The O-Trek is the extended, or Full Circuit version of the famous Torres del Paine Patagonia W-Trek. This hiking adventure is suited to fit and keen trekkers who have the luxury of bit more time to spend exploring this stunning Andean Mountain region.
To maximise your experience in the area, we begin this journey in Argentina’s El Calafate, taking the opportunity to see one of the World’s only expanding glaciers: Perito Moreno. The journey ends in Punta Arenas in Chile.
For this experience, we take you deep into the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, famed for its awe-inspiring mountains and iconic granite peaks. This circuit can be completed either as a self-guided tour, or with one our expert private guides. With or without a guide, you can enjoy some of South America’s most dramatic Andean scenery. With a guide, you can enjoy deeper insights into this wilderness area.
The O-Trek is undoubtedly one of the World’s leading hiking circuits. The granite towers of the Paine Massif are natural monuments of great rugged beauty, almost always in view to pinpoint where in the Andes you are. Other highlights of the trek include the legendary Francés Valley; and the striking Grey Glacier seen from the John Garner Mountain Pass, where the ice blends into clouds on the horizon. Each day you will enjoy vistas which will truly take your breath way.
The trek consists of 8 sectors, covering a total of around 85 miles. Alongside the numerous glaciers, turquoise lakes and stunning mountains, you might enjoy glimpses of Patagonian wildlife. Living in this area are Pumas, Huemuls (deer), Darwin’s Rhea, Guanacos, Condors, Magellanic Woodpeckers and many more species as you delve deeper into this untamed territory. The O-Trek is physically demanding, but an exhilarating adventure holiday that will send you home with memories you will never forget.
Our standard accommodation on the O-Trek is camping in tents provided. You can alternatively opt for mountain hostels (refugios); and for your last night a very comfortable modern hotel. Please Contact Us for details.
Itinerary
The O-Trek Circuit in Torres del Paine
Please contact us if you would like any assistance arranging flights, additional hotel nights, transfers or day trips within El Calafate or if you are simply looking for some inspiration. The Perito Moreno Glacier is not to be missed!
Day 1: Arrive El Calafate
Today you will arrive in El Calafate, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will be staying in this lovely city for the next two nights.
Day 2: Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
After breakfast in your hotel, this morning you will be picked up in a small bus from your hotel at around 08:30 to visit the renowned Perito Moreno glacier, unique on the planet in its constant forward movement. Along the 85 km (53 mi) that you will drive to get to the park, you will discover many Andean pre-cordillera sites that are worth sight seen or recording on camera and by the Argentino Lake you will access the National Park "Los Glaciares".
Along Brazo Rico River you will start to spot the floating icebergs until you finally are able to grasp in all its awe this natural wonder considered World Heritage by the United Nations. You will have a few hours to yourself to explore the walkways and observe the glacier from an array of different angles. In the afternoon you will be transferred back to your hotel.
You may also choose to go hiking on Perito Moreno or include a boat navigation. Please contact us for further details.
Day 3: El Calafate to Puerto Natales
This morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the bus station to take you from El Calafate in Argentina, to Puerto Natales in Chile. The journey takes about 4 ½ hours.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine and Hike to Serón Campsite
This morning you will have an early start, being ready to take the 7:00 am bus to the Torres del Paine National Park (2 ½ hours).
You will enter the park through the Amarga Lagoon Checkpoint, where you need to show your ticket and then take a bus to Cerro Paine Reserve's Welcome Centre. There you will enjoy the striking silhouettes of the Torres del Paine and Almirante Nieto mountains, and your first hike will begin. It will lead you through a huge lenga beech forest draped with lichen called "old man's beard." After going through the forest, in the distance you will behold a large valley covered by daisies and bordered by the Paine River on the right. The river will accompany you during the second half of your hike until you reach Serón Campsite, where you will dine and sleep.
Accommodation here is camping only (no alternative accommodation available)
Departure from Puerto Natales: approx. 2.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 4 – 6 hours / 13km
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 130m
Lodging: Serón Campsite
Day 5: Hike to Dickinson
This will be a long but unforgettable day of hiking. The first part of the trail will take you up and down the slopes of Paine Hill, where you will feel the power of the wind. You will then begin your descent and walk along the shore of the Paine Lake, which on clear days acts as a mirror for the mountain peaks around it. If the weather is good, you will be able to see the northeast peak of the Paine Massif, including peculiar shapes and silhouettes such as "Cabeza del Indio," "Escudo," "Cubo," and Dickson.
You will spend the night at the Dickson sector, located by the glacial lake next to the Southern Ice Fields that give this sector its name.
Accommodation here is camping with option to upgrade to the mountain hostel (Refugio)
Hiking Distance: 8 - 10 hours / 19.5km
Difficulty: High
Elevation Gain: 200m
Lodging: Dickinson Sector
Day 6: Hike to Los Perros
Today you will head in a southwest direction. Along the way, you will see the Dickson glacier falling into the lake of the same name. You will enter a beautiful lenga beech forest, where you may see Magellanic woodpeckers tapping the beech trees.
Right in the middle of the forest, you will find a clearing. Stop there for a moment to look forward and backward and you will be able to see glaciers in both directions. Amazing!
Further on, you will cross Los Perros Glacier, with incredible views of its lake. Thirty minutes later you will arrive at Los Perros Campsite, located in a quiet, ancient forest.
*In the Perros Sector, the meal service is provided with lunch boxes and there is no restaurant service.
