Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

All You Need to Know

Welcome to Torres del Paine National Park, located in southern Chile. This Park is quite simply one of the most amazing geographical wonders of the world, even called the “eighth wonder” of the World. It comprises an area of incredible, outstanding, natural beauty in the heart of Patagonia. Above all, it is also a main trekking destination, home to the iconic Torres del Paine W Trek and Circuit trek trails, as well as the stunning Grey Glacier, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes.

Here, below, we will try to give you a brief introduction to the key points, however, once you get further into our site you will be able to encounter more profound information on matters such as accommodation, for example, as well as the W Trek.

Opportunity

Chilean Patagonia provides unique opportunities for adventure. Above all, it is a world unto itself, defined by vast lake districts and breath-taking wildlife, such as the condor and the puma. For these reasons, whether you enjoy trekking, biking or kayaking, Torres Del Paine National Park is a must-see destination.

Therefore, in order for you to really enjoy your time here let us build an itinerary that will give you a memorable travel experience. Quite simply, we are the leading custom itinerary specialists for this zone, so just send us an email, tell us what you want, and we will do the rest.

We also have our own office located in Puerto Natales, the “door” to Torres del Paine.

The Park covers 227,298 sq hectares and is the jewel in Chile’s tourist crown. Just why it’s worth travelling 4hrs (if arriving to Punta Arenas) from Santiago on a plane and then driving a further 5 hrs by car is only apparent when you stand and stare in amazement at the unbelievable sight of this monumental cluster of mountain peaks that appear to stand all on their own in the middle of an otherwise flat plateau. Comprising this central massif are the “Cuernos del Paine” (Horns of Paine), covered in snow at varying altitudes and offering support to giant blue-white blobs of ice otherwise called hanging glaciers, and three other towers – which are the Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine). The sight of the almost vertical rock sides rising to an altitude of close to 3,000m is what causes such an awe-inspiring view.

For outdoor lovers, and those who seek a new experience in life, Torres del Paine is a “must see” before you die.

When is the Most Popular Time to Come to Torres del Paine?

When is Best Time to Come to Torres del Paine?

When is The Best Month to Come to Torres del Paine?

How big is the Torres del Paine National Park?

The Cuernos del Paine comprise Cuerno Principal (2,600m), Cuerno Este (2,200m) and Cuerno Norte (2,400m). To the west of the Cuernos del Paine is the Valle del Frances – one of the glories of the park – a high altitude valley ringed by a curtain of almost vertical rock.

Surrounding this jaw-dropping spectacle is a natural wilderness of turquoise-coloured lakes, waterfalls, glaciers (especially Grey glacier) and fast-running rivers. The massive Grey Glacier, 7km wide at its widest point and stretching back over 20 km., is still in the process of carving its own valley to the west of the Cuernos del Paine.

Where is the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre?

The Welcome Centre is located in the Eastern sector of Torres del Paine about 1.5km from the entrance to Hotel Las Torres, but close to Refugios Central and Norte and a short distance from ECO Camp.

Only if you are entering the park at the Eastern end will you need to enter the Welcome Centre. Here you need to show that you have confirmed reservations for accommodation on the W trek, if you are staying over. You also need to present, or fill in a visitors form.

There are public WC´s here as well as information.

Activities

The majority of people coming to Torres del Paine will come to hike the famous “W” trek and the more serious trekkers will hike the complete “circuit”. The “W” is called so because the route forms a pattern like a “W” and the circuit, although encompassing the “W” it also takes in the back area behind the Central Massif and completes a circuit of the Park and hence its name. Each route takes a number of days and involves serious trekking, therefore walkers should be reasonably fit. Other activities include kayak and ice hiking at Grey Glacier; the Navigation Grey, which offers a boat trip to the Glacier Grey face; other trekking trails, fast-speed zodiac from Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales, or reverse; puma watching, horse riding in the east part of the park and visiting the numerous, spectacular sights.

