How long is the O Circuit in Torres del Paine?

About 138 km (86 mi) over 8 days, with daily stages between 12 km (7.5 mi) and 26.7 km (16.5 mi).

How hard is the O Circuit?

It's rated advanced. Day 4 over John Gardner Pass (1,200 m) usually takes 10–12 hours on steep, rocky, windy ground, and day 6 is 26.7 km. You need to be in good condition for demanding multi-day trekking.

Why is the O walked counterclockwise?

Park rules allow only one direction on the circuit, and parts of the northern trail are one-way. All nights are booked in that order.

Where do we sleep on the O?

Camping Serón, Refugio & Camping Dickson, Camping Los Perros, Refugio & Camping Grey, Refugio & Camping Paine Grande, Camping Francés and Refugio & Camping Central. Serón and Los Perros are campsites only; elsewhere it's a shared dorm or a tent depending on availability.

What is John Gardner Pass like?

It's the high point of the circuit at 1,200 m, reached on day 4 from Camping Los Perros. From the top you look down on Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field; the descent to Refugio Grey is steep and crosses three hanging bridges.

What is the difference between the O and the W?

The O circles the full massif in 8 days (about 138 km), including the north side and John Gardner Pass. The W covers Base Torres, Valle Francés and Grey Glacier in 5 days.

Guides, meals during activities, camping or refugio accommodation, national park entrance fees, private airport transfers, private transfers to and from the park and a pre-trek video call with your guide, with a gear check at pickup. Porters are available as an add-on.

What is not included?

Flights, travel insurance and gratuities.

Can I add activities?

Yes. Additional activities can be added on request before or after the trek.

Is travel insurance included?

No. Travel insurance is required and is not included. We recommend World Nomads for travel insurance and Global Rescue for evacuation and medical support in remote terrain. Both are optional partners, never part of the trip price.

Grey Glacier seen from the trail near John Gardner Pass, Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine · Summer

O Circuit Guided

Q: Do I need to bring a tent or sleeping bag?

No. On camping nights your tent, sleeping bag and mat are included.

Q: When can I do the guided O Circuit?

In summer, November to March. A fixed small-group departure is planned for November; ask us for exact dates.

Full Torres del Paine Circuit · Fully Guided

At a glance

The full O Circuit around the Paine massif in 8 guided days: John Gardner Pass, Grey Glacier, Valle Francés and Base Torres, every night booked.

8 daysDuration

138 kmDistance · 86 mi

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Distance: about 138 km (86 mi)
Max elevation: John Gardner Pass, 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
Difficulty: Advanced
Group: 1–12
Season: Summer (November–March)

Direction: Counterclockwise
Start: Your hotel in Puerto Natales (private airport transfer from PUQ or PNT arranged at booking)
End: Puerto Natales
Accommodation: Campsites and refugios in the park (7 nights)
Guiding: Guided

Overview

The O Circuit is the full loop around the Paine massif in Torres del Paine National Park: about 138 km (86 mi) over 8 days, walked counterclockwise, the only direction the park allows. This guided version is led by Vertic's own guides. The first half crosses the north and west of the park, through open pampa and forest to Lago Dickson and the Los Perros valley, then over John Gardner Pass (1,200 m) with Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field below you. The second half joins the W: Lago Grey, Lago Pehoé, Valle Francés with Mirador Británico, the shore of Lago Nordenskjöld and, on the last day, Base Torres.

We book all seven nights in advance: Camping Serón, Refugio & Camping Dickson, Camping Los Perros, then Grey, Paine Grande, Francés and Central. Guides during activities, a pre-trek video call with a gear check at pickup, meals during activities, park entrance fees, private airport transfers and private transfers to and from the park are included. Porters are available on request, and other activities can be added before or after the trek.

The O is rated advanced. Daily stages run from 12 km (7.5 mi) to 26.7 km (16.5 mi), and the pass day is long, steep and exposed to wind. It suits trekkers in good physical condition who are ready for demanding multi-day hiking and want the complete circuit rather than only the W. Groups or private parties of 1 to 12 guests can join from November to March, and a fixed small-group departure is planned for November.

Highlights

Crossing John Gardner Pass, with Grey Glacier and the ice field below
The north side of the circuit: Río Paine, Lago Dickson and the Los Perros valley
The three hanging bridges on the descent to Refugio Grey
Valle Francés and Mirador Británico
Finishing at Base Torres on the last morning
A Vertic guide with you on every stage

Is this trip for you?

Level: Advanced

Group: 1–12

Trekkers in good physical condition who are ready for eight consecutive days on the trail, including a 10–12 hour pass crossing and a 26.7 km stage. It's for hikers who want the full circuit, not only the W, with a guide managing route, timing and conditions. With less time, choose W Trek Guided.

Route

Distance: 138 km / 86 mi

Ends in: Puerto Natales

Itinerary

Day 1Pickup, Central to Serón13 km / 8 mi
Day 2Serón to Dickson18.7 km / 12 mi
Day 3Dickson to Los Perros12.9 km / 8 mi
Day 4Los Perros over John Gardner Pass to Grey17 km / 11 mi
Day 5Grey to Paine Grande12 km / 7 mi
Day 6Paine Grande to Francés via Valle Francés26.7 km / 17 mi
Day 7Francés to Central16 km / 10 mi
Day 8Base Torres and return to Puerto Natales22 km / 14 mi

Day 1
Pickup, Central to Serón
Pickup at your hotel in Puerto Natales and a private drive into the park through the Laguna Amarga entrance to the Las Torres sector, where you meet the trail at Central. With your guide, you head north: the first part follows a gravel road, then the trail enters lenga forest along Río Paine and opens onto pampa. About 13 km (8.1 mi), roughly 4 hours on the park's map. Tonight is Camping Serón, a grassy campsite in open country on the first stretch of the O, where guanacos and other wildlife are often around. Hot showers, a restaurant and a small shop.
Overnight · Camping Serón · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 2
Serón to Dickson
About 18.7 km (11.6 mi) through wet meadows, hills and the open landscapes of the park's northern sector. This section is a one-way trail. The day ends on the shore of Lago Dickson, with glacier views across the water. You sleep at Refugio & Camping Dickson, an isolated spot in the northwest of the park on open grassland by the lake, with a dorm refugio, campsite, hot showers, a restaurant and a cooking area.
Overnight · Refugio & Camping Dickson · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 3
Dickson to Los Perros
About 12.9 km (8.1 mi), climbing steadily on uneven trail with mud and roots toward the Los Perros glacier. A shorter day, so you reach camp rested before the pass. Camping Los Perros sits at about 550 m, a basic campsite in the forest, sheltered from the wind, the last stop before John Gardner Pass. Cold showers only. Your guide goes over the plan for the pass tonight, since the park sets an early-morning cutoff for starting it.
Overnight · Camping Los Perros · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 4
Los Perros over John Gardner Pass to Grey
The hardest day of the circuit: about 17 km (10.5 mi), and 10–12 hours is normal. You climb out of the forest over rocky, often muddy ground to John Gardner Pass at 1,200 m, usually in strong wind. From the top, Grey Glacier spreads out below, flowing from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The descent is steep through lenga and coigüe forest, past the CONAF El Paso post and across three hanging bridges to Lago Grey. You sleep at Refugio & Camping Grey, between the lake and the mountains, with a dorm refugio, campsite, hot showers, a restaurant and a cooking area.
Overnight · Refugio & Camping Grey · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 5
Grey to Paine Grande
A shorter day after the pass: about 12 km (7.5 mi) south along Lago Grey, with windy stretches and views back to the glacier and the icebergs from Mirador Grey. The trail ends on the shore of Lago Pehoé. You sleep at Refugio & Camping Paine Grande, on open ground by the lake facing the Cuernos del Paine, where the catamaran docks: a dorm refugio, campsite, hot showers, a restaurant and a café.
Overnight · Refugio & Camping Paine Grande · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 6
Paine Grande to Francés via Valle Francés
The longest stage on the circuit, about 26.7 km (16.5 mi). You walk east to the Italiano sector, near Lago Skottsberg at the mouth of Valle Francés, and climb the valley to Mirador Británico. Then you descend and continue a short way to Camping Francés: tent platforms on wooden decks set into a wooded slope above Lago Nordenskjöld, with hot showers and a restaurant.
Overnight · Camping Francés · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 7
Francés to Central
About 16 km (9.94 mi) east along the shore of Lago Nordenskjöld, past the Cuernos sector, on trail with moderate ups and downs and rocky sections. You close the loop back at Las Torres, where you started on day 1. Tonight is Refugio & Camping Central, at the foot of the valley that leads to Base Torres, with a grassy campsite, a refugio with dorms, hot showers, a restaurant and a small shop.
Overnight · Refugio & Camping Central · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 8
Base Torres and return to Puerto Natales
The circuit finishes below the towers that give the park its name. From Central you climb the Ascencio valley, cross Paso de los Vientos to Refugio Chileno, continue through lenga forest and climb the moraine for about 45 minutes to the lake at the base of the towers. Back down the same way. About 22 km (14 mi) and roughly 1,400 m of gain, usually 8–10 hours. Your private transfer then drives you out through Laguna Amarga to Puerto Natales. The trip ends with drop-off at your hotel in Puerto Natales; your private airport transfer to PNT or PUQ is arranged at booking.
Meals · Meals during activities

Where you'll stay

Night 1Camping SerónCamping only
Night 2Refugio & Camping DicksonRefugio · Camping
Night 3Camping Los PerrosCamping only
Night 4Refugio & Camping GreyRefugio · Camping
Night 5Refugio & Camping Paine GrandeRefugio · Camping
Night 6Camping FrancésCamping · Cabins
Night 7Refugio & Camping CentralRefugio · Camping

Each night is booked in advance by us. Depending on availability, you sleep in a shared dorm at the refugio or in a tent at the campsite. Serón and Los Perros are campsites only. On camping nights your tent, sleeping bag and mat are included.

Dates

Small-group departure in November 2027. Exact date confirmed on request.

Minimum 3 guests to run this departure. If the minimum is not reached, we let you know at least 95 days before the start, and you choose a full refund or another trip of equal value.

Private departures on request, summer (November–March).

All fixed departures

Included

Camping/refugio accommodation
Tent, sleeping bag and mat on camping nights
Meals during activities
Guides during activities
Private airport transfers
Private transfers to and from the national park
National park entrance fees
Porters (add-on, on request)
Pre-trek video call with your guide, and a gear check at pickup

Not included

Gratuities
Flights
Travel insurance

Good to know

The O is walked counterclockwise only. Some sections, including Serón to Dickson and Dickson to Los Perros, are one-way trails.
Serón and Los Perros are campsites only, and Los Perros has cold showers only.
Park passes are sold online only and every night must be booked before you arrive. We handle both and send you the pass; carry it with your passport.
Fires are not allowed anywhere in the park; cooking only in designated areas. Stay on marked trails and pack out everything.
Wind is the constant on the O, and the pass day is often very windy. Expect sun, rain and gusts on the same day, in any month.
Travel insurance is required and is not included. Hotel nights in Puerto Natales before and after the trek are not part of this trip.

Before you go

Getting there

Fly to Punta Arenas (PUQ), which has flights all year, or to Puerto Natales (PNT), which has seasonal flights from Santiago and Puerto Montt. From Punta Arenas it's about 3 hours by road to Puerto Natales, and the park is 2–4 hours from Puerto Natales depending on the entrance. Your private transfers between the airport, Puerto Natales and the park are included.

Flights: PUQ year-round · PNT seasonal
Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales: ~3 h by road
Puerto Natales → park: 2–4 h
Park entrances: Laguna Amarga · Pudeto (catamaran across Lago Pehoé, 30–40 min)

Park pass and bookings

Park passes are sold online only, not at the gate, and every night in the park has to be booked before you arrive. Entrance fees and all your nights are included in this trip and booked by us. We'll send you the pass: carry it on your phone or printed, together with your passport.

Park rules we follow

The O Circuit is walked counterclockwise only.
Fires are not allowed anywhere in the park. Cooking only in the designated areas of each campsite or refugio.
Stay on marked trails and pack out everything you bring in (Leave No Trace).

Weather and daylight

Patagonian weather changes fast, and wind is the constant: expect sun, rain and strong gusts on the same day, in any month. Plan layers rather than a single warm jacket.

Hours of daylight · 51° S (Torres del Paine)

Sunrise to sunset on the 15th of each month. Computed for 51° S. Gold: our group departure.

What to pack

Layers: waterproof jacket and waterproof pants, a warm mid layer (fleece or down), quick-dry base layers, warm hat and gloves (you'll want them on the pass)
Feet: broken-in hiking boots, wool socks, camp shoes
On the trail: daypack with rain cover, trekking poles, headlamp, reusable water bottle
Sun: sunglasses, sunscreen, sun hat
Documents: passport, park pass (we send it to you), travel insurance details

Insurance

Compare with

O Circuit Self-Guided
The same 8-day O Circuit without a guide; independent navigation required.
8 days / 7 nights · Advanced (independent navigation required)

More in Patagonia: the Patagonia travel guide, with when to go, the places and every trip in the region.

SOURCES · Vertic field notes · torresdelpaine.com · Daylight computed with the NOAA solar equations for 51° S (Torres del Paine), 15th of each month · Park passes and rules: CONAF / pasesparques.cl · Campsites and refugios: the park's concessionaires

Ready to go?

Customize this trip

O Circuit Guided

At a glance

Overview

Highlights

Is this trip for you?

Route

Itinerary

Pickup, Central to Serón

Serón to Dickson

Dickson to Los Perros

Los Perros over John Gardner Pass to Grey

Grey to Paine Grande

Paine Grande to Francés via Valle Francés

Francés to Central

Base Torres and return to Puerto Natales