Self-Guided O Circuit Trek in Torres del Paine

The adventure begins right away this morning as you head to the bus terminal in Puerto Natales at 6:45 am sharp. From here, you’ll whiz past peaceful landscapes covered in flat pampas and dotted with authentic estancias as you transfer to Torres del Paine National Park (2 hours). Keep your eyes peeled during the ride, as you’ll have the chance to spot Chilean pink flamingos and black-necked swans along the way.

On arrival at Laguna Amaraga, you’ll show your park pass to board a shuttle to Refugio Las Torres. Following your arrival at Refugio Torres, you’ll suit up and prepare to embark on the first highlight of this magical trek – the hike to the Three Towers Lookout! Grabbing your box lunch and leaving your pack at the camp, you’ll trace the Ascencio River, heading down into the valley to. Continuing the trail, you’ll hike through rich beech forests to finally ascend the impressive moraine which leads to the world-famous look out point.

Stand in awe as you look out over the towers from 900 m above sea level. Enjoy lunch here and of course lots of photos before descending the same path back to the refugio where you’ll enjoy a hearty dinner and a good night’s rest.

Enjoy breakfast at Refugio and request your packed lunch before setting out for the day. Your path takes you through a very old forest of beech trees where you may hear woodpeckers or find fresh puma tracks. Today’s 9 km hike (9 km) is the Circuit’s easiest and takes you along a well-marked, slightly sloping trail. Along the way, an exceptional view of Paine Chico Mountain will accompany you. Your destination is Serón Campsite, where you’ll set up camp and enjoy a replenishing dinner.

Depending on the season, today’s leg shows off the Park’s gorgeous floral delights, as orchids, calceolarias, violets, and oxalis flower.

Circling Paine Lake, several impressive mountain views will appear, such as Cerro Escudo and Cerro Cabeza del Indio (in which the profile of an Indian is seen as if carved into the rocks). At the beginning of the Paine River, you’ll see the curved peak of Cerro Cubo, as well as Lake Dickson (a lake straddling Chile and Argentina). Tonight, you’ll set up camp at Dickson Campsite.

Today is a day to please your senses, filled with beautiful sights and textures. Often touted as one of the most beautiful sections of this wilder side of Torres del Paine, you’ll hike through ancient beech forests, wander undulating trails, and follow Los Perros River. Mountains, waterfalls, and lush vegetation will never be far away, as the trail crosses the river via a suspension bridge and arrives at the base of a second terminal moraine; this time belonging to Glacier Los Perros, a hanging glacier that feeds the crystalline lagoon at its base.

A final half-hour hike takes you to today’s destination, Los Perros Campsite. Tonight’s campsite is the only one along the Circuit without hot showers and standard bathroom facilities such as flushing toilets.

The most strenuous day of the Paine Circuit has arrived, bringing demanding trails and variable weather conditions. Of course, your efforts will be more than rewarded with some of Torres del Paine’s most heart-stirring landscapes, experienced by very few visitors to Torres del Paine.

You’ll begin along a clear trail through forests, then make your way through a swamp-like section before beginning your ascent to the John Garner Pass. At this Pass, 1,200 meters (3,937 ft.) above sea level, Patagonia’s famous winds are strong, and the views across Grey Glacier and of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field’s still unexplored peaks are astonishing. The trail now takes you alongside the glacier, ascending and descending through forests of fallen trees and beneath the imposing, almost muscular granite walls of Cordon Olguín.

As you come closer to Grey Glacier, you may see an ice calving (where chunks of ice break off a glacier’s edge). Tonight, you’ll recharge at Grey Campsite.

Your morning begins slowly, resting and stretching around camp. Depending on your energy levels, you can choose from several options this morning. Walk to the Grey Glacier’s lookout point and watch for ice calvings on its massive walls; complete an ice hike with the aid of crampons; or kayak on Grey Lake, paddling around icebergs and in front of the glacier. Later, you’ll have lunch at the Refugio and hike to Pehoe Lake. (Ice hike and kayaking expedition at an additional fee, advance booking required, please inquire for more info).

Today’s destination, the French Valley, is a spectacular natural basin surrounded by peaks and hanging glaciers. This is a return hike, so you will be able to leave your pack behind and trek lightly.

You start by walking around Paine Grande, the highest peak in Torres del Paine, through native Patagonian firebush and evergreen beech forests. At the suspension bridge over the French River, the arresting hanging glacier atop the valley will come into sight. From here, you’ll walk for another hour, ascending 300m (984 ft.) through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at the lookout point (the “Plateau”). Your reward is a heart-stirring bird’s-eye view of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. To one side, the French Glacier and Paine Grande (3050 m); while to the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara, and the main and north “horns” of Los Cuernos arch upwards.

In the upper section of the Valley, Cerro Catedral and Cerro Fortaleza loom like turrets above the landscape. Take your time to have lunch at the viewpoint, surrounded by these imposing peaks and open skies.

Your return hike is along the same track, and the catamaran will take you back across Pehoe Lake to meet your Bus, that will take you safely back to Puerto Natales.