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Patagonia: Torres del Paine Full O Circuit

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Patagonia: Torres del Paine Full O Circuit

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Description

It’s clear why the pristine and remote Torres del Paine National Park is Patagonia’s crown jewel. On this 11-day trekking trip, you’ll explore one of the most stunning wilderness areas in the world from the perspective of the Paine O Circuit. This trail highlights the best features of the park, hitting most of the sites of the famous W-Trek but on the longer road, less travelled. Circumnavigate the whole mountain massif as you take in dramatic granite towers, glacial lakes and electric blue icebergs. Witness the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap, climb the mighty Grey Glacier with trained experts, hike through grassland towards turquoise lakes, kayak through ice floes on Lake Grey and stay in comfortable backcountry huts (or Refugios) when you’re not camping under an untouched sky .

Trip Name
Patagonia: Torres del Paine Full O Circuit
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
11
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Trek the full loop around the Cordillera del Paine of wild Patagonia, completing the less-travelled O circuit. On this route, you’ll enjoy a greater sense of adventure, as fewer trekkers follow this trail.
  • Recharge with overnight stays in Torres del Paine Refugios – inviting backcountry huts or lodges with beds, kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms. Spend two nights camping in premier tents, with only the star-studded sky above you.
  • Climb the Grey Glacier with an expert team of guides who will teach you how to use the ice axes and crampons needed in this landscape. Observe crevasses, rivers, lagoons and tunnels in different tones of blue.
  • Hike through the raw landscape of Torres del Paine National Park – a designated UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and keep your eye out for Andean condors and guanacos.
  • Explore Lake Grey and its ice floes from the water with a kayaking experience – and paddle past electric blue icebergs backdropped by snow-capped peaks.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Puerto Natales
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Puerto Natales in Chilean Patagonia. Please arrive before 4 pm into Puerto Natales. If arriving on day 1 you’ll be picked up from Puerto Natales airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This quaint city, backdropped by snow-capped mountains, is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park – the home of your 11-day hiking expedition. This afternoon, meet your group at a welcome meeting and learn more about the exciting days ahead. Tonight, you’ll feast at a group dinner of Patagonian classics.
Day 2 - Torres del Paine
This morning, wake up with the sun and drive to Torres del Paine National Park. Your group will have breakfast on the road, stopping for a coffee break on the way. Your trip leaders will brief you on some effective trekking techniques and provide an overview of the natural and cultural history of the area. When you arrive at Ascencio Valley, your trek will begin! Enjoy views of the Ascencio River as you head toward Refugio Chileno, where you’ll take a snack break and rehydrate. Then, continue through a beautiful forest of native lenga trees (or beech trees) until you reach a glacial moraine – a ridge made from earth that has been pushed by the glacier. From the moraine, hike towards an incredible view of the Torres del Paine rock towers. The granite towers and glacial lake make for a breathtaking landscape – the perfect spot to round out your first day of trekking. Head back to the Refugio – your accommodation (and dinner spot) for the night.
Day 3 - Paine Massif
This morning, load up on gear and head out across the ancient glacial moraines. Here, you’ll begin your hike around the Paine Massif – the jagged mountain peaks that stand tall between blue and green lakes, rivers and forests. At the base of the massif, grab a snapshot of the group by the turquoise waters and take in some truly breathtaking scenery. Trek through a forest of beech trees and look out for austral parakeets, varied species of geese and the Patagonian fox. After a few hours, you’ll arrive at your accommodation at camp Seron. You’ll have some free time until dinner to explore the campsite, have a drink or get to know your fellow trekkers as you pitch your tents.
Day 4 - Dickson Lake
Wake for an early breakfast at the campsite and begin your hike to Dickson Lake, which sits on the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap. The lake is fed by the glacier of the same name and now runs into both Chile and Argentina. You’ll be hiking past bright, blooming notro bushes (also called Chilean fire bushes after their bright red colour), endemic to the Patagonian region, and crossing a small stream beside the lake. Continue the trek along the winding river until you reach your Refugio for the night. Nestled in grassy hills with a high horizon of peaks, the Dickson campsite will be a welcome respite. Here, you’ll have the chance for a hot shower before a group dinner is served. Dickson is known as a magical place, with a truly unique surrounding landscape and otherworldly feel. Make sure to stargaze tonight (if the clouds permit)!
Day 5 - Perros Glacier
