Patagonia O Circuit Guided Trek

Trek Itinerary

• 

  DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PUERTO NATALES, CHILE

  On the day of arrival we have a trek briefing in the hotel lounge at 5pm. This gives you the opportunity to meet your guide & the rest of the group and discuss the plan for our time in the Torres del Paine National Park.

  During the briefing we will go though all the necessary information including itinerary, accommodation, meals & bag transfer. The guides will discuss plans for the first day of the trek. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have so you are fully informed before you start your adventure.

  Guide notes:

  Great views of Torres del Paine as you arrive into Puerto Natales.

  Accommodation:

  4* Hotel, private rooms, breakfast

• 

  DAY 2: FREE MORNING, TRAVEL TO THE TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, HIKE TO THE MIRADOR CONDOR

  Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, followed by some free time in the morning to pick up any last-minute essentials in town. Around midday, we depart on a private two-hour minibus transfer to the Torres del Paine National Park and to the shores of Lake Pehoé. Upon arrival, we’ll take a short hike to the Mirador Condor, a stunning viewpoint offering sweeping vistas of the Torres del Paine massif. In the late afternoon, we check in at Hostería Pehoé, beautifully situated on the lake’s edge, and make our final preparations for the O-Circuit trek.

  Daily stats:

  Private transfer 2 hrs to Torres del Paine
  Mirador Condor hike: 2 hrs

  Guide notes:

  As we get closer to the National Park the views of the Torres del Paine massif are truly stunning.

  Accommodation:

  Hotel accommodation, private rooms, dinner, breakfast & packed lunch for the following day (DBL)

• 

  DAY 3: REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE TO REFUGIO LOS CUERNOS VIA VALLÉE FRANCES

  Early breakfast and a 30 minute catamaran journey across Lake Pehoe to Refugio Paine Grande. Our O-Circuit starts here as we make our way to the Italian Camp with fabulous views of Paine Grande and the Paine Horns. If we fancy travelling light for a while, we can leave our rucksacks here for our ascent into the Vallée Frances to the French Lookout with fabulous views of North Peak of Paine Grande, Castillo (Castle), Cota 2000, Cathedral, Aleta del Tiburon (Shark’s Fin) amongst other granite peaks. We descend via the same trail to collect our rucksacks and continue on our way along the shores of Lake Pehoe to Refugio Cuernos and our accommodation for the night.

  Daily stats:

  30 minute catamaran journey to the Refugio Paine Grande

  Distance: 18K | Height gain: +850m | Descent: -850m | Time: 8hrs

  Guide notes:

  Jaw dropping views of the Paine Horns, Paine Grande and the amphitheatre of pinnacles as we ascend into the Vallée Frances.

  Accommodation:

  Refugio, private cabins, DBL

• 

  DAY 4: REFUGIO LOS CUERNOS TO REFUGIO CENTRAL, LAS TORRES

  A great day awaits as we make our way on a beautiful traverse between Los Cuernos and Las Torres. The trail undulates high above Lake Nordenskjöld with far reaching views, the Paine Horns loom up above. Our final descent takes us over the plains to Refugio Central & our accommodation for two nights.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 15K | Height gain: +300m | Descent: -300m | Time: 6hrs

  Guide notes:

  A beautiful day as we traverse above the shores of Lake Pehoe. Stop for a while to gaze at the condors as they circle the rock faces of the Paine Horns.

  Accommodation:

  Refuge, dormitory, DBL

• 

  DAY 5: DAY HIKE TO THE BASE OF THE TOWERS

  It is safe to say that today takes us on the most famous trail in the Torres del Paine National Park as we hike up to of the base of the Paine Towers. This is an out and back trek so it can be done from Refugio Central. We need an early start and after a good breakfast we initially retrace our steps from the day before. The trail then cuts up to the right into the Asencio Valley, through native forests passing the Refugio Chileno. The final climb takes us steeply though moraine to reach the lake at the base of the towers. The views are simply stunning. We descend via the same trail back to Central & return to our starting point for our second nights at Refugio Central.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 18K | Height gain: +900m | Descent: -900m | Time: 8hrs

  Guide notes:

  An iconic view awaits as we ascend into the Torres Valley. The towers are a truly splendid sight and well worth the climb!

