The O Circuit in Torres del Paine - 2024/25 season
The O circuit in Torres del Paine National Park is an incredible hiking adventure. The scenery on the route is fantastic: turquoise lakes, waterfalls, bizarre mountains, stunning viewpoints, a massive glacier, and diverse wildlife. The route takes hikers to the highlights and off-the-beaten-track parts of the park. Backpacking in Torres del Paine you get a chance to explore one of the most beautiful places in South America. I could easily say that the O trek is one of our favorite long-distance treks in Patagonia.
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The route overview
- Distance - 120 km/74 miles.
- Required number of days - 7-8 days.
- Starting and finishing point - Central campsite (Laguna Amarga entrance).
- Highest point - John Gardner pass - 1220m/4000ft.
- Permits - no special permits are needed.
- Advanced campsite booking is required for the circuit.
- Accommodation - camping, refugios, hotels.
If you don't have enough time to do the O Circuit you can walk the W trek which takes 4-5 days or do a couple of day hikes in Torres del Paine.
Besides Torres del Paine there are plenty of other incredible National Parks to visit in Patagonia.
Booking the trek with a tour
You can join an organized small group O circuit trek if you don't want to hike independently. The company will plan your route and arrange accommodation, food, and transport.
Patagonia Full Circuit Trek - Torres del Paine National Park
We've created a Patagonia resource page to make your navigation on our site easier and quicker. There you can find all our posts dedicated to the region
What is the O Circuit?
The O trek is a circular hiking route around the Cordillera del Paine in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. The route includes the W trek and a remote route through the backside of the park. The circuit connects the popular areas and the remote parts of the park.
How difficult is the route?
It's a moderately difficult trekking route that goes through some remote areas of Torres del Paine National Park. The most challenging part of the O route is a 900-meter ascent to John Gardner Pass. It's not a high-altitude technical route only for experienced hikers but being in good physical shape and having previous hiking experience is advisable. On average, you walk 6-8 hours a day with a backpack.
How long is the O circuit?
The total distance of the O Circuit in Torres del Paine is 120 km/70 miles. You need between 7 and 9 days to complete the route.
Where does it start?
The O circuit starts at Hotel Las Torres (Central campsite). The nearest park entrance is Laguna Amarga. The circuit can be walked only counterclockwise (from the Central campsite to Serón to Dickson etc.).
Can you hike without a guide?
Yes, you can do the O circuit in Torres del Paine independently without a guide.
How to buy entrance tickets to Torres del Paine?
According to the official website, trekkers have to buy their tickets to Torres del Paine online.
The entrance fee for the O Circuit (more than 3 days in the park) is 44 500 CLP/50$US for adults and children over 12 years old. Children under 12 years old - free.
You can show your ticket on the screen of your mobile phone or print it.
Besides your entrance ticket, they check your accommodation bookings. You must have a spot booked for every night on the trek without it you won't be allowed to do the O circuit.
Torres del Paine Park rules
In the 2024/25 hiking season, the O circuit is open from the 1st of November.
Hikers are allowed to camp only at designated campsites. Wild camping is not allowed in the park.
Campsites on the route must be booked beforehand.
Take a printed/digital booking confirmation, a passport, and a migration card with you on the trek.
Open fires are not allowed in Torres del Paine.
Using a camping stove is only allowed at the campsites.
Drinking water can be found throughout the park (rivers, creeks, streams), and it's said to be of good quality. We didn't use any filters or purification.
If you're looking for adventurous and off-the-beaten-track things to do in Patagonia traveling the Carretera Austral might be just what you need. The southern route through Chilean Patagonia offers many exciting activities in the most beautiful corners of the region.
If you like hiking and wilderness you might enjoy exploring trekking routes in El Chalten, Argentina. There are several day hikes and multi-day routes that can be done independently.
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How to book the campsites on the trek?
The campsites on the O-trek belong to two different companies. Vertice Patagonia paid campsites: Dickson, Los Perros, Grey, and Paine Grande. Las Torres Patagonia paid campsites: Central, Serrón, Francés, Los Cuernos, and Chileno. Vertice Patagonia campsites are significantly cheaper than the Las Torres Patagonia campsites.
