equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent already set up. They are tents with capacity for 2 people and you will be assigned a tent just for you in case you are a single person.
- CAMPING + REFUGIO: shelters are shared rooms with 4 or 6 beds and include sheets and blankets or sleeping bags.
It is not possible to stay 4 nights in a refugio, since the Perros and Serón sectors only have camping. Therefore, the "camping + refugio" option includes 2 nights in refugio (Dickson and Grey) and 2 nights camping (Serón and Perros).
Cancellation policy
Free cancellations!
- If you cancel at least 90 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount paid.
- If you cancel between 89 and 60 days before the start of the tour, you will receive an 80% refund of the total cost.
- If you cancel between 59 and 45 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 50% refund of the total cost.
After this time or in case of a no-show, no refund will be provided.
*The same policies apply to reservation modifications.
Tour itinerary
Circuit C Torres del Paine Welcome Kit
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.
DAY 1 Trekking Central Sector to Serón Sector
Difficulty: medium - low
Distance: 8,69 mi. (14 km.)
Total approximate time: 4-5 hours
Positive elevation gain: 951,4 ft. (290 m.)
Accommodation: Camping Serón
Meals: lunch-box + dinner
✨Highlights: Horse meadows next to the Paine River
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.
DAY 2 Trekking Sector Serón to Sector Dickson
Difficulty: medium
Distance: 11,61 mi. (18.7 km.)
Total approximate time: 6-7 hours
Positive elevation gain: 1181 mi. (360 m.)
Lodging: Dickson Sector
Meals: breakfast + lunch-box + dinner.
✨ Highlights: Beach with views of the Dickson Glacier.
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.
DAY 3 Trekking Dickson Sector to Los Perros Sector
Difficulty: medium-low
Distance: 7,76 mi (12.5 km)
Total approximate time: 4-5 hours
Positive elevation gain: 1410,76 ft. (430 m.)
Lodging: Camping Los Perros
Meals: Breakfast + lunch-box + dinner (freeze-dried food)
✨Highlights: Los Perros glacier viewpoint.
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.
DAY 4 Trekking from Sector Los Perros to Sector Grey
Difficulty: high
Distance: 10,68 mi. (17.2 km.)
Total approximate time: 9-10 hours
Positive difference in altitude: 890 m.
Positive elevation gain: 2919,95 ft. (890 m.)
Meals: Breakfast (freeze-dried food) + lunch-box (freeze-dried food) + dinner.
✨Highlights: Views of Grey Glacier and South Ice Fields.
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!
DAY 5 Trekking Grey Sector to Paine Grande Sector
Difficulty: medium - low
Distance: 6,83 mi. (11 km.)
Total approximate time: 3-4 hours
Positive elevation gain: 1082,68 ft. (330 m.)
Meals: breakfast + lunch-box
✨ Highlights: Activities in Grey Glacier (extra) and Grey viewpoint.
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.
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.
What to bring to Circuit C Torres del Paine
- Passport
- PDI: Migratory Card (foreign travelers not residing in Chile)
- Lodging reservation ticket
- Thin hiking pants or shorts.
- Warm/waterproof hiking pants.
- Long/short sleeve T-shirts
- Sport or trekking socks
- First layer: thermal T-shirt
- Middle layer: fleece lining or similar
- Outer layer: waterproof jacket
- Cap or hat
- Hiking shoes (if possible waterproof boots)
- Resting shoes
- Sandals (for showers)
- Personal hygiene products
- Flashlight and battery (especially useful in campsites)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Walking sticks
- Cash (USD or CLP)
- Medium trekking backpack (40 liters approx.)
- Small trekking backpack (15 liters) to use in the sections with return to the same sector.
- Towel
- Gloves
- Gaiters for the John Gardner pass
- Water bottle
Where does the tour Circuit C Torres del Paine start
The tour starts in the city of Puerto Natales. If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile the best option is to fly directly to Puerto Natales or take a flight to Punta Arenas, and from there you can take a bus that in only 3:15 hours will take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales or hire a private transportation service with us.
