What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 7-day O Circuit guided tour in Torres del Paine Round-trip transportation Puerto Natales — Torres del Paine Meals as per itinerary Accommodation — 6 nights in mountain refuges (6-8 people per room) and/or camps Sleeping bag and pillow for refuges Tent, sleeping bag, and mat in each camp Ticket for the catamaran Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine Briefing talk What’s not included: Transportation to and from the starting point Travel and accident insurance Accommodation in Puerto Natales prior to or after the tour Porter for your luggage — optional, but can be added to the listing Kayak in front of the Grey Glacier — optional, can be added at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this O Circuit hike in Paine del Torres, you need to be in excellent shape. A great thing about this adventure is that there are no issues with altitude, but still keep in mind that you will be hiking for 7 days in a row, with some days being long and challenging—but the incredible views will make you forget about the difficulty! Daily distances range from 5.6 to 14 miles (9 to 22.5 km), with some days being very long and challenging. Some days are longer, while some days you’ll only hike for 4-5 hours. Still, this tour is more than just a leisurely stroll so make sure you’re in good enough shape to join it. Looking for a shorter adventure in the spectacular Paine del Torres? Check out this 5-day W Trek in Torres del Paine !

What do I need to bring?

The weather in southern Patagonia is very changeable, and you can experience all four seasons in one day. It’s crucial to be prepared for any type of weather, especially strong winds and high solar radiation. The list below outlines the basic equipment necessary for a day of excursions in Torres del Paine National Park: 40L backpack (with rain cover) Small daypack for shorter trips Trekking poles (highly recommended) Water-resistant jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or similar) Fleece or sweatshirt First layer of merino wool or breathable material Short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts Comfortable hiking boots (not brand new) Cell phone (with camera) Sandals (for bathing and resting) Headlamp Lock for your tent Quick-drying towel (lightweight) Cold-resistant hat and gloves Sun hat Sunscreen Sunglasses Camera — optional, but recommended Binoculars (for experienced users) Reusable water bottle (1 liter is sufficient, clear bottles are recommended) Ziploc bags (for waste disposal) First aid kit (with bandages, adhesive bandages, and anti-inflammatory patches)

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For the O Circuit guided tour in Torres del Paine, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The maximum group size is 6. It takes a minimum of 4 persons for the tour to run. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. O Circuit guided tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Puerto Natales, the starting point of your tour, most people fly into Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) serving Puerto Natales. Once you land there, you have a 10-minute drive to the city. Another option is to fly into Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), the airport serving the Punta Arenas area. Once you’re there, you have several options to reach Puerto Natales. You can take a bus which takes 3-4 hours, you can rent a car, or arrange a private transfer. You will meet your guide on Day 0 in Puerto Natales, which is when you’ll meet your guide and go through a briefing. Let us know if you need any help arranging transportation and/or accommodation prior to and after the tour.

Safety measures in Chile

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Chile, please refer to Chile’s Foreign Travel Advice . If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

O Circuit guided tour in Torres del Paine

View of the lake and mountains in Torres

TORRES DEL PAINE | CHILE

Hiking the O Circuit in Torres del Paine

Season

November through March

Nearest city

Your tour starts in Puerto Natales

Duration

7 days

Difficulty

Accommodation

Mountain refuges & campsites

Guides

Matías Garcés, Outdoor Index

From $2,900 () / 7 days

Got any questions? or Talk with us

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Nothing beats Patagonian wilderness. And this O Circuit trek is here to prove it. Journey to the end of the Earth for a 7-day hiking experience through the extraordinary Torres del Paine National Park. This 85-mile loop around the Cordillera del Paine is bursting with vistas to die for and challenges to live for. Unreal granite spires, calving glaciers, lush valleys, aqua lakes, monumental ice fields, a 4,000-foot summit… It’s all there. Join us on this O Circuit hike and find out why it’s considered one of the greatest long-distance treks in the world.

Book a call

Surreal views make you forget about the trek’s difficulty

Spectacular scenery is a driving force on this challenging 85-mile trek
Complete a full loop around the Cordillera del Paine

The O Circuit is a comprehensive exploration of these mountains’ wilderness
Bunk in refuges or camp out in tents

Can’t go wrong with either one, full immersion into nature is guaranteed

Available itineraries

Hiking the O Circuit in Torres del Paine — Camp & Refuge Edition

Embark on a 7-day hiking adventure along the renowned O Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park! This tour offers a wonderful blend of lodging in refuges or camping out, allowing you to see the best of both worlds. The trek takes you through diverse landscapes, from dense forests and turquoise lakes to glistening glaciers and glacial valleys. There will be an expert guide by your side, making sure you don’t miss out on gems of Torres del Paine, and they’ll also arrange your meals and accommodations—making this trip a worry-free experience.

