Torres del Paine Travel Forum

Hi,
We would be arriving from a cruise in Puntas Arenas on a Tuesday (11:30 am).
We would like to spend the next day (Wednesday) in Torres del Paine but then going at night to El Calafate instead of coming back to Puerto Natales, then spending Thursday and Friday in El Calafate.

1/ Do you have any tips on car rental from Puntas Arenas to El Calafate (I have read that it might be difficult and expensive)

2/If not do you know any agencies that would organise a one day tour in TDP starting from Puerto Natales and leaving you in El Calafate ?

3/If not any other tips to go directly from TDP to El Calafate ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Can anyone give me some beautiful easy hikes (about 2-3 hours total incl return) in Torres del Paine from Hosteria Lago Grey, Hosteria Pehoe and Hosteria Las Torres?

Thanks

hello!
We are planning a tour to the TDP by car and would like to know what you do with petrol, since there isn't a gas station in the park. If anyone travelled in the park with a car i would love to hear about your expirience.
thans, Shoshy

Hi!

Could you tell me pls, is it possible to make W in Torres Del Paine in late July in 3 days? How snow is it? What about avalanches?

Thanks a lot.

Nick.

Hola todos

I am wondering is it still possible to trek in TDP in late-late April to the beginig of May? of course weather will be cooold but exectly how cold/rainy/windy is it?

I had booked a place in TdP for 2 nights in mid February 2009, and my plans for this region were as follows:
1) arrive by airplane to P. Arenas (clearing the airport at about 19.30); renting a car and driving it to P. Natales for overnight;
2) driving the car into TdP and staying there for the 2 nights as mentioned;
3) last day afternood driving the car back to P. Natales for overnight or maybe another day & night; Dropping the car there.
4) taking a bus to El Calafate.

Now, we found out that renting car in P. Arenas is difficult and drop off charges might be high. So we thought to take the bus from P. Arenas to P. Natales and to rent the car there. As to this plan, does anyone know if the buses to P. Natales run so late, and if they run via the airport (otherwise we'll need to carry all our luggage to the town, which will make it even latter for catching the bus..).

Then we thought to change the plans even further. Instead of renting car in P. Natales, to enter the park with the ZODIAKs (by water). I wander if this is possible with all our luggage, does it have to be booked in advance and how much it can cost.
In the park we thought to hire a local guide with vehicle for internal transport, but I am not sure if such arrangements exist either in the park or in P. Natales? How much local guide can cost, do we need to pay for his accommodation or he takes care of it? Any recommendation of good guide or reliable company that does such arrangements will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot for any input on the many questions posted here

Hi-
I am planning to hike around Patagonia and Torres del Paine in the second half of March. Do temperatures drop below freezing at night? I am trying to determine whther I need to bring a 20F sleeping bag or am I Ok with a 35F or 32F sleeping bag? It makes a big difference in terms of cost, weight and blukiness. Does anyone have first-hand experience? I'd like to be able to camp relatively high in the mountains and not have to worry to climb down at lower elevations, because I prefer to do circuit trekking rather than a series of daytrips. I want to cover a lot of ground and keep moving forward - which is another reason I need to be mindful of the weight of the pack.
Thanks!

Has anyone stayed at the Overland Sodexho campsite at Pehoe? The website is www.campingpehoe.com - I would love to get any first hand reviews if possible.

Thanks

Hi there,

I'm planning a couple of days around TDP on 27-29 December this year and thought I'd share my plan and ask for comments, and/or confirmation that the plan sounds reasonable and feasible from those lucky enough to have already experienced this wonderful National Park.

27th, Chalten Travel tour collects me from El Calafate very early, drive around the park, visit Lago Grey, short hikes, then I plan to get dropped off at Pudeto at 16.15. I believe there is a catamaran/boat over to Paine Grande Lodge at 18.30 (arriving at 19.00). Spend the night there.

28th, early departure, spend morning hiking to Refugio Los Cuernos (avoiding the French Valley), stop for lunch. Afternoon continue trek to Refugio Torres. Spend the night there.

29th, trek up the valley/gorge to Mirador Las Torres to take in the view, then return to Refugio Torres, collect pack, take a minibus/shuttle to Laguna Amarga Park Entrance and take bus around 19h to Puerto Natales - spend the night there.

30th, Bus to Punta Arenas. I believe there are regular buses and booking is not necessary (or even possible?). Busesfernandez did not respond to my booking request on their website...

SO... does this trip sounds feasible? Are there any ATM's in the park -eg at Amarga? I suppose it would probably be best to change money into Chilean pesos in Buenos Aires or El Calafate before entering the park.

