Located in the extreme south of Chile, in the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, the Torres del Paine National Park is considered the most important national parks in Chile. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978, it covers an extensive geographical area of more than 227,298 hectares. It has a varied relief ranging from 200 to 3,000 metres, with countless natural attractions. It is a spectacular natural space, ideal for ecotourism and adventure sports, providing a unique experience in the Chilean Antarctic.
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History of Torres del Paine
The landscape of Torres del Paine National Park was formed by tectonic movements 12 million years ago. These gave rise to impressive peaks such as Mount Paine Grande (3,050 m), Los Cuernos del Paine (2,600, 2,400, 2,200 m), Torres del Paine (2250, 2460 and 2500 m), Fortaleza (2800), Escudo (2700 m), with some of them still having glaciers.
The park was made a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Among its major attractions are the Sarmiento, Nordenskjold, Pehoé, Grey, Paine and Dickson lakes and the Verde, Azul and Honda lagoons.
According to paleontological studies carried out in the area, the park was inhabited some 12,000 years ago by Tehuelche Indians, descendants of the Paleo-Indians, who gave the massif the name Paine, meaning blue.
- In high season (October to April) entry to the park costs 21,000 Chilean pesos for foreigners and 6,000 Chilean pesos for citizens and residents.
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What to do in Torres del Paine?
Torres del Paine has a multitude of trails that will take you deep into this fantastic natural park. Although it is possible to follow the well-marked trails through the park on your own, the experience changes completely if you have a guide. There are different packages available on the park’s official website, which you can consult here.
Porteria Lago Grey – Mirador Zapata Trail
On this trail you can see glaciers and the famous Paine Massif that gives the park its name. This hike runs along the torrential Pingo River, which starts at the glacier of the same name. It passes through open meadows and dense lenga forests and is the best place to spot Huemules and Magellanic Woodpeckers.
The trail continues through the Zapata Campsite, where two trails start, one going to the Cerro Zapata viewpoint, offering impressive views, and the other that goes to the Pingo Lake and the Pingo Glacier viewpoint. The return journey is on the same path.
Laguna Toro – Laguna Verde Trail
It starts near the Torres del Paine Park Administration or by the Quebrada la Feria. During the hike you will cross lenga forests, skirt small lagoons populated by birds, and it is possible to see the local wildlife up close. Following the path you start to climb the Sierra del Toro. From the top you can see the Cuernos del Paine and the southern shore of the Samiento Lake.
Grey Lake beach and peninsula
You start at the Guardería Grey and cross a suspension bridge over the Pingo River. Then, you walk through a lenga forest to the beach and peninsula of Lago Grey. There are spectacular views of the icebergs and the Grey Glacier. The way back is along the same path.
Nordenskjold Viewpoint Trail
You start the hike in Pudeto, on the shores of Lake Pehoe, passing by the Grande waterfall, which connects Lake Nordenskjold with Lake ¨Pehoé. Then, continue the hike to the Mirador Nordenskjold, where you get the best views of the Cuernos del Paine. It is a highly recommended hike. The way back is along the same path.
Blue Lagoon Trail
You start walking from the Laguna Azul campsite, bordering the lagoon to the Mirador de la Torres. The trail goes through a mature Lenga forest. Unfortunately, this is where the fire of 2005 occurred, which affected a large part of the forest, but there are still large living trees.
Guardería – Guardería Trail
The trail starts from the Guardería Lago Sarmiento, one of the entrances to Torres del Paine Park, to another entrance to the park, Guardería Laguna Amarga. This trail runs through the natural habitats of the Guanaco and the Puma, as well as many birds such as the Condor and the Aguila Mora, so it is highly recommended if you want to see wildlife.
You can also visit some caves with the remains of primitive Aonikenk cave paintings, indigenous people of Patagonia. It is best to do this excursion with a tour guide, as you do not go back the way you came, and there should be a transport waiting for you at the end of the trail.
