The O Trek
Patagonia, Southern Chile
January 27-February 7,2027
Trip Overview:
There are few places left on earth that feel truly untamed. Chilean Patagonia is one of them.
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At the southern edge of the world, where the Andes collapse into ice fields and wind-whipped steppe, Torres del Paine rises in jagged granite towers above glacial lakes the color of turquoise glass. The O Trek is the complete circuit of this legendary park — not just a glimpse of Patagonia, but a full immersion.
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While the more popular W Trek explores just the park’s southern highlights, the O wraps all the way around the Paine Massif, leading you into its quieter, wilder northern reaches while also letting you explore the W trek. You’ll hike through silver-green lenga forests, stand at the edge of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and cross the remote John Gardner Pass — where the world drops away into a sea of blue ice. And then, at sunrise, the iconic Patagonia Towers glow rose and gold above an impossibly bright alpine lake.
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This isn’t luxury in the traditional sense — it’s something deeper. Days spent moving through raw landscape. Evenings having dinner in mountain refugios sharing stories over warm meals. Wind that tests your resolve. Miles that build resilience.
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Chilean Patagonia belongs on every adventure traveler’s bucket list because it demands something of you — and gives even more in return: glacial silence, condors riding thermals overhead, and the profound clarity that comes from circling a mountain range under your own power.
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The O Trek isn’t just a hike. It's a journey that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Trail Specs: The O Trek
Total Distance: ~80 miles
Days on the Trail: 8 trekking days
Highest Elevation: ~3,940 ft (John Gardner Pass)
Average Daily Mileage: ~8–12 miles
Daily Hiking Time: 5–10 hours
Terrain: Rocky alpine passes, lenga forests, glacial moraines, suspension bridges, windswept Patagonian steppe
Sleeping Accomodations: Tent camping (tents provided)
Typical Temperature Range: 30–65°F (high wind exposure; rapid weather shifts)
What Type of Challenge Is This?
Physical Challenge:
The O Trek is a demanding, endurance-based route designed for hikers prepared for consecutive long days on rugged terrain.
Expect 5–10 hours of hiking most days, with average distances of 8–10 miles and several 12+ mile days. While elevation remains under 4,000 feet, Patagonia’s wind, uneven trails, sustained climbs, and long descents make this a physically engaging trek. The crossing of John Gardner Pass — followed by a sweeping descent along the Southern Patagonian Ice Field — is the most challenging day.
You’ll carry a daypack with clothing, water, snacks, and personal essentials. Because your tent, sleeping bag, and pad are provided and set up for you each night, your pack weight remains manageable — but preparation and a strong fitness base are essential.
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Accommodations:
Before and after the trek, we stay in comfortable hotels in Puerto Natales — a warm place to reset before and after the wilderness.
On the trail, we stay exclusively in fully equipped campsites within Torres del Paine. A tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad will be set up and ready for you each evening, so you won’t need to carry overnight gear. We enjoy full board at the refugios, including three meals daily (with packed lunches for the trail), and have access to restroom and shower facilities.
This structure allows you to experience Patagonia’s raw beauty without sacrificing thoughtful support and nourishment.
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Mental Challenge:
Patagonia requires adaptability.
Weather shifts quickly. Wind can be relentless. Some days are long and exposed. The climb to John Gardner Pass and the final ascent to the Base of the Towers require steady focus and resilience.
Success on the O Trek isn’t about speed — it’s about mindset. Those who arrive prepared, flexible, and ready to embrace challenge tend to thrive. A positive attitude and a willingness to lean into discomfort transform this from “hard” into deeply empowering.
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Reward Level:
Exceptionally high.
Completing the full O circuit offers something the shorter W cannot: immersion, solitude, and the satisfaction of circling the entire Paine Massif under your own power. You’ll stand above the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, kayak among glacier ice, and watch the Towers glow rose-gold at sunrise.
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Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 – Arrival in Puerto Natales
Arrive at Puerto Natales Airport, where our team will greet you and provide private group transport to our hotel. The afternoon is yours to rest and settle in. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner — your first taste of Patagonia and the beginning of new trail friendships.
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Meals Included: None
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Day 2 – Patagonian Ranch Experience
Today we immerse ourselves in local culture at a working ranch. Ride horses across open steppe, watch skilled sheepdogs in action, witness traditional sheep shearing, and enjoy an authentic Chilean asado al palo (sheep BBQ). We return to town for dinner and a trail briefing to prepare for tomorrow’s park entry and trek start.
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Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
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Day 3 – Enter Torres del Paine | Hike to Serón
We enter the park, meet our trail guides, collect our packed lunches, and begin the O Circuit through rolling hills and wide valleys toward Serón Campsite.
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Distance: ~8 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~700 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
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Day 4 – Serón to Dickson
A scenic valley day alongside rivers and glacial lakes, ending at Dickson with views toward the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
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Distance: ~11 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~1,200 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 5 – Dickson to Los Perros
We hike deeper into Patagonia’s quieter north, climbing steadily through forest to remote Los Perros.
