INTRODUCTION

 

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02 

 

Trip Highlights

• 6 and 7-day trekking trips to Torres del Paine National Park and the famous "W" hiking trail.

• Full-board accommodation at up to 4 of the mountain lodges (refugios) located along this famous park's trail.

• Scenic catamaran trip at Pehoe Lake, a delightful commuting service at the heart's of Torres del Paine park.

• Available guided option with a focus on nature photography and natural history interpretation.

 

This program is operated as a custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy). This is available as a guided scheduled departure for individuals or small private groups; see dates for 2010/2011.

 

The Difference of Traveling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:

• Full flexibility by giving you the chance to choose the dates that are most suitable for your travel plans.

• Leave the hassle of booking at the refugios and related transportation logistics in the hands of local company, that will be responsible for every trip arrangement. We will also be available if you need assistance in the field.

• Each vehicle and driver we use has been authorized by the Chilean Transportation Authority.

• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great natural history books for Torres del Paine and Patagonia.

• …plus an useful pre-departure information package (hiking map, wildlife checklists and more).

 

Torres del Paine Hiker can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

• Torres del Paine Explorer (3 to 5-day private trips) which will supplement your hiking adventure by allowing you to explore the eastern and western sectors of the park and have close encounters with the wildlife.

• Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 and 5 days), discover the wildlife and landscapes of the world's end.

 

ITINERARY 6-DAY OPTION

 

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 days | Trip Code: TDP02 (staying at three lodges of the trail)

 

Day 1 • Bus Journey to Torres del Paine National Park | Transfer to Refugio Torre Central

You will take an early bus ride to Torres del Paine National Park, leaving approximately at 7am. This journey takes about 2 hours and you will enter the park through "Laguna Amarga" (Bitter Lagoon) entrance, main access to this World Biosphere Reserve. After your official entrance, by paying the park fee and filling your entry form, you will be transferred to Refugio Torre Central, where a light lunch will wait for you. Afterwards you will have time to relax and explore the surroundings as well as to look at your map and study your route for the next week. The refugios have a very nice and friendly atmosphere; there are ample common areas with great views of the towering peaks, and some of the rooms have good views. Here you will meet the friendly "refugio" staff, mostly local, which will make their best in order to provide good service and food. The refugios offer shared facilities and each room have 6 bunks. After dinner you can socialize with other guests, but be aware that the lights will be turned off around 11.30pm.

O/N Refugio Torre Central, Torres del Paine. (L,D).

Day 2 • Full day hike to Las Torres (The Towers) base

This is your chance to see your first sunrise in the park; have your cameras ready and batteries properly charged in order to enjoy and photograph this great nature spectacle; the first sun rays give the characteristic orange coloration to the granite walls of the Paine towers. You can start your hike to the base of the towers around 8, right after breakfast. This is a full day hike and it has the reputation of being one of the most strenuous in the entire park. The path steadily climbs the foothills of Almirante Nieto Mount for 1.5 hours. Then you will see the dramatic Ascencio Canyon, one of the valleys that dissect the Paine Massif from west to east. You will pass through secondary woodlands along the Ascencio river, and will have great views of the hanging glaciers of Nieto Mount and the contrasting rock layers of Paine Mount. An impressive morraine will block your view of the "Towers" for a while. This part of the trail has to be done with extreme caution and slow pace; it takes nearly 45 minutes of steady climb until you will gain height and have the most impressive view of the Paine towers. This is the grande finale of the hike. Huge boulders surround the hidden lagoon at the very base of the mountains; its greenish water is loaded with glacier sediment. From here you can study the different shades of the granite rock. Then you will start you hike back to Refugio Torre Central, appr. 3.5 hours, following the same trail.

O/N Refugio Torre Central, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

Day 3 • Hike to Los Cuernos (The Horns) | Lake Nordenskjöld

You will continue the hike along the "W" trail but this time you will move in direction south-west. This is the beggining of the Nordenskjöld Lake, part of the park's fluvial system, which is entirely connected by Rio Paine (Paine River). From here you will have fantastic views of "Almirante Nieto" Mount and its dramatic foldings of the sedimentary rock. Along the northern edge of the lake, the view angle will dramatically change according you keep moving and shortly you will see the "Cuernos" (or Horns). There are several viewpoints from where you will have spectacular views of the surrounding lakes and the distant Andes mountains located in the southern fringes of the park. The vegetation will change also, and you will see Chilean Firebush (Protea family) and its dazzling scarlet-red flowers among a good selection of montane flora. Soaring condors on this part of the trail will offer great chances for photography and study. After nearly 4 hours you will reach Refugio Los Cuernos, and its great setting at the base of the mountains. From the refugio you will be marvelled by the impressive views of the granite walls of Los Cuernos and part of Paine Grande (Big Paine Mount) at the distance. Don't forget to see the great sunsets with dramatic lenticular cloud formations and the granite walls glowing with the sunrise light.

NOTE: This part can be one of the windiest of the whole trail as most of the path is exposed to the katabatic winds. Are you interested to learn what is katabatic?