Where to eat in Torres del Paine Chile?
Eating in Torres del Paine is also part of the visit and we recommend trying some of the area’s most iconic recipes. Some of the most typical products you can find in the Magallanes Region are seafood, such as spider crab, lobster, oysters and clams. There are also meats, with recipes such as “asado al palo” accompanied by boiled potatoes or Magellanic lamb loin. Likewise, in this region you can find the Calafate, the most well-known fruit of the extreme south, which can only be found in this part of the world.
- Restaurante Coiron – Las Torres Patagonia is located in the Torres del Paine National Park and has a charming decor. It is the restaurant of the Torres de Patagonía Hotel and serves Chilean cuisine, with vegetarian options. Prices range from €17 to €34.
- Quincho Pampa Lodge is located in the Torres del Paine National Park. It offers Chilean and South American cuisine, as well as a very pleasant atmosphere. Prices range from €20 to €30.
- Cafeteria El Ovejero Patagónico, located in the heart of the park, serves traditional Chilean recipes and cafeteria service. It is a very popular place for breakfast and lunch and its prices range from €20 to €30.
- Restaurant El Asador Pataganico is a steakhouse offering Chilean recipes, mainly meat. Located in Puerto Natales, it has a varied menu with prices ranging from €15 to €25.
Where to stay in Torres del Paine?
The Torres del Paine National Park has various types of accommodation, from hotels, campsites to mountain refuges. Here is a small selection of some of our favourites so that you can choose the best option for your stay in this natural wonder.
- Featuring a restaurant, Pampa Lodge, Quincho & Caballos is located in Torres del Paine, just 7 km from the entrance to the national park. The price per night is around €300.
- Hotel Las Torres Patagonia is a four-star hotel with a restaurant, spa and fully equipped rooms with spectacular views of the valley and mountains. The hotel is 7 km from the Amarga Lagoon and a 2 hour drive from Puerto Natales. The price per night is around €400.
- Hotel del Paine has different cabins and rooms with rustic décor on the banks of the Serrano River. Located 7 km from the main entrance, they also offer homemade baked goods. The price per night is €267.
- Konkashken Lodge, located in Torres del Paine, has shared rooms and bungalows with stunning mountain views. It has a garden and direct access to the Serrano River. The price per night is around €235.
Tips for your trip to Torres del Paine
- Do not leave litter on the trails and try to respect and care for the nature you encounter, protecting the natural ecosystems of the park.
- Make sure you have everything you need in your bag. Torres del Paine can be windy, sunny, rainy or very cold, so it’s best to dress in layers.
- In Patagonia there is a high chance of rain, so it is important to insulate your personal belongings in plastic bags inside your backpack.
- We recommend taking out travel insurance when travelling to Torres del Paine Chile.
How to organise your visit to Torres del Paine Chile?
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Frequently asked questions about Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine can be reached by plane from Santiago to Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales. Afterwards, you can reach the natural park by car or bus that will take you from Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park. Buses leave daily from Puerto Natales and the journey takes two hours. All regular buses pass through Laguna Amarga, where the entrance fee is paid and official Conaf maps are handed out, before continuing on to Pudeto, which is the departure point for the catamaran to Paine Grande.
Torres del Paine has a cold and humid temperate climate. The maximum temperature reaches 20 C° in summer and drops to 0° in winter. The wind chill sometimes causes the ambient temperature to drop by 6 or 7 degrees.
The best time to visit Torres del Paine National Park is between October and April. This is when there is less rainfall, more sunshine and more daylight hours. In autumn and winter, rainfall increases and many services are likely to be closed. However an advantage of visiting the park at this time of year is the lower number of tourists, for those looking to see wildlife and have more peace and quiet.
In Torres del Paine, there is a public bus and catamaran service that will take you to some of the key points. However, the best option is to travel by private car to be able to access all the places you freely and independently.
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