Flight Inclusive travellers will take a morning flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, having spent the previous night in Buenos Aires. A single timed transfer to the group hotel in the town is provided. Land only clients should arrive into El Calafate no later than 3pm. El Calafate is named after the thorny calafate bush which is resident to Southern Patagonia. Flowering in the spring, the bush is a vibrant and yellow with purple fruit and the story is that anyone who eats the calafate fruit will return to Patagonia. El Calafate was founded in 1927 but didn't start to grow until the 1940's and today, the town's main attraction is its closeness to the Perito Moreno Glacier. A bustling hive of activity with an alpine resort atmosphere, El Calafate is great for wandering, especially along the main street of Av del Libertador General San Martin, simply known as Libertador. There are a wide range of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants to suit all budgets so if you arrive early there are plenty of places to enjoy a drink and relax. Early evening you'll meet the leader for a complete briefing and checking and preparation of equipment. The group will then head out to a local restaurant together. If you are arriving early and would like us to book extra nights in the group hotel or a private airport transfer please contact the KE team to discuss your requirements.

Today we leave Argentina and make our way across the vast Patagonian Steppe to Torres del Paine. Crossing into Chile via the Cerro Castillo border, we will change vehicles and stop for some lunch. (5hrs drive including customs). As we leave the steppe and enter Chile, the views become more spectacular and we'll keep our eyes peeled for guanacos. With their cheeky expressions and giant leaps, these undomesticated members of the llama family are great for photo opportunities. Patagonia is approximately 1 million square kilometres (one and a half times the size of the UK) and includes the southern part of the magnificent Andes Mountains. The area got its name from the word patagon which was used to describe the local people of the region. Even today the region is sparsely populated and home to only 2 million inhabitants. We will arrive at our overnight accommodation at Refugio Central (or Camp) where we will have time to settle in for the evening and take in the spectacular views.

Today is the official start of the Paine Circuit, as we cover 13kms through amazing scenery. On a clear day we will have accompanying views of the Paine Towers and the summit peak of Almirante Nieto. We will cross ancient glacial moraines and walk through beautiful beech forest, where we may spot the Magellanic woodpecker. Our trek through the foothills of Cerro Paine will lead us through lower grasslands and also give us a chance to observe Austral parakeets, several species of geese and guanaco. We arrive this afternoon to our first picturesque campsite in the National Park at Camp Seron.

After an early start, we take an undulating path that winds its way through the foothills of Cerro Paine. We may catch a glimpse of the north-eastern peaks of the Paine Massif including Cabeza del Indio, Escudo, Cubo and Dickson. We continue to follow the Rio Paine to Lago Paine, a turquoise green lake seen by very few visitors. From Lago Paine, we continue to follow the river towards Lago Dickson and, along the way, we'll have spectacular views of the Paine range. As we start our approach to the camp, we'll see distant glaciers flowing into Lago Dickson. On reaching the southern end of Dickson Lake, we set up camp close to Refugio Dickson, where there are great views over parts of the South Patagonia Ice field. Dickson is equipped with a small store, café and hot showers which we can make use of. The refuge also has a small restaurant where we'll have dinner. The cosy and welcoming lounge area is a good place to meet other travellers and share stories. You can also stock up on snacks such as chocolate or cereal bars for the next day if you so wish.

Today is an easier and slightly shorter day on the trail, as we make our way to Los Perros. Initially, we follow the Los Perros River as our route winds through the beech trees of the Magellanic forest. Lying to the west of the Andes Mountains and finishing at the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, the forest is home to the Magellanic woodpecker, the largest of woodpeckers in South America and one of the largest species in the world. They are easy to recognise with their pure black colouring, complete with a white wing patch and a grey chisel like beak. At the end of today's walk, we pass close to Laguna Los Perros into which the Los Perros Glacier flows. Tonight, we camp at Los Perros Camp, located in the forest at 550m and one of the most remote camping locations in the park. It is a must stay location for anyone on the Paine Circuit and, although facilities are basic, the camp has a lovely location and is close to the start of the John Gardner Pass. There is a small shop where snacks can be purchased and dinner will be prepared in a simple cooking area. With tomorrow's early start, most people will be tucked up in their tents after dinner in preparation for the John Gardner Pass adventure.

Today is an early start as we set off on the most challenging day of the circuit and a genuine holiday highlight, the crossing of the John Gardner Pass. Although not high, this incredible part of the trail can take you through all four weather seasons in a few hours and is named after the British mountaineer John Gardner. Setting off in 1976 John Gardner, along with two park rangers: Pepe Alarcon, and Oscar Guineo, pioneered the Paine Circuit and the pass was named in his honour. Crossing it is an iconic part of the journey and although challenging, the reward is the opportunity to trek through the remotest area in the park, and experience one of the most famous passes in the world. The landscape is dramatic and paints a perfect picture of Patagonia's wilderness. It's not unusual to be windy and the ever changing weather is all part of the experience. As we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1200m, we are treated to an awe-inspiring view of the Grey Glacier, an enormous fractured ice-mass choking the valley. This mammoth glacier is 6kms wide and 28km long and as it flows southward into Lago Grey, is an unbelievable site. Our trail continues south before we join a footpath surrounded by forested slopes which brings us down to Camp Grey located close to Glacier Grey. This evening you can enjoy the facilities of Refugio Grey whilst staying at its fixed camp. Here you'll find a welcoming bar area and comfy lounge where you can always buy a soft drink, beer or glass of wine to toast your John Gardner Pass success whilst enjoying the superb views. Tonight's dinner will be taken in the refuge alongside other travellers who are trekking in the park.

