Torres del Paine
O Circuit
The full loop around the Paine massif in Chilean Patagonia: eight days on foot past glaciers, turquoise lakes and the famous granite towers, from the wild northern side to the classic W.
The full loop around the Paine massif in Chilean Patagonia: eight days on foot past glaciers, turquoise lakes and the famous granite towers, from the wild northern side to the classic W.
Most visitors only walk the W. The O adds the quiet northern side of the park, where you can walk for hours without seeing anyone, and the crossing of the John Gardner Pass above the Grey Glacier.
Eight days from Puerto Natales and back, anticlockwise around the massif — tap each day to expand it.
Early bus from Puerto Natales into Torres del Paine National Park. After registering at the park, we start walking north through open meadows along the Paine River to Serón. Night: Serón camp.
A long day through rolling hills and wetlands on the quiet northern side of the park, past Lake Paine, to Dickson, with the Dickson Glacier and the mountains along the border with Argentina in view. Night: Dickson camp.
Up the Los Perros river through dense forest, listening for Magellanic woodpeckers. The trail climbs a large moraine to reveal the Los Perros Glacier and its turquoise lagoon. Night: Los Perros camp.
The hardest and most rewarding day of the circuit, with a very early start. Through forest, roots and mud, then up loose rock (sometimes snow) to the John Gardner Pass (1,200 m), the highest point of the trek, facing the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. A steep descent alongside the Grey Glacier, past the Paso ranger station and over suspension bridges to Grey. Night: Grey camp.
A shorter day along the shore of Lake Grey, with views back to the glacier and its icebergs, to Paine Grande on the edge of Lake Pehoé. Here the O joins the W trail. Night: Paine Grande camp.
Past Lake Skottsberg to Italiano camp and up the French Valley to the French and Británico viewpoints, surrounded by hanging glaciers on Paine Grande (2,884 m) and the granite walls of the Cuernos. Back down to Italiano and on to Los Cuernos. Night: Cuernos camp.
Along the turquoise Lake Nordenskjöld, crossing streams beneath Mount Almirante Nieto (2,670 m) and keeping an eye out for condors, to the Central sector at the foot of the Ascencio valley. Night: Central camp.
Up the Ascencio valley and a final boulder field to the Base Torres viewpoint (about 900 m), facing the three granite towers above their glacial lake. Back down to the Welcome Center and transport to Puerto Natales, arriving in the evening.
An outstanding experience with Thin Air Trips! Isa and the team brought so much care, enthusiasm and professionalism to the whole adventure. Their thoughtful planning, clear communication and attention to detail made everything feel smooth and well organised, allowing me to relax and enjoy the experience.
What stood out most was the personal approach. Isa was approachable, helpful and always happy to answer questions. You could really feel her passion for the mountains and her commitment to making the trip special.
A fantastic team that I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a memorable trekking or mountain adventure. Thank you, Isa and Thin Air Trips—I would love to join you again!
I’ve now travelled with Thin Air Trips twice — to Torres del Paine and Kyrgyzstan — and both trips were absolutely incredible. Two very different destinations, but equally unforgettable adventures!
One of the best things about travelling with them is that they take care of everything. From planning the itinerary to organising accommodation, transport and all the logistics along the way, they make the whole experience feel easy. There’s so much that goes into organising trips like these, and having it all managed means you can relax, enjoy the adventure and focus on the places you’ve come to explore.
Torres del Paine was spectacular, and Kyrgyzstan was another amazing experience, with breathtaking mountains and landscapes that will stay with me for a long time. Both trips gave me so many special moments and memories that I’ll always treasure.
For me, the real value of Thin Air Trips is being able to experience these extraordinary destinations without the stress of coordinating everything myself. You get all the excitement of an adventure, with the reassurance that the details are taken care of.
The fact that I booked a second trip after my first probably says it all! I would happily travel with them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a well-organised, memorable adventure. An easy five stars!
Fuimos con ellos al Ararat y todo perfecto, organización de 10, muy buena comunicación antes y durante el viaje, y muy buenos guías. Repetiremos!
I had a fantastic experience travelling to Russia to summit Mt Elbrus. Isa has been really communicative and helpful. I had a lot of hestitations about travelling to the region, but all went smooth and the entire trip was amazing. The team on ground were also just as professional and helpful, really helping to take off the logitical pressure and allowing me to focus on the summit.
Espectacular!!la ruta , la organización , la gente…repetiré sin duda!
Viaje top y equipo mejor aún!
Eight days around the Paine massif from Puerto Natales, with campsites, meals and park entry included. Want other dates or a private trip with your own group? Ask Isa.
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It is a demanding trek: eight days in a row, with stages of 11 to 25 km and one very long day over the John Gardner Pass (10–12 hours). No technical skills are needed, but you need very good fitness and to be used to walking several days in a row.
In the park’s campsites, in double tents with sleeping bag and mat included. All meals during the trek are included too.
February is summer in Patagonia, with long days. Even so, the weather changes fast: strong wind, rain and even snow are possible on any day, so good waterproof layers are essential.
Park rangers can close the John Gardner Pass when conditions are bad, and we always follow their instructions and our team leaders’ judgement. In that case the itinerary is adapted.
Fly to Punta Arenas and take the bus to Puerto Natales (about 3 hours), or fly to Puerto Natales when there are seasonal flights. You need a hotel in Puerto Natales the night before the trek starts.
No: the campsites, park entry and transfers are arranged by Thin Air. You only book your flights and your hotel in Puerto Natales.