Today, you’ll pack up your gear and have breakfast at the campsite, before heading out on one of the best days of the trek. Your trail will bring you through pristine, old-growth beech forests that feel completely untouched by human steps – this is where the incredible red-headed Magellanic woodpecker can often be seen (keep your eye out, birdwatchers!). Your hike will also bring you up close and personal to the Perros Glacier, which spills over the surrounding rocks, giving the impression of ice-blue lava stuck in time. Take in fantastic views of the nearby lake and the glacier backdrop as you take some time to rest and recharge. From here, head to Los Perros, where your camp site among the bending trees will be set up and waiting for you. You’ll have some free time until dinner.
Day 6 - John Garner Pass
Today, get ready for one of the longest and toughest (but rewarding) days of the journey. Start the day’s trek by climbing up to John Garner Pass – named after the British mountaineer in 1976. This is arguably the most famous pass on the trek, as it boasts an altitude of around 1,200 metres above sea level. Here, you’ll have amazing views of glaciated peaks and on a clear day – the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Head down the pass through a thick forest, directly above the massive Grey Glacier. Along the way, you’ll have lunch and then begin the trek down to Lake Grey. The glacier stretches out below, like a huge white highway. Upon arrival on the valley floor, trek to the Grey Refugio for the night, where you’ll have free time to relax until dinner is served.
Day 7 - Grey Glacier
This morning is free for you to relax and recharge after yesterday’s monumental hike. After lunch, your guides will brief you on today’s route and the extra gear needed. Take a Zodiac boat across the lake until you reach the west side of Grey Glacier. When you arrive at the glacier, disembark on the land in between the ice (called a glacial island, or nunatak) and hike across the small island until you reach the ice. After a safety briefing, begin an exploration of Grey Glacier (for approximately 3 hours). Observe crevasses, rivers, lagoons and tunnels in different tones of blue and have an unavoidable I’m-so-far-from-home moment. Return to the Zodiac and ride back to the docking point. When you arrive back at the Refugio, you’ll have some free time before dinner.
Day 8 - Grey Lake
After breakfast, head to the northeast side of Lake Grey. Here, you’ll have the opportunity of exploring the icebergs and the Grey Glacier by kayak. Your trip leaders will provide a thorough safety briefing and introduction to the gear and then you’ll be on your way, winding through the electric blue icebergs that dot the lake. After kayaking, head back to the Refugio and pack up your gear to begin your trek for the day. Cross a high plateau that overlooks Lake Grey on your way to Lake Pehoe. Take in the expansive views until you reach your accommodation for the night – a comfortable lodge where you’ll have the afternoon to relax until dinner. You may want to try the local Chilean drink, a pisco sour, while overlooking the Paine Grande and Los Cuernos mountains.
Day 9 - French Valley
After breakfast, begin your trek to the French Valley. The French Valley is one of the most picturesque valleys in Torres del Paine National Park. It is unique because of the hanging glaciers and towering granite walls and spires. You may even witness the glaciers calving (dropping giant icebergs), which creates a natural symphony perfectly suited to the granite amphitheatre. Get closer to the granite spires and eventually see the unique turquoise colour of the glacial Lake Pehoe. Pehoe translates to ‘hidden lake’ in the Tehuelche Indian language, but the immensity of this blue expanse is not to be misjudged. After a pitstop to take in the stunning scenery, trek out of the valley and continue walking to the extraordinary Lake Nordenskijold. There, you’ll check in to your Refugio and have time to set up and settle in before dinner.
Day 10 - Lake Nordenskjold
Today is the last full day of adventure, so make sure to take it all in. Begin the day by trekking along the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold (named after Swedish geoscientist Otto Nordenskiold, who discovered the lake at the beginning of the 20th century), which sits below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto. The mountain rises to an elevation of 2,640 metres and is one of the most impressive views along your trek home. Have lunch on the way before reaching Hosteria Las Torres, where you’ll meet your awaiting private shuttle. Say goodbye to the national park as your driver takes you back to Puerto Natales. Check in to your hotel and reflect on your monumental journey with a warm shower and a quick rest. Meet back up with your group for the final celebratory dinner out on the town of Natales. What a trip it has been!
Day 11 - Puerto Natales
This morning after breakfast you are free to depart at anytime. If you are departing today your shuttle driver will take you back to the bus station or airport in Puerto Natales. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
02-12-202412-12-2024AUD $ 8,168-
23-12-202402-01-2025AUD $ 9,075-
13-01-202523-01-2025AUD $ 8,168-
03-02-202513-02-2025AUD $ 8,168-
24-02-202506-03-2025AUD $ 8,168-
10-03-202520-03-2025AUD $ 8,168-

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights),Refugios (6 nights),Camping (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,boat

Map

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