TORRES del PAINE: 5-Night itinerary
Torres del Paine National Park, located in the southern reaches of Chile, is home to breathtaking scenery and some of the most famous hikes in the world. Keep reading for tips on a hassle-free visit to this stunning national park.
Hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine Without Camping
It is possible to do all three of the famous W Trek hikes (Las Torres, French Valley, and Glacier Grey) as day hikes from a stylish lodge located in or just outside the park. If you plan on doing all three, we recommend a minimum of 5-nights to include a rest day as two of the hikes are 20+ kilometers (12.5 miles). There is plenty to see and do when not hiking and have included our 5-night itinerary.
We recommend hiring a private guide for your entire visit. Your guide will arrange everything; tickets, permits, transportation, packed lunches, and of course, show you the way on the trails. You’ll be able to hike at your own pace and see the things you wish to see, which is often difficult to do in a group of people with different abilities and interests. Your guide will be a wealth of knowledge on the local flora and fauna, history, and almost everything else about the area, further rounding out your experience. With limited accommodations in or near the park, it will also give you the best chance of securing lodgings, especially during peak season, as most places are pre-booked by tour operators.
If you’re not an avid hiker, there are numerous lookouts and vistas throughout the park and other activities to enjoy like shorter walks and hikes, horseback riding, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. For our visit, we decided to mix it up.
6-Day/5-Night Itinerary for Torres Del Paine
Day 1 – Arrive in Puerto Natales. Relax, fuel up, and get a good night’s sleep.
Day 2 – Hike Mirador Las Torres.
Day 3 – Short hike to Mirador Condor, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.
Day 4 – Hike French Valley.
Day 5 – Hike Glacier Grey one-way with return trip by boat.
Day 6 – Horseback ride through the pampa. Return to Puerto Natales.
For a more indepth look at our trip, you can watch the highlights in this short video.
How to Get to Torres del Paine
There are two jumping off points for Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. We flew into Puerto Natales for its closer proximity to the park. Puerto Natales is a charming, quiet, and relaxing little town perched on the Straits of Magellan with great restaurants and plenty of accommodations ranging from budget to luxury. It is also home to the Mylodon Cave. If you’re wondering what mylodons are, they are giant ground sloths that used to inhabit this area before becoming extinct over 10,000 years ago.
Things to Know When Visiting Torres del Paine
Aside from the spectacular scenery, here are some things you may not know about visiting Torres del Paine.
You’ll likely encounter gale force winds so pack accordingly and leave your hair extensions at home.
The weather changes quickly and it’s not unusual to experience multiple seasons in one day. When we were there in late spring, we started hiking in our t-shirts as it was sunny and warm but had to throw on layers part way as it started to snow.
The culinary scene in Puerto Natales and some of the park lodges is fantastic and unexpected for such a remote destination.
There is enough wildlife in the park to embark on a mini safari and we were fortunate enough to see an elusive puma.
You need to take a ferry to get to the trailheads of two out of the three W Trek hikes.
There are a few luxury lodges in Torres del Paine for those who are used to a premium travel experience.
WIFI may be slow and finicky so have an e-SIM with an adequate data plan as a backup.
They drink water from the taps and it is safe. However, the water may be quite different from what you’re used to and may irritate your stomach so you may want to switch to bottled water if you experience any symptoms.
Most tour operators provide hiking poles if requested so you won’t have to pack your own.
What to Pack for Hiking in Torres del Paine
If you are planning to do a lot of day hikes, we recommend packing moisture-wicking and quick-dry layers plus a few other key items:
Toque.
Gloves.
Sunglasses.
Waterproof and windproof jacket & pants.
20L knapsack to comfortably carry your layers, lunch, and water.
Soft water flasks (which take up very little room in your luggage) in addition to your water bottle to ensure you have enough water during longer hikes.
BUFF multifunctional neckwear to protect your face and head from both the wind and sun. It’s compact and light and will save you from the extreme elements. Most of the guides also wore BUFFs.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast or nature lover, Torres del Paine should rank high on your travel bucket list. If you’re interested in a private guided tour of Torres del Paine, please contact us for a custom itinerary that includes reputable guides and accommodations.