Torres Del Paine
The 1 day independent & sustainable guide to Chile's most incredible national park
We’ve all seen them. Countless photos in travel magazines of a place very far away, with frolicking guanacos and snowcapped rock formations crashing down upon turquoise glacial lakes. Mountains so jagged, so angled, and so flatout incredible it’s hard to believe they're real and not just an outline on a Patagonia jacket tag. But this breathtaking place does exist and it’s entirely within reach. Just a four hour flight from Santiago, Chilean Patagonia, and specifically Torres Del Paine National Park, is a bucket list experience just waiting to be checked off.
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Like any of the world’s most incredible places, there are many ways to experience Torres Del Paine. Some opt for the multi-day trek, an experience that is likely to be amazing, but also includes a lot of planning, gear and money, both in park entry fees and refugio (hostel) beds (that start at about $50 per night! ). Another option is the organized day tour, which consists of a bus full of passengers and a chatty guide who wrangles the group off and on the bus at numerous locations throughout the day.
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We (as always) prefer independent travel, and both the flexibility and solitude that comes with visiting an amazing location on our own terms. So, without further adieu, here’s our 1 Day Independent and Sustainable Guide to Torres Del Paine. Because who wants to stand in a travel magazine photo with a hundred other people?
Why Go Independently
Independent travel allows for more flexibility, more solitude and more control over how you travel. As you might expect, the experience will be more personal, and in this case, you’ll have the opportunity to quietly connect with nature rather just than snapping a few photos and moving on. You’ll also save money - most organized day tours are expensive and many don’t include lunch or park entrance fees.
Independent travel allows for more flexibility, more solitude and more control over how you travel. As you might expect, the experience will be more personal, and in this case, you’ll have the opportunity to quietly connect with nature rather just than snapping a few photos and moving on. You’ll also save money - most organized day tours are expensive and many don’t include lunch or park entrance fees.
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How To Make It A Sustainable Trip
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- Take the bus: Simple enough, right. Taking a bus with dozens of other passengers reduces the carbon footprint of your travel to and from the park, keeping this beautiful landscape as pollution free as possible.
- Stay Local: Choose sustainable and/or locally-owned hotels and restaurants when visiting Torres del Paine. This limits your environmental impact and ensures the money you spend goes back into the local community.
How to get to Puerto Natales
The easiest way to reach Puerto Natales is through Punta Arenas, which has regular flights from Santiago. Punta Arenas is about 3 hours away (via Bus Sur, Bus Fernandez or many others). Each bus company has a different terminal within Punta Arenas, and also makes pick ups at the airport. The buses are all clean, safe and well maintained. Alternatively, El Calafate, Argentina has regular flights from Buenos Aires and is about six hours away, including the border crossing.
The easiest way to reach Puerto Natales is through Punta Arenas, which has regular flights from Santiago. Punta Arenas is about 3 hours away (via Bus Sur, Bus Fernandez or many others). Each bus company has a different terminal within Punta Arenas, and also makes pick ups at the airport. The buses are all clean, safe and well maintained. Alternatively, El Calafate, Argentina has regular flights from Buenos Aires and is about six hours away, including the border crossing.
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How to get to Torres Del Paine
Torres Del Paine is 100 kilometers north of Puerto Natales. Each day, buses leave from the main terminal at 7:30am and 2:30pm, taking about 2 hours (including a 15 minute rest stop) to reach the park. Many companies (at least four) go to the park on the same schedule. They are all reliable, safe and cost the same (8,000 pesos/$11 each way). Our advice, take the 7:30am bus and beat the tour groups!
Torres Del Paine is 100 kilometers north of Puerto Natales. Each day, buses leave from the main terminal at 7:30am and 2:30pm, taking about 2 hours (including a 15 minute rest stop) to reach the park. Many companies (at least four) go to the park on the same schedule. They are all reliable, safe and cost the same (8,000 pesos/$11 each way). Our advice, take the 7:30am bus and beat the tour groups!
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What To Bring
Weather inside the park can change quickly, so be sure to wear layers, including a water proof/resistant jacket and good hiking shoes. It is typically windy, so a hat is also a great idea. Pack a lunch! There are a couple of small coffee shops/cafes inside the park but food is very expensive and not very tasty. Puerto Natales has many local supermarkets where you can purchase sandwich makings, snacks and water. 
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What To Do Once You're There
The bus will make three stops inside the park. At the first stop, Laguna Amarga, all passengers will be required to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as watch a short video about the park rules. With a full bus, this process takes about a half hour. You may then begin exploring or get back on the bus to go to the second (Pudeto, the location of the catamaran) or the third stop (park administration).
For the best one-day experience, we suggest getting off at the second stop, Pudeto. Here’s why:
The bus will make three stops inside the park. At the first stop, Laguna Amarga, all passengers will be required to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as watch a short video about the park rules. With a full bus, this process takes about a half hour. You may then begin exploring or get back on the bus to go to the second (Pudeto, the location of the catamaran) or the third stop (park administration).
For the best one-day experience, we suggest getting off at the second stop, Pudeto. Here’s why:
- It’s a great location for an easy, self-guided and incredible hike. The 2-hour (round trip) hike to Sendero Mirador takes you past Salto Grande waterfall, and offers great views of both Lago Nordenskjold and the famous Torres Del Paine mountains. Salto Grande is a popular spot on the tour circuit, but if you take the 7:30am bus, you’ll beat the crowds and should have the trail virtually to yourself.
- Options. If you don’t want to go on the hike, there is a catamaran that takes you across Lago Pehoe to Paine Grande, which is supposed to be incredible. It’s a bit pricey though, at just over $20 per person, each way.
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When To Leave
Regular buses make two daily trips back to Puerto Natales. The first (which we took) picks up from the drop-off spots starting at 1pm (Conaf Administration). It then stops at Pudeto at 1:30pm, and Laguna Amarga at 2:30pm, arriving back in Puerto Natales at approximately 5pm. The second round of buses back to Puerto Natales follows the same schedule, but starts from Conaf Administration at 6pm, arriving in Puerto Natales at 10pm.
Regular buses make two daily trips back to Puerto Natales. The first (which we took) picks up from the drop-off spots starting at 1pm (Conaf Administration). It then stops at Pudeto at 1:30pm, and Laguna Amarga at 2:30pm, arriving back in Puerto Natales at approximately 5pm. The second round of buses back to Puerto Natales follows the same schedule, but starts from Conaf Administration at 6pm, arriving in Puerto Natales at 10pm.
Questions?
Click here for more information about Torres Del Paine or send us an email at [email protected]. We'll be happy to help as best we can.
Click here for more information about Torres Del Paine or send us an email at [email protected]. We'll be happy to help as best we can.