There used to be free campsites run by CONAF (the National Forest Corporation) but they were closed down and never reopened. There is no information if they'll be open again. For this reason, our suggested itinerary for the O Circuit includes only paid campsites.
| Vertice Patagonia campsites | Las Torres Patagonia campsites |
| Dickson | Central |
| Los Perros | Serón |
| Grey | Francés |
| Paine Grande | Los Cuernos |
| Chileno |
The campsites in Torres del Paine can be booked online through Vertice Patagonia, and Las Torres Patagonia websites. You have to have your booking confirmation printed or on your mobile to show at the park entrance.
Vertice Patagonia
All Vertice Patagonia campsites are open for online booking. Important! On the O Circuit, you can't book only Dickson, Perros, or Grey. These three campsites have to be booked together. In the 2024/25 hiking season
- Dickson campsite is open from 2nd November
- Los Perros - from 3rd November
- Grey - from 4th November
- Paine Grande - from 1st October
The circuit is open from the 1st of November but on the first night, you stay at the Seron campsite (Las Torres Patagonia).
Las Torres Patagonia
As of 27th of August Las Torres Patagonia campsites are open for online booking. According to their website in 2024
- Central campsite is open from 15th September
- Seron - from 1st November (the same day as the O Circuit)
- Frances - from 15th September
- Cuernos - from 1st November
- Chileno - from 1st October
The booking service (Booking Patagonia) doesn't seem to be working for the O route. In 2023 the official CONAF website recommended it for booking campsites but it is not there this year.
For more information check our post on the campsites in Torres del Paine. There you'll find updated information (2024/25 hiking season) on each campsite, a map of the campsites, booking tips, and more.
The map of the circuit
The O circuit in Torres del Paine - a 7-day itinerary
Day 1. Central Campsite - Serón campsite, 13 km/8 mi
Bus Puerto Natales - Laguna Amarga; bus Laguna Amarga - Central campsite (Hotel Las Torres), 3 hours. Central campsite - Serón campsite, 13 km/8 miles, 3 hours
Cost: bus Puerto Natales - Laguna Amarga - CLP 14 000/US$15, entrance fee - US$50, bus Laguna Amarga - Hotel Las Torres - CLP 5000/US$6 (one way), camping at Serón - US$80 (double occupancy), single occupancy - US$65.
Highlights
- Beautiful Patagonian scenery; mountains, forest, Paine River, guanacos, and many birds.
Challenges
- It would be an easy walk if it wasn't for heavy backpacks loaded with gear and food for 7 days.
7.00-7.30 - catch a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park.
9.30-9.45 - get off at the first stop Laguna Amarga; register, and pay the entrance fee, get a map. Tip! Try to be among the first people at the office otherwise, you'll wait in a queue for a while.
10.00 - catch a bus to Hotel Las Torres. Confirm departure time at the office.
10.15 - get off the bus at Hotel Las Torres, the starting point of the O trek, and begin the walk towards the Serón campsite. Stop for lunch/snack at Las Torres or on the way.
13.30-14.00 - arrive at Serón campsite, pitch your tent, walk around, and chill.
Day 2. Serón campsite - Dickson campsite, 18 km/11 mi
Serón - Guarderia Coiron - Dickson campsite, 18km/11 miles, 6 hours
Cost: camping at Dickson - 8500 CLP/US$10 per person.
Highlights
- Our friends saw a puma in the morning just a few hundred meters from the campsite.
- Paine Lake
- Dickson Lake
Challenges
- Walking through an open windy area between Serón and Coirón.
7.00 - get up, make breakfast, and pack.
8.00 - start walking towards Dickson.
10.30 - arrive at Guardería Coirón - 8,5km. Here you show your permit (booking) and register in the park book. You can have lunch here - there are tables and benches.
11.00 - continue the walk to Dickson - 9,5km.
14.00 - arrive at Dickson campsite.
Day 3. Dickson campsite - Los Perros campsite, 12 km/7,4 mi
Dickson campsite - Los Perros campsite*, 12 km/7,4 miles, 4h30min.
*As I already explained in the paragraph about the campsite in Torres del Paine it's possible to book only 2 campsites together (Dickson and Los Perros). You can't book only Dickson or only Los Perros.
For the 2023/24 season, there is no information is the free Paso campsite will be open.
Cost: camping at Los Perros - 8500 CLP/US$10 per person.
Highlights
- Los Perros lake and glacier
Challenges
- An ascent from the Dickson campsite.
8.00 - Today you can take it easy it's a short walking day. You can get up later and enjoy breakfast, slowly pack, and start walking.
9.00-9.30 - start walking towards Los Perros campsite - 12km/7,4 miles, 4,5 hours. The ascent starts from Dickson and continues to Los Perros. It's not as steep and challenging as the next day's ascent over the John Garner Pass.
