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Torres del Paine
Self-guided O Express Circuit
Torres del Paine National Park
- Season
November - March. - Nearby city
Puerto Natales 2 hours away from Torres del Paine. - Accommodation
Camping or Shelter. - Duration
7 days and 6 nights. - Intensity Level
Plaintiff (approx 112 km) - Notice
Not recommended for children under 10 years old.
Overview
In 7 days it is possible to explore the Macizo Paine Circuit, a dream for mountain and nature lovers, and undoubtedly a very special adventure. In a challenging hike, you will be able to enjoy and appreciate the best sceneries of Torres del Paine, such as the breathtaking views in Dickson, the dreamy forest in Valle Los Perros, the unique Los Perros Glacier, and the mythical John Garner Pass at 1,200 meters high, with its majestic panoramic view towards the Grey Glacier and the Southern Ice Field.
*Start of the program: Day 1 at 7:00 at Puerto Natales Bus Terminal. - End of the program: Day 7 at 21:00 at Puerto Natales Bus Terminal.
Itinerary
Distance: 22 km / Time: 8-10 hrs / Difficulty level: Difficult / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Box lunch and dinner (extra).
After having breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Natales, you will begin the journey towards Torres del Paine National Park, part of the iconic Route of the Parks of Patagonia. The departure is at 07:00 a.m. on a regular bus, so you must show up at least 10 minutes before at the bus terminal.
The route crosses the vastness of the Patagonian steppe until reaching Laguna Amarga, the main entrance of the park. There you must register your entry with CONAF (park rangers). Subsequently, you will transfer to Transporte Las Torres, which will take you to the Welcome Center at Cerro Paine Reserve. Once you have checked in, you will start your first hike towards the Base Torres Viewpoint.
The journey begins in the Ascencio Valley, a trail that winds its way through hills battered by the wind and native forests. The final ascent will take you through a large field of rocks until you reach one of the most iconic landscapes in the world: the Base of the Towers. At 900 m above sea level, you will be facing the three granite towers (north, central, and south) and a glacial lake with turquoise waters that will leave you breathless.
It is the ideal time to rest, take photographs, and enjoy the view, before returning along the same path to the Central Shelter, where you will end the day and can recharge your energy with a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 9 km / Time: 4-5 hrs / Difficulty level: Easy-Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
Although it is one of the easiest hiking days on the O Circuit, the trail to Camping Serón will surprise you with unique landscapes on the wildest side of Torres del Paine National Park.
You will start walking among a vibrant green carpet of trees, then gently descend a slope that opens up to the wide grasslands of the Patagonian steppe. Along the way, you will enjoy a peaceful and relatively flat trail, crossing crystal-clear streams and surrounded by the vastness of the landscape.
Upon reaching Camping Serón, you will have time to settle in and relax, enjoying the spacious grounds. Take advantage of resting and recharging for what lies ahead.
Distance: 18.5 km / Time: 6-7 hrs / Difficulty level: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
Today you will begin a long but fascinating hike through rolling hills and wetland areas within Torres del Paine National Park. As you progress, you will be accompanied by snowy mountain landscapes, pastel blue lakes, and extensive grassy plains, while exploring the northern sector of the park.
Along the way, you will enjoy stunning views of Dickson Glacier, the imposing Cerro Cubo, and other rugged peaks that mark the natural border between Chile and Argentina.
Upon arriving at the Dickson area, you will check in at the shelter or camping site, and if you still have energy in the afternoon, you can walk along the rocky shore of Lake Dickson to end the day with more unforgettable landscapes.
Distance: 9 km / Time: 5 hrs / Difficulty level: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
Today you will walk through one of the most remote areas of Torres del Paine National Park, surrounded by lush green vegetation. You will feel the wind among the bushes and hear the characteristic sound of the Magellanic woodpecker, which inhabits this corner of the park.
As you advance along the Los Perros River, you will begin the ascent up a large moraine until you reach a point that will leave you speechless: the impressive Los Perros Glacier and its bluish-green lagoon framed by mountains in the background.
After this natural spectacle, you will continue along a rocky trail that will take you to the Los Perros camping site, where you will spend the night. We recommend resting well, as the next day will be one of the longest and most challenging of the circuit.
Distance: 22 km / Time: 10-12 hrs / Difficulty level: Difficult / Accommodation: Camping or Refuge / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
Take a deep breath and get ready: today you will face the most demanding day of the Paine Circuit, but also one of the most unforgettable. After an early breakfast at the campsite, you will start the hike by making your way through twisted roots, mud, and dense vegetation under the green canopy of the forest.
As you progress, you will emerge from the forest to begin the ascent over loose rocks, sometimes covered in snow, towards the highest point of the circuit: the imposing John Gardner Pass, at 1,200 m above sea level. At the top, the Patagonian winds will surround you as you marvel at the immensity of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, stretching out before you like a dazzling ice carpet.
From there, you will begin a challenging descent alongside an immense wall of ice. You will continue along the trail towards Camping El Paso and cross several suspension bridges that will offer you spectacular views of the glacier and the surrounding valleys.
After this intense but epic day of trekking, you will arrive at Refugio Grey, where a well-deserved rest awaits you.
