Región Magallanes y Antártica Chilena 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

Hi,

Before we went to Torres del Paine we want to buy some food for our trekking. Does anyone know the supermarket is open on Sunday? If so, what are the openingtimes?

Does anyone know how to hook up with a local guide for Torres del Paine before the trip (mid-November) or once in Puerto Natales?

If I don't find a local guide, I will trek it alone. Any advise is appreciated for a single traveler.

Thanks

I am going on an antarctic crusies arriving back in Ushuaia on 11 December and then meeting my friend who is flying into Punta Arenas. Please could anyone tell me how I can get to Punta Arenas and whether it is more cost effective to hire a car for a week or so to visit the TDP etc or whether the buses are reliable and economical. 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

I visited a few years ago and I thought there was a mural with birds by Picasso's father. I would like to verify if this is true.

With two companions we are wanting to travel from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia on Sunday 29th November 2009 and returning on Sunday 6th December 2009. Sunday seems to be a bad day as I can't find any bus services that operate on Sundays. Does anyone know of any bus services that operate on these days or can suggest any alternatives in addition to flying?

thanks, Miriam

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.

Hi,

Planning to travel Puerto Natales, Chile to El Calafate, Argentina, are there any buses and how frequent ? how much does it cost ?

Thanks

My friend and I are travelling around South America and expect to be in Santiago at the beginning of July. We would like to travel to Southern Patagonia and, if possible, Ushuaia, however, we are struggling to find any tour companies that operate at this time of year. We would be very grateful for any advice as to whether it is worth attempting the trip when tour companies in the UK are advising against it and for any suggestions regarding the best way to travel down. Would the best route be to fly to Punta Arenas? Are we likely to be able to find any accomodation on arrival or can anyone suggest somewhere we could book in advance (transport permitting!)? We understand that the weather can be very unpredicatable and we are prepared to face the freezing conditions in order to be able to see the magnificant scenery. We would be grateful for any any assistance. Many thanks in advance!

Hi.
Bus from Cile (i.e. Puerto Natales) to El Calafate are available in winter, for example the 30th July ?

If yes, I need more details on the bus company included, if possible, the web site or the email contact.

Many thanks en advance !

Silvio Cri

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?

We are considering doing this hike for abot 2-3 hours while on shore during a cruise stop...can anyone comment on what it's like? Easy or hard, beautiful etc.?

Hello

I'll be in Punta arenas for 8 hours.

I'm hesitating between a visit to the otway bay and to magdalena island. what do you suggest? I'd go there for the penguins.

do you suggest to save a few hours to have a look at the zona franca (duty free market)?

Is it possible to visit that Park from punta arenas (back and forth) in about 8 hours?

I was told this park is a must see. What can I see there?

Can anyone help me with this one.

I know it may be difficult to answer but I'll visit Punta Arenas in Chile a few days before going to Puerto madryn in Argentina.

In Punta Arenas I can visit the Magdalena Island or the Otway bay to see penguins.

Also even though I want to see penguins (I want to see a lot of them), I don't want to see the same thing twice Which one would you recommend between Magdalena Island, Otway bay in CHILE OR lombo natural reserve or peninsula valdes IN ARGENTINA (PUERTO MADRYN)?

THANKS

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

My husband and I are traveling in TdP in late Feb/Early March. We need to transfer from Puerto Natales CL to Rio Gallegos AR. I haven't been able to find any buses which post schedules, although out guide books mention the route exists 4 days a week. Any insight would be appreciated....

I have 2 questions on car driving from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales (we will be there mid February, 2009):
1) we will arrive by flight from Puerto Montt at about 18.30 PM (namely, will be out of the airport about 19.30. Are the car rental offices still operating at the airport?
2) How long is the drive to P. Natales??

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

Hi,

Would anyone have recommendations/experiences with Transpatagonia Car Rental (http://www.transpatagonia.cl)? The quote I received, and upon some basic negotiation is

TransPatagonia Car Rentals - $350.00
Motorcars Car Rentals - $420.00

Options include Free mileage, TAX, Insurance, International Insurance, Documents to cross the border

ANY OTHER GOOD CAR RENTAL AGENCIES?

Thanks
Srujan

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

We plan to fly into Ushuaia ( from El Calafate ), and then go into Chile ( presumably through Punta Arenas ), see Torres del Paine, and then fly to Santiago.

The general question is how should we do it?

The particular questions are:
1) Is it easy to rent a car in Argentina and drop it off in Chile?
2) What is the best way to get from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas? Car/ferry? Bus/ferry? Fly? ( not interested in cruise ship )
3) Where is a reasonable place to stay while visiting Torres del Paine? Puerto Natales?
4) Where do we catch a flight from southern Chile into Santiago? The best we can find requires going back south to Punta Arenas.
5) Or should we scrap the plan above and take the different route of El Calafate to Torres del Paine, back to El Calafate, then down to Usuaia?

Also, any general advice on the whole plan would appreciated.
Thanks
-HB

We will be in Ushuaia in early November and would like to rent a car and drive from there to punta arenas and thereafter to puerto natales and El Calafate. Is this possible feasible given a timeimit of 8 days?

I hear that the roads in Chile are some of the best in South America. I have tentative plans to do a road trip from Santiago to Punta Arenas that would take a week and a half. I'm not sure if this is even possible, so here's my question. I can't find any highways on the maps i've looked at that will take me the whole way - are there ways to drive through that last patch in the south or will I have to fly there?

Thank you.

Joe