13.30-14.00 - arrive at Los Perros campsite. You have plenty of time to pitch your tent, make food, enjoy the scenery, and rest.
Day 4. Los Perros campsite - Grey campsite, 15 km/9,3 mi
Los Perros campsite - John Garner Pass - Paso campsite - Grey Campsite, 15 km/9,3 miles, 8-9 hours
Cost: camping at Grey campsite - 8500 CLP/US$10 per person.
Highlights
- Views of the Grey Glacier from John Garner Pass
- Grey Glacier
- Grey lake
- Suspension bridges
Challenges
- John Gardner pass - a steep and long ascent, about 900m
- A steep descent from Paso to Grey campsite
7.00 - get up, have breakfast, and pack. It's better to start early to arrive at the Paso checkpoint before 3 pm. Prepare gloves and beany - it's very windy on the top of the pass.
8.00 - start the ascent from Los Perros to John Garner pass - 900 m up.
10.30 - arrive at the top of John Garner Pass. Spend some time enjoying the view over the Grey Glacier.
11.00 - start descending to the Paso campsite.
13.00 - arrive at the Paso campsite. Rest, have snacks, and enjoy the views.
13.30 - continue walking towards the Grey campsite - 7 km/4,3 miles, 4 hours, a steep descent.
17.30 - arrive at the Grey campsite.
Day 5. Grey campsite - Francés campsite, 18,5 km/11,4 mi
Grey campsite - Paine Grande* - Italiano campsite - Frances campsite, 18,5 km/11,4 miles, 6,5 hours
*You can extend the suggested itinerary by one day and stay at Paine Grande. This way you'll split one day in two; Grey - Paine Grande (11 km/6,8 mi) and Paine Grande - Francés (7,5 km/4,6 mi). It might seem unnecessary but if you want to walk to the Mirador Britanico it's a better option. To walk to the Britanico viewpoint and back to the Francés campsite takes between 5 and 6 hours, 13 km with a very steep ascent.
Cost: camping at Francés campsite - US$80 (double occupancy), single occupancy - US$65.
Highlights
- Pehoé Lake
- Skotsberg lake
- French Valley
Challenges
- Several ascents and descents on the way from Grey to the Paine Grande campsite
7.00 - get up, make breakfast, and pack.
8.00 - start walking to the Paine Grande campsite - 11 km-6,8 mi, 3,5 hours.
11.30 - arrive at the Paine Grande campsite. Rest, have lunch/snack.
12.00 - continue walking toward the Italiano campsite, 5,5 km/3,4 mi, 2,5 hours.
14.30 - arrive at the Italiano campsite. Rest, continue walking towards the Francés campsite, 2 km/1,1 mi, 30 min.
15.00 - arrive at the Francés campsite.
Day 6. Francés campsite - Chileno campsite, 18,5 km/11,4 mi
Frances campsite - Los Cuernos - Chileno campsite*, 18,5 km/11,4 miles, 6 hours
The Chileno campsite is often fully booked months ahead. If it is not available for your dates you can camp at the Central campsite, it's about 14,5 km from the Francés.
Optional. In the morning before continuing to the Chileno campsite you can go up to Mirador Francés and maybe to Mirador Britanico. Leave your backpacks at the campsite and take only valuables. It's quite a walk, about 12 km return all the way but you can turn around at Mirador Francés which is about 6 km return. It's a steep ascent to the viewpoint.
Cost: camping at Chileno - US$80 (double occupancy), single occupancy - US$65.
Highlights
- Nordenskjold lake
Challenges
- Several ascents and descents on the way to the Chileno campsite
7.00 - get up, have breakfast, pack
8.00 - start walking to Los Cuernos - 5km, 2 hours.
10.00 - arrive at Los Cuernos, there is a shop and restaurant here, and you can stop for snacks and rest.
10.30 - start walking to Chileno campsite - 15km, 5,5 hours.
15.30 - arrive at Chileno, pitch a tent, walk around, and rest. If you want to see the sunrise at Mirador Las Torres better go to bed very early you'll have to get up at 4.00-5.00 to walk up in time.
Important!!! In the 2024/245 hiking season due to the high risk of forest fires, you're not allowed to use camping stoves at the Chileno campsite. You can buy ready-made food at the campsite restaurant, bring something that doesn't require cooking, or pre-cook your meals in advance at the previous campsite. Some people reported that they have a special area inside where they allow using camping stoves.
