Torres Del Paine O Circuit

The prime season for hut-to-hut hiking in Patagonia is during the Southern Hemisphere’s warmer months, generally from October to April. This period offers milder temperatures, longer daylight hours, and reduced precipitation, making it the ideal time for exploring Patagonia’s trails and enjoying its breathtaking landscapes.

We’ve rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

Patagonian routes feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services. Ensure you have a means of communication, even in areas with limited service, to contact emergency services or local support for assistance.

For trails of medium to high difficulty, you might need to complete an online registration form before embarking on your journey. It’s important to visit the official website of the national parks to determine if your chosen trail requires this step. After completing your trek, ensure you confirm your safe return to prevent the initiation of an unnecessary search and rescue operation. Keep in mind that not all mountain shelters will initiate searches for hikers who fail to arrive as scheduled.

Most refugios in Patagonia offer the possibility of showering for free. Please note that some of them though don’t have hot water or it is limited! That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days you don’t feel like showering with cold water.

Cell reception in Patagonia is generally not available within the national parks, making it a true off-grid experience. However, most of the refugios, offer Wi-Fi, albeit for a fee. The costs for Wi-Fi in these refugios can vary, but it’s typically around $8 USD for 1 hour, with options extending up to 10 hours for $15 USD. It’s important to note that while the Wi-Fi is available, it might be turned off during the night and might not support heavy data usage like streaming videos. 

If you encounter bad weather while trekking in Patagonia, it’s crucial to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, as the region is known for its unpredictable weather, including sudden rain, snow, and strong winds, even in summer​​. It’s advisable to have waterproof gear, layered clothing to manage cold temperatures, and windproof items to handle the gusts that are common in the area. 

In Patagonia’s backcountry, where amenities are limited, and you’re required to carry your supplies, having extra food and warm gear can make a significant difference if you need to hunker down and wait out a storm. Remember, safety should always be your top priority, and turning back or altering your route is a better choice than risking injury or getting lost in bad weather.

Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we’re happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.