Accommodation here is camping only (no alternative accommodation available)
Hiking Distance 4.5 – 6.5 hours / 13.5km
Difficulty: High
Elevation Gain: Initial 340m
Lodging: Los Perros Sector
Day 7: Hike to Grey Glacier
Today will probably be the most exhausting but also the most spectacular day of your trip. Warning: there will be slippery and swampy terrain, as well as steep climbs and descents.
You must leave Los Perros early in the morning. On the first part of the trail you will cross through swampy land followed by a long, steep climb to the windy John Gardner mountain pass. Once up there, the breathtaking view will make you feel quite small. Right in front of you will be one of the huge tongues of the Southern Ice Fields, filled with cracks and ice of the rarest shades of blue and green. A landscape where you do not know where the glacier ends and the clouds begin.
Once you have caught your breath, a long descent through the rocks will begin, to then go around the Grey Glacier, which will be within sight all the way to the Grey Lake. A few kilometres past "El Paso" site, you will cross two impressive suspension bridges over 50 meters long that cross huge gorges, offering an amazing view of the Grey Glacier, a scene that is hard to forget.
Accommodation here is camping with option to upgrade to the mountain hostel (Refugio)
Hiking Distance: 9 - 12 hours / 18km
Difficulty: High
Elevation Gain: Initial 620m / Highest 1,241m
Lodging: Grey Sector
Day 8: Hike to Paine Grande Sector
Today you will connect with the W Circuit, where you will have the opportunity to explore the park’s most famous attractions. After the previous few days of intense walking, today can be taken at a more leisurely pace.
The first part of the trail will have many uphill and downhill climbs. You will go through forests of Antarctic beech (ñirres), Dombey's beech (coigüe) and Chilean firebush (notros), with the majestic Paine Grande Hill (the highest peak in the mountain range at 3,050 m) and its hanging glaciers to your left.
You will stay overnight at Paine Grande Sector, where you can enjoy the stunning view of Cuernos del Paine and Lake Pehoé, known for its turquoise waters.
Accommodation here is camping with option to upgrade to the mountain hostel (Refugio)
Hiking Distance: 4 hours / 11km
Difficulty: Medium
Elevation Gain: Initial 130m / Highest 388m
Lodging: Paine Grande Sector
Day 9: Hike to Valle del Francés
Today you will visit another one of the most iconic and magical places in the park, the striking Francés Valley.
The hike will begin with an easy walk towards the Italiano Campsite. There, you will begin the climb up through the valley and then reach the "Francés Lookout Point" after 1.5 hours. Up there, you will see one of the hanging glaciers of Paine Grande Hill up close and, if you are lucky, you will witness an icefall (avalanche). With that impressive sight still in your mind, you will cross through a lenga beech forest leading to the Británico Sector. Get ready, this might be the only time in your life when you will enjoy such a sight: the magnificent Francés Valley flanked by its colossal mountains and granite walls. Their unique shapes and colours will astound you.
On the way back, you will go through the same trail until we arrive at Italiano Campsite. Then, we will reroute to the east on our way to Frances campsite where we will spend the night.
Accommodation here is camping with option to upgrade to the mountain hostel (Refugio)
Hiking Distance: 8 – 9 hours / 20.5km
Difficulty: High
Elevation Gain: Initial 100m / Highest 762m
Lodging: Francés Sector
Day 10: Hike to Central Sector
With the spectacular Cuernos del Paine to your left, and the colours of the Nordenskjöld Lake to your right, you will walk towards Central Sector. This day the hike will be more relaxed, there will no steep slopes, and the journey will be shorter and faster than the days before. A few kilometres before reaching the Central Sector, you will leave Los Cuernos behind to go around Almirante Nieto Hill (2,670 m), a massif with a changing climate.
At night, just like throughout the rest of your adventure, you will be able to enjoy the relaxed and cosmopolitan atmosphere at the Central Sector, have a well-deserved beer and share your experiences and stories with other hikers. If you feel tired after so many days of difficult hiking, you can stop by the Hotel Las Torres Spa for a well-deserved massage, or to try the famous cordero al palo (spit-roasted lamb). These services are not included in the program.
Accommodation here is camping with option to upgrade to the mountain hostel (Refugio) or modern hotel
Hiking Distance: 4 – 5 hours / 14km
Difficulty: Medium
Elevation Gain: 200m
Lodging: Central Sector
Day 11: Hike to Base Las Torres
Today, you must get up early to visit the most iconic place of the park, Las Torres Base Lookout Point. First, you will walk through the pampa, cross the Ascencio River and then climb about 3 km up to Los Vientos mountain pass. Here you will enjoy magnificent views of the valley, lakes and glaciers. You will continue on until reaching the Chileno Mountain Refuge, and then go deep into a lenga beech forest up to "La Morrena,” where the hardest part of the hike begins. After 45 minutes of ascending up a rock trail, you will reach the spectacular Las Torres Base Lookout Point where you will be able to enjoy the grandeur of Torres Sur (2,850 m), Central (2,800 m), and North (2,600 m).
After taking in the spectacular scene, you will return to the Central Sector where you will take the bus back to Puerto Natales at 7:00 p.m and once again spend the night.
Hiking Distance: 7 - 9 hours / 19.5km
Difficulty: High
Elevation Gain: Initial 126m / Highest 870m
Day 12: Puerto Natales
Journey ends after breakfast.
We can arrange onwards travel as needed e.g. Punta Arenas, Santiago or a return to El Calafate.
Dates
12-days based on Camping along the O-Trek self-guided.
Add £840 per person sharing for Mountain Hostels in place of Camping where available (see itinerary)
Add £230 p for last night on the trail in a hotel.
Please Contact Us if you would like a private guide for the whole trail.