Our combination trips allow you to see torres del paine and also explore a little wider. Climbing a scree field up to the john garner pass to reveal the 6km expanse of glacier grey. Understand the booking system of torres del paine when you look into hiking torres del paine you find the names of fantastico sur, vertice and conaf and notice how messy it is going to be. This film follows photographer robert king as he hikes patagonias most stunning trekking route, the torres del paine o trek. You could stay two nights at some campgrounds and explore the valleys around with a lighter backpack. The shameless selfregard on the day where the trail finally joins up with the day hikers on the w trek. It is for those who want to do more than just the w trek and know that they have the right physical abilities. Check out our complete guide to hiking the o circuit or w trek in torres del paine. Use this full o circuit guide to plan your lifechanging patagonia adventure. Torres del paine o circuit 7 day trek around torres del.
This is an expedition where youll truly be out in nature, and away from the crowds. We can also offer park entrance tickets, hiking poles and luggage custody storage with our premium itineraries. Even if the w and the o trek are most popular, a lot of people hike torres del paine on an alternative route. High season in torres del paine national park runs from october 1st to april 30th summertime in the southern hemisphere and the low season is from may 1st to september 30th wintertime. The popular hiking trail in torres del paine national park lures the intrepid travellers of this world to south america. Torres del paine national park has a large range of accommodation to choose from. It traverses stunning landscapes, carved by immense glaciers and dotted with turquoise lakes, and is capped by the iconic las torres. The circuit trek in torres del paine is a trip for the intrepid traveller. Cant get camping or refugio reservations for your dates in torres del paine. Its now mandatory to have advance reservations for all the campsites along the w trek and the o circuit. Review here the options of the o circuit that we have for you. There are three companies that operate campgrounds on the o and w circuits in torres del paine national park fantastico sur, vertice.
The backside of the circuit the o portion must be hiked counterclockwise. There are two different ways that you can hike the w, depending on whether you start at the western corner of the trek and hike east or at the eastern corner of the trek and hike west. Sonamed for the w shape of the trail through torres del paine national park, the w trek is an intermediate level hike along mostly even terrain that will have you staring up at snowcapped peaks but not making you climb them. Torres del paine is the best known for several multiday treks, with strange names w, o, and q. A lot has changed since we visited torres del paine in 2015. Generally completed in 69 days, youll spend 23 nights camping on the lesstraveled back side, which offers more solitude and opportunities to see the varied terrain of torres. It is the completion of the famous w trek and worth every additional day ill help you get ready for your o trek and experience the park like few others do. Jan 06, 2020 torres del paine national park hugs chileargentina border in the patagonia region of south america. When deciding which trek to do in the national park w or o, its important to be realistic about your physical abilities. Camping reservations for the w trek, torres del paine.
This eliminates all reservation issues, equipment needs, transportation and all your meal prep on the trek. This circuit is more advanced and you will need a higher physical demand, but without a. The torres del paine park has the goods, with stunning views at every turn. As the name suggests, the o trek, better known as the o circuit, is a circuit. You either stay in a cabin room accomodation doubletwin room or in one of our luxury domes depending on availability. How to hike the o circuit in torres del paine travel. What you dont know about torres del paine chiles most. Wtrek or the ocircuit, youll need to get your campsite reservations. Nov 15, 2019 the o circuit in torres del paine is a real hiking adventure that offers incredible scenery and moderate physical challenge. Escape to a luxury lodge for tranquillity and incredible views across the park or gaze up at the stars from your yurtdome. Trekking patagonia is some of the best in this entire world the torres del paine o trek, and the complete q trek, is the ultimate patagonia experience. Jul 11, 2018 whether youre heading out to do the w or o trek in torres del paine or chasing sunrises on fitz roy, youll want to make sure you have the essential gear you need to be safe and comfortable. The o circuit a 120km oneway backpacking loop in torres del paine national park is regarded as one of the most exclusive backpacking routes in south america like all of the hikes in torres del paine, it is named for its letterlike shape.
Trekkers doing the o and q circuit can only hike counterclockwise, and all campsites and refugios need to be booked in advance including the free conaf campsites. Read our guide on everything you need to know before hiking the famous oneday trek to the towers or grey glacier and multiday w, o or q trek. This will be the document that allows you to pass through the control areas and have access to the w trail and the circuit macizo paine. The botched q trek traveling with me can be fun and excruciating at the same time. Learn how far in advance you need to book your campsites for torres del paine. You get an opportunity to explore one of the most remote and beautiful are complete guide to the o circuit in torres del paine, chile stingy nomads. Due to my spur of the moment travel planning and nonexistent organizational skills, i managed to botch the full circuit trek in torres del paine, patagonia, with my friend ken. O trek also known as the circuit, the o trek covers the same trail as the w trek, but circumnavigates the cordillera del paine over the course of 110 km 68 miles. It doesnt matter which one you choose, you are guaranteed to experience the best of what patagonia has to offer. Do your homework and make your reservations ahead of time see reservations. Accept the challenge of the 8day o circuit through torres del paine. The paine o circuit highlights the best features of the park, while including the famous w trek. Torres del paine trekking without camp reservations.