Comments and tips welcome! Thanks in advance :)

Hi All...

i am traveling throughout Patagonia for three weeks in late November - early December; and am planning to visit Torres Del Paine around 12/3-12/9... i would very much like to Trek the "W" in the park, and am in need of advice / information...
i am a pretty experienced trekker, but i am traveling alone, (and certainly do not plan on trekking solo!)... so would love to know the following:

1. are there any resources / contacts that you would reccommend for the solo trekker to join up with others during the same time period??...i know people have mentioned just staying at a hostel and meeting up with someone; but maybe someone has a specific place to contact? or has done a similar trip and could share their experience?...maybe local trekking club to contact?

2. in my research thus far it doesnt really seem like the kind of place where you might hire a guide (i have done this on previous trips just bc i was travelling alone and it was a sure guarantee of a partner who took care of logistics)...is this true, or does any one reccommend hiring a guide?

3. is anyone else of similar situation looking for a travel partner during this time??

any advice is welcome and totally appreciated... thanks so much!!!

julia

I am in aprocess of planning a 1 month trip to S. America for 2 60 years young couples (1st visit). The plan is essentially completed but I was told that I may have to change it based on availability of accommodation in Torres del Paine (TDP). We plan to arrive to Puerto Natalas (PN) on Feb. 15, 2009 with rented car, to enter TDP next day, to overnight there 2 nights and to leave back to Puerto Natalas on Feb. 18, 2009.
I checked the prices in the Hosteria's insidethe park and they are very expensive (not less than 150 USD for a double-bed room with private bathroom). My questions are:
1) recommendation of cheapest possible accommodation with private rooms+bathroom; We may also consider a solution of a cottage with 2 separate sleeping rooms and shared bathroom, if something like that exists in the park.

2) I also play with a possibility to stay in Puerto Natales and go back and forth each day (we will have a car). It may even be possible for us to extand our stay in the region for another night to compensate for the time lost on driving.. Now, I heard that they had made a new road that shortens the driving time from PN to TDP to less than 2 hours. Is this true? Does it make the idea to stay in PN and to save money more logic?

Hi,

QUESTION 1: I have been looking for the exact length of W hike (Grey Glacier campsite -> Pehoe Campsite -> Campamento Brittanica -> Camp Los Cuernos - > Campamento Torres -> Refugio Torres) Can anyone tell me the exact distances between the above campsites. The FAQ on FantasticoSur does have some distances in proposed itineraries - but is not clear.

QUESTION 2: Another question I have is - Is it possible to get off the Catamaran/boat at Refugio Grey and start W-Hike from there?

QUESTION 3: Are there any places on this hike that're difficult for the acrophobic? People who're worried about walking about precipices. I hear - as we get close to the towers, it could get a little bit like that.

Thanks
Srujan

What is the best way to travel from the Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine to El Calafate or to Los Nostros near Perito Moreno. We want to avoid backtracking to Punta Arenas. Thanks. David

Does anyone know how to contact this lodge? I am looking for a phone number, nobody is responding to the one on their website.

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!

Hi

My wife and I would like to hike the circuit in Nov/Dec 2008. We would like to pre book some refugios. Is there a site to do this or list of email addresses. Searching in google only seems to throw up tour operators and we wish to hike independantly.

Thanks

Which cheap touroperator in Puerto Natales for a two/three day Tour can you recommend.

I have send some e-mails to the touragents but the asked price around 600 and 900$!!!!!

What do we had to see in three days Torres del Paine.

Is it better to book a organized tour from Puerto Natalas? If so, which cheap touragent could you recommend?

Or is it better to book a refugio, hike to Las Torres and after that a refugio near Lake Grey?

Hello,
Are there any bus services that take a direct route from El Calafate to Torres del paine? If not, what is the quickest way to get there?
Thanks, Brad

Four of us need to travel from Torres del Paine to El Calafate in early February. Does anyone know of a bus company that runs from the park to El Calafate? What about from Cerro Castillo to El Calafate?

If not, any recommendations for a way to charter a bus for the trip?

Thanks!

We stayed there several years ago when it first opened. We understand that there is now a direct road to the hotel and you no longer have to call for a boat. Was that your experience with the road? Can you drive directly from the hotel to various parts of the Torres? Or cross a bridge? Thanks

thank you for your answers
what about fjord cruise?is it worth spanding 4 dyas on it?
And what about Punta Arenas?is it worth a 1-2days stay?
thank you

hello
we're planning a very big trip of 15 days, including a 3days stay in torres del paine area and the cruise starting from Puerto Montt and going sounth (4 days). the rest of the trip will be Pucon and Santiago and arounds. I wonder if the torres bit is worth it. i mean what is there to see except for scenery? And the cruise -is it a must or i could skip?
thank you

I'm going to be in Chile in December and want to spend about 5 or 6 days trekking in the Torres del Paine National Park.

Can anyone give me details about local tour companies that organises treks in the park?

Thanks