Planning

Camping vs Refugios in Torres del Paine: W and O Guide

Updated September 2026 · 7 min read

Most W Trek and O Circuit itineraries use one of two main accommodation styles: shared lodging or camping. Shared lodging can mean a bunk room, dome or cabin, depending on the sector. Camping can mean an equipped tent already waiting for you or a bare site for your own equipment.

The main paid sectors are managed by Las Torres Patagonia and Vértice Patagonia. What is included, when each sector operates and how much it costs depend on the operator, sector and rate you reserve.

Shared lodging usually means a bunk bed in a shared room or dome, with shared bathrooms and a heated common area. Camping sits next to the same sectors: a site for your own tent, or an equipped tent already installed when you arrive. Choose a bed if you want warmth and real rest after eight hours on the trail. Choose a tent if you want the outdoor experience or a lower price. Mix both if you want the best of each: a tent in the easy sectors and a bed after the hardest days.

Option	You sleep in	You need to carry	Main limitation
Refugio or shared lodging	Bunk bed or shared dome	Personal hiking equipment	Beds are limited
Equipped camping	Pre-pitched tent	Personal hiking equipment	You still sleep outdoors
Bare campsite	Your own tent	Tent and sleeping equipment	More weight and preparation
Cabin or hotel	Private or semi-private room	Personal hiking equipment	Available only in selected sectors

Two companies run everything inside the park. Las Torres operates the east side (Central, Chileno, Los Cuernos, Francés and Serón) and Vértice the west and north (Paine Grande, Grey, Dickson and Los Perros). This is where you sleep on each route, in trail order.

Sector	Route	Operator	Shared lodging	Camping	Description
Central	W and O	Las Torres	Yes	Yes	The base under the towers. Refugio, camp and hotel accommodation in one sector.
Chileno	W and O, optional	Las Torres	Yes	Yes	Halfway up the Base Torres trail. Shortens the summit morning.
Los Cuernos	W and O	Las Torres	Yes	Yes	On the shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, under the Cuernos.
Francés	W and O	Las Torres	Yes, shared dome accommodation	Yes	Forested sector near the entrance to the French Valley. Shared domes and camping are available, subject to the current season and rate.
Paine Grande	W and O	Vértice	Yes	Yes	The biggest sector, on Lake Pehoé, where the catamaran arrives.
Grey	W and O	Vértice	Yes	Yes	Next to Lake Grey and the glacier trail.
Serón	O only	Las Torres	No	Yes	The first night of the north side, in open pampa.
Dickson	O only	Vértice	Yes	Yes	On Lake Dickson with the glacier in front.
Los Perros	O only	Vértice	No	Yes	The last camp before the John Gardner Pass, in the forest.

Accommodation types and services can change between seasons. Confirm the exact room, tent, bedding and meal plan shown on your booking confirmation.

Two rules follow from the table. On the W you can sleep in a bed every night if you book early. On the O you cannot: Serón and Los Perros are tents no matter what, so every O Circuit is at least partly a camping trip.

Refugio accommodation usually means a bed in a shared room or dome. Bedding, sleeping bags, towels, showers, heating, charging points and meal plans vary by sector and rate.

Full board normally includes dinner, breakfast and a box lunch, but it is not automatically included with every bed. Check the exact services shown on your confirmation. There is no Wi-Fi worth planning around; we explain why in our guide to internet in Torres del Paine.

Equipped camping. A tent is already installed when you arrive. Depending on the sector and rate, it may include a mattress, sleeping bag and pillow. You do not normally need to carry camping equipment when these services are confirmed.

Bare campsite. You reserve the space and bring your own tent, mattress and sleeping bag. Bathrooms, showers, cooking areas, electricity and meal services vary between sectors.

Look at which accommodation follows each of your longer hiking days. Some travelers prefer a bed after Base Torres, the French Valley or the John Gardner Pass, while others prioritize price or the camping experience.

A bed costs several times a tent site, and full board adds up over four or seven nights. Our programs are priced with equipped camps: the Self-Guided W Trek from US$2,949 per person and the Self-Guided O Circuit from US$3,796, with every night, meal and transfer included. If you prefer beds, we quote the refugio version of the same program, subject to availability.

This is the one that usually decides. For December to February the refugio beds go first, months ahead, and the camps follow. Outside those months you have real choice. If your dates are close and the beds are gone, camps are often still open, and the route can be adapted: read what to do when there is no availability on the W Trek.

• Check the complete accommodation sequence before purchasing non-changeable flights. One missing night can make the route unworkable.
• Reserve as soon as your dates are reasonably fixed. December through February usually has the highest demand, but refugios and campsites can also sell out during October, November, March and April.
• An availability enquiry is not a confirmed reservation. Wait for written confirmation and the corresponding booking code before treating the itinerary as secured.
• Every night on our programs is booked before you confirm, on both routes: Guided W Trek, Self-Guided W Trek, W Trek Highlights, Guided O Circuit and Self-Guided O Circuit.

• Choose shared lodging if sleeping indoors and reducing exposure to cold matter more than price.
• Choose equipped camping if you accept sleeping outdoors but do not want to carry a tent and sleeping system.
• Choose a bare campsite if you already have suitable equipment and are prepared to carry it.
• Mix accommodation types when availability, itinerary order or budget make one format impractical for every night.

Tell us your dates and how you like to sleep, and we will tell you plainly what is still available and what it costs.