Paine O Circuit Full Trek: Self-Guided

Details of our self-guided Paine O Circuit itinerary.

Note: Trekkers must sleep in Puerto Natales the night before the Paine Circuit trek starts (hotel not included – we can book this).

Day one of this fabulous  Torres del Paine O Circuit. You head to the Puerto Natales bus station to pick up your welcome kit and bus into the park. The bus departs at 0700 from Puerto Natales to the park. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.

Once you arrive in the park you head you head straight off. Today’s hike takes you hike through the beautiful Encantado Valley and an old forest of lenga trees to the Serón Sector. It is about 4 to 6 hours of walking. The trees are covered with a beautiful long lichen, locally called “old man’s beard,” which only grows in very clean environments. As you walk, you’ll enjoy birdsong and stunning views of the Paine Massif.

Trek 4-6 hrs. 8 mi. / 13 kms.

Elevation Gain 130 meters

Overnight in Serón sector

This long but unforgettable day will take you towards Dickson lake.

Here, you are greeted with a spectacular view of Glacier Dickson and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). You then head along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine, be sure to stop at the lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below.

Next, you descend to the lake’s shore and then continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Your stunning campsite is in the Dickson Valley, surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers available.

Trek 8-10 hrs. 12 mi. / 19.5 kms.

Elevation Gain 200 meters

Overnight Dickson sector

With a shorter hiking day ahead of you, do enjoy your stunning location, the beautiful Dickson lake surrounded by towering peaks and lush forest.

The trail follows Los Perros river, winding through lenga forrests. This is the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. Listen out for the characteristic sound of the Magellanic woodpecker, pecking at the bark of southern beech trees, in search of insects.

The trail gradually ascends, offering scenic views of the surrounding valleys and distant glaciers. The lush vegetation begins to thin out as you approach Los Perros Glacier, one of the most spectacular highlights of the day. The glacier feeds into a pristine lake, where you can take a moment to marvel at the icy blue hues and dramatic formations.

As you continue, the trail becomes steeper and rockier levelling out as you reach Los Perros Camp, nestled in the woodland. This campsite is more basic than the others on the circuit.

Spend the night camping at Los Perros.

Trek 4-6 hrs. 5.5 mi. / 9 kms.

Elevation Gain 340 meters

Overnight in Los Perros Sector

Today  is one of the most difficult days of the trek, also one of the most spectacular and most rewarding. We suggest you set off early from Los Perros camp site early and zigzag your way across the swampy forest floor until you leave the wooded area.

The climb to the pass is steep and challenging, with sections of loose rock and sometimes snow, especially early or late in the season. The effort is rewarded with a panoramic view from the top: the expansive Grey Glacier stretches below, a  mass of ice that flows from the vast expanse of the South Patagonian Ice Field.

Take time to enjoy the views before the descent begins. This part can be tricky as it is steep and often slippery, especially in wet conditions. Do stop periodically to enjoy the view and see if you can spot icebergs calving form teh glacier snout and drifting off down Lake Grey.

The last stretch to Camp is easier, taking you through forest alongside the lake. Grey Camp sits on the shore of Grey Lake and offers comfortable facilities compared to Los Perros. It’s a great spot to rest and recover from today’s challenging trek, with beautiful views of the glacier.

Trekking 9-12 hrs. 9.3 mi. / 15 kms.

Elevation Gain 600 meters

Overnight in Grey Sector

After the previous days’ efforts, today you have plenty of time to rest and enjoy Grey Glacier and its surroundings. Set off after a leisurely start to the day, with a lovely hike along the eastern side of Grey Lake.

En route, there are views over the lake, there may be giant icebergs drifting across its waters making impressive viewing.

You will walk along the mountainside and through forests of Antarctic beech, there are three varieties:  ñirre, coigüe and notro.  Appreciate the dense forest, the Magellanic woodpeckers and the views of Paine Grande Mountain, the highest peak in the region (10,000 ft.) and its hanging glaciers.

The last hour is a descent to Lago Pehoe, where you spend the night camping at Paine Grande. Rest, relax and hopefully you will feel the sun on your face as you marvel at the Paine mountains.