Day 7. Chileno campsite - Mirador Las Torres -Central campsite, 14 km/8,6 mi
Chileno campsite - Mirador Las Torres - Chileno campsite - Central campsite, 14 km/8,6 miles, 5h30min. Bus/ walk Central campsite - Laguna Amarga, 7 km, 2 hours. Bus Laguna Amarga - Puerto Natales, 2,5 hours
Cost: bus Hotel Las Torres - Laguna Amarga - CLP 5000/US$6, bus Laguna Amarga - Puerto Natales - CLP 14 000/US$15.
Highlights
- Sunrise at Las Torres - is one of the main highlights of the trek.
Challenges
- Very early get up
- A long and steep ascent to Mirador Las Torres
- A long and steep descent to the Central campsite
4.00-5.00 (depending on the sunrise time) - get up, and start going up to the Mirador - 4km, 2h15min. Leave your stuff at the campsite, and take only valuables and a camera.
6.15-7.15 - arrive at the Mirador. Enjoy the sunrise, walk around, take photos, and snack.
8.00 - start descending back to Chileno - 4km, 1h30min.
9.30 - arrive at Chileno, pack your stuff, and start going down to the Central campsite (Hotel Las Torres) - 5,5km, 1h30min.
11.00 - arrive at Hotel Las Torres, catch a bus to Laguna Amarga (confirm the departure time at the hotel), or walk - 7km, 2 hours.
14.00-14.30 - get on a bus from Laguna Amarga to Puerto Natales. Check the bus timetable at the park office.
16.30-17.00 - arrive in Puerto Natales.
The cost of the O trek
Transport. Bus Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine - CLP 28 000/US$30, return. Bus Hotel Las Torres - Laguna Amarga, return - CLP 10 000/US$12, return.
Entrance fee. US$50
Accommodation
Camping with your gear - US$153 (6 nights) per person (double occupancy). 3 nights at Vertice Patagonia campsites (3xUS$11); 3 nights at Las Torres campsites (3xUS$40). For single occupancy add US$75 extra, a single occupancy supplement in Las Torres campsites is US$25 per night.
If you stay in fully-equipped tents or refugios you'll pay between US$90 and US$120 per person per night. Full-board (3 meals) stay is even more expensive.
Food
Cooking - between US$8-10 per day per person. You can book a full board meal plan (breakfast, box lunch, and dinner) for US$110 pp. at Las Torres campsites and for 88 000 CLP/US$95 pp. at the Vetrice campsites. You can buy separate meals or sandwiches and snacks at most campsites. Meals at Las Torres campsites are more expensive than at Vertice Patagonia campsites.
Gear rental (optional)
To rent camping gear in Puerto Natales costs
- a 2-men tent - 10 000 CLP/US$11 per day
- a sleeping bag - 7 000 CLP/US$8 per day
- a camping mat - 5000 CLP/US$5 per day
To rent camping gear in Torres del Paine
- a 2-men tent - US$44 (Vertice) and US$55 (Las Torres) per night
- a sleeping bag - US$28 (Vertice) and US$35 (Las Torres) per night
- a camping mat - US$12 (Vertice and Las Torres) per night
A good thing about renting camping gear at the campsites is that you don't carry it with you from place to place, which makes your backpack much lighter.
Total: the most budget hiking option for the O Circuit (camping with your gear, cooking for yourself) - US$315 (+US$40 for extras) per person for a 7-day trek.
How to get to the O trek?
The O circuit starts at Hotel Las Torres (Laguna Amarga entrance), to get there from Puerto Natales;
Step 1. Take a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (Laguna Amarga). It takes about 2 hours. Price CLP 14 000/US$15 one way.
| Bus Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine | Bus 1 | Bus 2 |
| Leaves Puerto Natales bus station | 7 am | 12 pm |
| Arrives at Laguna Amarga | 9 am | 2 pm |
- Buses are operated by Bus Sur.
Step 2. Get off at the Laguna Amarga entrance.
Step 3. Take another bus from Laguna Amarga to Hotel Las Torres (the starting point of the O), the departure time is linked to buses from Puerto Natales. Price CLP 5000/US$6, one way, takes 10 min. As an option, you can walk this stretch, about 7km, 2 hours.
Getting back from Torres del Paine (Hotel Las Torres) to Puerto Natales
Step 1. Take a shuttle bus from Hotel Las Torres to Laguna Amarga - CLP 5000/US$6 or walk this stretch. Check for departure time at the hotel reception.