Welcome to the spectacular Patagonia! Make sure to reach Patagonia at least a day prior to your adventure as you’re heading out tomorrow early in the morning. Meet your guide in Puerto Natales and go through a briefing. All your last-minute questions about the tour will be answered!
Have hearty breakfast and head to the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal, where you’ll meet your guide and your team at 7 am. Make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early so you don’t miss the bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy breathtaking scenery of Patagonia as you travel to Laguna Amarga’s main entrance where you will need to register with the park ranger, CONAF.

From there, Transporte Las Torres will take you to the welcome center and then it’s just a 5-minute walk to Estancia Cerro Paine where you’ll register and begin your trek. Follow the trail through Ascencio Valley and its lush forests, and once you ascend through a field of large rocks, you’ll reach the iconic Mirador Base Las Torres. It’s that world-famous view of three granite towers and a turquoise lake at their feet. Have your lunch there before returning to Torre Central Refuge for a warm dinner after a long day of hiking.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Hiking: 8-10 hours
Distance: 14 miles / 22.5 km
Accommodation: Central Refuge
Today is one of the easiest days on the O Circuit, but the views are just as incredible. The trail goes through a vibrant green forest and continues along a mellow slope that descends towards endless pastures. Continue hiking the relatively flat path towards the Serón campsite and enjoy the sound of crystal clear streams. After setting up the camp, get some rest and enjoy dinner at a small but cozy dining room of Serón.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km
Accommodation: Camping Serón
A long hike begins through undulating hills and humid swamps into the heart of the park. Snow-capped peaks, blue lakes, and vast expanses of grassland provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the north side of the park. Enjoy imposing views of the Dickson Glacier, Cerro Cubo, and other rugged peaks marking the border between Chile and Argentina. Once you reach the Dickson area, you can either relax at the refuge or take a walk along its rocky shoreline.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 11 miles / 18 km
Accommodation: Dickson Refuge
Today you dive into the most remote area of the park. Feel the wind blowing through the bushes and listen to the sound of Magellanic woodpeckers. Bordering the Los Perros River, go up a large moraine where you’ll be left speechless when you see another picturesque mountain as a backdrop, the Los Perros Glacier, and its greenish-blue lagoon. Continue along a rocky path before reaching the Los Perros campsite, where you’ll spend the night. Get some rest, as there’s a long day ahead of you.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 5 hours
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km
Accommodation: Los Perros Camp
This is one of the most demanding and most rewarding days of the O Circuit. Make your way through gnarled tree roots and large mud puddles under the green canopy of the trees. Leave the forest and begin ascending over loose rocks until reaching the highest point in the Paine Circuit, the famous John Gardner Pass at 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field will leave you impressed as well as its marvelous resplendent carpet. Descend by the side of a giant wall of ice and continue walking to Camping el Paso, crossing exciting suspension bridges before arriving at the Grey Shelter for a dinner and well deserved rest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 10-12 hours
Distance: 8.7 miles / 14 km
Accommodation: Refuge Grey
Have a hearty breakfast at the lovely Grey Refuge before admiring the incredible landscapes of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey Lake some more. Ascend through a mountainous forest until reaching the (sometimes very) windy viewpoint of the Grey Glacier. Keep going until you reach the Laguna de Los Patos, where you’ll begin your descent through a narrow and windy valley that takes you directly to the Paine Grande Refuge.

There’s an optional Grey Glacier kayaking or ice hiking, you can add it to your adventure upon checkout.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 4-4.5 hours
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km
Accommodation: Paine Grande Refuge
Depart early in the morning for a whole day of hiking towards the heart of Torres del Paine. Walk through arid ground along the shore of Lake Skottsberg. After several hours of walking, you’ll arrive at El Italiano campsite where the ascent towards the Valley begins. Climb through rocky terrain and follow the edge of treetops until reaching the Plató (French lookout). You’ll be rewarded with landscapes of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and hanging glaciers that fall in the form of waterfalls on the east face of Paine Grande. You’ll hear the roar of falling ice and water, and it’s a point where avalanches can commonly be seen. After a quick stop, descend and start the return to the Paine Grande Refuge where you’ll take the Catamarán Hielos Patagónicos and return back to Puerto Natales.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 12.5 miles / 20 km

Hiking the O Circuit in Torres del Paine — Camping Edition

There’s no doubt that Patagonia will take your breath away. One of the best ways to really explore it is by trekking along the O Circuit in Torres del Paine, so our 7-day guided adventure is exactly what you need. And if you want to truly see the raw and rugged side of these mountains, there’s no better way to do it than by spending nights under starry skies in tents. There’s also no need to worry about the food, as your guide will arrange all your meals and make sure you’re fueled up and ready to explore surreal landscapes. Fantastic guide? Check. Accommodation? Check. Food? Check. It’s all here and waiting on you—you’re just a few clicks away from booking the adventure of a lifetime.