Trekking 4 hrs. 6.8 mi. / 11 kms.

Elevation Gain-280 meters

Overnight in Paine Grande sector

After breakfast, you set off on what is a challenging but rewarding trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), one of the highlights of Torres del Paine. You follow a steep trail that takes you right into the heart of the Paine Massif.

A couple of hour’s walking leads to the hanging bridge over the French River (Rio Frances), located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif. From this point, you have some wonderful views. Continue up the trail, following the river, to access the upper reaches of the French Valley.

As the trees clear, you enter a vast cauldron, fortressed on three sides by an impressive range of stunning mountains. Among the most striking are Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress).

If you turn 180 degrees to look back the way you came you will have a lovely view of the lakes and green hills that provide a stunning contrast to the mountains immediately behind and above you.

The viewpoint is a top spot for a picnic. If the weather and energy levels allow then we suggest you carry on walking upwards to Mirador Britanico, a small hut built by a British climbing expedition, to get a view from higher up the Valley. Sated by the views you retrace your steps then then turn east to reach the nect campsite, Camp Francés.

Trekking 8-9 hrs. 12.7 mi. / 20.5 kms.

Elevation Gain 712 meters

Overnight in Francés Sector

Today you head past the Cuernos, Horns of Paine along a trail that hugs the shore of the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold.

As on most of the trek, you are accompanied by magnificent views, this time of the park’s central lakes and the amazing Mount Almirante Nieto with its hanging glaciers.

The lake is home to many water birds, and keep an eye out overhead for black chested buzzard eagles and Andean condors soaring.

Trekking  4-5 hrs. 8.6 mi. / 14 kms.

Elevation Gain 80 meters

Overnight in Central sector

Today is a long day of trekking but certainly you have a great reward at the end. Set off early today, to start the trek to the foot of the impressive granite massif of the Towers of Paine. From here you will be able to admire the Paine Towers rising above the green lake that sits at their feet.

The famous Towers of Paine (2,900m/9,400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great formation that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

It’s not a difficult walk, but energy should nevertheless be saved for the final challenge: the moraine. This mass of boulders is the last guardian before your face to face meeting with the uplifting Torres del Paine. The moraine is steep, so we suggest a slow steady pace, taking good care on each step.

There is a perfect picnic spot on the lake side, at the foot of the mighty Torres del Paine. The return is the same route, through Ascencio Valley, and back to the  camping area.

You take the bus in the afternoon so be sure to time your trek today to make sure you are back in time. The bus takes you back to Puerto Natales. The Paine O Circuit self-guided trek is certainly a unique, impressive and unforgettable experience.

We can book you into a Puerto Natales hotel.

Trekking 7-9 hrs. 12 mi. / 19.5 kms

Elevation Gain 750 meters

For most people, Patagonia evokes a vast, windblown plateau, jagged mountains and the life of the gauchos.

The steppe that occupies much of southern South America is only one aspect of a magical region, jam-packed with amazing and contrasting landscapes.

Patagonia (latitudes 40°-55°, approximately) embraces a vast portion of southern Chile and Argentina, from the Rio Colorado in the north, to Tierra del Fuego in the south.

For convenience, we have divided the region into three zones: the Lakes District of northern Patagonian, central Patagonia and southern Patagonia.

Southern Patagonia (latitudes 49° to 55°), encompassing the southern Andes of Chile and Argentina plus Tierra del Fuego, has an altogether more vertical aspect than the rest of Patagonia.

As the continent tapers towards its southern point, the Andes take on new characteristics and offer some truly impressive panoramas.

Much of southern Patagonia is characterized by virgin landscapes where man’s hand has either not been present or, because of the scale of the landscapes, goes almost unnoticed. To the west of the semi-arid Patagonian plateau, mile-high granite spires – e.g. Cerro Torre and Fitzroy in Argentina and the Torres and Cuernos del Paine in Chile – rise abruptly from the Andean foothills, while vast blue glaciers, fringed by southern beech forest, gouge out thevalleys below.

At the heart of these magnificent landscapes lies the South Patagonian Ice Field, an utterly remote icy wilderness spanning hundreds of kilometers, whose glaciers – including the Perito Moreno and Upsala – are tens of kilometres long by severalkilometers wide.