We offer full w trek and circuit trek programs that include transfers in and out of torres del paine, accommodation with bedding and all meals. You get an opportunity to explore one of the most remote and beautiful are. What you need to know to do the torres del paine trek. The w trek is open to trekkers year round, while the o circuit. How to do the torres del paine wtrek in season 20182019. When we arrived at campamento italiano at 12pm on day 6 of our o circuit trek in chiles torres del paine national park, it was the earliest we had made camp so far. I appreciate why reservations are needed for torres del paine, but actually it worked out much better for me to wait, as the o circuit closed two days before i arrived due to flooding.
If you are planning to walk on the w trail or circuit macizo paine follow the following recommendations. Taking you 110 kilometers in a circular loop around torres del paine national park, the o circuit trek is the ultimate way to experience this spectacular part of patagonia. If you get stopped by a ranger in camping cuernos or camping italiano, tell him you are doing a day trip. Sticking to that regulation, here is a realistic 8day itinerary for completing the torres del paine o trek. Left frances camp with the tiny camper dining area early in the morning. At first, everything seems really complicated as those 3 organizations are run. Dec 15, 2018 even if the w and the o trek are most popular, a lot of people hike torres del paine on an alternative route. This reservation system is only for the free conaf campsites. In the box on the left you can find some of the alternatives we have to make the famous trekking of the o, within the torres del paine national park. The w trek in torres del paine is one of the most breathtaking hiking routes in patagonia, making it one of the most incredible trekking routes in the world. Fantastico sur the accommodations of fantastico sur are located on the east side of the torres del paine national park, and the entrance starts from the estancia cerro paine where you will find the welcome center as well.
Many people sadly lost their reservations and had to change to the w trek or stick to day hikes anyway. Torres del paine o circuit trek tips its worth getting up at 3am and hiking up to las torres on most likely the final day of your o circuit trek, so you can get this view right at sunrise. Printed vouchers are required at designated checkpoints. The torres del paine circuit in patagonia is consistently voted as one of the best hikes in the world and in january my wife and i spent 9 days hiking the o.
Leave by bus from puerto natales, a homebase to trekkers outside of the parks entrance. Both of the treks o and w go through the two parts. Take printed booking confirmation and passport with on the trek. Top things you need to know about torres del paine tdp highlights iconic view of the torres themselves and seeing glacier grey in all its glory. Paine massif circuit o trek sepapril rental natales. Also you can bring the email in your cellphone smartphone. Trekking in torres del paine, chile is one of the best experiences when traveling in patagonia. Organised treks are more expensive than organising your trek yourself, but does remove all the problems and bookings needed to complete a multi day trek in torres del paine national park. In order to spend the night in the campsites and refugios shelters it is obligatory to have a reservation. All the names refer to the shape of the treks when looking on the map. Booking your own campsites in torres del paine national park. For a complete gear list for backpacking in torres del paine, check out our patagonia gear checklist. Private transfer to torres del paine national park. The o circuit is tough, but more unexpectedly arduous is actually booking those campsites in torres del paine.
Sep 01, 2019 read this guide about how you can do the w trek without reservations and, before going, read the article where the guide recommends. Torres del paine o circuit trek guided tour wildland. The torres del paine full trek can only be done counterclockwise, as per the regulation changes made in 2016. Apr 11, 2017 we hope that this guide to trekking torres del paine gave you some useful advice and tips for your journey. Torres del paine tdp is certainly no quick trip to yosemite. The most iconic hike of all is the four to five day long w trek which will take you through the true patagonian landscape and ends or starts by the lake with views overlooking. Torres del paine national park is pristine and remote one of the most stunning wilderness areas in the world. How to make your reservations in torres del paine national. Finally, check out our videos from our trek in torres del paine.
To get to the east side of the park, drive towards the laguna amarga entrance. The reservation process for camping in torres del paine was a bit of a disaster for the 20162017 season. All told, the total distance of the o is approximately 110 kilometers depending on side hikes. Happy hiking and camping be sure to read about our personal experience on the o trek and also check out backpacker steve for more info on torres del paine national park. If you are planning to walk on the w trail or circuit. Torres del paines o circuit is among the worlds most mindblowing treks. Day 7 torres del paine o circuit beach hiking, rolling. Surround the paine massif and ascend the john gardner pass, hike the french valley, see grey glacier up close and trek to the towers base.
The torres del paine o trek, and the complete q trek, is the ultimate patagonia experience. Prepare for your circuit trek by climbing volcanoes in the lake district, or balance out the busy national park with a few weeks in the wild, remote dientes range. How to book camping in torres del paine 2020 chile. What to do if you have no camping reservations for torres. Therefore the circuit trail in torres del paine is the perfect trekking option for experiencing the full awesomeness of the park including the southern ice field as the absolute highlight. Stay at a refugios or campsites for a fun and traditional trek experience. The popularity of the park means that places at the campsites and refugios start to book up extremely quickly for the summer months december. How to hike the torres del paine o circuit in patagonia. To make reservations for other private campsites and refugios shelters you can consult. In the w circuit you visit the main attractions of torres del paine national park, it is less time and bearable than the o.
