PAINE “O” CIRCUIT

We’ll depart from Puerto Natales at 6:30 AM heading toward Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way, we’ll pass by estancias and open pampas. Get ready to be amazed by the stunning landscapes, flora, and fauna of Patagonia. Don’t forget your camera! Upon arrival at the refugio, you’ll be able to leave your luggage before starting the hike to the Base of the Towers.

We’ll begin the hike by entering the Ascencio Valley, gradually ascending until we reach the Windy Pass. This section is as breathtaking as it is exposed, with strong wind gusts, so it’s essential to follow your guide’s instructions to cross safely.

Just a few minutes ahead, we’ll arrive at Refugio Chileno, the last point on the trail with bathrooms, food for purchase, and internet access. Be sure to bring cash if you plan to buy anything.

From there, we’ll continue into a lenga forest, crossing small streams until we reach a scenic viewpoint that reveals the next, and most challenging, stretch of the day. The trail then climbs steeply over a massive terminal moraine, where we’ll be rewarded with the awe-inspiring view of the iconic Towers.

If the weather allows, we’ll begin our morning with the orange glow lighting up the Towers at dawn. We’ll then set out on a hike through an ancient beech forest, where we might hear woodpeckers or spot fresh puma tracks along the way.

This is the easiest section of the circuit, following a well-marked trail with a gentle incline and distant views of Cerro Paine Chico. Our destination is Serón Camp, located in the northeastern sector of the Park, where our set-up tents will be waiting for us to rest and enjoy a comforting dinner together.

Depending on the season, on the third day we’ll have the chance to admire the park’s floral beauty, including orchids, calceolarias, violets, and blooming oxalis. As we hike around Lake Paine, we’ll enjoy breathtaking mountain views such as Cerro Escudo and Cerro Cabeza del Indio, where the profile of an indigenous figure appears naturally carved into the rocks.

We’ll also have the opportunity to see the curved summit of Cerro Cubo and the stunning Lake Dickson, one of the border glaciers between Argentina and Chile.

Today is a day to indulge the senses with stunning sights and rich textures. We’ll trek through some of the oldest beech forests in the park, following gently rolling trails alongside the Los Perros River.

Throughout the day, breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, and lush vegetation will accompany us. We’ll cross a suspension bridge over the river, leading to the base of our second terminal moraine, which feeds a crystalline lagoon below. From there, a final 30-minute hike brings us to today’s destination: Los Perros Campsite.

Tonight’s campsite is the only one on the circuit without hot showers or standard sanitary facilities such as flush toilets.

This is the most challenging day of the Paine Circuit, with demanding trails and variable weather conditions. However, your effort will be more than rewarded with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Torres del Paine, experienced by only a few visitors to the park.

We will ascend to John Garner Pass, reaching 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) above sea level, where you’ll feel the strong Patagonian winds and be dazzled by the Grey Glacier and the still-unexplored peaks of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

The trail then leads us along the glacier, climbing and descending through forests of fallen trees and beneath the towering, almost sculpted granite walls of the Olguín Range. As we approach Grey Glacier, we may even witness an ice calving event.

We’ll begin the day at the foot of the monumental Grey Glacier, where we’ll enjoy an unbeatable view and, with some luck, witness massive chunks of ice calving into the lake. On this penultimate day, you can choose from several activities: hike to the Grey Glacier lookout, join an ice trek with crampons, or embark on a kayaking adventure across Grey Lake, paddling around icebergs and in front of the glacier.

From there, we will take the trail toward Paine Grande, passing through forests and rivers. We’ll enjoy panoramic views of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field. As we descend, the trail will lead us to Laguna de los Patos, where we may spot southern steamer ducks.

On our last day, we’ll face a challenging hike into the heart of the Paine Massif. After breakfast, a winding trail awaits us, leading to the French River.

At the entrance of the French Valley, we’ll gradually ascend for about an hour, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the hanging glacier at the top of the valley, until we reach the French Valley viewpoint: Le Plateau.

The return hike follows the same trail back to Paine Grande, where a catamaran will take us across Lake Pehoé. There, our transfer will be waiting to safely take us back to Puerto Natales.