South America
Welcome Kit
Chile
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park is a national park encompassing mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia. The Cordillera del Paine is the centerpiece of the park. It lies in a transition area between the Magellanic subpolar forests and the Patagonian Steppes.
Highlights
In Torres del Paine you can find an impressive geography made up of massifs, lakes, icebergs, glaciers (such as the Gray Glacier), rivers, oak forests typical of Tierra del Fuego and extensive pampas inhabited by guanacos, ñandúes and pumas.
A paradise for lovers of nature and adventure. From quiet walks to more demanding ones, nautical adventures that provide the ideal adrenaline rush for a unique trip.
General Facts
The National Park covers 181,000 hectares. It has roads for vehicles and paths for walkers. It has 3 entry gates, one administrative center and seven guard posts in various sectors of the Park.
The Park’s hotels offer comfort and services to enjoy an unforgettable stay and daily tours and expeditions to the national park’s major points of interest.
Another option is to take a Trekking, Horseback, Climbing or Mountaineering circuit. In this case, you will have to stay in various refuges, which are becoming increasingly more comfortable and are conveniently located inside the Park.
Closest towns:
Puerto Natales is a town with 18,000 inhabitants. The town is on the mainland, but channels link it to the sea. Puerto Natales is an active town with a tourist atmosphere and varied offer of hotel, culinary and expedition services.
Punta Arenas is the capital of Chile’s Region XII, and it has 120,000 inhabitants; its airport joins southern Patagonia with Santiago, capital of Chile, and with various towns in Chile and Argentina.
Punta Arenas is especially attractive and well deserves a stopover during a visit to the zone.
Map Location
Documentation
A valid Passport. Insurance information.
Most countries in America and Western Europe do not require a visa.
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Best Time to Go
Summer in this part of the southern hemisphere runs from the end of November to the beginning of March. It is considered the best time to visit it.
The inconveniences? They are the months with higher prices, more tourists and also of strong winds. Advantages? More accessible trails, milder temperatures and open camps.
Unlike the southern winter (the months of June to August), when many trails can remain closed due to weather conditions and it is advisable to travel with some precautions.
High season (oct-apr)
Best time for parties, high altitude sports and excursions. Busy season.
Low Season (may-sep)
Ideal for visits without crowds.
Clothing
In Torres del Paine it is possible to experience the four seasons of the year…in a single day! It’s best to dress in layers. It is very important to wear appropriate clothing for each occasion and thus be protected against strong gusts of wind, rain and even snowfall.
Synthetic fleece hat (dries much faster than wool).
Fleece or bandana neck
Sunglasses with UV protection
Sunscreen with factor 45 at least
Quick-drying T-shirt: the advantage of special fibers is that they dry very quickly and thus do not cool the body.
Fleece jacket: it should not be missing, it shelters and protects against the wind.
Water repellent jacket: Gore-tex protects from the rain and at the same time allows perspiration to evaporate and does not cool the body.
Gloves: ideally take two pairs.
Quick Dry Fiber Leggings
Water repellent pants (Gore-tex)
Shorts for when it’s hot
Polar or polypropylene socks.
Trekking shoes: preferably with a high cane, to avoid sprains. Try them at least a week before to verify comfort.
Rest shoes: for base camps and to rest your feet.
Healthcare
To carry out these activities, it is important to arrive at least one day before in Puerto Natales, rest and start your activities early in the morning the next day. It is recommended to spend the night in Puerto Natales on your return.
It is not necessary to carry on liters of water, is possible to recharged the bottles in natural watersheds within the Park.
Packing
Chilean flights allow, as their restrictions are limited to 50 pounds (23 kg) per person.
Currency
Peso Chileno.
Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Torres del Paine National Park does not have ATMs. Therefore, the most appropriate thing is to stock up on cash upon arrival in Puerto Natales, where you can find ATMs and banks.
Parque Torres del Paine does not have exchange houses either, so we recommend taking advantage of your visit to Puerto Natales to exchange foreign currency for Chilean pesos.
Electricity
Chile: 220 V – 50 Hz.
Plugs Type C / L
Local Taxes
Foodie
Torres del Paine stands out for its Patagonian gastronomy.
The preparation of meats stands out, such as the Magellanic lamb that is consumed roasted on a stove, accompanied by fresh vegetables from the area. Magellanic salmon, fresh pastas and pizzas are another of the must-sees.
Within the Torres del Paine National Park, you can eat in inland inns or shelters, where traditional and energetic dishes are prepared, to replenish energy and continue the journey through its forests and trails.
Foodie Advice >>
Get suggestions from foodies around South America. Click to read more!
Activities
The Base of the Towers
To get to the Base Torres Viewpoint, a full day trekking (approximately 8 hours round trip) is necessary through impressive waterfalls and representative forests of the park.
A wonder of nature. We arrive at the closest point to appreciate the characteristic mountains of the park after crossing suspension bridges, slopes, walking through lenga forests and ascending between rocks to the viewpoint that is 700 m above sea level.
From here the view is impressive: you have a wonderful view of the three towers (Central, Monzino, Dagostini) and the Peineta and Nido de Cóndores hills.
National Park Torres del Paine
Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and the eighth wonder of the world in 2013, the Park is undoubtedly a worldwide tourist attraction.
Located just 154 kilometers northwest of Puerto Natales and 399 kilometers from Punta Arenas, this 227,298-hectare sanctuary was founded under the name of Lago Gray National Tourism Park on May 13, 1959. Only on April 30, 1970, the The park adds 11,000 new hectares to its protected land and is baptized as it is known today: Torres del Paine National Park.
Those who visit it find an exceptional geography of majestic massifs, turquoise lakes, icebergs, rivers, lenga forests and extensive pampas habitat for guanacos, rheas and pumas.
If you are equipped with light and waterproof clothing, nutritious provisions, good company and an adventurous spirit, your next vacation in Torres del Paine Park can be an extraordinary experience.
Gray Lake
Located inside the Torres del Paine National Park, the lake provides one of the most impressive postcards of Chile. Its waters covered by ice sediment and huge floating icebergs will leave you breathless.
Its deep grey waters at more than five hundred meters of depth, let you kayak and canoe across it. Capture the moment with your camera and behold the rocky masses leading to the Southern Ice Fields that surround it.
W Trail
The so-called W trekking trail runs around the main tourist attractions of Torres del Paine. The journey is named by the union of the three large areas which the trail runs through: the Ascencio Valley, the Francés Valley and the Grey Glacier Valley.
It is definitely one of the favorite treks for nature lovers. Dare living this adventure which lasts between 4 and 7 days, walking through lenga forests, amazing lookouts and steep slopes. Get ready to push yourself to the limit!
O Trail
A complete and demanding path along the wonderful Torres del Paine is what the so-called “O Trail” offers. The 93.2 km long walk begins in the Amarga Lake area and completely circles the famous mountain.
Dare to be part of this challenge, lasting between 7 and 10 days and feel the privilege of getting to know places such as the John Garner Pass, the highest place on the circuit which, at 1,350 meters, has a impressive view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.