  Accommodation:

  Refuge, dormitory, DBL

• 

  DAY 6: REFUGIO CENTRAL TO CAMP SERON

  We make our way from Refugio Central to Camp Seron along a gentle trail that follows the winding Paine River. The route takes us through native lenga forests and wide open plains, with sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes. It's a peaceful walk, with chances to spot local wildlife and enjoy the quieter side of the park. Camp Serón is tucked in a tranquil riverside setting, offering a calm and scenic place to rest before the more demanding days ahead on the O-Circuit.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 13K | Height gain: +300m | Descent: -0m | Time: 4hrs

  Guide notes:

  As we get closer to the National Park the views of the Torres del Paine massif are truly stunning. A mellow day to start our trek as we make our way into Seron valley. The trail gets beautifully quiet from now on as we leave Las Torres.

  Accommodation:

  Tented camp, dinner, breakfast & packed lunch for the following day (DBL)

• 

  DAY 7: CAMP SERON TO REFUGIO DICKSON

  Although a little longer, the trail to Dickson is not a difficult one. We continue to follow the Paine River for a short time before climbing up over higher ground. There are beautiful views over Lake Paine & the back of Paine Massif, Oggioni Mountain and Cerro de Indio. Fabulous views continue over Lake Dickson and its glacier as we descend to the refuge and our accommodation for the night.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 19K | Height gain: +400m | Descent: -200m | Time: 6hrs

  Guide notes:

  This is not a difficult day. Enjoy the views as way make our way around the back side of the massif. Splendid views over Lake Dickson and towards the Argentinian border.

  Accommodation:

  Refugio, small dormitories, DBL

• 

  DAY 8: REFUGIO DICKSON TO CAMP LOS PERROS

  Leaving Camp Dickson behind we make our way into the biggest native forest in the National Park, we gain glimpses back towards Dickson and up into the Los Perros valley. This is also not too difficult a day and we soon ascend above the tree line to a fabulous vantage point. We climb the moraine to get the best views of Glacier Los Perros, its lake and first views of the famous John Gardner pass. A short walk from here takes us to Camp Los Perros which is situated in a sheltered spot next to the river.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 12K | Height gain: +600m | Descent: -100m | Time: 5hrs

  Guide notes:

  We are now entering the most remote part of the trek. The serenity of the Los Perros valley is captivating. The day features fabulous views of the glacier and lake Los Perros.

  Accommodation:

  Tented camp, DBL

• 

  DAY 9: CAMP LOS PERROS TO REFUGIO GREY

  This has to be one of the best days of any multi day trek. Todays views are truly unique. We make an early start wearing our head torches and climb steadily up though native forest. As day breaks we ascend above the tree line onto rockier ground. Beautiful views of the Glacier Condor and surrounding peaks unfold as we make our way to the John Gardner pass (1200m). The views from the pass are simply jaw dropping as the immensity of the Grey Glacier and Southern Patagonian Ice field lie before us. The descent is long but the views are stunning, the trail takes us down beyond the snout of the glacier to the shores of Lake Grey and our rest stop for the night.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 22K | Height gain: +800m | Descent: -1100m | Time: 10hrs

  Guide notes:

  Wow, what can I say… An incredible day as we make our way over the John Gardner pass.

  Accommodation:

  Refugio Grey, small dormitories, DBL

• 

  DAY 10: REFUGIO GREY TO REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE & RETURN TO PUERTO NATALES

  Our final day of the ‘O’, an easy day in comparison to the day before. Leaving the refuge, we climb a little to traverse high above Lake Grey. We have fabulous views back towards the snout of the glacier and over the lake with its floating icebergs. The trail then meanders down towards Lake Pehoe and the Refuge Paine Grande. We return to our starting point, our ‘O’ is complete! Afternoon tea is served in the refuge before we board the catamaran back to Pudeto and our minibus transfer to Puerto Natales.

  Daily stats:

  Distance: 11K | Height gain: +300m | Descent: -200m | Time: 4hrs
  30 minute catamaran journey back to Pedeto
  Private transfer: 2 hrs to Puerto Natales

  Guide notes:

  Take your time, stop a while to gaze back at Glacier Grey. The ‘O’ is a truly remarkable experience.

  Accommodation:

  4* Hotel, private rooms, breakfast

• DAY 11: DEPARTURE FROM PUERTO NATALES

  Breakfast is included however on the departure day you are free to leave at any time you wish.