Everything You Need to Know About Torres del Paine O Circuit

Torres del Paine O Circuit was one of the most insane multi day hike we’ve ever done. It’s considered one of the best long distance treks in not only in Patagonia but the world.

The amount of pristine beauty you will see on this hike is unlike any other hike you’ve done.

Glaciers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, jagged peaks, snow capped mountains and a diverse wildlife make up the rugged landscape of Torres del Paine National Park.

This post will cover everything you need to know about Torres del Paine O Circuit.

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Best Time To Hike Torres del Paine O Circuit

No matter when you decide to visit you will likely experience sun, wind, rain and snow, sometimes even all in the same day.

In other words, the weather in Patagonia is very unpredictable. For the best weather try and visit during the summer season December-February.

During this time you can expect a higher chance of sunny days and fewer rain showers but the infamous Patagonian winds are at its peak.

Since this is a popular time to visit book camp sites, refugios, buses, and flights well in advance. Shoulder season is also a great time to visit, late Spring October to November or Early Fall March to Early April.

As a result of visiting during shoulder season you will experience less crowds, lower prices and pleasent weather.

How to Get to Torres del Paine National Park

Plan to arrive in Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Purchase a round-trip ticket from Bus Sur going from Puerto Natales Terminal Rodoviario to Laguna Amara (Base Torres). Road-Trip bus fare costs $32 USD per person.

Try and take the 6:45 am or 7:00 am bus, which is the first two bus departures just in case of delays. You can purchase your ticket HERE.

Is the O Circuit Trek Hard

It’s a moderately difficult trek. The most challenging day being day 6 due to the amount of miles(KM) walked and the hardest part being on day 4 due to a nearly 3000 ft (900M) ascent over John Gardner Pass.

For this reason being in good physical shape and having previous backpacking experience is advisable.

Entrance Fee for Torres del Paine National Park

You must purchase a National Park Entrance Ticket to enter the park. We recommend making your booking at least one day before your planned visit.

Ticket Cost: $49 per person for the O and W Circuit. You can make your purchase HERE. You can print your tickets or show them on your mobile device screen.

Note: Make sure to have your confirmation saved on your phone, service can be spotty.

Accommodation on the O Circuit

You will be staying at different Refugios and/or Campsites throughout your trek. Under no circumstance is wild camping allowed.

In other words, you must camp at designated campsites only. All Refugios and Campsites need to be booked in advance. To clarify, DO NOT show up without a reservations. Take a printed booking confirmation and passport with you.

How to Get to the O Circuit Trail Start

Once you arrive at Laguna Amara you will take a shuttle to the Welcome Center, this is the point of entry to the park. Cost for tram is $5,000 Chilean Pesos/ $6 USD per person one way. CASH ONLY.

No advance booking is necessary just wait in line and pay your fee as you load onto the shuttle. Presently, O Circuit trail must be walked Counterclockwise only. Meaning your first campsite will have be

Booking Campsites for the O Circuit

We recommend booking Refugios or campsite at least 4-6 months in advance, especially during the peak summer season. Campsites belong to three different companies as a result depending on where you decide to stay you may have 2-3 different reservations. Bookings will be done with Vertice, Las Torres Patagonia and CONAF. CONAF sites are free but you still need a reservation. Update: CONAF campsites are currently closed for the 2024/2025 season

UPDATE: You are now able to book all accommodation, meals and gear on Torres Hike.

I still recommended booking individually though, Torres Hike does charge a service and payment fee. When I checked for example booking directly through Vertice for Dickson Camp the total for Site, Full Board, Tent, Mat and Sleeping Bag came out to $190 USD versus on Torres Hike was $225 USD.

Book with Vertice for- Dickson, Los Perros, Grey, and Paine Grande Campsites

Campsites offered by Vertice have access to bathrooms, showers with hot water(with the exception of Los Perros), electricity, areas to eat, restaurant (with the exception of Los Perros) and a shop.

Book with Las Torres Patagonia for- Central, Serón, Francés, Los Cuernos, and Chileno Campsites

Campsites offered by Las Torres Patagonia have access to bathrooms, showers with hot water, electricity, areas to eat, restaurant and a shop.

Book with CONAF for- El Paso and Italiano Campsites

~~Campsites offered by CONAF are very basic and have access to bathrooms.~~

How Much does the O Circuit Cost?

CONAF

Update: CONAF campsites are currently closed for the 2024/2025 season

~~Campsites El Paso and Italiano are FREE, you will need to bring your own camping gear, cooking gear and food.~~

Vertice

Campsites Dickson, Los Perros, and Grey bringing ALL camping gear, cooking gear and food cost $11 USD per person per night.

Campsite Paine Grande bringing ALL camping gear, cooking gear and food cost $13 USD per person per night.

Dorm in refugio Grey and Dickson with your own sleeping bag: $43 USD per person per night

Dorm in refugio Grey and Dickson without your own sleeping bag: $100 USD per person per night

Meals can be added to Campsites Dickson, Grey and Paine Grande. When we were there they sold only snacks and hotdogs(Perros Calientes) at Los Perros Campsite.