Welcome to the spectacular Patagonia! Make sure to reach Patagonia at least a day prior to your adventure as you’re heading out tomorrow early in the morning. Meet your guide in Puerto Natales and go through a briefing. All your last-minute questions about the tour will be answered!
Have hearty breakfast and head to the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal, where you’ll meet your guide and your team at 7 am. Make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early so you don’t miss the bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy breathtaking scenery of Patagonia as you travel to Laguna Amarga’s main entrance where you will need to register with the park ranger, CONAF.

From there, Transporte Las Torres will take you to the welcome center and then it’s just a 5-minute walk to Estancia Cerro Paine where you’ll register and begin your trek. Follow the trail through Ascencio Valley and its lush forests, and once you ascend through a field of large rocks, you’ll reach the iconic Mirador Base Las Torres. It’s that world-famous view of three granite towers and a turquoise lake at their feet. Have your lunch there before returning to Torre Central for a warm dinner after a long day of hiking.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Hiking: 8-10 hours
Distance: 14 miles / 22.5 km
Accommodation: Central Refuge
Today is one of the easiest days on the O Circuit, but the views are just as incredible. The trail goes through a vibrant green forest and continues along a mellow slope that descends towards endless pastures. Continue hiking the relatively flat path towards the Serón campsite and enjoy the sound of crystal clear streams. After setting up the camp, get some rest and enjoy dinner at a small but cozy dining room of Serón.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km
Accommodation: Camping Serón
A long hike begins through undulating hills and humid swamps into the heart of the park. Snow-capped peaks, blue lakes, and vast expanses of grassland provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the north side of the park. Enjoy imposing views of the Dickson Glacier, Cerro Cubo, and other rugged peaks marking the border between Chile and Argentina. Once you reach the Dickson area, you can either relax at the campsite or take a walk along its rocky shoreline.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 11 miles / 18 km
Accommodation: Camping Dickson
Today you dive into the most remote area of the park. Feel the wind blowing through the bushes and listen to the sound of Magellanic woodpeckers. Bordering the Los Perros River, go up a large moraine where you’ll be left speechless when you see another picturesque mountain as a backdrop, the Los Perros Glacier, and its greenish-blue lagoon. Continue along a rocky path before reaching the Los Perros campsite, where you’ll spend the night. Get some rest, as there’s a long day ahead of you.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 5 hours
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km
Accommodation: Los Perros Camp
This is one of the most demanding and most rewarding days of the O Circuit. Make your way through gnarled tree roots and large mud puddles under the green canopy of the trees. Leave the forest and begin ascending over loose rocks until reaching the highest point in the Paine Circuit, the famous John Gardner Pass at 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field will leave you impressed as well as its marvelous resplendent carpet. Descend by the side of a giant wall of ice and continue walking to Camping el Paso, crossing exciting suspension bridges before arriving at the campsite for a dinner and well deserved rest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 10-12 hours
Distance: 8.7 miles / 14 km
Accommodation: Camping Grey
Have a hearty breakfast at the lovely Grey Refuge before admiring the incredible landscapes of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey Lake some more. Ascend through a mountainous forest until reaching the (sometimes very) windy viewpoint of the Grey Glacier. Keep going until you reach the Laguna de Los Patos, where you’ll begin your descent through a narrow and windy valley that takes you directly to the Paine Grande campsite.

There’s an optional Grey Glacier kayaking or ice hiking, you can add it to your adventure upon checkout.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 4-4.5 hours
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km
Accommodation: Paine Grande Camping
Depart early in the morning for a whole day of hiking towards the heart of Torres del Paine. Walk through arid ground along the shore of Lake Skottsberg. After several hours of walking, you’ll arrive at El Italiano campsite where the ascent towards the Valley begins. Climb through rocky terrain and follow the edge of treetops until reaching the Plató (French lookout). You’ll be rewarded with landscapes of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and hanging glaciers that fall in the form of waterfalls on the east face of Paine Grande. You’ll hear the roar of falling ice and water, and it’s a point where avalanches can commonly be seen. After a quick stop, descend and start the return to the Paine Grande Refuge where you’ll take the Catamarán Hielos Patagónicos and return back to Puerto Natales.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 12.5 miles / 20 km

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Meet your guides

5.00

Matías Garcés

Matías is a full-time tour guide and a family man, with more than 7 years of experience working in Torres del Paine National Park. He has worked for prominent companies in the tourism industry such as Hotel Explora, Quasar, and Hotel Singular. He lives in the city of Puerto Natales where he works as a booking manager for different international companies, taking charge of the offers, relationships with suppliers, and product design. Still, what Matías enjoys the most is going on hiking tours and sharing the best gems with his clients.