Step 2. Take a bus from Laguna Amarga to Puerto Natales - CLP 14 000/US$15
| Bus Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales | Bus 1 | Bus 2 |
| Leaves Laguna Amarga | 3.00 pm | 8.15 pm |
| Arrives in Puerto Natales | 5.00 pm | 9.30 pm |
- Buses are operated by Bus Sur
You can find more information on transportation to the park in our post on how to get to Torres del Paine.
The best time for hiking Torres del Paine
In the 2024/25 season, the O circuit is open from 1st November to 31st March. You have a 5-month period to decide when is the best time to visit Torres del Paine.
Patagonian summer from December to February is the warmest time with maximum day temperatures averaging 20°C and night temperatures between 9°C and 12°C. November, December, and January get quite a lot of wind - the biggest problem for hiking and camping in Patagonia. February is the least windy summer month. It's the same with rain out of all summer months February gets the least rainfall.
From the weather point of view, February is one of the best months for trekking in Torres del Paine. The main drawback of hiking in February - the parks are crowded, it's one of the busiest months for the park with most visitors coming here. It means you must book campsites long in advance to make sure you get a spot on planned dates. If the campsites on the route are fully booked you can do one of the alternative multi-day treks in Patagonia e.g. Cerro Castillo Circuit or hike to O'Higgins Glacier if you want to explore a more off-the-beaten-path route.
Where to buy dehydrated meals for the O circuit?
If you like taking dehydrated meals on your multi-day hikes you can buy them in Puerto Natales. There is a gear rental shop called Rental Natales. They sell dehydrated meals of the Back Country Cuisine brand. The price is US$16 per meal (two servings). They have quite a variety of meals.
You might find dried fruit and nuts in Unimarc and Super Mix supermarkets.
Where to stay before the trek?
Puerto Natales is probably the best place to be based before and after the trek. It's the closest town to the park, tourist infrastructure here is quite good - many hotels and hostels, a couple of gear shops, rental places, restaurants, tour companies, and one or two supermarkets. You can get there by bus or hitchhiking from different places in Patagonia.
In Puerto Natales, you can find hotels, hostels, campsites, restaurants, supermarkets, gear rental places, pharmacies, ATMs, and an information office.
- Budget | Hostel 53 Sur | Xalpen B&B |
- Middle price | Hostal Treehouse Patagonia | Wild Hostel |
- Luxury | Toore Patagonia | Weskar Lodge |
We have a detailed post on hiking and camping gear for Patagonia where you can find more information.
Recommended books and guidebooks
In the last couple of years regulations in Torres del Paine changed a lot if you buy a trekking guide make sure it's an updated edition.
If you prefer reading e-books don't hesitate to join Amazon Kindle Unlimited to get access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks. Even if you don't have a Kindle device you can read or listen to books on your phone or tablet using a free app. The first 30 days are free.
- Lonely Planet Chile & Easter Island (Travel Guide). Kindle and paperback.
- Classic Hikes of the World; 23 Breathtaking treks by Peter Potterfield. To get some inspiration for future adventures. Hardcover.
- Patagonia on a budget by Matthew Morgante. How to travel Patagonia on US$30 a day. Kindle.
- Chile: Carretera Austral: A guide to one of the world's most scenic road trips (Bradt Travel Guides). Paperback & Kindle.
- Walking Patagonia by Caspian Ray. Don't expect a hiking guide, it's a fiction story about a young guy who went to Patagonia in search of adventure and love.
- To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret by Jedidiah Jenkins. Paperback, Kindle & Audiobook.
Questions or Comments?
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Thanks for loads of valuable Info. My wife and I are planning/hoping to do the O in October 2021. I've read that it opens in November for self guided. However, I also read that in 2019 it opened October 1st. When would I find out about the O Schedule? In 2019, how early did they release this information? Just want to plan ahead. Enjoy your travels!
Hello, Christopher! Thank you for the comment! They usually announce the opening dates in September-October. It varies from year to year depending on the weather conditions e.g. how much snow is in the park, etc.
Cheers!
Terrific information and easy to follow. Thank you for doing it! Can't wait. Do you know what the developments are with the Chilean authorities regarding COVID-19 - when are people allowed to book sites for 2022? Thank you
Hello, Steve! Thank you for your comment! Usually, you can book campsites for the next year a couple of months before the beginning of the season, starting around September-October. I'm not sure how the current situation will influence the booking for the next year.