Also characteristic of the southern Patagonian Andes are its turquoise, iceberg-filled lakes. To the west lies the southern portion of the Chilean Archipelago, comprising snow-capped islands and fjords.

Across the Magellan Straits from mainland Patagonia lies Tierra del Fuego which, like the rest of Patagonia, is divided between Argentina and Chile.

The north and east of Tierra del Fuego is flat, but flanking the Beagle Channel in the south, the tail end of the Andes provide very dramatic mountain scenery.

The Lake District (latitudes 40° to 45°) or the Araucania, is a region of dramatic conical volcanoes, evergreen, high-canopy forests and, of course, lakes.

It straddles the Chile-Argentine border, and also takes in Chiloe island, in the extreme north of the Chilean Archipelago. This region stretches from Temuco in the north to Chiloe in the south.

Central Patagonia (latitudes 45 to 49) is one of South America’s best-kept secrets. The vast wilderness area can be divided in two:

• The dry band of Andean foothills and wind-blown plateau lying on the Argentine side of the Andes. This remote area is traversed north to south by a gravel highway known as the Ruta Cuarenta (Highway 40).
• The Chilean portion to the west of the Andean watershed, often referred to as the Careterra Austral (after the little-used gravel highway that crosses it from north to south).

This huge region, embracing the sparsely-inhabited southern Araucaria and Aisén Region, features temperate rainforests, snow-peaks (often extinct volcanoes), lakes and, to the west, the Chilean Archipelago: a labyrinth of fjords and mountain-islands. This, the Chilean portion of central Patagonia, boasts the northernmost of Patagonia’s many giant, sea-level glaciers.

The San Raphael Glacier, probably this region’s most famous landmark, is an immense hanging glacier whose seracs calve into an iceberg-filled lagoon.

Find out more about Patagonia with our blog about its wildlife.

We strongly suggest that everyone planning to travel to Patagonia visits their local doctor/travel clinic prior to departure for the latest vaccination information.

Recommended vaccinations

• Up-to-date diphtheria and polio.
• Tetanus or tetanus booster. (These three are effective for ten years.)
• ‘Havrix’ for Hepatitis A. The course of two injections protects you for ten years. Gamma globulin is cheaper butless effective.
• Typhoid vaccine is recommended by some doctors although it will not provide total protection and being careful about what you eat and drink is your best defence. It is given in two shots, four weeks apart and lasts for three years. Unless at exceptional risk, people over the age of 35 who have received four or more courses of typhoid immunisation need no more.
• A pre-exposure rabies vaccination is worth considering if you are going to be in contact with animals or morethan 24 hours away from a reliable source of vaccine. Hikers are at some risk from rural dogs, certain of which carry rabies, and those visiting coastal or rainforest areas could be exposed to rabid bats.
• Malaria is not a risk in Patagonia.

Be nice to your feet! Make sure hiking boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin, Second Skin (or similar) for fast foot treatment and blister prevention.

If you are bringing a camera, include plenty of film or digital cards with enough megabytes for hundreds of pictures and spare batteries. Please note, film and digital cards are difficult to find and often expensive to buy in Patagonia.

When planning for the varied climatic conditions encountered in Paine, layering is the most practical and versatile clothing system. It’s worth remembering that our clothing keeps us warm by retaining and isolating the heat we ourselves create, and that you carry all your own kit around Paine.

We suggest you leave all other luggage in Puerto Natales hotel and just take the minimum. Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Use different sizes and colours to differentiate the contents in your duffel bag/backpack.

Typically, you will need a spare set of clothes, a water-bottle, fleece or wind stopper jacket, rain jacket & trousers, your camera and wash kit. Keep it light.

Layering

To best maintain body heat, several layers of lightweight, warm and quick-drying clothing are far more efficient than one or two thick layers. Layers should have the following qualities:

1. Breathability (able to wick away the humidity produced by sweat):
2. Isolation (able to keep in the warm air our body produces); and
3. Impermeability (able to impede the passing of wind and water).

First (base) layer: This layer wicks the sweat away from our skin, thus helping keep the body dry and warm. To this end, synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene should be used.

