ChileanPatagonia TorresDelPaine
3
Day Itinerary •
Chile
Three days in Chilean Patagonia and Torres del Paine delivers the most extraordinary mountain trekking experience in South America, where the remarkable granite towers of Las Torres rise vertically above the extraordinary glacial lake at the Base Torres viewpoint, the fine Cuernos del Paine reflect in the turquoise Lago Pehoe and the remarkable Valle del Frances hangs above the park between two extraordinary massifs. This focused route covers the three essential hikes of Torres del Paine. The extraordinary 20km Base Torres hike to the foot of the towers on Day 1, the fine Lago Pehoe panorama and the remarkable Grey Glacier boat tour to the calving ice face on Day 2, and the outstanding Valle del Frances full day with the extraordinary Mirador Britanico 360-degree panorama on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
November to March, peak January to February for longest days
Getting There
Fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ) or El Calafate (FTE), bus to Puerto Natales
Getting Around
Park buses, hired car or lodge transfers within the park
Budget Per Day
Approx 150 to 400 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Challenging, Base Torres 20km with 900m elevation gain
DAY 1
BASE TORRES
MORNING
TORRES DEL PAINE BASE TORRES HIKE
The most extraordinary day hike in South America, the remarkable 20km return trail from the Hosteria Las Torres to the extraordinary Mirador Base de las Torres where the three remarkable granite towers of Paine rise 2,800 metres from the turquoise glacial lake directly below. The fine trail ascends through outstanding lenga beech forest, crosses the remarkable Ascensio valley and climbs a steep final moraine to the extraordinary viewpoint that reveals the towers in their full vertical scale above the ice-choked lake. Entry approx 21,000 CLP.
MIDDAY
LUNCH ON THE ASCENSIO VALLEY TRAIL
The extraordinary packed lunch at the remarkable refugio midway point on the Ascensio valley, where the outstanding views of the Torres above and the fine Lago Nordenskjold below frame the most extraordinary mountain lunch location in Chile. The remarkable energy stop before the final moraine climb is essential for the extraordinary tower view above.
AFTERNOON
RETURN AND LAGO NORDENSKJOLD VIEWS
The extraordinary return descent through the remarkable lenga beech forest in the afternoon light, when the extraordinary Patagonian sun illuminates the fine reddish tones of the beech leaves in autumn and the remarkable Cuernos del Paine massif glows above the extraordinary turquoise Lago Nordenskjold on the return to the park road. The fine guanaco herds on the extraordinary Patagonian steppe and the remarkable condors circling on the afternoon thermals are the finest wildlife return from the Base Torres hike.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mirador Condor viewpoint above the Hosteria Las Torres road, reachable by a fine 30-minute walk from the hotel, is the finest hidden viewpoint for the remarkable Andean condors that soar on the afternoon thermals above the extraordinary Torres del Paine valley. The remarkable wingspan of up to 3.2 metres makes the Andean condor the finest soaring bird in South America and the extraordinary close-range views from the condor viewpoint are unlike any in the park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hosteria Las Torres Substantial hotel breakfast before the 7-hour hike. The extraordinary trail requires serious preparation and energy. | Lunch: Packed lunch on trail Fine provisions prepared by the lodge. Eat at the extraordinary Refugio Chileno at 3.5 hours, then push on to the towers. | Dinner: Hosteria Las Torres Outstanding Patagonian dinner after the extraordinary hike. Fine Patagonian lamb asado and remarkable Carmenere.