Distance: 11 km / Time: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty level: Easy-Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
Enjoy a good breakfast at Refugio Grey before continuing to explore the impressive landscapes of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the icebergs floating in Lake Grey. You will start the day with an uphill hike through a mountainous forest that will lead you to the (sometimes very windy) viewpoint of Glaciar Grey, where you can stop to admire one of the most breathtaking views of the circuit.
From there, you will continue the route until you reach Laguna de los Patos, and then begin the descent through a narrow valley with strong gusts of wind that leads directly to Refugio Paine Grande, where the day ends.
If you want to do kayaking on Lake Grey or the ice hike on Glaciar Grey, remember to add these activities as an extra when booking.
Distance: 15 - 25 km / Time to French Lookout: 6-7 hrs / Difficulty level: Demanding / Accommodation: Camping or Refuge / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch (extra).
Today you will start early to make the most of your last day of hiking in Torres del Paine National Park. Get ready for a journey full of rugged mountains, glacier lakes, and imposing valleys.
You will start the day walking through arid landscapes and along the crystal blue waters of Lake Skottsberg. After about 2.5 hours, you will reach the El Italiano camping site, the starting point for the ascent to the French Valley.
From there, you will begin to climb through rocky terrain and continue along the tree line until you reach the French Lookout. Once on the plateau, you will be rewarded with impressive views of the Cuernos del Paine, intensely turquoise glacier lakes, and hanging glaciers that cascade down the eastern face of Paine Grande (3,050 m above sea level). If you are lucky, you may hear the thunder of falling ice or witness an avalanche live, something common in this area.
It is an excellent time to take a break, enjoy your box lunch, and take some unforgettable photos before heading back along the same trail.
At the end of the hike, you will return to Paine Grande Refuge, from where you will board the Patagonian Ice Catamaran towards Pudeto, and then take the transportation back to Puerto Natales.
Important: plan your timing and energy well to not miss the catamaran. It is recommended to be at least 30 minutes before its departure, scheduled for 6:30 pm.
Included
- Briefing talk.
- 7 days 6 nights accommodation.
- Camping: Tent set up, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.
- Shelter: Bed with sleeping bag and pillow.
- Ticket for the Catamaran.
- Transport from Natales to Torres del Paine.
- Entrance to Torres del Paine.
- Transport from Laguna Amarga to Las Torres.
Not included
- Full Board (Meals) - Extras.
- Travel and accident insurance.
- Air transport.
- Lodging in Puerto Natales.
FAQs
The programs for the circuits in Torres del Paine are highly sought after and have limited spaces. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible. Availability changes minute by minute. Therefore, if you have availability one day, perhaps the next day you won't.
This program is self-guided, so you will walk individually and autonomously along the park's trails. This does not mean you will be alone. There are always people on the circuits, and all the park's trails are properly marked. Additionally, the day before starting the circuit, you will receive a technical briefing where we will provide you with all the necessary documents and a detailed explanation of the park and your program's route.
Any of the two options has certain important considerations to keep in mind:
1) The rooms in the shelters are shared, with capacity for 6 to 8 people in bunk bed format.
2) The tents and sleeping bags are designed for the weather conditions of Torres del Paine. However, it is recommended to bring additional warm clothing, such as a thermal liner.
3) All meals are served in the restaurants of the shelters.
4) Both the campgrounds and the shelters have bathrooms equipped with showers and hot water.
5) Both types of accommodation have internet access points.
Breakfast consists of coffee, tea, milk, bread, eggs, cheese, ham, jam, juice, and fruit. The box lunch is typically a cold sandwich with a cereal bar, chocolate bar, dried fruits, and fruit. Finally, dinner is a set menu with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and water.
We offer menus adapted for vegetarians, vegans, or celiacs. If you have any food allergies, please indicate them in the passenger information when making the reservation.
In most of the circuit, there is no coverage. Only in some specific points of the park (which you will identify immediately), there might be some signal. However, all refuges offer satellite internet service for an additional cost, which can vary from CLP$ 10,000 for 1 hour, and is paid with a credit card.
Yes, in the common areas of the refuges there are outlets to charge your electronic devices. Remember that in Chile, 220V and 2-pin are used. We recommend bringing a power strip to share the charge of devices with your friends.
Yes, along all the trails you will have access to drinkable water, which comes from the park's natural springs. IMPORTANT: Pay attention to signs of farm animals (e.g., horses) that could contaminate some areas.
The weather is very variable throughout the year, even in summer. In one day, there can be sun, clouds, rain, and wind. Therefore, we recommend being prepared for any type of weather.
Absolutely! Trekking poles are a fundamental tool for multi-day hikes. If you don't want to use them, don't use them, but take them with you for when you need them. *Trekking poles can be rented in Puerto Natales.
At the time of booking on our platform, you can add as an extra, an Ice Hike or Kayaking among the icebergs. Absolutely recommended!
The single supplement extra cost only applies to individuals traveling alone. It is a fee that you need to pay to use a double tent spot by yourself.
Starting place
Your program begins and ends in Puerto Natales. From there the bus takes you to the National Park to start your walk.
Policies
Read our Terms and Conditions where our cancellation and change policies are defined. Always remember to plan your trip in advance.