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| Image: Explora Patagonia - Hotel Salto Chico |
The park is located in the province of Última Esperanza, in the northern part of the Región de Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, also known as the XII Region of Chile. Established in 1959, it covers an area of 227,298 hectares. It is 112 km from Puerto Natales, the nearest city, and 312 km from Punta Arenas, the regional capital.
How to Get to Torres del Paine
- By Air: This is the most common way for travelers. Flights from Santiago, the Chilean capital, to Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport in Punta Arenas take approximately 3.5 hours, not including any stopovers. Upon arrival, you can either spend the night in Punta Arenas, located 22 km south of the airport and 312 km from the park, or travel directly to Puerto Natales, which is 112 km from the park entrance.
Traditionally, tourists have mainly arrived in the region via sea cruises and flights to Punta Arenas. However, Puerto Natales has recently seen significant development in its tourist infrastructure, improving access through Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport. LATAM Airlines and Sky, two of the most important airlines in Chile, offer direct flights to Puerto Natales. This option is ideal for those with limited time.
- By Ferry: This is the most scenic route to the National Park. The ferry journey from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales takes 4 days and offers an unforgettable voyage through the Southern Channels, glaciers, and forests, reaching the shores of narrow fjords.
- By Land: The route between Santiago and Punta Arenas is approximately 3100 km. The route passes through Chilean territory to Osorno or Puerto Montt, then crosses into Argentina to reach the Integración Austral border crossing, also known as Monte Aymond, the most important crossing in the Magallanes region. Paso Internacional Integración Austral is located 196 km northeast of Punta Arenas via paved road and 336 km from Puerto Natales. The distance by land between Santiago de Chile and Puerto Natales, passing through Argentine territory, is approximately 3,000 km.
The park can also be accessed from the nearby tourist town of El Calafate, Argentina, via the Río Don Guillermo border crossing (Cancha Carrera on the Argentine side).
When to go?, Climate
Torres del Paine can be visited year-round, though undoubtedly the peak season is during the summer, between December and March, when the largest number of tourists arrive.
Like throughout the Patagonian region, the weather in Torres del Paine is unpredictable. During summer, temperatures can occasionally reach up to 68-72°F (20-22°C), but the average ranges between 50-57°F (10-14°C). Winds can sometimes be very strong, easily reaching 75 mph (120 km/h) or more. The park is open to visitors all year round, though not all services are operational during the winter, and weather conditions are crucial when venturing into any of the available trails at that time of year.
In favor of winter tourism, it can be said that the Natural Sanctuary takes on a different majesty when covered with a white blanket of snow, typically between June and August. During this season, the average temperature is around 32°F (0°C), and although it may seem surprising, the winds are much more moderate than in summer. The low season runs from May 1 to September 30 each year.
Online Ticket Purchase
You need to visit pasesparques.cl the official site for purchasing tickets to Chilean national parks. Once on the site, select Torres del Paine National Park. The system is user-friendly and works similarly to booking airline tickets.Services and Facilities
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| Image: wildernesstravel.com/lodging/ Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa |
The Administrative Headquarters is located on the north shore of Lago Toro, where you’ll also find a Visitor Center and a lookout. The office handles permits for climbing area summits, fishing licenses, and special sports activities.
The main vehicle access points to the park are the Rio Serrano Entrance, 80 km from Puerto Natales; the Laguna Amarga Entrance, 129 km from Puerto Natales; and the Lago Sarmiento Entrance, 112 km from Puerto Natales. There are also Ranger Stations at Lago Grey, Laguna Verde, Lago Pehoé, and Pudeto, which are open year-round. Additionally, there are seasonal Ranger Stations in more remote locations. Rangers at these stations provide visitors with the necessary information.
Torres del Paine is one of Patagonia's most renowned tourist destinations. Tourist infrastructure ranges from free campsites with basic services, where you'll need to bring your own camping equipment and food, to paid campsites with more amenities. For those seeking greater comfort, refugios (shelters) offer the most comfortable, albeit pricier, option. There are also cozy hosterías (inns) and hotels, including five-star accommodations.
Additional services include navigation, food sales, horseback riding, and crafts. The main campgrounds are Rio Serrano, Pehoe, Lago Grey, Laguna Azul, Paine Grande, Lago Dickson, Los Perros, Seron, and Los Cuernos. Notable hotels and inns in Torres del Paine include Explora Patagonia Hotel Salto Chico, Río Serrano Hotel & Spa, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, Hosteria Lago Grey, Hostería Pehoé, Patagonia Camp, Ecocamp Patagonia, Hotel Del Paine, and Cabañas Lago Tyndall. Reservations are mandatory for overnight stays in mountain campsites. In summary, the access, infrastructure, and services are top-notch; the only variable is the weather.
Best Things to do in Torres del Paine, Tourist Circuits
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| Photo by Matt Gross on Unsplash |
It is important to remember that lighting a fire is strictly prohibited in Torres del Paine. The use of any heat source or fire is forbidden in the park's Wildlife Protected Areas, and violators may be expelled from the park or face legal penalties. This ban is in place to prevent forest fires, which have caused significant damage to the park in the past. Camp stoves are allowed only in designated areas.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction and reason to visit is to experience the geological marvel of the Granite Towers and Horns, and capture them in photographs or videos. However, there's more to see, including the variety of iridescent lakes such as Lago Pehoe (ranked among the most beautiful in the world), Grey, Nordenskjold, Sarmiento, Toro, Paine, and ancient glaciers like Grey, Tyndall, Geyke, and Pingo.