Full board (dinner, breakfast, box lunch) $95 USD
Half board (dinner and breakfast) $65
Only Breakfast $29 USD
Only Lunch/Box Lunch $30 USD
Only Dinner $46 USD

*price per person

Rentals can be added to Dickson, Los Perros, Grey and Paine Grande Campsites

2 person Tent $44 USD
Sleeping Mat $12 USD
Sleeping bag $28 USD

Las Torres Patagonia

Campsites Serón, Francés, Los Cuernos, and Chileno bringing ALL camping gear, cooking gear and food cost:

Low season (October and April): $35 USD per night per person
- Single occupancy supplement: $23 USD
High season (November to March): $40 USD per night per person
- Single occupancy supplement: $25 USD

Premium Campsite includes: A 2 person tent elevated from the ground and Foam Mat

Low season (October and April): USD $90 per night per person
- Single occupancy supplement: USD $60
High season (November to March) USD $95 per night per person
- Single occupancy supplement: USD $70

Fully Equipped Premium Campsite includes: A 2 person tent elevated from the ground, Sleeping Bag, Foam Mat, Pillow and Welcome Drink

Low season (October and April): USD $120 per night per person
- Single occupancy supplement: USD $90
High season (November to March) USD $130 per night per person
- Single occupancy supplement: USD $100

Meals can be added to Campsites Serón, Francés, Los Cuernos, and Chileno.

Full board (dinner, breakfast, box lunch) $110 USD
Half board (dinner and breakfast) $80 USD
Only Breakfast $30 USD
Only Lunch $55 USD
Only Box Lunch $35 USD
Only Dinner $55 USD

*price per person

Due to the high risk of forest fires, the use of stoves in Sector Chileno is prohibited.

Rentals can be added to Campsites Serón, Francés, Los Cuernos, and Chileno.

Tent (for two people max) Low season (October and April): $50 USD
Tent (for two people max) High season (November to March): $55 USD
Sleeping bag Low season (October and April): $30 USD
Sleeping bag High season (November to March) $35 USD
Insulating Mat Low season (October and April): $11 USD
Insulating Mat High season (November to March) $12 USD

Torres del Paine O Circuit Overview

2024/25 O Circuit Season begins November 1st.

Distance: 80 miles (129KM)

Duration: 8-9 days

Permit: No Permit. Proof of Reservations & Entrance Park Ticket Required

Difficulty: Moderate

Highest Point: John Garner Pass 4000ft (1220M)

Drinking water can be found throughout the park ( Refugios, Rivers, Creeks, Streams) We did not use a filter throughout the entire circuit.

O Circuit Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome Center to Seron Campsite 8.6 miles (13.8KM)

Hiking Time: 4 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

Day 2: Seron to Dickson Campsite 12 miles (19.3KM)

Hiking Time: 6 hours

CHECK IN: 12:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

Day 3: Dickson to Los Perros Campsite 8 miles approx (12.9KM)

Hiking Time: 4 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

Day 4: Los Perros to Grey Campsite 10.5 miles (17KM)

Hiking Time: 8 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

Day 5: Grey to Paine Grande Campsite 7 miles (11.2KM)

Hiking Time: 3.5 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:00 am

Day 6: Paine Grande to Mirador Britanico to Los Cuernos Campsite 15.4 miles (24.8KM)

Hiking Time: 9.5 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

Day 7: Los Cuernos to Chileno Campsite 8 miles (12.9KM)

Hiking Time: 4.5 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

Day 8: Chileno to Base of Torres to Visitor Center 9.8 miles (15.8KM)

Hiking Time: 6 hours

CHECK IN: 01:00 pm
CHECK OUT: 09:30 am

We recommend a bus departure time from Torres del Paine National Park no earlier then 2:30pm, this will give you enough time to hike and spend time at the Base of the Torres and hike out without being stressed about making it on time for your bus departure.

Tips for an Enjoyable Experience at Torres del Paine

Open fires are not allowed and camping stoves are only allowed at the campsites (Due to the high risk of forest fires, the use of stoves in Sector Chileno is prohibited).

*While we were there someone did get escorted out of the park as a result of using a camping stove on trail. By all means do not break park rules, they will kick you out!

Camp at designated campsites ONLY.

Reservations are needed for all campsites.

Be Prepared for bad weather.

Stay well Hydrated.

Make sure to bring CASH because you will most likely be purchasing snacks, meals or beers at the restaurants and shops.

What Clothes Should I pack for the O Circuit?

Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Camp Shoes/Sandel
(4) Hiking Socks
Pair of Socks for Camp
(2) Short Sleeve Shirts (2) Long Sleeve Shirts
Fleece
Down Jacket
Waterproof Jacket
(2) Hiking Pants
Waterproof Pants
(2) Sets of Base Layers (What we slept in)
Hat
Beanie
Gloves
Trekking Poles
Headlamp

Check Out Backpacking Essentials List for direct links to our favorite hiking gear!

Rentals Shops in Puerto Natales

If you want to take your own gear on trail but don’t want to bring it from home you can always rent gear in Puerto Natales. It will be cheaper then renting from Vertice or Las Torres Patagonia.

Rental Natales

Erratic Rock

Lili Patagonico’s

Where to Stay in Puerto Natales

Before our trek we stayed at El Patagonico Hostel. It was clean, comfortable and within walking distance to shops and restaurants. They also let us store our luggage while we went on our 8 day trek to Torres del Paine.

After our trek we stayed at Hotel Simple Patagonia, and it was incredible. The views from our room were beautiful, overlooking the water and the perfect location for sunsets. Their restaurant also served some of the best food we had in Puerto Natales. Highly recommend.

Budget| El Patagónico Hostel

Mid Range| Casa de la Patagonia

Luxury| Hotel Simple Patagonia

Places to Eat in Puerto Natales

Base Camp Pizzeria
Cafe Kaiken
Restaurant at Simple Patagonia

That wraps up this post Everything You Need to Know About Torres del Paine O Circuit.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:

Travel Resources

Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.

CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.

ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.

CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.

FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.

TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.as ia.

Everything You Need to Know About Torres del Paine O Circuit

Best Time To Hike Torres del Paine O Circuit

How to Get to Torres del Paine National Park

Is the O Circuit Trek Hard

Entrance Fee for Torres del Paine National Park

Accommodation on the O Circuit

How to Get to the O Circuit Trail Start