ChileanPatagonia TorresDelPaine
5
Day Itinerary •
Chile
Five days in Chilean Patagonia and Torres del Paine gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest national park in South America, from the remarkable Base Torres hike and the extraordinary Valle del Frances to the fine Grey Glacier kayaking among icebergs, the remarkable Mirador Ferrier elevated panorama and the extraordinary puma territory dusk drive along the park road. This extended route covers Torres del Paine completely. Base Torres and Cuernos views on Day 1, Grey Glacier boat tour and Lago Pehoe panorama on Day 2, Valle del Frances and Mirador Britanico on Day 3, the extraordinary Mirador Ferrier summit and Lago Grey kayaking on Day 4, and the remarkable Laguna Azul eastern steppe and Milodon Cave on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
November to March, peak January to February
Getting There
Fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ) then bus to Puerto Natales
Getting Around
Park buses, lodge transfers and hire car for eastern sector
Budget Per Day
Approx 150 to 450 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Challenging, multiple strenuous hiking days
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
FERRIER AND KAYAKING
MORNING
MIRADOR FERRIER ASCENT
The extraordinary Mirador Ferrier hike above Lago Pehoe, the finest elevated panoramic viewpoint accessible in Torres del Paine without the full W or O circuit, rising to 1,000 metres above the extraordinary lake. The remarkable 360-degree view from the fine summit shows the extraordinary Torres, the Cuernos, the remarkable Paine Grande, the fine Lago Grey and the outstanding Southern Patagonian Ice Field simultaneously. The extraordinary ascent through lenga beech and then above the treeline is the finest hike in the park not on the W circuit. 3 hours descent
MIDDAY
LAGO GREY KAYAKING
The extraordinary kayaking on Lago Grey among the remarkable blue icebergs calved from the extraordinary Grey Glacier, the finest active water sport in Torres del Paine. The fine guided kayak tour navigates the remarkable floating ice field to the closest accessible point to the extraordinary glacier face, giving an intimate low-level view of the remarkable 30-metre ice towers and the fine blue crevasses impossible from the boat deck above. Tours approx 80,000 CLP. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PUMA TERRITORY DRIVE AT DUSK
The extraordinary dusk drive along the remarkable park road between Lago Sarmiento and Lago Nordenskjold, the finest puma sighting territory in Torres del Paine. The remarkable pumas are most active at dusk and dawn on the extraordinary steppe below the Torres where the fine guanaco herds concentrate. The outstanding condor count from the car during the extraordinary golden hour is the finest wildlife experience in the Chilean park.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary puma of Torres del Paine, habituated to vehicles on the remarkable park road after years of wildlife photography, is the finest wild puma encounter on earth. The remarkable resident pride that hunts the extraordinary guanaco herds on the steppe near Lago Sarmiento is sighted from vehicles on approximately 60 percent of dawn and dusk drives along the park road in summer.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Park lodge Good breakfast before the Mirador Ferrier ascent. Substantial food for the extraordinary 7-hour return hike. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Ferrier summit The finest mountain picnic in Patagonia at the extraordinary 1,000-metre panoramic summit. | Dinner: Park lodge Outstanding Patagonian lamb and remarkable wine at the lodge dinner after the extraordinary double activity day.
DAY 5
EASTERN STEPPE
MORNING
LAGUNA AZUL AND EASTERN STEPPE CIRCUIT
The extraordinary Laguna Azul in the remote eastern sector of Torres del Paine, the finest and least visited lake in the park, where the remarkable eastern face of the Torres is visible from a completely different angle than the famous western viewpoints. The outstanding guanaco herds on the extraordinary eastern steppe, the fine flamingo flocks on the remarkable laguna shore and the extraordinary isolation of this sector away from the main tourist circuit are the finest hidden experience in the park. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
PUERTO NATALES AND MILODÓN CAVE
The extraordinary Cueva del Milodon near Puerto Natales, a remarkable cave system where the fine remains of the extinct Milodon ground sloth, a remarkable Pleistocene herbivore the size of a small rhinoceros, were discovered in 1895. The outstanding cave is 30 metres high and 80 metres wide, one of the finest prehistoric caves in Patagonia. The remarkable life-size Milodon sculpture at the cave entrance and the extraordinary 13,000-year-old bone fragments are the finest paleontological site accessible from Puerto Natales. Entry approx 5,000 CLP. 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
PUERTO NATALES AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary Puerto Natales, the finest small city in Chilean Patagonia, with the remarkable Seno Ultima Esperanza fjord and the outstanding view of the Cerro Balmaceda and Cerro Toro peaks across the extraordinary southern fjord. The fine farewell to Torres del Paine from the remarkable Puerto Natales waterfront with the extraordinary Patagonian sky above is the most remarkable final scene in Chilean Patagonia.
💎 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: Puerto Natales hotel Good breakfast before the Laguna Azul drive. | Lunch: Puerto Natales restaurant Outstanding Patagonian curanto stew at a fine Puerto Natales restaurant. The finest traditional Patagonian meal. | Dinner: Afrigonia Restaurant, Puerto Natales The finest restaurant in Puerto Natales. Extraordinary fusion of Patagonian and African flavours. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Inside Park EcoCamp Patagonia or Hosteria Las Torres. Approx 250 to 600 USD per night. Refugios Fantastico Sur circuit refugios. Approx 50 to 150 USD per night with meals. Budget Camping. Approx 15 to 30 USD per pitch per night.
Top Tips
1. Book inside-park accommodation a full year ahead for January and February.
2. Grey kayaking books out quickly. Reserve Big Foot Patagonia online before arriving.
3. The puma dusk drive is most productive December to March. Drive slowly at 20km/h on the park road.
4. Mirador Ferrier is a serious ascent. Start before 8am and turn back if weather deteriorates.
5. Laguna Azul requires a hire car. The eastern sector is not served by park buses.
6. Patagonian weather is extreme. Always carry full waterproofs. Wind gusts exceed 100km/h.
Total Budget
135 to 840 USD/day