The W-Trek is one of Patagonia's most notable trekking routes, which takes you through the heart of Torres Del Paine National Park on a trail route that follows the shape of a "W" when viewed from above. During this trek you will be able to gaze up at the three awe-inspiring of Torre d'Agostini (also called Torre Sur), Torre Central and Torre Monzino (also called Torre Norte); the three "needle-like" structures that make up the "towers" of Torres Del Paine. These spectacular, vertically-sided spires will come into view at the end of the trek up through the Ascencio Valley to the Torres base.

However, on at the other end of the "W" on the western side of the Trek, as you approach Refugio Grey, you will be able to marvel at the spectacle of Glacier Grey as it comes down from the Southern Ice field where is meets Grey Lake.

In order for you to fully enjoy Torres Del Paine, we provide complete W-Trek itineraries either as ready to go, or as fully customized programs (for those who would like a unique and personal itinerary). Contact us today, or fill in the enquiry form below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

The Torres del Paine Circuit trek is the "back country" trek. It can only be walked in an "anticlockwise direction". From the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre, located in the eastern sector of the park, which is also the trail head to get up to the Torres base, instead of heading west towards Hotel Las Torres and up to the Torres base, you head east and up to Camping Seron.

This trail is walked by fewer people than the main W Trek, although the Circuit Trek links up with the W Trek at Refugio Grey. The scenery of the back country part of the trail is more open than the W Trek and takes in the views behind the Torres del Paine as well as the Cuernos del Paine. Nightly stops off's are required at serviced Camping Seron, Refugio Dickson and serviced Camping Los Perros, prior to then linking up at Refugio Grey and following the W Trek West to East.

The final part of the trek before linking up with the W at Refugio Grey offers a magnificent view of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, especially Grey Glacier.

How can I book accommodation on the W Trek?

There are serviced camp sites, refugios, and in one place: Cuernos, there are also private cabins, all of which you can book through us.

You can also stay in hotels, certainly at the eastern end at the Las Torres trail head; and in the western end at Grey. We can also make a program for you based at Puerto Natales with daily excursions into Torres del Paine to the different trail heads. Alternatively, we can book the luxury lodges and you can do the W Trek, or parts of it, from these hotels.

The first thing we can say is that we are distinguished partners with all the hotel accommodation options mentioned on this page, further below. We can also say that due to high demand and the nature of this destination, all accommodation must be pre-booked a good time in advance.

Options on the trails include a number of hikers’ hostels called "refugios" (refuge) and / or serviced camp sites. Refugios offer rather basic, shared dormitory-style accommodation along with communal shower rooms.

For those who prefer something more comfortable there are a number of hosterias, which are actually hotels with en-suite bathrooms and restaurants – but the hosterias are not generally located on the hiking trails, bar one: Hosteria Las Torres, which is located at the trail head up to Las Torres base. Hosterias, apart from offering nicer accommodation, are better suited for those who have a rental car and who wish to drive out to stunning beauty spots as well as participate in some of the excursions such as visiting Grey glacier, horse riding, or trekking other than the main trails.

Mid-Level Accommodation

There are the mid-way hotels of Hotel Lago Grey, Hotel (Hosteria) Las Torres, Hotel del Paine, Hotel Rio Serrano, Hosteria Pehoe and an authentic estancia called Estancia Cerro Guido. Within the mid-level hotel category, the standard varies from rustic to commercial, therefore, we would strongly recommend that you leave the choice to us so that we can ensure you get the right accommodation for your own requirements. There is nothing worse than expecting a certain level of enjoyment from your hotel, only to be disappointed and have your holiday ruined.

Torres del Paine Peak Season

The busiest period is the summer season of December, January and February; therefore, the W Trek trail will be more crowded during this time. On the other hand, October, November, March and April are normally the best months to embark on the W-Trek. If your schedule is flexible, we recommend visiting the Park in April because it is quieter and there is less wind.

Reservations should be made, if possible, up to one year in advance in order to secure your spot. However, if you are planning to travel sooner than that please get in touch and we will try to build you a custom travel itinerary to the dates you require.