Cheers!
Thank you so much for this comprehensive article. It's everything I need to plan my O-trek. Hopefully next year. How bad is the wind exactly? Is it worthwhile going in February the get the most favorable weather? I'm thinking about the Dientes de Navarino too.
Hello, Rinda! Thank you for the comment! We walked the circuit in March and it wasn't too windy but we started traveling across Patagonia in mid-January and then it was quite windy. February is considered the least windy summer month in Torres del Paine. It is the most popular time for hiking in the park you'll have to book campsites a couple of months in advance. We haven't done the Dientes de Navarino yet.
Good luck!
You are right, I did misunderstand who you are, so thank you for taking the time to respond.
Safe travels
No worries! It's a very stressful situation for many of us! We hope your friends will get back home without any problems or delays!
Stay safe!
Hi, my friends are Half way through a 10 day hike unable to access wifi and are unaware of the coronvirus effect. Many flights are being cancelled and countries are asking their people to return immediately. In a few days there may be no flights out of Chile. Are you able to inform hikers and possibly get them out to where they can access Wi-Fi ?
Hello, Cher! I'm not sure if you understand who we are. We're two travellers that write about hiking on our personal blog, we are not an official park website. We are currently stuck in Nepal and definitely can't get anybody out of anywhere. Hope your friends will find a way to get back home.
Stay safe!
Hello. Can you help with the best way for transport/transfers needed to start the O circuit. I am thinking of flying into Santiago Chile and maybe flying out from Buenos Aires. Thank you for your help.
Hello, Karen! You can fly from Santiago to Puerto Natales the closest to Torres del Paine airport and from there take a bus to the park. It's possible to get there by bus from Santiago as well but it'll take a couple of days. To get from Torres to Buenos Aires the easiest way is to take a bus to El Calafate and from there a flight to Buenos Aires. There are buses from El Calafate to Buenos Aires as well but it's again a long journey. If you buy your plane tickets in advance it won't be much more expensive than a bus.
Cheers!
Hi!
I just wondered if you could help me clarify something as I have got very confused about this hike!
If I was to walk 25km approx on the first day, which refugio/campsite should I book? From there I can work it out but day one has me really confused! I have looked and looked on the internet but just wanted to ensure that I dont book the wrong accommodation first night and then end up having all the wrong accommodations booked for the wrong days as a result!
I walk pretty quickly and far you see!
Also thank yo so much for you Camino de Santioga and Camino Portugese info - I walked these in 2018 and 2019 and your info helped so much!!
Hello, Natalie! Thank you for the comment! It's great to hear our posts were helpful! As for the circuit, there is only one option for the first night on the O circuit it's Seron campsite, you walk there from Hotel Las Torres on the first day. You're a bit limited on the Circuit with options there is a standard itinerary that you're supposed to follow you can't walk two days in one, you'll need advanced bookings for every campsite on the route. I hope it helps!
Good luck and enjoy the trek!
Hi
Thanks for getting back to me 🙂 and for the info,
I have tried to make advanced booking (only possible with Fantastic Sur so far).
I did not realise that you cannot walk further than it suggests in one day!? Is this what you mean? In this case I may have to ask for refund and start again with my bookings!
I'd say for the first three nights on the Circuit stick to the recommended itinerary; first night Seron, second night Dickson, third night Los Perros or Paso. On the second half of the route there are more campsites your itinerary is more flexible, you can walk longer days. We were not allowed to skip Seron and continue to Dickson on the first day but they let us walk all they way from Paso to Italiano on the forth day (skipping Paine Grande) and even changed our booking for one day earlier. If you're trying to book for the next season 2020/21 it might be not available yet, usually they open booking for the next season after the end of the current season.
Cheers!
Hi!
Thank you for your article.
We unfortunately lately realized that the camps have to be booked in advance.
We would like to go the circle between 4 and 11 March. Is there any option?
We are not able to book Vercie camps despite they look to have free dates (webpage problem). Only two Fantastico camps offer free dates. CONAF has no free dates.
Does it happen that free places appear here and there regularly? Or any suggestion please?
Thank you very much! Regards!
Vladimir
Hello, Vladimir! Thank you for the comment! We walked the O circuit exactly the same dates and booked our campsites in Puerto Natales just a day before the trek, March is the end of the season there are not that many people doing the O trek. If you are not able to book anything online, I'd suggest going to the CONAF office in Puerto Natales once you're there and checking availability with them. Usually, they keep some spots for walk-in booking. If you don't have luck there go to Fantastico and Vertice offices and book campsites along the route with them. You can walk the circuit without staying at free CONAF campsites.
