National park · Chile
Torres del Paine National ParkParque Nacional Torres del Paine
Go for 4–5 nights between November and March: base in Puerto Natales, enter at Laguna Amarga, and pick either the 4–5 day W trek or day hikes to Base de las Torres and Grey Glacier; book refugios and buses months ahead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,270 km² (876 sq mi)876 sq mi (2,270 km²)
approximate
Established
1959
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
At a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Area
- 2,270 km² (876 sq mi)876 sq mi (2,270 km²)
- Park area is often quoted as about 2,270 km²; boundaries have been adjusted since 1959.
- Established
- 1959
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Torres del Paine is the granite massif at the end of Chilean Patagonia: three towers, the Cuernos horns, the Grey Glacier and a chain of blue lakes, all inside one 2,270 km² park. Almost everyone arrives through Puerto Natales, two hours south by bus. The park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the trails are the reason people come — the W trek takes 4–5 days, the full O Circuit 7–10. Weather turns fast, wind is the constant, and lodging inside the park must be reserved in advance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1978UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
2,270 km² (876 sq mi)876 sq mi (2,270 km²) · national park since 1959
Park area is often quoted as about 2,270 km²; boundaries have been adjusted since 1959.
Why go
- The three granite towers at sunrise from Base de las Torres — the image the park is named for.
- Grey Glacier, reached on foot from Refugio Grey or by boat from Hostería Lago Grey.
- Valle Francés, a glacial valley between the Cuernos and the massif, on the W trek.
- Guanacos, condors and flamingos on the steppe, with pumas present but rarely seen.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarmest and busiest; long daylight
- FebWarm, still crowded
- MarFewer people; wetter, wind picks up
- AprShoulder season; bus departures reduced (check)
- MayWinter; public buses stop, backside of the circuit closed
- JunCold, short days, many services shut
- JulColdest month; snow on trails
- AugWinter; limited access
- SepShoulder season; bus departures reduced (check), snow can linger
- OctSeason opens; wind and unsettled weather
- NovGood walking, fewer people than Jan
- DecPeak season begins; book everything early
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GuanacosAll year · Common on the steppe and around the roads; keep distance and do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean condorsOct–Mar · Seen soaring over ridges, often in the afternoon. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Chilean flamingosOct–Mar · On the shallow lakes, including Laguna Amarga and Lago Sarmiento. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| PumasAll year · Present year-round but rarely seen; dawn and dusk near guanaco herds are the best chance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Puerto Natales
Daily buses from the terminal (Avenida Santiago Bueras at España) to Laguna Amarga, Pudeto and the administration; two departures each way in high season, one in April and September, none May–August.
2 h
From Punta Arenas
Bus to Puerto Natales, then the park bus; or a direct tour transfer.
5–6 h
From El Calafate (Argentina)
Tour-operator transfers across the border; no direct public bus into the park.
5–6 h
From Santiago
Flight to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, then road transfer.
3.5 h flight plus transfer
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Amarga and Las Torres sector | Main gate, the road to Hotel Las Torres and the trailhead for Base de las Torres. | Ticket at the gate; shuttle to the hotel. |
| Pudeto and Lago Pehoé | Catamaran pier to Paine Grande, cafeteria, and the start of the W from the west. | Open; catamaran ticket needed to cross. |
| Valle Francés and the massif | The central valley and the Cuernos, reached on foot from Campamento Italiano. | On foot only; closed in winter when snow accumulates. |
| Grey Glacier and Lago Grey | The glacier, the sandbar viewpoint and the boat from Hostería Lago Grey. | On foot from Refugio Grey or by booked boat. |
| Administration and visitor centre | Park offices, the Q route trailhead and the closest gate to Puerto Natales via the Serrano entrance. | Open; information and maps. |
Sketch map
- 1Laguna Amarga gate · Gate≈-50.980, -72.800Map ↗
- 2Pudeto catamaran pier · Ranger station≈-51.040, -72.980Map ↗
- 3Administration and visitor centre · Headquarters≈-51.190, -72.960Map ↗
- 4Hotel Las Torres · Sleep≈-50.943, -72.950Map ↗
- 5Base de las Torres lookout · Viewpoint≈-50.955, -72.940Approximate; the lookout sits below the towers, roughly 1 km (0.6 mi) north-west of Hotel Las Torres.Approximate; the lookout sits below the towers, roughly 0.6 mi (1 km) north-west of Hotel Las Torres.Map ↗
- 6Refugio Paine Grande · Sleep≈-51.070, -73.050Map ↗
- 7Grey Glacier · Viewpoint≈-50.950, -73.250Map ↗
