My Guide to Torres del Paine National Park
Hey there! If you’re thinking about visiting Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, you’re in for a treat. This place is unreal—huge mountains, bright blue lakes, glaciers, and wild animals everywhere. I’ve been there, and trust me, it’s worth the trip. Here’s my take on how to get there, what to do, and how to get ready so you have an awesome time.
Getting to Torres del Paine
It’s way down in Patagonia, southern Chile, so it’s not exactly next door. But don’t worry, I’ll break it down for you.
- By Plane: Fly from Santiago (Chile’s big city) to Punta Arenas. It’s about 3.5 hours, and there are flights every day. Or, if you can, fly to Puerto Natales—it’s closer to the park, but flights are pricier and don’t happen as often.
- By Bus: From Punta Arenas, grab a bus to Puerto Natales. It’s a chill 3-hour ride, maybe $10–15. Then, from Puerto Natales, hop on a morning bus to the park (they leave around 7:30 AM). It’s another 2 hours and costs about the same. Buy your ticket the day before in Puerto Natales—it’s easy.
- By Car: Renting a car is my favorite way. Pick one up in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and drive yourself. It’s 2 hours from Puerto Natales to the park, and a car’s like $50–100 a day. You can stop wherever you want, which is pretty cool.
Oh, and when you get to the park (Laguna Amarga entrance), it’s about $35 to get in. Cash only, so don’t forget!
Stuff to Do in Torres del Paine
There’s so much to do, you won’t get bored. Here’s what I loved:
- Hiking: The trails are insane. The “W Trek” is 4–5 days and takes you past mountains, glaciers, and lakes—it’s the best. The “O Circuit” is longer, like 7–10 days, and circles the whole park. If you’re short on time, do a quick hike to Mirador Las Torres (those famous towers) or Salto Grande waterfall. They’re a few hours and totally doable.
- Kayaking: I paddled on Grey Lake, and wow—floating near icebergs was wild. It’s $50–100 for a couple hours or a full day.
- Spotting Animals: Guanacos (they’re like mini llamas) roam around, and if you’re lucky, you might see a puma or condor. Bring binoculars if you’ve got ‘em.
- Boat Ride: The Grey Glacier boat trip is a must. It’s 3 hours, costs around $100, and you’re right up close to the ice.
- Horseback Riding: Riding with the local gauchos was super fun—about $50–80 for a few hours.
- Taking Pics: Everywhere you look is a postcard. My favorites were Mirador Cuernos and Lago Nordenskjöld.
How to Get Ready
It’s a wild place, so you’ve gotta plan a bit. Here’s what worked for me.
- Book Ahead: Summer (November to February) is busy. Campsites and refugios (little huts) book out months early, so don’t wait. I booked 4 months ahead and still barely got a spot.
- Check the Weather: It’s crazy—one minute it’s sunny, then it’s pouring or windy. Summer’s warmish (50–70°F), but the wind can knock you over. Winter’s cold (30–40°F) and quieter. Pack for anything.
- Get in Shape: Hiking here is no joke. I walked with my backpack at home a few times to prep—trust me, it helps.
- Plan Your Time: A quick trip? 1–3 days. W Trek? 4–5 days. O Circuit? At least a week. Figure out what you want before you go.
- Bring Cash: No ATMs in the park. I brought Chilean pesos for the entrance, food, and extras.
What to Pack
Packing right makes a big difference. Here’s what I took:
- Clothes: Layers are your friend—a t-shirt, sweater, waterproof jacket, and a warm hat. It gets chilly at night. Good hiking boots too, and extra socks (wet feet suck).
- Gear: A 50–65 liter backpack if you’re hiking. I brought a tent, sleeping bag, and mat, but you can rent them in Puerto Natales. A water bottle’s a must—stream water’s safe to drink. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen too—the sun’s strong.
- Food: I packed snacks like nuts and energy bars. For meals, instant noodles or oatmeal were easy. Stock up in Puerto Natales—it’s way cheaper than the park.
- Extras: A map (phone signal’s spotty), a little first-aid kit, my camera, and a trash bag—don’t leave anything behind!
My Tips
- Start your day early—summer sunsets are late, like 9 PM, so you’ve got tons of daylight.
- Stay safe—no campfires allowed, and stick to trails. The park’s too pretty to mess up.
- Roll with it—if it rains or gets windy, switch plans. It’s all part of the adventure.
Why I Loved Torres del Paine
This place blew me away. The towers, the glaciers, the wide-open spaces—it’s like nowhere else. Whether you’re hiking all day or just chilling by a lake, it’s unforgettable. Plan smart, pack light, and go have the trip of your life!