Embark on this adventure starting from the city closest to the park, Puerto Natales. On the day before your journey begins, be sure to pick up your Welcome Kit at the office located at Manuel Bulnes 83, Puerto Natales, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Now… Just enjoy!!
< b>Day 1: Arrival at Torres del Paine National Park - Trekking to Base Torres
Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel, request your box lunch, and head out to catch the 7:00 am bus (arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure you don’t miss it). We set off towards Torres del Paine National Park, admiring the stunning landscapes as we travel to the main entrance at "Laguna Amarga". Here, you will need to register with CONAF (the park rangers), and then transfer with “Transporte Las Torres”, which will take you to the "Welcome Center".
Once you register at the Cerro Paine Reserve, it’s a short 5-minute walk to "Central Tower", where you can check in at either the refuge or campsite, depending on your booking. After lightening your load, take what you need and start your trek.
Today's hike begins through the Ascencio Valley, amidst expansive forests. The final ascent takes you through a vast field of giant rocks, leading to one of the world's most iconic viewpoints—the renowned "Torres Base Viewpoint". At 900 meters above sea level, you'll be awed by the three granite towers (north, central, and south) and the shimmering turquoise glacial lake below. Capture memories with photos, relish the moment, have a snack, and then return the same way. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the refuge before resting.
* Distance: 22 km.
* Time: 8 to 10 hrs.
* Level of Difficulty: Very demanding.
* Accommodation: Shelter (single bed) or Torre Central campsite.
* Meals: Box lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Catamaran – Hike to Grey
After breakfast at the Torre Central shelter and ordering your box lunch, take the 8:30 am transfer with The Torres, which will bring you back to Laguna Amarga. Here, board the Bus Sur coming from Puerto Natales to Pudeto. At 10:30 am, embark on the Hielos Patagonicos catamaran, sailing for about 35 minutes across Lake Pehoé to arrive at the Paine Grande Refuge. The hike to Grey starts from here.
Venture through a narrow and winding valley leading to Laguna The Ducks. As you proceed, you'll catch glimpses of the immense Southern Ice Fields and the ice floes of Lake Grey. After passing the windy viewpoint, the trail descends through a mountainous forest to the Grey shelter. A 10-minute walk further will take you to the Grey Glacier viewpoint, where you'll stand face to face with one of the arms of Campos de Hielo Sur. Dinner is served at the shelter between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
If you’re still energized, as an Optional activity, you can extend your visit to Grey Glacier. Allocate an extra 3 to 4 hours (round trip) beyond the refuge towards the famous Hanging Bridges. This is arguably the best viewpoint of the glacier. Besides admiring the stunning ice, you can see the deep ravines formed by rivers and waterfalls from the Cordón Olguín. With some luck, you might witness ice breaking off the glacier into the cold waters of Lake Grey.
The additional trek is about 4 km and is of medium difficulty.
* Distance: 11 km.
* Time: 4 – 4.5 hrs.
* Level of Difficulty: Medium.
* Accommodation: Shelter (set up bed) or Grey campsite.
* Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: Grey to Paine Grande Hike
Start your day with a hearty breakfast in the Grey refuge dining room and remember to order your box lunch. Whether you explored the hanging bridges the previous afternoon or were too tired, you can use the morning to soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Grey Glacier.
Follow the same trail back to Paine Grande. Relax and enjoy dinner in the shelter's dining room.
* Distance: 11 km.
* Time: 4 – 4.5 hrs.
* Level of Difficulty: Medium.
* Accommodation: Shelter (set up bed) or Paine Grande campsite.
* Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner.
Day 4: Hike to the French Valley – Catamaran – Return to Puerto Natales
Today's trek is a round trip, starting and ending at Paine Grande. Venture into the heart of the park, skirting the azure waters of Skottsberg Lake. After approximately 2.5 hours of walking, you'll reach the park ranger's Italiano camp, where you'll begin your ascent into the French Valley. Climb over large rocks and continue through the forest until you arrive at the French viewpoint. Here, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and dramatic hanging glaciers cascading down the eastern face of Paine Grande (3,050 m.a.s.l.). If you're fortunate, you might hear the thunderous sound of the glacier and falling water, and it’s common to witness an avalanche. Relish your box lunch and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Descend the same path back to the Italiano camp and then head back to the Paine Grande refuge.
At 5:30 p.m., board the catamaran that will take you back to Pudeto, where you'll catch the regular bus at 6:00 p.m. to Puerto Natales. The estimated arrival time in Natales is 9:15 p.m.
* Distance: 19 km.
* Time: 7 – 8 hrs.
* Level of Difficulty: Challenging.
* Meals: Breakfast and box lunch.
The journey concludes at the Rodoviario, located at Avenida España 1455, in Puerto Natales. Now, it's time to share your stories with friends, review your photos, and cherish every moment in your memory…
Share your adventure and come back soon!!!