The places to visit and activities to do depend on weather conditions and the amount of time available to visitors. There are various trekking options of different difficulty levels and durations. From short one-hour hikes suitable for children to the world-famous "W" and "O" treks.
Base Torres Trek: An essential experience where you'll reach the closest point to the iconic granite peaks and the lagoon at their base. This trek is of medium to high difficulty, takes a full day, and requires about 8 to 9 hours of hiking.
Valle del Frances (French Valley Trek): A route of approximately 20 km, including a boat trip across the stunning Lake Pehoe. This can be done as a full-day excursion or as part of the W circuit. The difficulty level is medium to high.
Hiking: Torres del Paine is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, offering a variety of trails of different difficulty levels, including the famous W and O circuits. These trails allow you to explore diverse landscapes, hidden valleys, forests, lakes, and mountains.
4x4 Vehicle Tours: A comfortable way to explore the Biosphere Reserve is by traveling its 100 km of roads. While not all attractions are accessible by vehicle, most are. In Puerto Natales and the regional capital, Punta Arenas, there are numerous rental car agencies and tour operators.
This option allows you to visit the park without the physical demands of trekking, taking a tour of the viewpoints connected by road, also known as Torres del Paine Full Day. The viewpoints have informative signs and offer views of lakes like Pehoé and Sarmiento, the Torres and Cuernos del Paine, and other beautiful sites in between.
From Puerto Natales, you can access the park via two different roads: the more than 150 km route through Cerro Castillo, leading to Laguna Amarga and Sarmiento Entrances, and the more recent 80 km road passing through La Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument, with access through Porteria Serrano.
Serrano River Navigation: This stunning journey is divided into two stretches. The first begins in Puerto Natales, sailing through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, visiting the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, and then boarding semi-rigid boats to navigate upstream into the park.
Kayaking: Exploring the park's lakes and rivers by kayak is a popular activity, offering a unique view of the landscape.
Lake Pehoé: This iconic lake is a great place for boat trips and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Lago Pehoé is recognized as one of the most beautiful lakes in the park and is a favorite spot for photographers, especially at sunrise.
The "W" Trekking Circuit: One of the most famous trekking routes in the world, this trail takes you through the main attractions of the park. It’s called "W" due to the shape it forms when connecting Valle Ascencio, Valle del Frances, and Glaciar Grey. The trek covers 71 km and typically takes 4 to 5 days.
The "O" Trekking Circuit: A physically and mentally demanding route of just over 110 km, taking approximately 7 to 8 days. The "O" circuit includes the "W" and circles the entire Torres del Paine Massif, offering breathtaking views, including the Southern Ice Field from a high vantage point.
Lookouts: Several lookouts in the park provide spectacular panoramic views, such as Los Cuernos and the Nordenskjöld Lake lookouts.
Wildlife Watching: The park is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including guanacos, pumas, rheas, various fox species, the huemul, and the condor, animals featured on the National Coat of Arms.
Horseback Riding: Ride with experienced gauchos or local guides to explore the park, or spend a few nights at an estancia (ranch) for an authentic Patagonian experience.
Mountain Biking: The park offers opportunities for both leisurely rides and challenging single tracks, allowing visitors to cover more distance than hiking.
Puma Tracking: For wildlife enthusiasts, dedicated puma tracking trips are available to increase the chances of spotting these elusive felines.
Glacier Tours: The park is home to several glaciers, including Grey, Dickson, Balmaceda, and Serrano. Boat tours or hikes are available to explore these majestic ice masses.
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Sport climbing: Those interested in climbing a summit in Torres del Paine must request a permit for this purpose, which must be processed in person at the Administrative Office. Additionally, all individuals residing abroad (whether Chileans or foreigners) who wish to undertake scientific, technical, or mountaineering expeditions in the Chilean border zone require authorization from the National Border and Limits Directorate (DIFROL). The requirements for this procedure are published on www.difrol.cl
Among the most prominent peaks is Mount Almirante Nieto. Although its name is not widely known, it is popular among climbers because it has a less challenging route compared to the other mountains in the massif. The rest of the range includes the renowned three main Towers: South, Central, and North; the Cuernos del Paine (Main and North Paine Horns); as well as peaks such as Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin), Fortaleza (Fortress), Espada (Sword), Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), and others.
The park can be explored leisurely by following various hiking trails authorized by the National Forest Corporation. However, the more adventurous can engage in other activities related to adventure tourism such as the climbs described above, kayaking, rafting, or horseback riding. These activities cater to all types of travelers, from extreme backpackers to those looking to enjoy the views from the park’s lodges. Torres del Paine National Park has something for everyone: hiking through captivating landscapes, tracking pumas, or exploring ancestral lands.
Hotels, Excursions, Car Rental
Car Rental in Magallanes Region
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