Good luck!
Thanks for the wonderful blog!
How do the closing times work? If you get to the start of the trail before closing time are you okay? Or do you have to be completely off the trail by closing time?
Thank you!
Hello, Meg! Thank you for the comment! You have to be at checkpoints before the closing time once you're through it you can take your time and finish as late as you want.
Cheers!
Good Afternoon,
What an amazing find, I love this site and how you have set it out. Thank you. Due to travelling from one end of S.America up to Central America, and solo travelling, I was going to book the O Trek (Top Bucket list to do) and stop in Refugio's along the way rather than bring a tent along for just 8 day's out of 9 weeks travelling. After some research I noted that Los Perros is only camping, I also noted in your blog that at many Camp areas and Refugio's I can hire gear for that night, or day etc. If I do not take a tent and have everything else (Sleeping bag, Mat, Basic cook materials), will I be able to hire a tent at Los Perros for one evening and leave on site when I leave the next day?
Thank you again for this amazing page.
Hello, Stafford! Thank you for the comment! You can rent camping gear and get food at any paid campsite on the circuit the only campsites that don't rent gear are free CONAF campsites. Currently, there are only two free campsites Paso and Italiano you can't stay at those two without having your own gear. If you're planning to rent camping gear every night you'll have to stay at paid campsites that belong either to Vertice Patagonia or to Fantastico Sur. On the circuit instead of staying at Paso, you can walk from Dickson to Los Perros and from Los Perros to Grey all these rent camping gear and have restaurants where you can get food. I'm not sure where in the post you see that there are many campsites where you can't hire camping gear. There is a detailed description of every campsite in the post where it says what facilities you can get there.
Cheers!
Hello Stigny Nomades!
I run ultra marathons. I'm looking at doing the O circuit non stop (40hrs). Do you guys know anyone who has done this? Do you have any recommendations?
Hi! We don't know anybody who's done it. If you want to find out about the possibility of doing the circuit in 40 hours non-stop I'd recommend contacting CONAF directly through their site. You might be able to arrange a special permit for the trek.
Cheers!
Howdy,
Great article! Thank you for putting all of this information together so well! I'm looking into going to Patagonia in late June/early July this year. You mentioned that the O loop is closed during winter, but how "closed" is closed? Planning trips in the winter is always so much more complicated than the summer. I have enough experience that the winter conditions are not my concern, I'm only concerned about closed gates and shuttles that don't run. It is at all possible to make the loop happen in the winter?
Thank you!
Hello, Leal! Thank you for the comment! Closed means you can go there, nobody will give you a permit for the trek and without it, you won't be allowed inside the park. To start the trek except for the permit you have to book campsite along the route (it's compulsory) at the entrance gate they'll ask you to show your booking confirmation the campsites are closed in winter you won't be able to book anything.
Cheers!
Hi! Thanks for your great blog!
I am planning to do the W hike in november. I would like to take the evening bus from Laguna Amarga to Puerto Natales after that. Is it possible to make reservations for the bus? If not, will it always be possible to get on the bus? What if it's full? You need reservations for accommodation so you can't just stay an extra night.
And how about the shuttle bus from Hotel Las Torres to Laguna Amarga? I suppose it's not possible to book it before, can you always get on it?
I 'm not taking camping gear so I'll try to book the fully equipped platforms at the campsites. Do you know when they start taking reservations for next season?
Hello, Annet! Thank you for the comment! November is not the peak season for Torres there won't be too many people I'm sure you'll be able to get on both buses without previous reservation. As for reservation, they won't start booking for the next season till this season is finished I'd say you can try to book in May/June but it still might be a bit early.
Cheers!
Hi there! I am wondering if you could share whether the recommendation for World Nomads Insurance was an affiliate post? No problem if so, but I have found rough reviews other places and only notice good reviews coming from sponsored posts. I would LOVE to use them if they were great for you, but would appreciate that info 🙂 Thank you.
Hello, Anna! The Insurance post is a collaboration with our fellow bloggers we asked them to write about their experience with World Nomads, it's not a sponsored post but we're affiliate partners with them. We did the collaboration because we've been very lucky so far (since we've been using World Nomads) and haven't claimed anything from them.
Cheers!
