Chilean Patagonia hides one of the most beautiful natural treasures on the planet: The Torres del Paine national park. The granite peaks of the Paine masiff tower inaccessible over the wild landscape of glaciers, colorful lakes and abundant wildlife and vegetation.
This program allows you to visit some of the most famous sites of the park and gives you time to explore some of the spectacular hikes which make the park a dream destination for trekking fans and nature lovers alike.
Trip features
Type of trip: overland
Duration: 4 days
Suggested period: October to March
Fitness level: basic
Technical level: basic
Highlights of the trip
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Grey Glacier
- Otway Penguin colony (Nov-Feb)
Itinerary
DAY 1: PUNTA ARENAS – PUERTO NATALES – TORRES DEL PAINE
Reception at Punta Arenas airport. Transfer to Puerto Natales through the Patagonian steppe. (Depending on arrival flight and time of year, November to February, it is possible to visit the Otway Penguin colony this day). Once in Puerto Natales we do a brief city tour and have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch we visit Puerto Bories located 5 km north of the city, along the Last Hope Fjord. Built to process the output of the Patagonian estancias in 1915 it was the largest industrial complex in Puerto Natales. Until the 70’s it worked as slaughterhouse and cold store. We visit its abandoned facilities nowadays transformed into a museum declared National Monument in 1996. This museum is an example of the quiet efforts of the Patagonian pioneers to form the city of Puerto Natales in 1911. Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park where we are received by guanacos and local fauna.
Overnight at hotel RIO SERRANO o similar according to availability, lunch included
Transfer: 350km – 4h approx
DAY 2: TORRES DEL PAINE
Morning excursion inside the park visiting Mirador del Paine. 4-5 hours walk on the trail to Mirador Laguna del Toro. This trail allows us to see the native avifauna in the park with the Paine Massif as background. We meet our vehicle again at Weber Bridge. We continue towards Río Serrano and Grey Lake. Walk to the edge of the lake to see the impressive ice floating in the lake. Visit the headquarters of the park and transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel RIO SERRANO o similar according to availability, breakfast and lunch included
Trekking: 4-5 hours approx
DAY 3: TORRES DEL PAINE – PUERTO NATALES
Today we have 2 walking options under the terms of the group.
Option 1: Day trek to the feet of the towers by the Ascencio valley river, perhaps the most famous walk in the park (approximately 8 hours round trip).
Option 2: Day excursion in to the Blue Lagoon, Salto del Paine and Laguna Amarga, to continue with a gentle walk along the Flora and Fauna trail finishing with a transfer to Pudeto and Nordenskjold lookout.
Return to Puerto Natales.
Overnight at hotel KAU o similar according to availability, breakfast and lunch included
Trekking: 4- 10 hours approx according to choice
Transfer: 2 hour approx.