TORRES DEL PAINE - O CIRCUIT
7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS
Take in all the Park has to offer by hiking the full O Circuit, which includes all the sights of the popular W Circuit and all the wonders of the northern side of the famous mountain range. With very few hikers on this trail, you will enjoy peace and serenity and explore a unique side of Torres del Paine. This adventure offers an intense connection with nature. Some of the highlights include strolling through daisy fields, crossing rivers, and climbing the astonishing John Garner Pass, with the grand finale, Las Torres Base Viewpoint, on the last day. This hike will push you to your limits, but the experience is incomparable and the raw beauty truly breathtaking.
Before the adventure begins, you will get an email with information to help you fully prepare for your Torres del Paine trip. Our sales executives will contact you about the Welcome Kit and vouchers. The day your trip begins you will take the 7:00 a.m. bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park, which takes about 2 ½ hours.
When you arrive at Las Torres, you will pass by the Welcome Centre before starting your first hike to the Serón Sector, which will take you through the Enchanted Valley and an old native lenga tree forest. You will notice that the trees are covered by a special kind of lichen, known as “old man’s beard” (barba de viejo), which only grows in the purest of atmospheres.
Walking time: 4-6 hours
Walking Distance: 13 kms
Difficulty: Medium-level
Total altitude: 250 amsl
Overnight in Serón Sector (camping only)
This long, yet unforgettable day will take you up and down the foothills of the Paine Massif mountain range with magnificent photo opportunities along the way, crowned with fluffy white clouds.
To reach the Dickson Sector you will descend down to the shore of Lake Paine to a beautiful green location with stunning views of the surrounding peaks, the Campsite and the Mountain Hostel.
Walking time : 6-8 hours
Walking distance: 18 kms
Difficulty: High level
Total altitude: 200 amsl
Overnight in Dickson Sector campsite and Mountain Hostel.
Overnight in Dickson Sector campsite and Mountain Hostel.
Make the most of the shorter trekking day ahead, by waking up early and enjoying the silence by the riverside, while contemplating the clouds passing over the snowy mountain peaks.
Once you have absorbed the surrounding scenery, with its hanging glacier, you will be ready to continue on your adventure, taking you through a lenga forest, home to the handsome Magellan woodpecker. On the last stretch of the trail, you will be surprised by Los Perros Glacier hanging above a serene grey lagoon.
In Los Perros Sector, the meal service is provided with lunch boxes and there is no restaurant service.
Time Walking: 4.5 - 5 hours
Distance: 9 kms
Difficulty: High
Total altitude: 369 mts
Overnight in Los Perros Sector (camping only)
Distance: 9 kms
Difficulty: High
Total altitude: 369 mts
Overnight in Los Perros Sector (camping only)
Today will be the hardest and, at the same time, the most rewarding day of the Circuit.
You will leave Los Perros campsite early and zigzag through the forest’s humid terrain. You will then ascend a steep, winding, rocky section to reach John Gardner Pass. Once you get there, you will see before you the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which will take your breath away in an instant, with its irregular peaks and turquoise glacial crevasses.
Time Walking: 9 -12 hours
Distance: 15 kms
Difficulty: High-level
Starting altitude: 620 amsl
Highest altitude: 1241 amsl
Overnight in Grey Sector
Distance: 15 kms
Difficulty: High-level
Starting altitude: 620 amsl
Highest altitude: 1241 amsl
Overnight in Grey Sector
This is the part of the Circuit where the “O” meets the “W”. After a few very intense days, today you will enjoy a relaxing walk in the foothills of the mountain, amongst Antarctic beech trees (ñirre), Dombey’s beech (coigüe) and the Chilean firetree (notro).