If you are traveling from El Calafate (Argentina), there are buses that connect directly to Puerto Natales in a 5 hour trip or you can book with us the transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales or the direct transfer between El Calafate and Torres del Paine.
Questions & Answers
Can I book the Torres del Paine Circuit C tour for the 2024-2025 season?
Yes, you can now make your advance reservation for the 2024-2025 season and secure your place on the dates you want, since as you know the availability of the accommodations is limited and usually sells out in advance. When you make your reservation, you will be placed on a waiting list and will be given priority when the park's different lodging managers begin to confirm reservations.
Is lunch included in Circuit C and where do you eat at lunchtime?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on all 5 days. It only does not include breakfast on the first day and dinner on the fifth day. Breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge, even if you are staying at a campsite. A "lunchbox" is provided for lunch, which you can pick up during breakfast and enjoy throughout your tour. This lunchbox includes foods specifically designed for physical activities, such as nuts, cereal bars, fruit, a sandwich and something sweet.
What is the freeze-dried or 'freeze-drying' food served in the Los Perros sector?
Freeze-dried foods are foods that have been cold dehydrated, which means that all the water has been removed without passing through the liquid state. In this way they are preserved longer and maintain their original flavor and nutrients. It comes in plastic containers and is perfect to take camping or in situations where there is no refrigeration. In other words, it is like the food that astronauts eat.
My dates are not available, is there an alternative?
Yes, please contact us and Howlanders will do everything possible to help you make this route, offering you different dates, itinerary modifications, or alternative tours.
What are the lodges I will be staying in during Circuit C like?
The refugios in Torres del Paine are super cool, with large common areas, bar and dining room that all travelers, even those staying camping, can enjoy. Rooms are shared with around 6 people and have comfortable beds, reading lights and plugs near the bed - check out our post on Torres del Paine shelters for more details!
How are the campsites of the Torres del Paine Circuit C?
There are two types of campsites depending on the sector. In some sectors, campsites feature tents mounted on wooden structures, while others are closer to "glamping", accompanied by a large tent raised off the ground (similar to safari-style tents installed atop land cruisers). All campsites have toilets and showers (with limited hours) and a common kitchen (which you won’t have to use because the tour includes all meals served in the dining room of the lodge). You can see the different types of campsites in the tour album, or check them out here: campsites in each sector.
What documentation do I need to bring to access Torres del Paine National Park?
To enter Torres del Paine National Park, it is necessary to present a valid passport, along with the entrance to the park and the documentation to reserve lodging in the different sectors. This documentation will be given to you the day before at the office in Puerto Natales. In addition, if you are a foreign traveler not residing in Chile, you must show the immigration card you were given upon entering the country at each lodging site.
Do I have to carry my backpack for the entire tour?
Yes, as Circuit C is not a circular route, you will have to carry your backpack for the 5 days of the route. You will enter the park through the Laguna Amarga Gate and leave through the Paine Grande Sector by catamaran to Pudeto.
Do I have to carry a lot of water to do Circuit C?
No, just make sure you bring a refillable bottle, the one provided in the welcome kit, for example. Drinking water is available at the refuges and campsites and during the tour you can refill your bottle directly from the rivers, as it is drinkable and cool 😊.
Can I do Circuit C in winter?
No, Circuit C is available from November to the end of March. If you travel to Torres del Paine in winter, you can book your circuit here.
Where does the bus to Torres del Paine National Park leave from?
The bus you will take on the first day of Circuit C departs from Puerto Natales station, which is known as 'Terminal Rodoviario'. Puerto Natales is a small town, so you can walk there in less than 20 minutes or take a cab.
To make a reservation for the Torres del Paine Circuit C tour as a Chilean traveler or foreigner residing in Chile, what documents do I need to present?
The reservation can be processed normally and then you will be asked to present a valid passport or identity document proving nationality or residence. If you do not present this documentation, you will be required to pay the difference in price with the non-resident foreign traveler rate in Chile.
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