Marking 50 Years of Patagonia’s Most Iconic Trek – The O Circuit at Las Torres
In 2026 Las Torres Patagonia in Chile welcomes adventure seekers of all ages and abilities to discover the epic scenery of the Torres del Paine National Park that inspired John Garner in 1976. As the only property in the Park with doorstep access to the world-famous O and W Circuits, Las Torres Patagonia offers the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most remote national parks through a curated portfolio of outdoor excursions including hiking, horseback riding and genuine cultural encounters, at a time when global demand for adventure and nature-based travel continues to soar**.
Hiking
The W Trek and the longer, more challenging O Circuit (featuring the remote John Garner Pass) are bucket-list routes for hikers around the world.. These epic hikes take adventurers deep into the park to the Paine Massif, Grey Glacier and the French Valley. Day and half-day hikes are also available taking in various aspects of the terrain and scenic overlooks, including Los Cuernos Mountains and Base Torres Viewpoint.
At the end of February, John Garner will be visiting Las Torres Patagonia to mark the anniversary. This season also sees new services added to hiking sector stops including coffee shops in the Central, Chilean and Frances sectors, and the opening of a quincho cooking space in the Cuernos sector. New wristbands have also been introduced for guests to facilitate access while on a Las Torres Patagonia program.
Horseback Riding
For those seeking adventures on horseback, Las Torres Patagonia is the only property that’s able to offer equestrian excursions into the Park led by expert gaucho baqueanos – Patagonian cowboys. The estancia is home to 160 horses that are rounded up each morning and riders can choose excursions to suit their skills and abilities, whether that’s learning the basics, following trails used by baqueanos in Patagonia’s early days or galloping across the pampas of the Valle Encantado (Encantado Valley). The Base Torres Full Day Tour combines riding and hiking, allowing time to climb up to the Base Torres Viewpoint.
Excursions
Las Torres Patagonia offers 15 exclusive excursions that are available to guests as part of the all-inclusive program. Those that don’t require quite so much leg work include a full-day tour to Glacier Grey that offers a taste of the National Park’s highlights. The tour culminates in a three-hour catamaran trip across Lake Grey to the face of the glacier. A half-day trip to Azul Lagoon has links to Victorian British traveller and writer Lady Florence Dixie. Considered the Park’s first tourist this is where she first saw the Torres del Paine, something she documented in her 1880 book Across Patagonia.
Nature & Photography
The diversity of eco-systems in the Park provides a habitat for more than 100 species of bird and 25 types of mammal. The spring months of October and November are a good time to see wildlife as animals become more active and it’s less windy. On the half-day Patagón tour visitors not only get guided access into a protected territory but also the chance to see wildlife such as guanacos, Andean condors and puma. This is one of three van-based tours that take guests to photogenic locations with just a short walk required from the vehicle. The best time for landscape photography in the Park is arguably April, when the Lenga trees turn bright yellow, orange and red in a rich display of Patagonian autumn. This is also a time when the sunrises and sunsets can be most dramatic.
“Off-grid destinations like Torres del Paine are increasingly favoured by explorers looking to escape and seek experiences that are both physically invigorating and spiritually restorative,” says Juan López, Sales & Marketing Director at Las Torres Patagonia. “Whether it’s taking on the O Circuit, riding through the pampas or waking up to see the sunrise over the Las Torres peaks, our goal is to help guests of all ages be stimulated in their own way by our awe-inspiring surroundings.”
As a recognised*** leader in regenerative tourism, Las Torres Patagonia is committed to preserving the pristine ecosystem of Torres del Paine. From sustainable trail management and native species conservation to community-based tourism initiatives, every guest experience supports the long-term health of the park.
Las Torres Patagonia is open for the season between October and the end of April. Rates start from £1,755pp for a two night all-inclusive package, based on two people sharing a double room.