- 8Lago Sarmiento gate · Gate≈-51.004, -72.593Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; the park spans roughly 100 km north to south.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, foreign adult (high season) | CLP 21,000–35,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check — the exact high/low-season tariff is set by CONAF and collected at the gates, mainly Laguna Amarga. |
| Park entry, Chilean adult | CLP 7,000–12,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check; residents pay less than foreign visitors. |
| Catamaran Pudeto to Paine Grande, foreign adult | CLP 35,000–40,000 | person | 2026 estimate; luggage extra and capped at 50 kg. |
| Shuttle Laguna Amarga to Hotel Las Torres | CLP 3,000–5,000 | person | 2026 estimate, one way. |
| Boat to Grey Glacier from Hostería Lago Grey | CLP 70,000–90,000 | person | 2026 estimate; must be booked ahead. |
| Bus Puerto Natales to the park | CLP 12,000–20,000 | person | 2026 estimate, one way; open return tickets common. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Trekking campsites and refugios on the W and O permit or guide
Lodges and hotels inside the park no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CLP 21,000–35,000
- CLP 7,000–12,000
- CLP 35,000–40,000
- CLP 3,000–5,000
- CLP 70,000–90,000
- CLP 12,000–20,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on CONAF — Parque Nacional Torres del Paine before you go.
Park rules
- No fires
- Open fires and stoves outside designated cooking areas are banned; past fires burned large areas of the park.
- Stay on the trail
- Do not cut across steppe or forest; erosion and fire risk are the reasons.
- Reservations checked
- Rangers check lodging reservations between campsites and can turn you around.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without park permission.check
- Waste
- Carry out everything you bring in; bins are limited inside the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puerto Natales
The main base, 2 h from the gate; hostels, hotels and gear rental.
In the park
Refugios on the W (Paine Grande, Grey, Cuernos, Torres)
Dorm beds and meals; book months ahead for high season.
In the park
CONAF campsites
Free or low-cost camping, reserved through the official park site; the first to fill.
In the park
Hotel Las Torres and Hostería Lago Grey
The two full hotels inside the park, at the trailheads for the towers and the glacier boat.
Safety
Wind high
Sudden weather change high
Long distances between services medium
River crossings and snow medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The administration area, Salto Grande and Mirador Cóndor involve short walks from parking.
- The W and O treks are rough, steep and multi-day; not suitable for limited mobility.
- The Grey Glacier boat and the Pudeto catamaran are the easiest way to see the glacier and the massif without walking far.
Visiting lightly
- Use the refugios and campsites that carry out their waste; nothing is collected on the trails.
- Never light a fire outside designated areas — the park has burned repeatedly from careless stoves.
- Keep distance from guanacos and never feed wildlife; dogs are not allowed in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Torres del Paine National Park?
Foreign adults pay roughly CLP 21,000–35,000 in high season and less in low season; Chilean residents pay less. The fee is collected at the gates, mainly Laguna Amarga. Treat the figures as 2026 estimates and check the official park site before you travel.
What are the best hikes in Torres del Paine National Park?
The W trek (4–5 days) links Grey Glacier, Valle Francés and Base de las Torres. The O Circuit (7–10 days) adds John Gardner Pass and the backside of the massif. If you have one day, the Base de las Torres hike from Hotel Las Torres is the classic; Mirador Cóndor and Salto Grande are short and easy.
When is the best time to visit Torres del Paine National Park?
November to March is the season: long daylight, warmer days and all services running. January and February are the busiest. April and September are quieter but have one bus a day, and May to August is winter, when public buses stop and parts of the trails close.
Do I need to book refugios and campsites in advance?
Yes. Since 2016 lodging inside the park must be reserved, and rangers check reservations between campsites. High-season beds at the refugios and the free CONAF campsites sell out months ahead.
How do I get to Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales?
Buses leave the Puerto Natales terminal twice daily in high season, taking about two hours to Laguna Amarga, then continuing to Pudeto and the administration. In April and September there is one departure a day, and no public buses run May to August.
Can I visit Torres del Paine without trekking?
Yes. Day trips from Puerto Natales cover the gates, Salto Grande, Mirador Cóndor and the Grey Glacier boat, and the catamaran from Pudeto crosses Lago Pehoé to Paine Grande. You still need the entry ticket and, for the boat, a booking.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go