Torres del Paine National Park, Chile // BOOKING CLOSES JAN 2
Hike the Torres del Paine Circuit "O" Trek ✧ 90 miles ✧ 11 Days
15 Total Spots
$4995 per person
MARCH 3-13, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
$850 Deposit required to hold your spot.
Final balance due Jan 2, 2023.
Please view our Booking Terms here.
Mar 3 - 13, 2023
We did it in 2022, and it was JUST SO GOOD that we are going back to do it again in 2023:
The Paine Circuit (pronounced PIE-nay), sometimes known as the “O Trek” (as opposed to the famous W Trek), is a 9-day experience getting the absolute best of Torres del Paine National Park. It includes 8 days of hiking through the heart of the park, with 1 “rest” day in the middle where we’ll go ice trekking Grey Glacier, an absolute MUST-DO experience. Join us for one of the most incredible and beautiful multi-day hikes you might ever do.
Watch our IG highlight from this same itinerary 2022.
Unforgettable trip that my family and I were soooo glad to have experienced! Everything was carefully and well planned out from the lodging to trip itinerary to food and transportation.
Upon your arrival in Punta Arenas, we’ll drive in a private vehicle through the Patagonian steppe, with views of the ocean and Argentina to the east, and the bottom tip of the Andes to the west as we make our way north towards the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. We will pass the charming town of Puerto Natales and beautiful Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), before continuing to Torres del Paine National Park, where we’ll take in the first spectacular views of the Paine Massif (weather permitting). In the evening we’ll settle in at Hotel Las Torres.
Group meeting times:
For those arriving early there will be a group pick up in the AM at a hotel in downtown Punta Arenas (exact time and location will be shared with registered participants).
For those arriving that day, there will be another pick up at the Punta Arenas airport (appropriately timed flights will be recommended to registered participants).
We’ll start our trek with the most iconic hike of the park – to the base of the Towers. Our hike begins with a steep ascent underneath the hanging glacier of Almirante Nieto (8,700 ft) with beautiful views of lake Nordenskjöld. After about an hour and a half we reach Refugio El Chileno, where we will have access to bathrooms. We will be able to refill water bottles along the trail, which continues through a beech forest (1 hour) to the base of the moraine, where we’ll find one more challenging ascent (45 min) to the base of the towers. This lookout “Mirador Base Torres” or “Base of Torres del Paine” is one of the most impressive in the park. From here we can see Torre Sur (9,350 ft), Torre Central (9,200 ft), Torre Norte (8,530 ft), Cerro Nido de Cóndor, and the glacial lake that lies below. We will return the same way we came up and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Today we have an easier day of hiking as we set out northward on the path less-traveled. We’ll set off from the hotel, enjoying the impressive views of the Towers of Paine and the peaks of Almirante Nieto. Then we’ll pass through a beech forest, where we may spot the Magellanic Woodpecker before we wind through the foothills of Cerro Paine and grassland areas before arriving at the old outpost named after the gaucho Serón. We will find our tents set up for us at Camping Serón. Bathrooms are shared and include showers with hot water (subject to a time schedule).
This is a long day, and though our hike has some ups and downs, it is mostly flat. We ́ll continue hiking west over the Patagonian plains, skirting the Paine River and Lago Paine. Along the way we ́ll have incredible views of the northeast peaks of the Paine massif, including Cabeza del Indio (The Indian Head) and Escudo, as well as the glaciers Dickson and Cubo (weather permitting) to the north, which mark the boundary to Argentina. Close to arrival, the Dickson Lake appears before descending towards our camp. Refugio Dickson is the most secluded of the mountain lodges in Torres del Paine National Park. Situated beneath Glacier Dickson and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the views at this remote mountain lodge will not disappoint!
Today we ́ll hike west through an ancient first-generation forest with great views behind us of Dickson Glacier pouring into Dickson Lake from the Ice Field above. We ́ll follow the Los Perros River through a valley that leads us to the Los Perros Hanging Glacier and Lake beautifully set in an impressive moraine landscape. Our campsite is located in a peaceful old-growth forest near the glacier. Camping Los Perros is the most remote campsite on this trip, hidden inside an ocean of parsley-green beech trees. Base camp for the famous John Gardner Pass, this campsite is set up for a relaxing night rest before the challenging hike ahead of us.