Reservations as of 2017, this is a reservation only trek with limits on number of hikers allowed into the park and at each campsite or refugio. If youre traveling from north america, strap in for a minimum of three planes, three buses, a dozen passport flashes, and a tidy amount of organized printed paper with reservations and tickets just to get yourself in the park. Torres del paine is an absolute cracker of a destination as it is home to two classical hiking trails. Grey accessible by boat, paine grande accessible by boat, and las torres accessible by car or bus. The paine o circuit highlights the best features of the park, while including the famous wtrek. This is, therefore, impacting the management of the national park and the booking system. W trek torres del paine, patagonias most famous hike by. How to pack for torres del paine made by victor, who has been guiding in torres del paine since 2015. How to hike the w in torres del paine trekking guide. With a friend and tour leader by my side, we planned on doing the entire o circuit. To make a torres del paine camping reservation or to book a dorm reservation in a refugio with vertice patagonia you need to follow this link to the booking page on their website. Over km of pure adventure, our guides will make you have a great exerience in torres del paine.
You may already be aware that booking the w and circuito macizo paine o treks can be kind of a nightmare. A map of the o and w circuit in torres del paine national park a map of the o and w circuits in torres del paine national park booking campsites for the torres del paine trek on both the o and w circuits. There are three trailheads to choose from to begin the o trek. Torres del paines o circuit is patagonias most mindblowing trek. Complete guide to the o circuit in torres del paine, chile. W trek is undoubtedly the most famous trail in patagonia, torres del paine national park. The plan was to pitch our tent, have a quick bite to eat, and head off up the valle del frances for an afternoon hike.
Torres del paines o circuit is tucked away deep in patagonia, far from any major cities or hubs. Alternatively, you could do the trek the other way round or beat the standard five days and hike the whole trek in four days. Map of the campsites on the o trek, torres del paine, patagonia, chile. The circuit torres del paine o trek full short film. We want your experience visiting torres del paine to be memorable and thats why we have a team of professionals who are here to help and advise you on your trip. How to hike the o circuit in torres del paine travel outlandish.
O circuit in torres del paine the torres del paine o circuit 610 days is the full loop around the cordillera del paine the w plus the more remote backside that gets fewer trekkers. According to the itinerary of the trails you need to reserve more than one campsite. Keep an eye out for wildlife if you are a wildlife enthusiast like us, torres del paine is definitely the right place to go. The o circuit in torres del paine is about exploring the remote, everchanging landscapes of the patagonian backcountry. All of the buses that leave from puerto natales enter through the same place. Complete guide to the o circuit in torres del paine, chile stingy. Feel free to check out the interactive torres del paine circuit map on alltrails, which gives you distances and altitudes along the o and w trek. W trek torres del paine classic chiletour patagonia. O circuit in torres del paine the torres del paine o circuit 610 days is the full loop around the cordillera del painethe w plus the more remote backside that gets fewer trekkers.
Having loved every trek ive been on whether it was the camino, in nepal, or in brazil, i knew i wanted to stay in the park as long as possible. This nontechnical guided hike tour connects a bestofthebest selection of patagonias highlights. Hiking in torres del paine is a surreal experience, filled with glacial ice. Camping in torres del paine requires making reservations across three websites conaf, fantastico sur, and vertice patagonia which arent exactly the easiest sites to use. Note that you can change the language to english in the top righthand corner bookings for the 20192010 season are now open. Enjoy the famous o trek in torres del paine national park in summer with us. How to book camping in torres del paine 2020 chile travel.
Ive just learned that the reservations for all nights are required in order to enter the park not only for conaf, but also the private ones. The paine o circuit circumnavigates the whole mountain massif. Torres del paine o circuit trek guided tour wildland trekking. Torres del paine w trek refugio reservations by experience. There were two main checkpoints along the o circuit. A story of raw beauty and transformation where robert will. Understand the booking system of torres del paine tales. Open from november to april, located on the banks of grey glacier, in a strategic point of the massif paine circuit, it does not have any service but toilets. Make your reservation, you should bring a printed copy of the email that you received. Located 4 hours trek from las torres sector, its in the eastern side of the national park, where begins the big circuit. W trek premium, w trek classic, w trek active and w trek alternative.
Trek to base torres 18km, 78 hours trekking with our tour guide and small group. The w trek is open to trekkers year round, while the o circuit is only open in the summertime. How to make your reservations in torres del paine national park. It is located in ascencio valley and it is the closest campsite to base torres lookout.
W trek in patagonia circuit tour, 5 days guided in torres del. Luckily, getting there is fairly easy and affordable. What you need to know to do the torres del paine trek hike. The torres del paine w trek and circuit trek or o trek have a well deserved reputation as world class backpacking trips. The o circuit in torres del paine is a real hiking adventure that offers incredible scenery and moderate physical challenge.
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