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Distance: ~7 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~2,000 ft
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Elevation Loss: Minimal
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 6 – John Gardner Pass to Grey
The most dramatic and demanding day of the trek. We ascend to John Gardner Pass, where the Southern Patagonian Ice Field stretches endlessly before us, then descend to Grey Campsite.
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Distance: ~12 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~3,500 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~4,000 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 7 – Glacier Adventure Day
An unforgettable Patagonia highlight: kayak among floating glacier ice on Grey Lake and hike across the surface of Grey Glacier itself.
(Minimal hiking mileage this day outside of glacier activities.)
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 8 – Grey to Paine Grande
A breathtaking lakeside hike with constant views of turquoise water and hanging glaciers.
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Distance: ~7 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~1,200 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 9 – Francés Valley Exploration
We hike into the dramatic Francés Valley, surrounded by granite walls and rumbling hanging glaciers, before continuing to Francés or Cuernos.
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Distance: ~12–13 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~2,500–3,000 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~2,500 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 10 – To Central Sector
A scenic trail along Nordenskjöld Lake brings us back toward the Central Sector.
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Distance: ~8–9 miles
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Elevation Gain: ~1,000 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~1,200 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and dinner
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Day 11 – Base of the Towers & Return to Puerto Natales
We rise early for the iconic hike to the Base Torres viewpoint before descending and returning to Puerto Natales.
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Distance: ~12–13 miles (round trip)
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Elevation Gain: ~3,000 ft
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Elevation Loss: ~3,000 ft
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Meals Included: Breakfast, and Packed Lunch
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Day 12 -- Departure
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel and catch your airport transfer to the Puerto Natales airport in time for your departure. If you'd like to stay an additional day, we can arrange that at an additional cost.
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Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
Exclusions
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Hotel accommodations in Puerto Natales at the beginning and end of the trip (double occupancy, can be single occupancy for an additional cost)
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Ranch experience with horseback riding, BBQ lunch and sheepdog herding demonstration
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Airport transfer to and from the Puerto Natales airport
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8 nights of tent accommodations on the O Trek (double occupancy)
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All breakfasts included during Puerto Natales days
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Luggage storage in Puerto Natales
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Transfers to and from your hotel to the Torres del Paine National Park
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All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) provided on O Trek
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Tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads provided (guests can bring their own gear--besides tents. Tents that we provide must be used.)
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Glacier Kayaking at Grey Glacier with guides (half day)
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Glacier Hiking on Grey Glacier with guides (half day)
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All permits and entrance tickets required for the park
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Guides at a 6:1 hiker to guide ratio for the duration of the O trek
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Booking fees and taxes
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English speaking trip host
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Pre-Trip zoom meeting
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International airfare
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Personal gear needed for your trek other than sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent
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Lunches and Dinners outside of trek (assistance is provided in reserving restaurants, and providing dinner locations for the group)
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Any personal expenses – laundry, phone, internet, shopping, spa, etc.
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Tipping to guides and other team members
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Any extra drinks (including bottled water, canned juice, soft drinks, liquor)
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Travel Insurance and Health Insurance
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Any expense that occur during rescue, evacuation or personal emergency
Your Trip Host
Brooke B.
Brooke brings extensive trekking experience and years of leading small groups through some of the world’s most demanding mountain environments. She has supported trekkers in South America, Africa, the UK and the European Alps on multiple occasions, developing deep relationships with local guides, communities, and landscapes.
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She is passionate about creating thoughtfully supported experiences that challenge people, build confidence, and foster genuine connection — both within the group and with the places they explore. Sharing the magic of the trail is one of the greatest joys of her work.
Trip Cost:
$5,950.00/person
​To secure your spot on this adventure, a deposit of $1,500.00 is required at the time of booking.
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All deposits and final payments are non-refundable.
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Final payment is due September 15, 2026.
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Please Note:
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Registration for this O Trek will remain open until April 15, 2026 due to limited park permits and O Trek permits. A minimum of 10 confirmed hikers is required to run the trip. If the minimum is not met within that timeframe, the trip will be canceled and all deposits fully refunded.
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If you’re considering joining us, now is the time to commit — and bring your trail friends along!
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Travel Insurance:
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We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking.
Because we commit permits, accommodations, and local partners well in advance, trip payments are non-refundable. Travel insurance helps protect your investment should illness, injury, family emergencies, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances prevent you from joining us.
The world is beautifully unpredictable — and while we hope everything goes exactly as planned, insurance provides peace of mind and the possibility of recovering funds if plans need to change.
We encourage you to review policies carefully to ensure coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.
Adventure is bold. Planning wisely is too.
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Get in Touch
For questions regarding remaining trip spaces, itinerary, training for multi-day trekking, gear or other details, please send us a message!
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In order to put your deposit down to secure your place, please contact us via the form provided!
Inclusions and Exclusions
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