Today is a big day as we ascend the John Gardner Mountain pass, the highest point on the trek. We ́ll start early, ascending steadily towards the John Garner Mountain Pass (4,000 ft.). Once on top, we ́ll have fantastic views (weather permitting) of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the majestic Grey glacier resting 2,600 feet below. We ́ll descend scree slopes to the tree line and enter the forest along the Grey Glacier. The first downhill part is steep and muddy but after a while it levels out and we will enjoy the silent forest while walking along the cracking glacier. We will cross three high suspension bridges before arriving at Refugio Grey. Connecting the famous W Trek with the full Paine Circuit, Refugio Grey is an essential stop on our hiking adventure in Torres del Paine National Park. Sitting in a peaceful forest backdrop, we are just a few minutes’ walk from Lago Grey, where we can view the gigantic white-blue ice wall of Grey Glacier.
In this ideal spot between glaciers, mountains, and forests, we have a rest day from trail hiking, and we’ll get to experience the other-worldly ice hike at Glacier Grey. This activity lasts approximately 5 hours. The excursion begins with a short boat ride with our glacier guides towards the glacier. Once ashore near the glacier, we will don our crampons and hike to the ice. This route, which changes each season depending on which access to the ice is best, could be uphill in rocky terrain with medium difficulty. Once on the ice, we will explore the glacier and all its marvelous contours for about an hour and a half. We’ll return by the same route back to Refugio Grey.
Today we officially begin the famous W Circuit (from left to right – west to east) as we hike up along Grey Lake, admiring Glacier Grey from a new perspective, viewing icebergs in front and the Andes range behind. Eventually we will arrive to Refugio Paine Grande, the biggest refugio on the Circuit, at the shore of the emerald-colored Pehoé Lake.
This is a big day, as we set out for the beautiful French Valley. Our route today takes us deep inside the heart of the Paine Massif (the middle of the “W”), on an out and back trail into the Valle Francés (French Valley) and the incredibly impressive Británico viewpoint (weather permitting). In this natural basin ringed by the black slate “horns” of the Cuernos del Paine, we walk beneath the glacier-covered slopes of Cerro Paine Grande (9,364 ft), the highest summit in the range, and take in panoramic vistas of this extraordinary range. Two different hiking options are available: we can hike to the first plateau and enjoy spectacular views of the Paine Grande west face with its hanging glacier, or we can continue up to the mirador (viewpoint) above Camp Británico—another 3-hour roundtrip hike—for one of the most impressive views in the park! This lookout is considered by many as one of the most incredible spots on the Circuit. At Mirador Británico, you can see Paine Grande, Cerro Hoja, Cerro Máscara, Cerro Catedral, Cerro Aleta de Tiburón, Cuerno Norte, and more.
Before we do the out and back, we will leave our big packs at Italian Camp and only take what we need to complete the trail into French Valley. We will return back to Italian Camp to collect our packs and continue on to our accommodations for the night – cozy cabins set on the mountainside, just beneath the famous Cuernos “horns” and right next to a waterfall.
Our last bit of the Paine Circuit trail goes between the base of Almirante Nieto (which we saw on Day 1) and Lake Nordenskjöld’s turquoise waters, with many photo opportunities and places to picnic above the lake. After about 5 hours hiking along the entire length of the lake, we will arrive back at Hotel Las Torres where it all began. Here, a transfer awaits to take us back to Puerto Natales. Tonight we have a celebration and farewell dinner in town.
Morning transfer in private vehicle (8/9am) to Punta Arenas airport (PUQ) for onward travels.
From the moment we met up with Jackie… I instantly felt like we were in good hands. She knew the language extremely well, knew the area, and most importantly had a laid back “we’ve got this” enjoyable vibe. …The guides that Jackie had arranged were not just top notch, but FUN, and unforgettable. Each of them were knowledgeable about the area, history, wildlife, plants and ecology. They obviously loved what they did and loved sharing it with others.
Check out a recap of our last Torres del Paine Full Paine Circuit experience in Chilean Patagonia.