After a leisurely breakfast in Refugio Grey we join a trail which runs alongside Lago Grey and offers fantastic views of Glacier Grey. The view over the lake with its numerous giant icebergs drifting across the water is haunting and breath-taking. In November 2017 Glacier Grey made headline news when a rare ice rupture occurred. The result was a giant iceberg breaking away from the main glacier and floating free. Our trial ascends slightly onto a flat ridge and passes a small lake before descending through a dry valley to Lago Pehoe, which is where we camp. Today is a shorter day which means we'll have time to relax after our arrival at camp. There are a number of footpaths close by the lake which are excellent for strolling along and taking in the views. One of the most magnificent birds that live in the park is the incredible condor and if we are lucky we may see them soaring overhead. With a lifespan of up to 70 years, this remarkable bird of prey is a member of the vulture family and soars effortlessly due to a wingspan of over 3m. Tonight our camp location is in the very heart of the national park and a great place to stay.

After breakfast we leave the area of Lago Pehoe and follow an undulating footpath through a rich variety of terrain including mixed grassland and forest. Today's challenging hike takes us into the magnificent French Valley in Paine Massif where we are surrounded by high peaks, hanging valleys and towering granite walls on all sides, including the Cuernos del Paine or the Horns. Our aim is to reach the French Valley view point to enjoy one of the highlights of the park, the spectacular Frances Glacier. After taking in the views we descend towards the east, following a trail for a couple of hours to our camp beside Lake Nordenskjold. Depending on the group size we will either camp close to Los Cuernos Refugio or Camp Frances. In the evening we'll enjoy dinner with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

This morning we leave our camp and continue on our journey eastward along the northern shores of Lake Nordenskjold. The beautiful body of water is named after Otto Nordenskjold, a Finnish Swede geologist, geographer and polar explorer. Nordenskjold led many expeditions to Patagonia including one at the beginning of the 20th Century when he discovered the lake. The outfall of Nordenskjold Lake is the majestic waterfall known as Salto Grande and along the way today we'll pass areas that are rich in local flora and fauna. We may spot the South American grey fox, a small solitary animal that is often seen around camp sites or park headquarters on the lookout for food. Our trail offers great views across the lake and also beautiful views of the rocky Cuernos del Paine. We finish today at the serviced campsite at Chileno.

Although we have already completed a full Paine Circuit, today we have the jaw-dropping opportunity to hike up to one of the best viewpoints in the park, for those wanting to walk a little further. This final day takes us to the base of the Las Torres range at the head of the Ascencio Valley. For some this is considered the most challenging day of the circuit, hence why we do it at the end of the trek when everyone is feeling ready to tackle it. It is approximately a four hour hike to the Torres del Paine viewpoint and this incredible place can be windy even in the midst of the Patagonian summer. However, despite the challenge of a rocky trail and the chance of unpredictable weather, today is well worth the effort. The summits of these spectacular peaks are close to 3000m and are what remains of a rocky cirque, gradually eroded by glacial action. The sight of these rock towers, reflected in the lake below, is absolutely stunning and the perfect grand finale to our trekking journey. After taking plenty of photos and taking in the views, we return back to the refuge and continue to meet our transport, where we will take a short private transfer to a lovely estancia, where we can relax in front of the fireplace, drinking in the views.

This morning we say goodbye to the Torres del Paine region and make our way back to Argentina via the border at Cerro Castillo. From here we catch a second bus for our journey back to El Calafate. The journey typically takes 6 hours and after our arrival back in the hotel there will be time to relax and freshen up before meeting up and heading out for dinner. If you would like to see more of Patagonia why not extend your time by joining one of KE's excellent extensions. We offer a wonderful walking adventure to magnificent area of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre and an extension the breath-taking Land of Fire - Tierra del Fuego which includes trips on the Beagle Channel and the chance to see resident penguins, seabirds and seals. These can be found in more detail under 'Extend Your Holiday' on the website. Speak to a member of the team and we will happily help you organise an extension or two.

Your Holiday ends after breakfast with a single timed transfer to El Calafate Airport and depending on the transfer time for the recommended group flight you may have time in the morning to enjoy a final walk through the town. Flight Inclusive passengers will fly from El Calafate to Buenos Aires, arriving late afternoon and transfer to the group hotel for a final evening in Buenos Aires before their onward flight tomorrow. To finish your incredible Patagonian adventure with a flourish, why not add one of our amazing extensions? How about an adventure to the tip of South America to discover Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel? An exploration of the towering spires of Fitzroy and the Perito Moreno glacier? Or perhaps a visit to the incredible Iguazu Falls in the rainforest of Argentina and Brazil? To help with onward travel logistics or simply for more time in these stunning locations additional nights after your tour in either El Calafate or Buenos Aires can also be arranged.