Mid layers: These isolating layers should also be synthetic (e.g. the known polar linings such as polartec or windblock, which are light and insulate twice as well as wool). Very important layers for retaining body heat.

Outer layer / shell: Finally, the vital layer which protects us from climatic adversities. A breathable, wind-proof and waterproof anorak, such as Goretex.

Suggested kit list

• Synthetic inner socks (e.g., polypropylene, thermastat, coolmax) and 2 pairs thick loop-stitch/wool socks for cold.
• Trekking boots – should be well broken-in, waterproof and provide good ankle support.
• Trainers/sandals for evenings & river crossings.
• Base layer leggings
• Goretex-type over-trousers
• Trekking trousers
• Shorts if you prefer, or zip off trousers
• Thermal base layer shirt
• Microfleece mid-layer shirt
• Shirt/t-shirts
• Fleece jacket or similar
• Warm jacket (down or synthetic)
• Waterproof Goretex-type jacket.
• Broad-brimmed sunhat, essential.
• Warm hat, fleece or wool. (N.B. Up to 30% of body heat can be lost through the head).
• Sunglasses with UV filter.
• Bandanna – to protect neck from strong sun and against cold if needed
• Gloves
• Daypack (approx. 30-50 litres). Comfortable and with waterproof lining or cover.
• Pair of telescopic trekking poles if you like using (can be rented)
• Water bottle (2 litres approx.)
• Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
• Insect repellent.
• Towel & wash-kit.
• Wet Wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream.
• Sunscreen (factor 30+) and lip salve.
• Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries).
• Penknife.
• Plastic bags – ‘Zip-loc’ & tough bin liners.
• Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!).
• Book, e-book, mp3 player/iPod or other to help pass the time
• Binoculars.

Miscellaneous others

• Money belt.
• Passport.
• U.S. dollars cash, mixed-denomination notes, undamaged and unmarked, or local currency
• ATM cash/credit card.
• Personal & medical insurance certificates.

Chile

Official name: Republic of Chile

Country population: 17,000,000

Capital city: Santiago (6 million)

Largest cities: Santiago, Concepcion, Valparaiso

Languages: Spanish (official)

Official currency: Chilean Peso

Major industries: Copper mining, agriculture, fish

Time zone: GMT-5 in winter (Mar-Sep) and GMT-4 in summer (Sep-Mar)

Argentina

Official name: Argentine Republic Country

Population: 40,000,000

Capital city: Buenos Aires (11 million)

Largest cities: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario

Languages: Spanish (official)

Official currency: Argentine Peso

Major industries: Agriculture (Soy), motor vehicles, chemicals

Argentina: GMT-3

Andean Trails has 25 years of experience of putting together the best South America holidays.

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When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from Andean Trails Ltd you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6275.

You can read more about ATOL, who is covered and what protections you have if not ATOL-covered, on our ATOL page.

What is ATOL?

The CAA’s ATOL scheme offers protection to your money and your holiday if you book with us. Not everybody is covered (see ‘Who is covered?’ for more), as you must purchase an ‘air package holiday’ with Andean Trails to be protected.

And  ‘air package holiday’ is defined as including a flight and some ground services (hotel, transfer, trek etc). This is also known as an ‘ATOL-protected holiday’.

Who is covered?

To be covered by ATOL, you must book a flight and some ground services with us and be from the UK. If you are from the UK and only book ground services and no flights, you are not covered by ATOL (see below for more on how non-ATOL clients are covered).

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Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.

For land only holidays not involving any air travel, in accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992”, all UK passengers booking with Andean Trails Ltd. are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all money paid to us, arising from cancellation or curtailment of travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Andean Trails.

I’m not ATOL covered, what protection do I have?

If you are not ATOL covered, any payments you make to us go to a Trust account.

We can only access this money once your tour has been completed, meaning that if anything happens to Andean Trails Limited while you are on holiday, then your money is secure and you can either complete the trip or be able to make it home.

If you pay for your holiday with a credit card, some offer payment protection – please check with your cardholder.

You also should have cancellation protection written into your insurance (which we recommend you have at the time of booking) in case you need to cancel.