Review from 2022 participant Katy S:
We recently participated in both the Route of the Parks and Torres del Paine trips in Chile with Jump Adventures. I had signed up for the trips because of the intriguing itineraries, but had not followed Jackie’s podcast, and new little about Jump Adventures. I was so happy to find that from the moment I contacted Jackie and signed up for the trips she was extremely generous. By that I mean she was generous with finding and sharing vital information, (with COVID this was crucial for travel planning) but also generous with her time and efforts responding to all of our questions and concerns as well as providing helpful info for the before/in between/after touring we wanted to do in the area. From the moment we met up with Jackie for the first tour I instantly felt like we were in good hands. She knew the language extremely well, knew the area, and most importantly had a laid back “we’ve got this” enjoyable vibe. During both trips the guides that Jackie had arranged were not just top notch, but FUN, and unforgettable. Each of them were knowledgeable about the area, history, wildlife, plants and ecology. They obviously loved what they did and loved sharing it with others. Throughout the trips arrangements were stellar! Lodging, food, and transfers were always different, and ranged from exquisite to rustic, but never disappointed!! The variety and caliber always fit the location, and I remember thinking multiple times that I just stepped into the cover of a magazine or trending travel post. These trips included multi sport and multiple locations along the way. All I can say about Chile and Patagonia is….breathtaking beyond words, but also complicated logistically if you don’t understand how things work, especially if you don’t speak the language and have a complicated itinerary. Even though I don’t tend to gravitate towards anything with groups, especially travel, this changed my perspective completely. The ease of travel because of preparations by Jackie and camaraderie of the group enhanced this trip tremendously! My boyfriend and I had plenty of time to be “independent within the group” (hang back) or be in the mix, or somewhere in between. It was the best of both worlds!! One of my most memorable moments of the trip was not a grand mountain, glacier, or volcano. It was a very hard moment for me. It was rainy and I wasn’t feeling 100%. We were doing an awesome project with the local community helping to clear out weeds, brush, and trash to allow for newly planted native flora to grow (rewilding). Shortly after we started a wasp got stuck in my hood and stung my face before I could get him out. It was awful and I just wanted to go hide. On my way to sneak behind the van Jackie picked up on the fact that something was wrong. She instantly came over, along with Sam (who was our photographer). I can’t remember what she and Sam said or how they said it, but it completely changed the situation, turning it to smiles and belly laughs. I still treasure the photo Sam took in that moment. It will always be one of my favorites because it is a reminder of the power of people and perspectives. In my humble opinion, Jackie thrives in this role because she is not just an extrovert or “people person”. She genuinely cares for people, appreciates everyone for who they are, where they are, and strives to provide unforgettable experiences. I can’t wait for my next Jump Adventure!!!
Review from 2022 participant Randy R:
After five weeks, I still struggle to find adequate words to describe the experience of Torres del Paine’s Circuit and the adventurers who lived this experience with me. How can my written words convey the stunning beauty of this raw, rugged, and remote region or the heart connections made during our nine days of backpacking and camping? So much hiking over ‘undulating’ terrain (you had to be there to understand my choice of words); So many hard-earned sights, sounds, and smells of the Paine Massif, of Glacier Grey, of John Gardner Pass, of the Patagonian forests, vegetation, & wildlife, and of the region’s natural forces of wind, rain, and sun; So very many laughs, tears, and stories shared along the way… If you’re reading this review, you probably already have some idea of what awaits you along the Circuit. My words will do little to further entice you to visit the national park. However, maybe just maybe, I can convince you to attempt the entire Circuit and not just the W. El Circuito includes broad, open expanses of pastures; a slow, winding river; glacier-fed lakes, streams, and creeks; primeval forests; challenging hikes above the tree line; a breathtaking view of the southern tip of the Andes Mountain range; and sightings of many birds, including woodpeckers, hawks, and……. condors!!! And those are just some of the highlights….. Yet, maybe you can only carve out enough time for the W. My advice is just GO and DO it. Cerro Paine Grande will not disappoint. And for an extra special treat, do include time for ice hiking on Glacier Grey when you arrive at Grey Shelter. And, if you’re still reading this review, you’re very likely trying to decide on a group trip with JUMP Adventures and Jackie Nourse as the organizer (or you just like to read random reviews about adventure treks). I’m assuming it’s the former reason. 🙂 This group adventure was my second with Jackie. My first was a week of cycling and sailing the Dalmatian Islands off the coast of Croatia. That week of camaraderie sold me on group travel AND spoiled me to group travel with Jackie ONLY! Of course, such an awesome experience set a very high bar for this one. And she did not disappoint, in fact she exceeded my wildest dreams. So what makes her group adventures so special……… First, Jackie selects the guides – the experts that lead the group – with great care. She expects them to be personable, knowledgeable, experienced, caring, and FUN – someone you enjoy hanging out with throughout each day. I’m still in touch with my Croatian guides/friends and have a similar connection to Christian and Viti, our Chilean guides. They provided valuable insights into the location’s history, culture, wildlife, and vegetation and shared their personal experiences from many years of guiding others along the paths we traveled. And added so much fun and laughter to what could have been just another day on the trail for them. Next, she prepares an itinerary that has the potential to surprise and delight and challenge everyone who joins her. And she’s preparing it, so she, too, is having a fresh, new, and challenging experience alongside everyone else. Her excitement for seeing the entire Circuit on this trip was infectious. When we arrived at the summit of the John Gardner Pass and sat to rest next to the glacial lake, you could see the awe and joy that filled her eyes, her smile, and her tears. A completely shared experience for us all! Finally, Jackie Nourse attracts the best people to her adventures – all ages and backgrounds – individuals, friends, couples, families (not young children) – with a love for outdoor adventure and a willingness to challenge themselves and an esprit de corps that bonds the group. Where else will you find a group of fourteen strangers (mostly) plus two guides that will agree to add a group ice hiking excursion on our one rest day – the delicious cherry (more like the calafate berry) on top of the entire experience! So, what has made my JUMP Adventures worth the time, money, and energy? It’s the fabulous places Jackie selects for others to experience with her AND the meticulous planning and preparations Jackie pours into each experience AND the wonderful people that choose to JUMP on one of Jackie’s adventures AND that choose to join her ‘one wild and precious life’!
All I can say about Chile and Patagonia is….breathtaking beyond words, but also complicated logistically if you don’t understand how things work, especially if you don’t speak the language and have a complicated itinerary. Even though I don’t tend to gravitate towards anything with groups, especially travel, this changed my perspective completely. The ease of travel because of preparations by Jackie and camaraderie of the group enhanced this trip tremendously!
Airfare is not included. Flight prices to South America vary on average between $800-$1,500. Hubs like JFK (New York), LAX (Los Angeles), and YYZ (Toronto) are great for these flights.
Arrival AND Departure airport for this itinerary: Punta Arenas, Chile (PUQ). Plan your arrival to PUQ by the early AM on Day 1, and departure/ongoing travels from Punta Arenas airport after 2pm on the last day, where you will be transferred from Puerto Natales.
Sky Airline is Chile’s budget domestic airline, and you can fly with Sky or LATAM from Santiago (SCL) to Punta Arenas (PUQ) if you choose to get your R/T (Roundtrip) flight to and from Santiago. Specific group pick up details will be provided to each registered participant as the domestic flights for our dates become available.
We are happy to review your potential flight schedule for you to make sure you’re getting the right times, dates, and airports!
Deposits are non-refundable. Please click here to view our Booking Terms & Conditions. Each participant is highly encouraged to purchase CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason insurance) as soon as you book your trip, to protect your travel investment as well as have personal luggage and medical coverage, not to mention peace of mind! Click here to get quotes from our trusted travel insurance partner.
Please see Chile’s Official Travel Website for all things Covid in Chile.
As of August 2022 entry requirements are as follows:
Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for all questions and concerns regarding cancellations. Deposits are non-refundable, which is why we highly recommend purchasing CFAR travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.
We will hike approximately 90 miles during our 11-day trip. This is a big deal and will be a huge accomplishment! On top of hiking, you will also carry your own pack while trekking in Torres del Paine.
A proficient hiking level and physical fitness is crucial for this trip. We recommend training – getting some good hikes in beforehand and possibly some long runs or workouts to prepare for this amount of trekking. It’s also a great idea to practice hiking in the shoes or boots you plan to wear, as you will be in them for a majority of the time. It’s worth being in great shape so you can recover quickly and feel your best every day on the trail, and so we can keep the group together with a good pace.
We specifically recommend nuun tablets for electrolyte replacement and hydration during the days, compression socks to wear each evening for improved blood flow and fast recovery, and emergen-C packets to start each day with a boost of energy. These are in addition to physical fitness, they do NOT replace your training! Let’s DO this!
Yep, we’re backcountry camping! This is a true Torres del Paine experience, with the unmatched satisfaction of connecting with nature in every moment of every day. The feeling of waking up in the morning, unzipping the tent, and remembering the magic of the place you are in will be incomparable to any other. When we get into camp, our tents and sleeping bags will be waiting for us to step right in. The tents may be pitched on wooden platforms and come prepared with a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Each campsite has shelters and bathrooms with showers (we’d love use the term “hot” here except that water temperature can be finnicky). We recommend bringing a packable ultralight towel, travel pillow, and sleeping bag liner for comfort.
We will be carrying all of our own gear during the entirety of the trek, so be prepared to pack ultra light! Packing list will be provided to registered participants.
Refer to this post for general help with Packing for Patagonia.
Click here to read our Booking Terms & Conditions.
Be first in line for trip launches, updates and podcast news.