Torres del Paine FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Most Popular Time to Come to Torres del Paine?
It should be said that the Summer: December, January and February is typically the most popular time for visitors. For example the weather is warmer and it is also the Winter holiday period in the Northern hemisphere.
How big is the Torres del Paine National Park?
Above all The Park covers 182,000 sq hectares and is the jewel in Chile’s tourist crown. In the final analysis, just why it’s worth travelling 4hrs from Santiago on a plane and then driving a further 5 hrs by car is only apparent when you stand and stare in amazement at the unbelievable sight of this monumental cluster of mountain peaks that appear to stand all on their own in the middle of an otherwise flat plateau.
When is Best Time to Come to Torres del Paine?
To avoid the crowds the best time to visit is before mid November or after March.
What are the Torres del Paine W Trek and Circuit Trek Trails?
It should be noted that the W trek is called so because the footpath (or trekking trail) takes the form of a “W” on the map when looked down upon from above. However, the Circuit Trek is the footpath that includes the W Trek but also goes around the back of the Central Massif, effectively offering a perimeter path from where you can start and end at.
When is The Best Month to Come to Torres del Paine?
All things considered, the opinion of many is that April is the best month to come. Because usually the wind has died down, there are few people and the weather is often very good.
How can I book Accommodation on the W Trek?
In particular there are serviced camp sites, refugios, and in one place: Cuernos, there are also private cabins, all of which you can book through us. Moreover, you can also stay in hotels, certainly at the eastern end at the Las Torres trail head; and in the western end at Grey. Alternatively, we can also make a program for you based at Puerto Natales with daily excursions into Torres del Paine to the different trail heads. Furthermore, we can book the luxury lodges and you can do the W Trek, or parts of it, from these hotels.
Should I Stay Within Torres del Paine or Outside?
Firstly, Experience Chile is a distinguished partner with all the accommodation options mentioned below. Therefore, please let us know which type of accommodation you would like to include within the itinerary we create for you.
Torres del Paine Zone
Specifically, we have created a new description for the Torres del Paine area, which is the Torres del Paine Zone. Most importantly, the Torres del Paine Zone is the area that encompasses Puerto Natales in the south and runs east from Puerto Natales to Cerro Guido (the border village); then north to Estancia Cerro Guido and up to the border with Argentina (this sector near the border includes the Torres del Paine Massif and Glacier Grey) and on the western side running from Puerto Natales past the Milodon Cave and on to the Serrano Village. Accommodation ANYWHERE within this area is perfectly well placed in order to get into the heart of the park.
It should be noted that many people believe, mistakenly, that the only place where they should book accommodation is at hotels, lodges and high-end camp sites within the official boundary of Torres del Paine National Park, however, this is a fallacy and leads to often-rushed decisions, and disappointment if one cannot get into a hotel “within” the park.
Central Massif
The Torres del Paine central massif can be seen, on a clear day, from a point near to Puerto Natales such is the immense scale of the mountainous formation. So it is NOT at all necessary to be in a hotel “within” the official park lines.
Within the official park boundary is takes a good 2hrs to drive from the western end to the eastern end of Torres del Paine. In other words, from Lago Grey (Grey Lake) to Laguna Azul. This is the same time it takes to drive from Puerto Natales to Grey Lake or Puerto Natales to the park entrance at Laguna Amarga (near Laguna Azul). The point being that it does not matter if you have accommodation inside the official boundary of the Park or if you are staying in Puerto Natales.
Advantages of Puerto Natales
One of the great advantages to staying in Puerto Natales is that there are a number of nice restaurants and a populated village with some “life”. It is also located in a pretty location next to the water with mountains in the distance. If you want a rest day then Puerto Natales is a good option, especially if we book one of the hotels with a spa and pool.
Should you stay at Serrano village, you will get fine views to the Torres del Paine Massif. If you stay at Patagonia Camp, located 15km before the entrance to the Torres del Paine Serrano entrance, you will get fine views over Lake Toro and to the Torres del Paine massif. However, if you stay at the Estancia Cerro Guido you will get fine views to the Towers of Torres del Paine and if you stay at Tierra Patagonia or Awasi (both luxury-level lodges) you will also have fine views of the Torres of Torres del Paine.
Do Not Worry
Therefore, please, do not worry if you cannot get into one of the hotels within the official Park boundary. Daily tours from any hotel within the Torres del Paine boundary, as well as from Puerto Natales, will involve from between 1hr to 2hrs travel in a vehicle. The only exception to this is if you are trekking the W trek or the Circuit trek and for these two trails you will benefit from staying over at one of the refugios, ECO Camp, Hotel Las Torres and / or Hotel Grey.
Having said that, we can arrange from most of the hotels that are further away a section of the W trek each day, so you can stay in comfort and do a part of the W trek every day and after four days you will have completed the W trek. There are also options to do the iconic Torres Base trek in one day from Puerto Natales.