Hi - myself and my wife are doing the W trek on an independent basis and have booked our various accommodation but our route is a bit different as we plan to park a hire car at the catermaran. As a result, some of our timings are quite tight!
We can find a lot about the closing times of the trails - but can you help by clarifying what time the trails open in the morning? We are planning to do Cuernos to Britanico (weather permitting of course) and get back for the last catamaran from Paine Grande across the lake in the evening.
Grateful for any advice!!
Hello, Darren! From what I remember you can start hiking as soon as it gets light, starting early wasn't a problem as the earlier you start the more time you'll have to complete the stretch. The walk from Cuernos to Britanico and then to Paine Grande is quite long and tough, the part from Italiano campsite to Mirador Britanico is pretty much pure ascent all the way. I'd recommend asking at Italiano if you can't leave your backpacks there and do that part without any extra weight.
Cheers!
Good afternoon! I am going to be hiking the O-circuit in January, and have booked all of the campsites that I need. I plan to pack all of my food for the trek, however, I was curious about eating in the Refugios. If I didn't book a meal in advance through Fantastico Sur or Vertice Patagonia, will there still be an option for me to purchase a meal at the paid campsites/refugios? I've also heard about the restaurants at Hotel las Torres and the hotel at Grey. Do you know if I can buy a meal there without being a guest? If so, will the refugios and hotels accept USD or will I need CLP? Thank you so much for your time and the very helpful article above!
Hello, Jack! Sorry for the late reply! I'd recommend confirming food options directly with Fantastico and Vertice. From what I remember it was possible to buy food at every paid campsite even if you don't stay there or haven't book meals in advance but it might vary depending on how busy the campsites are. You'll need CLP to pay the entrance fee, accommodation, and food. On Fantastico Sur website it says "prices referenced in USD, value to be paid in pesos".
Cheers!
Hi guys,
The guide is great, but I'm tryig to book the Vertice campsites and it won't let me continue without booking Grey campsite, which is not on your Itinerary. Do you know anything about it or have any reccomendations what to do?
Thanks a lot
Hello, Yaniv! Thank you for the comment! I see on the site you can't book only one campsite anymore I'd suggest contacting Vertice through the site and explaining that you want to book only Dickson and Paine Grande and see if they help you. If they say it's impossible you can shift the itinerary; Night 1 Serron - Night 2 Dickson - Night 3 Perros - Night 4 Grey - Night 5 Italiano - Night 6 Las Torres. We had no problem booking only Dickson and Las Torres when we walked the circuit.
Good luck!
Hi guys,
Thank for all the awesome tips and tricks! We are heading over in February and hoping to do the O trek in mid March. We were hoping to stay at the same sites as you have listed, but I'm concerned about Paso. Do you know if it has been reopened for 2020? Or are you able to point me in the direction of checking for myself?
Thanks a million!!!
Hello, Amy! Thank you for the comment! I'm not aware of Paso being closed I can see it's available for booking on the CONAF site for March. Do you mean Torres campsite (the closest to Mirador Las Torres)? If so this one is still closed in the 2019/2020 season.
Cheers!
Hey, thanks for the guide!
I'm scanning some dates to go and apparently the camping prices at the Fastastico Sur just got a raise going to 32USD for a night. Is that correct or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks, again. henrique
Hello, Henrique! Fantastico Sur campsites are the most expensive in Torres del Paine, normal price is 21US$ per person (if you're two people) if camping with your own gear but they have an extra charge of 11US$ if you're only one person camping, I guess it's because you take a camping spot that can accommodate two people and they don't want to lose out on it so they charge you extra to cover the difference. I find it's extremely expensive to pay 32US$ for camping with your own gear but unfortunately, you'll have to camp at their campsites at least twice on the circuit.
Enjoy Torres!
We are headed to Chile next week and have loved your blog as a resource. We will be spending 3 weeks there, including doing the 7-day O Trek. Right now, we are looking at travel insurance - we purchased Travel Guard as part of our international flight purchase, which seems to cover most trip interruptions / accidents. Do you think we need additional insurance on top of that?
Hello, Alyssa! Thank you for the comment! You should check if your insurance covers outdoor activities and if so what exactly they cover. The O circuit is not a high altitude hike or a climb but some parts of the trail are difficult to access (just in case of evacuation or an injury). If your insurance covers emergency situations for outdoor activities including hiking then it'll be enough if not you can check World Nomads insurance (it's mentioned in the post), you can buy their policy just for the period of the trek.
Safe travels!