Torres del Paine O Circuit

Please Note: This itinerary can begin at either Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or El Calafate. Please speak to your consultant for further arrival information. 

Overview:

Experience one of the most beautiful and intense treks on Earth: the Paine Trek! Circle the immense Paine Massif for nine days of epic views and endurance, all led by our expert guides who help escort you on this unbelievable adventure through the heart of this vast and untamed wilderness.  

The Patagonian Andes is very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC (24ºC max, 2ºC min). However, just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become lovely and sunny. So come prepared for all types of weather!

Included:

• All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Regular return bus tickets Calafate Natales if starting/finishing in Calafate
• 8 nights camping, including all equipment EXCEPT mat and sleeping bag
• Park fees for Torres del Paine National Park
• One expert English speaking trekking guide
• The porter service for this trip 

Excluded:

• Airfares
• Mat and sleeping bag
• Travel Insurance 
• Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
• Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp
• Items of a personal nature

Day 1: THE PATAGONIAN ADVENTURE STARTS

The trip begins with you being picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to Torre Central Camp, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. Alternatively, you can start your trip in Calafate. En route we make a stop in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of "Seno de Ultima Esperanza", where we enjoy a hearty local lunch. The journey is scenic and highly atmospheric, featuring many wild birds and wonderful Patagonian landscapes.

The day ends with our arrival and overnight stay at Torre Central Camp, nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and with a prime view of the majestic Torres. Sunset is usually around 11 pm during the summer months, meaning that there will still be enough daylight for you to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon once you arrive.

This is the right trip for energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. 

Refugio Torre Central is located in "las Torres" sector, at the beginning of the W trek or O circuit. Typical mountain tents are used with enough room for 2 people to sleep overnight in comfortable conditions. We provide all the camping gear. But you should bring your own mat and sleeping bag. Our team will set up the tents in the camping site. Torre Central is a very well equipped Refugio for 60 people, with Shop, Restaurant, Bar, shared rooms, shared bathrooms and central heating.

Refugio Torre Central is an eco friendly company so they do not have high demand devices; here we have a diesel engine to produce energy that we save in our batteries system, we invite you to help us to take care of it. 

Optional Upgrade: Not included in starting price, please speak to your consultant if you would be interested in this potential upgrade option. 

Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants. 

At Ecocamp Patagonia guests sleep in sustainable domes and eat meals in large community domes overlooking the majestic hills. These are fitted with private or shared bathrooms, wood stoves and private terraces. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served in the dining room while drinks can be enjoyed at the bar, lounge or outdoor terrace.

EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable and gender divided. 

CAMP TORRE CENTRAL TO CAMP DICKSON

Approximate Walking Distance: 11hrs
Distance: 29km
Max Altitude Point: 300 m 

The day will start at Camp Torre Central as you prepare for your hike to Dickson Lake. The trail will leads you northwards along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine. We will stop at a natural lookout point which will afford us a stunning panoramic view of the Lago Paine before we descend and continue west across open grasslands towards Refugio Dickson. 

Our campsite will be situated in the Dickson Valley, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and the crystalline waters of Lake Dickson. The stunning Dickson Glacier and parts of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field can be spotted in the distance from the campsite, where we will spend the night complete with a nutritious dinner and soothing hot shower.

For the next few nights your campsite will be set up along with a comfortable dining tent for dinners and breakfasts. The mountain tents that are used have enough room for 2 people to sleep in comfortable conditions. We provide all the camping gear. But you should bring your own mat and sleeping bag. Our team will set up the tents in the camping site. Additionally, the camping sites along the trek will have mountain bathroom facilities in good condition.

CAMP DICKSON TO CAMP PERROS

Approximate Walking Distance: 5hrs
Distance: 9km
Max Altitude Point: 500 m 

We will continue our trail along the Los Perros river in what will be the wildest and most remote grounds that we will cover on the trek. We will pass under the Los Perros Glacier, which merges into a small lake and cross a virgin beech forest before reaching the beautiful Laguna Los Perros. Here, we will set up camp at Camping Los Perros and enjoy the tranquil evening.

CAMP PERROS TO CAMP GREY THROUGH JOHN GARDNER PASS

Approximate Walking Distance: 12 hrs
Distance: 22 km
Max Altitude Point: 1300 m

This day marks our ascent to the highest point of the circuit as we reach altitudes of around 1300 ms (4000 ft) from which we will be able to feast our eyes on an awe-inspiring view of Grey Glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice with towers in the valley. 

The John Gardner pass is one of the most famous sectors of Torres del Paine and a must-do for any serious trekker. We will then continue south along forested slopes with beautiful views of the enormous Grey Glacier (more than 28 km in length) before spending the night camping at Grey Campground on the shores of Lake Grey.

CAMP GREY TO PEHOE LAKE

Approximate Walking Distance: 5 hrs
Distance: 11 km
Max Altitude Point: 400 m

During the morning, we will take some time to rest, replenish and revel in Lake Grey's surroundings before making our way along the eastern side of Lake Grey through clearings of gorgeous Calafate bushes. The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters, is a true wonder to behold. The trail after this point becomes flatter as we descend through a shallow dry valley headed towards the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe, where we will set-up camp and rest for the night.

*Optional Kayaking around Glacier Grey: This excursion starts at 9:00 and lasts 2.5 hours where you will discover the amazing glacier and kayak around huge floating icebergs, towards the east side of the glacier to get closer to the giant ice wall. (Note: Kayaking option is only available From November to mid March) Includes a neoprene suit, waterproof jacket and boots, poogies (kayak gloves), skirt and life-jacket.

Tonight your campsite will be set up at the Lodge Paine Grande. You will be able to you enjoy dinner and breakfast in the refugios.

FRENCH VALLEY

Approximate Walking Distance: 8 hrs
Distance: 25 km
Max Altitude Point: 686 m

After breakfast at Lake Pehoe, we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A swifter walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.

We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax for a while. This day's trek will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to camp Frances.

N.B. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is also available.

Tonight your campsite will be set up at the Refugio Los Cuernos. You will be able to you enjoy dinner and breakfast in the refugios.

LOS CUERNOS

Approximate Walking Distance: 7 hrs
Distance: 16 km
Max Altitude Point: 244 m

Once we have finished breakfast, we will begin our day's trek to Camp Torre Central through the Cuernos trail, which will take us along the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. 

Today's walk is less strenuous yet richer in the diversity of terrain that we will cover. It will, therefore, be the perfect opportunity to take in the park’s charming flora and fauna and learn more about the vast variety of species along the way. We will pause throughout the walk in order to have a box-lunch, rest our legs and admire the stunning surroundings. The trek ends as we arrive at Camp Torre Central where we will enjoy a hearty meal and prepare for tomorrow's big challenge.

TREK TO THE TOWERS' BASE

Approximate Walking Distance: 10 hrs
Distance: 21 km
Max Altitude Point: 914 m

The goal of our penultimate day of the Paine Circuit will be to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park! We will walk from the campsite towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. 

Our big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which will lead us to that iconic base-view of the Towers - Three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to Camp Torre Central for a well-deserved dinner

ADIOS TORRES DEL PAINE!

We will board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago.