Can I do the O Circuit without a guide?

Yes. This trip is the O without a guide: we book your nights, park pass and transfers, and you walk it independently.

Do I need to navigate on my own?

Yes. The trip is self-guided and requires independent navigation. You plan each day around the park's cutoff times and make your own decisions on weather and pace.

How long is the O Circuit?

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

What's the hardest day?

Day 4, from Camping Los Perros over John Gardner Pass (1,200 m) to Refugio Grey: about 17 km that usually takes 10–12 hours, with a steep descent and three hanging bridges.

Which direction do I walk?

Counterclockwise, the only direction allowed. Your nights are booked in that order, starting at Serón.

Do I need to book campsites and buy a park pass myself?

No. Every night must be booked before you arrive and park passes are sold online only; we do both and send you the pass. Carry it on your phone or printed, with your passport.

When can I do the self-guided O?

In summer, November to March. Check with us on early-season dates: the back section of the circuit opens on a date the park sets each season.

Can I add activities?

Yes. Additional activities can be added on request.

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.

The Cuernos del Paine above the lenga forest, Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine · Summer

O Circuit Self-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: What's included and what isn't?

Included: camping or refugio accommodation, meals during activities, national park entrance fees, private airport transfers and private transfers to and from the park. Porters are an add-on. Not included: guides, flights, travel insurance and gratuities.

Full Torres del Paine Circuit · Self-Guided

At a glance

Trek the full O Circuit on your own in 8 days. We book all 7 nights, your park pass and transfers; you navigate the 138 km loop yourself.

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 (independent navigation required)
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), booked by us
Guide: None

Overview

This is the complete O Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park for trekkers who want to walk it independently. The route matches our guided O: about 138 km (86 mi) in 8 days, counterclockwise, the only direction the park allows. You leave Las Torres heading north along Río Paine, cross the open northern sector to Lago Dickson, climb through the Los Perros valley and over John Gardner Pass (1,200 m) to Grey Glacier, then follow the W back east via Paine Grande, Valle Francés and Lago Nordenskjöld, finishing with the Base Torres hike on day 8.

Every night on the O must be reserved before you enter the park, and that is where we come in. We book all seven nights in order: Camping Serón, Refugio & Camping Dickson, Camping Los Perros, Refugio & Camping Grey, Refugio & Camping Paine Grande, Camping Francés and Refugio & Camping Central. Your park entrance, meals during activities, private airport transfers and private transfers to and from the park are included. Porters can be added on request, and extra activities can be arranged before or after the trek.

On the trail you are on your own. There is no guide and no briefing, so you plan each day's start around the park's checkpoint cutoffs, find your way, and decide when to turn around if the weather closes in. The O is rated advanced and requires independent navigation and the physical and mental capacity for a demanding trek: stages run from 12 km (7.5 mi) to 26.7 km (16.5 mi), and the pass day usually takes 10–12 hours. Groups and private parties of 1 to 12 can book it in the summer season.

Highlights

The whole loop around the Paine massif at your own pace
John Gardner Pass and the first sight of Grey Glacier and the ice field
Lago Dickson and the Los Perros valley on the north side of the park
The hanging bridges above the Grey valley
Valle Francés and Mirador Británico
Base Torres as the last climb of the trek

Is this trip for you?

Level: Advanced (independent navigation required)

Group: 1–12

Experienced, independent trekkers who are comfortable navigating alone and have the physical and mental reserves for eight straight days, including a 10–12 hour pass crossing. If you want someone else making the calls on timing and weather, book O Circuit Guided; if you have less time, W Trek Self-Guided covers the southern half in 5 days.

Route

Distance: 138 km / 86 mi

Ends in: Puerto Natales

Itinerary

Day 1Transfer to Las Torres, hike 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
Transfer to Las Torres, hike Central to Serón
A private transfer picks you up at your hotel in Puerto Natales and drives you through the Laguna Amarga entrance to the Las Torres sector. You set off from Central on your own, heading north on about 13 km (8.1 mi) of trail: first a gravel road, then lenga forest beside Río Paine and open pampa. The park's map gives it about 4 hours, so you have time to settle into the pack weight. Check in at Camping Serón, a grassy, campsite-only stop in open country where guanacos and other wildlife are often around, with 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) across the park's northern sector: wet meadows, low hills and wide-open country. This is a one-way trail and the park closes it to late starters, so leave Serón in the morning. You arrive at Lago Dickson, with glacier views across the water, and check in at Refugio & Camping Dickson, isolated on open grassland by the lake: 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 gradually on uneven ground with mud and roots toward the Los Perros glacier. Another one-way section with a checkpoint cutoff. Use the short day to rest and prepare: Camping Los Perros, at about 550 m, is a basic forest campsite sheltered from the wind and the last stop before John Gardner Pass, with cold showers only. Check the forecast and the morning cutoff for starting the pass before you go to sleep.
Overnight · Camping Los Perros · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 4
Los Perros over John Gardner Pass to Grey
The crux of the O: about 17 km (10.5 mi), and 10–12 hours is normal. Leave early to make the park's morning cutoff. The climb is rocky and muddy, often in strong wind, to John Gardner Pass at 1,200 m, where Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field open up below. The descent is steep, through lenga and coigüe forest, past the CONAF El Paso post and across three hanging bridges. Check in at Refugio & Camping Grey, between Lago Grey 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
An easier day to recover: about 12 km (7.5 mi) south above Lago Grey, with windy stretches. Stop at Mirador Grey to look back at the glacier and the icebergs on the lake. You finish on the shore of Lago Pehoé at Refugio & Camping Paine Grande, on open ground facing the Cuernos del Paine where the catamaran docks: 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
Your longest stage, about 26.7 km (16.5 mi). Walk east to the Italiano sector by Lago Skottsberg, then up Valle Francés toward Mirador Británico. The valley trail has afternoon cutoff times, so time your climb from Paine Grande around them. Come back down to Italiano and walk the short way to Camping Francés: tent platforms on wooden decks in 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 Lago Nordenskjöld, past the Cuernos, on rocky trail with moderate climbs and descents. You close the loop at Las Torres. Check in at Refugio & Camping Central, at the foot of the valley that leads to Base Torres: grassy campsite, a refugio with dorms, hot showers, a restaurant and a small shop. Rest up for one more climb.
Overnight · Refugio & Camping Central · Meals · Meals during activities
Day 8
Base Torres and return to Puerto Natales
Start early for Base Torres: up the Ascencio valley, over Paso de los Vientos, past Refugio Chileno, through lenga forest and up the steep moraine to the lake beneath the towers. The upper trail closes in the afternoon, so don't linger at camp. Come down the same way. About 22 km (14 mi) with roughly 1,400 m of gain; most hikers take 8–10 hours. Your private transfer meets you in the Las Torres sector for the drive 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

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

Included

Camping/refugio accommodation
Tent, sleeping bag and mat on camping nights
Meals during activities
Private airport transfers
Private transfers to and from the national park
National park entrance fees
Porters (add-on, on request)

Not included

Gratuities
Flights
Travel insurance
Guides

Good to know

Vertic arranges: all seven nights, your park pass, meals during activities and your transfers in and out. You handle: route-finding, daily timing, check-ins and decisions on the trail.
No guide walks with you and there is no pre-trek briefing. Read the park rules and study the route before you arrive.
The O is walked counterclockwise only, and the Serón–Dickson and Dickson–Los Perros trails are one-way. The park sets checkpoint cutoffs on several stages, with the earliest on the morning you cross the pass.
Serón and Los Perros are campsites only; Los Perros has cold showers only.
Fires are not allowed anywhere in the park, and cooking is only allowed in designated areas. Stay on marked trails and pack out everything you bring in.
Travel insurance is required and not included; we recommend Global Rescue for evacuation and medical support in remote terrain (optional, not part of the price). Hotel nights in Puerto Natales before and after the trek are not included.

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: the season.

What to pack

Pack: a 50–65 L backpack with rain cover (unless you add porters)
Layers: waterproof jacket and waterproof pants, a warm mid layer (fleece or down), quick-dry base layers, warm hat and gloves
Feet: broken-in hiking boots, wool socks, camp shoes
On the trail: trekking poles, headlamp, reusable water bottle, a map or offline navigation app you know how to use
Sun: sunglasses, sunscreen, sun hat
Documents: passport, park pass (we send it to you), your booking confirmations, travel insurance details

Insurance

Compare with

O Circuit Guided
The full 8-day O Circuit, with a guide on the trail.
8 days / 7 nights · Advanced

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 Self-Guided

At a glance

Overview

Highlights

Is this trip for you?

Route

Itinerary

Transfer to Las Torres, hike 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