This short, yet gratifying trek will fill your senses and the views of Mount Paine Grande, with the highest peak in the region (3,050m) and its hanging glaciers are just incredible. Once you arrive at the campsite, you can kick-back and rest or take a leisurely walk along the shore of Lake Pehoé’s turquoise waters. Walking Time: 4 hours
Walking Distances: 11 kms
Difficulty: Medium-level
Starting altitude: 130 amsl
Highest altitude: 388 amsl
Overnight in Paine Grande Sector
This short, yet gratifying trek will fill your senses and the views of Mount Paine Grande, with the highest peak in the region (3,050m) and its hanging glaciers are just incredible. Once you arrive at the campsite, you can kick-back and rest or take a leisurely walk along the shore of Lake Pehoé’s turquoise waters. Walking Time: 4 hours
Walking Distances: 11 kms
Difficulty: Medium-level
Starting altitude: 130 amsl
Highest altitude: 388 amsl
Overnight in Paine Grande Sector
The day begins with a wonderful hike into the Francés Valley. Along the way you will enjoy the peace and quiet of pure nature, be surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and feel totally immersed in wild vegetation.
You will savor in the serenity of the forests and the glacial streams, where you can fill your bottle with pure, fresh water. And you will marvel at the majestic Los Cuernos Mountains, looming overhead.
The grand finale of this trek is like no other, a lookout with incredible views of the Francés Glacier and the rest of the Paine Massif Mountain Range. Walking Time: 8-9 hours
Walking Distances: 20.5 kms
Difficulty: High-level
Starting altitude: 100 amsl
Highest altitude: 762 amsl
Overnight in Francés Sector
You will savor in the serenity of the forests and the glacial streams, where you can fill your bottle with pure, fresh water. And you will marvel at the majestic Los Cuernos Mountains, looming overhead.
The grand finale of this trek is like no other, a lookout with incredible views of the Francés Glacier and the rest of the Paine Massif Mountain Range. Walking Time: 8-9 hours
Walking Distances: 20.5 kms
Difficulty: High-level
Starting altitude: 100 amsl
Highest altitude: 762 amsl
Overnight in Francés Sector
You will begin by walking along the Arriero River, which offers great places to relax and refill your bottle with fresh running water. You will be drawn to the beauty of these enormous summits looming over the turquoise lake below and will want to capture the incredible scenery forever in a photo. Lake Nordenskjöld is surrounded by amazing geographical contrasts, home to many birds, so we recommend you look out for condors overhead. You will then continue along the base of the magnificent Mount Almirante Nieto and its hanging glaciers.
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Walking Distances: 14 kms
Difficulty: Medium-level
Total altitude: 200 amsl
Overnight in Central Sector
Walking Distances: 14 kms
Difficulty: Medium-level
Total altitude: 200 amsl
Overnight in Central Sector
The day begins with a slowly ascending hike through the Patagonian pampas and begins to steepen as you enter the Ascencio Valley, until you reach Los Vientos Mountain Pass - with its spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and lakes.
You will continue hiking, past the Chileno Mountain Hostel and through a native lenga forest before approaching the final stretch of your adventure. This part of the hike takes about an hour and is over rocky terrain, lined with enormous boulders. Awaiting at the end is the most awe-inspiring view of the three iconic granite towers and glacial lagoon. Walking Time: 7-9 hours
Walking Distances: 19.5 kms
Difficulty: High-level
Starting altitude: 126 amsl
Highest altitude: 870 amsl
Return to Puerto Natales.
You will continue hiking, past the Chileno Mountain Hostel and through a native lenga forest before approaching the final stretch of your adventure. This part of the hike takes about an hour and is over rocky terrain, lined with enormous boulders. Awaiting at the end is the most awe-inspiring view of the three iconic granite towers and glacial lagoon. Walking Time: 7-9 hours
Walking Distances: 19.5 kms
Difficulty: High-level
Starting altitude: 126 amsl
Highest altitude: 870 amsl
Return to Puerto Natales.
-End of Services-
Accommodation: campsite, mountain cabin or Hotel Las Torres (different combinations allowed).