DAY 2
LAGO PEHOE
MORNING
MIRADOR DEL CUERNOS AND LAGO PEHOE
The extraordinary Mirador del Cuernos on the shores of Lago Nordenskjold, the finest viewpoint of the remarkable Cuernos del Paine from ground level, where the extraordinary jagged quartzite and darker sedimentary rock of the Cuernos create a remarkable two-tone colour contrast unique in Patagonian geology. The fine walk along the remarkable turquoise lake shore with the extraordinary towers and Cuernos reflected in the glacier-fed water is the finest lake-level view in Torres del Paine. Entry included in park fee. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAGO PEHOE AND CUERNOS PANORAMA
The extraordinary Lago Pehoe, the finest panoramic viewpoint in Torres del Paine, where the remarkable wide turquoise lake reflects the extraordinary Cuernos del Paine and the fine Los Torres simultaneously in a remarkable 180-degree mountain panorama. The outstanding Explora Patagonia lodge on the fine peninsula and the remarkable island in the lake create the most photographed landscape in Chilean Patagonia. The fine Salto Chico waterfall where the lake drains is the finest accessible waterfall in the park. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
GREY GLACIER BOAT TOUR
The extraordinary Lago Grey boat tour to the face of the Grey Glacier, the finest accessible glacier in Torres del Paine, where the remarkable 28km-wide ice field calves enormous blue-white icebergs into the extraordinary turquoise lake. The fine boat navigates through the remarkable floating ice field to within metres of the extraordinary glacier face, where the blue ice towers and remarkable crevasses are visible at close range. The outstanding condor count from the boat deck is the finest in the park. Tours approx 65,000 CLP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mirador Lago Toro in the rarely visited southern sector of Torres del Paine near the Lago Sarmiento park entrance, a remarkable viewpoint over the extraordinary eastern steppe with the fine Torres and Cuernos visible from a completely different and less crowded angle, is the finest hidden viewpoint in the park. The remarkable southern approach road is accessible only by hire car and gives the finest entry to the park away from the main tourist route. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Park accommodation Good breakfast before the Cuernos morning walk. Start early before the park buses arrive. | Lunch: Lago Pehoe area Fine simple lunch at the remarkable Lago Pehoe viewpoint. Outstanding Patagonian sandwiches with guanaco views. | Dinner: Refugio Paine Grande or Las Torres Outstanding Patagonian dinner at the finest park accommodation. Fine lamb and remarkable local wine.
DAY 3
VALLE DEL FRANCES
MORNING
VALLE DEL FRANCES FULL DAY HIKE
The most extraordinary valley in Torres del Paine, the remarkable Valle del Frances between the extraordinary Cuernos and the fine Paine Grande peak, where the remarkable hanging glacier of the Glacier Frances drops enormous ice chunks onto the extraordinary valley floor with a tremendous crack and rumble audible from the mirador below. The fine Mirador Frances and the outstanding Mirador Britanico above give the most extraordinary panoramic views of the entire Torres del Paine massif from different altitudes.
MIDDAY
MIRADOR BRITANICO AT 1,050 METRES
The extraordinary Mirador Britanico at 1,050 metres above the Valle del Frances, the finest elevated viewpoint in the park accessible without technical climbing, where the remarkable 360-degree panorama shows the extraordinary Torres, the fine Cuernos, the outstanding Paine Grande, the remarkable Glacier Frances and the blue expanse of Lago Nordenskjold simultaneously. The extraordinary silence of the high valley, broken only by the fine ice falls and the remarkable Patagonian wind, is unlike any other in South America.
AFTERNOON
RETURN AND DEPARTURE FROM TORRES DEL PAINE
The extraordinary return descent from the Valle del Frances to Lago Pehoe, with the remarkable afternoon light on the fine Cuernos and the extraordinary last views of the Torres del Paine massif before the remarkable bus journey back to Puerto Natales. The outstanding drive along the southern shore of Lago Sarmiento through the extraordinary Patagonian steppe with the remarkable guanaco herds and the fine Andean condors overhead is the finest farewell to the most extraordinary national park in South America.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Parque Patagonia in the Cochrane valley north of Torres del Paine, created from a remarkable private cattle estancia by Tompkins Conservation, is the finest and most extraordinary hidden national park in Chilean Patagonia with remarkable puma sightings, outstanding guanaco herds and the fine Jeinimeni and Cochrane lakes. The extraordinary addition of this park to a Torres del Paine itinerary gives the finest wildlife experience in Chilean Patagonia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Park accommodation before Valle Substantial breakfast before the 6-hour Valle del Frances hike. | Lunch: Packed lunch in the valley Extraordinary high-altitude packed lunch below the remarkable hanging Glacier Frances. | Dinner: Puerto Natales on return Outstanding traditional Patagonian dinner in Puerto Natales. Fine curanto stew and remarkable Magallanes lamb.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Inside Park Hosteria Las Torres or EcoCamp Patagonia. Approx 250 to 600 USD per night all-inclusive. Mid-Range Refugios Fantastico Sur or Vertice. Approx 50 to 150 USD per night including meals. Budget Camping inside the park. Approx 15 to 30 USD per pitch per night.
Top Tips
1. Book inside-park accommodation a year ahead for January and February. It sells out completely.
2. The Base Torres hike requires fitness. Start before 7am to beat crowds at the extraordinary tower viewpoint.
3. Patagonian weather changes in minutes. Always carry full waterproofs, warm layers and wind protection.
4. Grey Glacier boat tour books out quickly. Reserve online before arriving in Puerto Natales.
5. Register your hike at the park entrance. All trekking routes require registration with CONAF.
6. Puma sightings are most common at dawn and dusk on the main park road. Drive slowly at these times.
Total Budget
125 to 820 USD/day