Puerto Natales Trip Overview
Explore the highlights of Torres del Paine National Park on this 4-day self guided tour departing from Puerto Natales.
Ideal for nature and trekking lovers, the unmistakable geography of this park places the W circuit as one of the most recognized worldwide and one of the most interesting places in the southern hemisphere. See up close the massive granite towers that give the Park its name, walk alongside the breathtaking “Cuernos del Paine” and be amazed by the stunning shapes of the “Francés Valley.” Come and enjoy the awe-inspiring Grey Glacier, where the ice blends into the clouds on the horizon.
Day 1: Morning transportation to Torres del Paine. Afternoon hike to Las Torres Base.Accommodation: Mountain Lodge at Central Sector
Day 2: Hike to the Cuernos Sector, Mountain Lodge at Frances or Cuernos Sector
Day 3: Hike to the French Valley, Mountain Lodge at Frances Sector
Day 4: Hike to Grey Glacier Lookout Point, return in catamaran via Pehoé Lake, return to Puerto Natales
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Puerto Natales, Chile
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Puerto Natales Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Puerto Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile
Explore the highlights of Torres del Paine National Park on this 4-day self guided tour departing from Puerto Natales.
Ideal for nature and trekking lovers, the unmistakable geography of this park places the W circuit as one of the most recognized worldwide and one of the most interesting places in the southern hemisphere. See up close the massive granite towers that give the Park its name, walk alongside the breathtaking “Cuernos del Paine” and be amazed by the stunning shapes of the “Francés Valley.” Come and enjoy the awe-inspiring Grey Glacier, where the ice blends into the clouds on the horizon.
Day 1: Morning transportation to Torres del Paine. Afternoon hike to Las Torres Base.Accommodation: Mountain Lodge at Central Sector
Day 2: Hike to the Cuernos Sector, Mountain Lodge at Frances or Cuernos Sector
Day 3: Hike to the French Valley, Mountain Lodge at Frances Sector
Day 4: Hike to Grey Glacier Lookout Point, return in catamaran via Pehoé Lake, return to Puerto Natales
Itinerary
Day 1: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park – Hike to Las Torres Base Lookout Point
Stop At: Puerto Natales, Puerto Natales, Magallanes Region
Today is the day! You will head by yourself to Puerto Natales bus station to meet your guide and board a regular bus to Torres del Paine National Park. You will be handed in your vouchers and a map of the park.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Torres Del Paine National Park, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
The trip to Torres del Paine National Park takes about 2.5 hours (112 km).
Note: Box-Lunch is included.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Torres Del Paine National Park, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
Upon arrival in the morning, you will check in at the Mountain Lodge, in the Central Sector.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: MIrador Las Torres, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
By noon, you will start your hike to one of the park’s landmarks, Las Torres Base Lookout Point. During the first stretch, you will walk through the pampa, cross the Ascencio River and then climb 3km up to Los Vientos Mountain Pass where you will enjoy amazing views of the valley and lakes.
You will continue your journey to the Chileno Mountain Refuge, and then go deep into a lenga forest up to La Morrena, where the hardest part of the hike begins. You will walk through a rock trail to the spectacular Las Torres Base Lookout Point. Later, you will begin your descent to the Central Sector where you will have dinner and stay the night.
Walking: 8 to 10 hours – 19.5 km – High Difficulty
Altitude: Initial 120m – Highest 870m
Duration: 9 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner: Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the refuges.
• Lunch: (Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the streams of the park)
Accommodation included: Mountain Refuge Central Sector
Day 2: Torres del Paine – Hike French Sector
Stop At: Nordenskjold Lake, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
Today you will walk for about 13.5 km along the Shore of Nordenskjöld Lake, Almirante Nieto Hill, and the striking Cuernos del Paine. During the hike, you will enjoy magnificent views of Los Cuernos, hanging glaciers, lakes, and the abundant local vegetation and wildlife.
Dinner will be held at the Cuernos Sector where you will spend the night.
Walking: 4.5 to 6.5 hours – 13.5 km – Medium Difficulty
Elevation gain: 200m
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box Lunch
Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the refuges and at the streams of the park.
• Dinner: Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the refuges
Accommodation included: Mountain Refuge at Frances Sector
Day 3: Torres del Paine – Hike French Valley
Stop At: Mirador Valle del Francés, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile
Your day begins with one of the icons of the circuit, the Francés Valley. You will start early with a light hike to the Italiano Campsite. From there, you will begin your climb through the woods (about 2 km) up the Francés River Valley. You will continue to the Francés Lookout Point, where you will enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of the circuit.
Duration: 9 hours
Pass By: Cerro Paine Grande, Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile
The view to the valley framed by the Hills Paine Grande, Catedral, Hoja, Máscara, Espada, Aleta de Tiburón, and Cuerno del Norte. It will leave you speechless!
After this spectacle, following this magnificent experience you will begin the descent to the Francés Sector.
Walking: 7 to 9 hours – 17.5 km – High Difficulty
Altitude: Initial 120m – Highest 762m
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box Lunch
Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the refuges and at the streams of the park.
• Dinner: Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the refuges.
Accommodation included: Mountain refuge French Sector
Day 4: Torres del Paine – Hike Grey Glacier Sector – Pehoé Lake Navigation – Puerto Natales
Pass By: Glacier Grey, Puerto Natales Chile
Today you will reach the third milestone of the circuit, a place that offers one of the most unforgettable sceneries of the park: the magnificent Grey Glacier.
Pass By: Cerro Paine Grande, Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile
The trail goes around Paine Grande Hill, the highest peak in the mountain range (3,050 m), with incredible views of its hanging glaciers.
Pass By: Glacier Grey, Puerto Natales Chile
Walking amidst Antarctic Beech (ñirre), Dombey’s beech (coigüe), and Chilean firebush (notro), you will reach the first lookout point of Grey Lake, where you will see floating pieces of glacier.
Stop At: Mirador Glaciar Grey, Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile
After that, you may continue to walk towards the imposing view of Grey Glacier to reach the Grey Mountain Refuge.
Total walking on day 5: 6 to 8 hours – 19 km – High Difficulty
Altitude: Initial 43m – Highest 313m
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Lake Pehoé, Torres de Paine, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile
Then, you will return to the Paine Grande Sector and take the 6:30 pm catamaran that will take you to Pudeto.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Puerto Natales, Puerto Natales, Magallanes Region
There, you will board the bus that will take you back to Puerto Natales. You will be back at about 9 – 9.30 PM.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box Lunch
Note: Beverages are not included – Water available at the refuges and at the streams of the park.
No accommodation included on this day.