5.00

Outdoor Index

Based in Puerto Natales, Chile, Outdoor Index is your gateway to conscious adventuring in Patagonia. Their four pillars drive them to diversify destinations, educate for conscious tourism, foster personal growth through adventure, and activate local ecosystems. Joining their adventures means exploring the best of South American wilderness in a truly unique and meaningful way.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 7-day O Circuit guided tour in Torres del Paine
  - Round-trip transportation Puerto Natales — Torres del Paine
  - Meals as per itinerary
  - Accommodation — 6 nights in mountain refuges (6-8 people per room) and/or camps
  - Sleeping bag and pillow for refuges
  - Tent, sleeping bag, and mat in each camp
  - Ticket for the catamaran
  - Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine
  - Briefing talk
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to and from the starting point
  - Travel and accident insurance
  - Accommodation in Puerto Natales prior to or after the tour
  - Porter for your luggage — optional, but can be added to the listing
  - Kayak in front of the Grey Glacier — optional, can be added at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
In order to join this O Circuit hike in Paine del Torres, you need to be in excellent shape. A great thing about this adventure is that there are no issues with altitude, but still keep in mind that you will be hiking for 7 days in a row, with some days being long and challenging—but the incredible views will make you forget about the difficulty! Daily distances range from 5.6 to 14 miles (9 to 22.5 km), with some days being very long and challenging.

Some days are longer, while some days you’ll only hike for 4-5 hours. Still, this tour is more than just a leisurely stroll so make sure you’re in good enough shape to join it.

Looking for a shorter adventure in the spectacular Paine del Torres? Check out this 5-day W Trek in Torres del Paine!
The weather in southern Patagonia is very changeable, and you can experience all four seasons in one day. It’s crucial to be prepared for any type of weather, especially strong winds and high solar radiation. The list below outlines the basic equipment necessary for a day of excursions in Torres del Paine National Park:
- - 40L backpack (with rain cover)
  - Small daypack for shorter trips
  - Trekking poles (highly recommended)
  - Water-resistant jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
  - Fleece or sweatshirt
  - First layer of merino wool or breathable material
  - Short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts
  - Comfortable hiking boots (not brand new)
  - Cell phone (with camera)
  - Sandals (for bathing and resting)
  - Headlamp
  - Lock for your tent
  - Quick-drying towel (lightweight)
  - Cold-resistant hat and gloves
  - Sun hat
  - Sunscreen
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional, but recommended
  - Binoculars (for experienced users)
  - Reusable water bottle (1 liter is sufficient, clear bottles are recommended)
  - Ziploc bags (for waste disposal)
  - First aid kit (with bandages, adhesive bandages, and anti-inflammatory patches)
Group sizes and prices:
- - For the O Circuit guided tour in Torres del Paine, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The maximum group size is 6.
  - It takes a minimum of 4 persons for the tour to run.
  - The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
O Circuit guided tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Puerto Natales, the starting point of your tour, most people fly into Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) serving Puerto Natales. Once you land there, you have a 10-minute drive to the city.

Another option is to fly into Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), the airport serving the Punta Arenas area. Once you’re there, you have several options to reach Puerto Natales. You can take a bus which takes 3-4 hours, you can rent a car, or arrange a private transfer.

You will meet your guide on Day 0 in Puerto Natales, which is when you’ll meet your guide and go through a briefing. Let us know if you need any help arranging transportation and/or accommodation prior to and after the tour.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Chile, please refer to Chile’s Foreign Travel Advice.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Secure your spot for 2025 or 2026 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!
- - Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
  - Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
  - The final balance is due 70 days prior to departure.
For set dates, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 70 (seventy) calendar days prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the booking…
- - More than 90 (ninety) calendar days prior to the start of the adventure, Client is entitled to a full refund.
  - 89-70 (eighty-nine to seventy) calendar days prior to the start of the adventure, Client is entitled to a 50% (fifty percent) refund of the total amount of the trip.
  - 69-45 (sixty-nine to forty-five) calendar days prior to the start of the adventure, Client is entitled to a 20% (twenty percent) refund of the total amount of the trip.
  - Within 44 (forty-four) calendar days prior to the start of the adventure, Client is not entitled to any refund.
Once you make the payment, your guides will confirm the date of your reservation within a maximum of 4 business days. In case there is no availability, your guides will offer you the nearest secure date. If the proposed date does not work for you, your guides will offer you a full refund.