Self-Guided Circuit O Trek – 10 Days

Our adventure begins early with a two-hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park. The route crosses the vast Patagonian steppe until reaching Laguna Amarga, the main entrance to the park, where you will need to register with CONAF (park rangers). Here, you will transfer with “Transporte Las Torres” to the Welcome Center, where passenger registration for the Cerro Paine Reserve is done.

Then, you will begin the hike to Camp Serón. Although this is one of the easier hikes on the circuit, the trail to Serón offers amazing views of the wild side of Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll walk through a vibrant green carpet of trees, then descend a gentle slope into the endless grasslands of the Patagonian plain.

Hiking Time: 4–5 hours • Distance: 14 km / 8 miles • Elevation Gain: 300 m
Breakfast, Box lunch and dinner included

Today, you’ll embark on a long hike through rolling hills and wet meadows deep within the park. Snow-covered mountains, pastel blue lakes, and vast stretches of grasslands will be your backdrop as you explore the northern side of the park, featuring spectacular views of Dickson Glacier, Cerro Cubo, and other rugged peaks marking the border between Chile and Argentina.

Once you arrive in the Dickson area, check in and take a walk along the rocky shore of Lake Dickson in the afternoon before dinner at the refuge.

Hiking Time: 6–7 hours • Distance: 18 km / 11 miles • Elevation Gain: 250 m
Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included

Today, you’ll hike through the most remote area of the park, surrounded by lush, green vegetation. You’ll feel the wind blowing through the bushes and hear the pleasant sound of Magellanic woodpeckers. As you skirt the Los Perros River, you’ll ascend a large moraine, breathless at the sight of another picturesque mountain backdrop: the stunning Los Perros Glacier and its bluish-green lagoon.

You’ll continue on a rocky trail until you reach Los Perros Camp, where you will spend the night. It’s recommended to rest, as the next day will be long.

Hiking Time: 4 hours • Distance: 12 km / 7 miles • Elevation Gain: 400 m
Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included

Take a deep breath and prepare for the most challenging yet rewarding day of the Paine Circuit. After an early breakfast in the shelter and packing your box lunch, you’ll start making your way between gnarled roots and large puddles of mud under the green canopy of trees.

As you exit the forest, you will begin to ascend through worn and loose rocks (sometimes covered in snow) to reach the highest point of the circuit, the famous John Gardner Pass (1,200 m / 3,937 ft). Wrapped in the strong Patagonian winds, you’ll be awed by the Southern Ice Field and its shimmering white blanket. The descent follows alongside a massive wall of ice and continues along the trail to El Paso Camp, where there is a ranger station.

Hiking Time: 8 hours • Distance: 17.3 km / 10.7 miles • Elevation Gain: 400 m
Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included

Enjoy breakfast at Grey Refuge before continuing to be amazed by the spectacular landscapes of the Southern Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey Lake. An ascending hike through a mountainous forest will take you to the windy viewpoint of Grey Glacier.

From there, you will continue your hike to Laguna Los Patos, where you’ll start descending through a narrow, windy valley that leads directly to Paine Grande Refuge.

Hiking Time: 4 hours • Distance: 11 km / 6 miles • Elevation Gain: 100 m
Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included

We recommend starting early! This hike will take you to the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. Prepare for a day filled with stunning Patagonian landscapes as you reach the entrance to the French Valley. You can leave your backpack at the Italiano campground, where the park rangers are located, and begin your ascent into the French Valley.

Ascend over large rocks and then continue through the forest to reach the French Plateau (French viewpoint). Here, you will be rewarded with incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and amazing hanging glaciers descending the eastern face of Paine Grande (3,050 m / 10,007 ft). If you’re lucky, you may hear the thunderous sound of the glacier and falling water, and perhaps witness an avalanche.

Hiking Time: 8–9 hours • Distance: 19 km / 12 miles • Elevation Gain: 690 m
Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included

Starting from Refugio Los Cuernos or Domos Francés, follow the well-marked trail east along the north shore of Lake Nordenskjöld. Cross pristine streams and admire the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto (2,670 m / 8,760 ft). Keep an eye out for condors soaring above the turquoise-green waters.

Continue over gentle, rolling terrain until you reach Refugio Torre Central. Check in, settle into your accommodation, and relax for the afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s hike.

Hiking Time: 5–6 hours • Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles • Elevation Gain: ~150 m / 490 ft
Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included

Today’s hike begins in Ascencio Valley, enjoying its extensive forests. During the final ascent, you’ll cross a vast field of giant rocks until you reach one of the world’s most iconic viewpoints, the famous Base Torres. At an altitude of 900 m (2,953 ft), marvel at the three granite towers (north, central, and south) and the bright turquoise glacial lake at your feet.

This is the perfect moment to take photographs and enjoy your lunch before returning down the same trail towards Torre Central Refuge and the Welcome Center. There you’ll take the “Las Torres” transfer to Laguna Amarga to connect with the regular bus back to Puerto Natales.

Hiking Time: 8 hours • Distance: 20 km / 10 miles • Elevation Gain: 700 m
Breakfast and box lunch included

Depending on your flight schedule, we will pick you up from your hotel for your transfer to the airport or bus terminal. For now, we say goodbye and hope to see you again in the future.

Breakfast included.