Accommodation Options in the Torres del Paine Zone
You can enjoy the stunning scenery, fresh air, witness moving glaciers, walk through woods, challenge yourself with adventurous trekking and be in the heart of nature during the day in Torres del Paine. But at night you have the following types of accommodation where you can relax and get your sleep:
Serviced Camping Sites
The serviced camp sites offer tents with bedding and ground mats, and food taken inside the adjacent refugio or small dining hut where there is no refugio.
Serviced Camp Sites on the W trek & Circuit Trek trails:
Central, Serron, Perros, Grey, Paine Grande, Cuernos and Chileno.
Torres del Paine Refugios & Domes
Refugio – basically a hostel with dorm rooms and bunk beds, 6 people to a room, communal “canteen style “dining room. These are located on the W Trek and the Circuit Trek.
Refugios Located At: Dickson (Circuit Trek), and on the W Trek – Chileno, Cuernos, Paine Grande and Grey.
Domos Located At: Frances (W Trek)
Torres del Paine Cabins
Cabins Located at: Cuernos (W Trek).
Hotels in Torres del Paine
Mid-level hotel – a hotel with private rooms and en-suite bathroom or shower rooms, restaurant, decent food and wine selection. These are located in different areas within the Torres del Paine zone and, of course, at Puerto Natales.
Mid-Level Hotels are: Hotel Las Torres, Hosteria Pehoe, Hotel Lago Grey, Hotel Rio Serrano, Hotel del Paine as well as in Puerto Natales – Hotel If, Hotel Altiplanico Sur and Weskar Lodge.
Luxury Hotels & Lodges – World-Class hotel lodges with luxury-level private rooms; en-suite, well-equipped bathrooms, plus spa and pool facilities, quality food and wines. Such hotel lodges are in the Torres del Paine zone as well as in Puerto Natales we offer The Singular and Remota Hotels.
Luxury Hotels & Lodges are: Explora Salto Chico, Tierra Patagonia, Awasi, Singular (Puerto Natales) and Remota (Puerto Natales). NOTE: For Explora Salto Chico, Tierra Patagonia, The Singular and Hotel Remota we have an offer – please see our Featured Hotels.
Estancia Hotel – Country-style, large, private rooms with large en-suite bathrooms at an authentic Patagonian working estancia. Restaurant, good food and wines. Here, you can experience life in Patagonia and also sense and feel the history of the past 100 years. There is only one such place and it is located in the Torres del Paine zone.
Estancia Hotel is: Estancia Cerro Guido
Luxury Camping or “Glamping”
“Glamping” – Luxury kitted-out camping in either Yurt or Dome tent (two different places in different areas of the Torres del Paine zone). One has communal bar and dining area with wine, and in the other has more of an up-market restaurant with good wines. Both options are located within the Torres del Paine zone.
Glamping are: Patagonia Camp and ECO Domes
Where is the Torres del Paine Welcome Centre?
The Welcome Centre is located in the Eastern sector of Torres del Paine about 1.5km from the
entrance to Hotel Las Torres, but close to Refugios Central and Norte and a short distance from
ECO Camp.
Only if you are entering the park at the Eastern end will you need to enter the Welcome Centre.
Here you need to show that you have confirmed reservations for accommodation on the W trek, if
you are staying over. You also need to present, or fill in a visitors form.
There are public WC´s here as well as information.
How long does it take to drive from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine?
Considering driving from Puerto Natales to the western, Serrano entrance of Torres del Paine will take 1hr.
However, driving from Puerto Natales to the eastern, Laguna Amarga entrance to Torres del Paine will take
2hrs.
How long does it take to drive from Puerto Natales to Hotel Lago Grey or Grey Beach?
Driving from Puerto Natales to Hotel Lago Grey or Grey beach will take 2hrs.
What Hotels are There in Torres del Paine?
There are, in total, four hotels and one up-market camp (glamping) that are within the official boundary lines of Torres del Paine National Park (TDP) and these are Hotel Las Torres, Explora Salto Chico Lodge, Hotel Lago Grey, Hotel (Hosteria) Pehoe and the ECO Camp.
To the west, literally just over the “boundary line” of TDP on the other side of the Rio Serrano are: Hotel Rio Serrano and Hotel Paine, with a few others such as Pampa Lodge, Lago Tyndal and Nash lodge nearby.
Over on the east of TDP we have Tierra Patagonia, Awasi Patagonia and Estancia Cerro Guido.
Finally, to the south of TDP we have Patagonia (Yurt) Camp.
Please Send Us Your Enquiry
For the best service please supply us with as much information as you can. For example, where you want to go, what you want to do, what you want to experience and how much money you want to spend (or do not want to spend!). How many people, what type of beds (matrimonial, twin, single etc.)
VIP
In the event that you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and/or political and/or business, and you need “special attention”. For example, privacy and/or security for your trip please use an alias in the enquiry but mention that you are VIP and one of the directors will handle your request and keep your real name and details confidential.
OFFER
Ask us to handle ALL of your South America, or Chile trip and we WILL include some items for free or at special lower-than-public rates. How much we can offer you depends on how much we can arrange and book for you. REQUEST@EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Remember, our specialty is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.
