Patagonia Chile:
Hora Local:
Español English  
 

  TORRES DEL PAINE
DESCRIPTION OF DESTINATION
 Introduction
 Unmissables
 Usefultips
URBAN CIRCUITS
 Puerto Natales
 Cerro Castillo Village
 Museums
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
 Introduction
 Main Attractions In The Park
 Sports and Adventure
 Mountain Circuits
BERNARDO O’HIGGINS NATIONAL PARK
 Description
NATURE AND FLORA & FAUNA
 Puerto Natales Promenade
 Mylodon Cave Natural Monument
 Laguna Sofia
 Antonio Varas Peninsula
 Los Condores Viewpoint
SPORT AND ECO TURISM
 Ascent
 Sport Fishing
 Sailing
 Horse Riding
EVENTS
 Cultural Activities
 Sports Events
MAPS
 Maps
GALLERY
 Gallery Pictures


Mountain Circuits

By visiting these sites, you will get the most fantastic sensation of freedom and harmony with nature of your life.

LAS TORRES BASE
At the beginning, we come across Ascencio River, which forces us to go over a footbridge in order to ascend few hills and, after a 2-hour walk, to reach the Refugio Chileno. Afterwards, we continue by skirting Ascencio River and after two hours we will find a lagoon at majestic Torres del Paine’s feet. The North, Central and South Towers (Torres) form this spectacular scenery that year after year have been admired by thousands of tourists from all over the world, as well as its walls thicker than 1 kilometer of granite rock have challenged expeditions willing to reach the summit. It is possible to go back the very same day and find accommodation at a hotel, shelter or campsite. There are camping facilities inside the valley at the Torres or Japones camp sites.

W CIRCUIT
In order to carry out this adventure, timing should be calculated according to three important variables: weight to be carried, physical condition, weather condition.

First Day: You start hiking from the Hosteria las Torres area, setting off very early towards Las Torres base: This journey should take at around 4 hours. When you get to the base, you can see Torres del Paine.
The return trip is carried out in 3.5 hours and there is a chance of finding accommodation in the area in a hoster a (small hotel), camp site or shelter.

Second Day: You start hiking from the Hosteria las Torres area, setting off very early towards el italiano area (free campsite with no facilities) skirting Nordenskjöld Lake and passing by Cuernos (horns) del Paine’s feet; the trip takes around 6 hours. It is possible to walk for 4 hours until you reach the first stop, at Los Cuernos area where you can find accommodation services.

Third day: We go into the path that will lead us to Valle del Francés or French Valley, where we will have a panoramic view of Francés Glacier, Paine Grande, Cuernos del Paine and a great array of mountains inside the valley. On our way back, we will go through the Italian Campsite to continue our way (two hours) towards Refugio Lodge Paine Grande.

Fourth day: Following our excursion, we will take a pathway between Grey Lake and Paine Grande to arrive after a 3.5 hour easy walk, to Refugio Grey, only 20 minutes away. Continuing through the path, you find the most important viewpoint of Grey glacier.
On the way back, you can take a sailing connection to Pehoe Lake and after a 25 minute sailing trip, you will reach Pudeto area where you can find regular bus connections to Puerto Natales or you can walk for 5 hours from Lodge Paine Grande towards the administrative office (Las Carretas pathway).

LONG CIRCUIT
Regular companies traveling into the park arrive by Portería de Laguna Amarga, were an entrance fee is charged.
Later, the passage between Laguna Amarga -Las Torres can be done by two alternatives: walking 1.5 hours or taking a transfer service with direct connection to the buses arriving from the city of Puerto Natales. Around Hostería las Torres, there are three options for accommodation services (hoster a, camp site or shelter) This is the longest excursion that encircles the great Mountain Chain and that for years has been described as a compulsory route in every single guide promoting trekking in Patagonia.
This can be carried out between 6 to 8 days depending on visitor’s physical conditions and also depending on weather changes.

First day: Visit the Las Torres Base, staying at hostería, shelter or camp site (Las Torres area) Second day: 4-hour-journey, leaving the shelter or camp site in Las Torres area to arrive to and also to stay at Serón camp site.
Third day: Setting off from Serón Camp site to get after a three hour hike to Paine lake area and to continue for another three hours to Refugio Dickson.
Fourth day: Setting off from Refugio Dickson heading towards Los Perros Camp site, arriving within 4 hours.
Fifth day: Weather conditions will be the key aspect to determine how long this trip going across the highest part of the park will take. Departing from Los Perros, passing through Paso and Guardas camp sites, and finally arriving to Refugio Grey area, in 9 hours approximately.
Sixth day: Setting off Grey area heading towards Refugio Pehoé, 3.50 hour walk, saving some optional time to probably visiting Valle Francés.
Seventh day: Return.

DIRECT ACCESS

 



© 2010 All rights reserved 
SERNATUR and Gobierno Regional.