Torres del Paine Travel Forum

Hi

I'm travelling on my own and would like to join a tour of somekind for the NP. Is it possible to shop around for a tour (3-7 days) when I get to Puerto Natales?
On the internet I've only found tours from $1000 and up - is that the price for a tour in the park or are there some budget alternatives?

Hope you can help!

The only tours offered by companies in Puerto Natales are day tours.There are no guided tours except those offered by Hosteria Las Torres,Hosteria Lago Grey

To get the most out of your visit to the park you have a few options.

1. Rent a car and drive to the park every day from Puerto Natales.

2. Rent a car and stay within the park.There are refuges that you can book through Hosteria Las Torres.

For the refuges
www.lastorres.com
www.comapa.com

3. Rent a car and stay in Hosteria Pehoe.At $US 220 per night,a bit pricey,but the view is fantastic.

www.pehoe.com

there certainly ARE companies in Puerto Natales offering tours of the park. i suggest contacting your hotel/hostel to see if they have any alternatives.
here's a list of agencies:
http://www.patagonia-chile.com/ubicacion/empresas.php

I have worked extensively with Antares/Bigfoot and they are fantastic companies although on the high end side.

The fact of the matter is that things are expensive down there and guided trips into Paine are one of those things. If you give yourself a couple of days in Natales to shop around you may find something suitable.

Also try a couple of lodging/tour places like Casa Cecilia and Erratic Rock which might set you up with something. They aren't bad places to stay either.
www.casaceciliahostal.com
www.erraticrock.com

The paths in TDP are so well trodden, well marked and so busy that it's a waste of money (in my opinion) to join a tour, especially for 7 days. If you are travelling solo and want to hike with somebody I suggest going to one of the hostels in Natales where you'll easily meet up with someone else planning the hike. Also, even if you don't travel in a tour the costs start to pile up in TDP when you factor in park entry fee, food, refugios (if you stay in these), transfers to the park, catamaran fee, etc.