O/N Refugio Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 4 • Full day hike to Valle del Francés (French's Valley)

You will start your day with a two hour hike to the "Italian Camp", located along the Rio Frances (French's River). From here you will have commanding views of the huge hanging glacier of Paine Grande (the Big Paine Mount), tallest peak in the park (3,050 m | 10,000 ft.). Avalanches are often heard and you can even see them at the distance (at the other side of the River!), these avalanches feed an ever-growing piedmonte glacier and there is a large melting at its base; you will see huge volumes of fast-moving water flowing towards the river. You will keep ascending two to three hours up the Valle del Francés (French Valley), until you literraly walk along a lateral morraine. A spectacular mountain formation awaits, one of the finest in Patagonia, and you will realize that is no need to reach the very beginning of the valley to see this; just a short distance from Italian Camp you will be amazed by the grand mountain scenario.There is a fantastic amphitheatre of granite spires, the least-known park's peaks but also several of the most beautiful and a fantastic location for landscape photography. You will have unusual angles of the Paine "Horns", the "Mask", the "Blade" and the "Sword". In terms of wildlife the striking Torrent Duck is often seen along the river rapids. Lots of orchids and an interesting array of montane flowers are usually found along the path. After some time for silence and appreciation, you will descend towards Refugio Paine Grande (nearly 2 hours from Italian Camp); this is an easy and relatively level walk.

O/N Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 5 • Hike to Grey Glacier

From the Refugio Paine Grande takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach the viewpoint of the Grey Glacier. Tthe path ascends for an hour and then descends along the eastern side of the lake. Impressive indigo-colored icebergs drift towards the other side of the lake, driven by impressive gales. You will be walking along the formation source of the entire Paine Massif; impressive layers and folds which here are rather vertical than horizontal as well as feeding dykes, granite intrusions and deformed sedimentary rock layers talk about the dramatic origin of these magnificent set of mountains. The Paine Massif is very young in comparison to the much eroded Andes that you can see beyond the glaciers towards the west and north. You will eventually reach the Grey Glacier, one of the most impressive glaciers of the whole Patagonian Icefield, yet one of the most rapidly receading. If you are lucky you can even see some calving from its heavily-crevassed front. Here, there is a again another great sunset opportunity with dramatic clouds passing rapidly pushed by the strong westerly winds. During the afternoon you will walk back to Paine Grande Lodge, for nearly 4 hours, at a good leisure pace. This will be your last night in the park. It is worthwhile to see a sunset at Pehoe Lake, its impressive emerald-colored waters, contrasting with the dramatic colors and cloud formations of the sunset

O/N Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 6 • Pehoe Lake | Catamaran trip to Pudeto | Bus journey to Puerto Natales

This morning we will board the catamaran "Campos de Hielo" in order to reach the eastern side of Pehoe Lake. This is a short ride of approximately 30 minutes from where you will have  one of the last views of the Paine Massif; this will be one of the last of your activities within the park. By noon you will be transferred from Pudeto Camp to Puerto Natales and from there you will take a connecting regular bus service to Punta Arenas. Arriving to Punta Arenas around 9pm. (B,L).

 

Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide.

 

• W Circuit without a guide? See what the forums say. Click here.

 

• Another good introduction to this famous hiking trail. Click here.

7-DAY

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 days | Trip Code: TDP02 (staying at all four lodges of the trail | extra day to explore the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, see Day 6)

 

Day 1 • Bus Journey to Torres del Paine National Park | Transfer to Refugio Torre Central

You will take an early bus ride to Torres del Paine National Park, leaving approximately at 7am. This journey takes about 2 hours and you will enter the park through "Laguna Amarga" (Bitter Lagoon) entrance, main access to this World Biosphere Reserve. After your official entrance, by paying the park fee and filling your entry form, you will be transferred to Refugio Torre Central, where a light lunch will wait for you. Afterwards you will have time to relax and explore the surroundings as well as to look at your map and study your route for the next week. The refugios have a very nice and friendly atmosphere; there are ample common areas with great views of the towering peaks, and some of the rooms have good views. Here you will meet the friendly "refugio" staff, mostly local, which will make their best in order to provide good service and food. The refugios offer shared facilities and each room have 6 bunks. After dinner you can socialize with other guests, but be aware that the lights will be turned off around 11.30pm.

O/N Refugio Torre Central, Torres del Paine. (L,D).

Day 2 • Full day hike to Las Torres (The Towers) base

This is your chance to see your first sunrise in the park; have your cameras ready and batteries properly charged in order to enjoy and photograph this great nature spectacle; the first sun rays give the characteristic orange coloration to the granite walls of the Paine towers. You can start your hike to the base of the towers around 8, right after breakfast. This is a full day hike and it has the reputation of being one of the most strenuous in the entire park. The path steadily climbs the foothills of Almirante Nieto Mount for 1.5 hours. Then you will see the dramatic Ascencio Canyon, one of the valleys that dissect the Paine Massif from west to east. You will pass through secondary woodlands along the Ascencio river, and will have great views of the hanging glaciers of Nieto Mount and the contrasting rock layers of Paine Mount. An impressive morraine will block your view of the "Towers" for a while. This part of the trail has to be done with extreme caution and slow pace; it takes nearly 45 minutes of steady climb until you will gain height and have the most impressive view of the Paine towers. This is the grande finale of the hike. Huge boulders surround the hidden lagoon at the very base of the mountains; its greenish water is loaded with glacier sediment. From here you can study the different shades of the granite rock. Then you will start you hike back to Refugio Torre Central, appr. 3.5 hours, following the same trail.

O/N Refugio Torre Central, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

Day 3 • Hike to Los Cuernos (The Horns) | Lake Nordenskjöld

You will continue the hike along the "W" trail but this time you will move in direction south-west. This is the beggining of the Nordenskjöld Lake, part of the park's fluvial system, which is entirely connected by Rio Paine (Paine River). From here you will have fantastic views of "Almirante Nieto" Mount and its dramatic foldings of the sedimentary rock. Along the northern edge of the lake, the view angle will dramatically change according you keep moving and shortly you will see the "Cuernos" (or Horns). There are several viewpoints from where you will have spectacular views of the surrounding lakes and the distant Andes mountains located in the southern fringes of the park. The vegetation will change also, and you will see Chilean Firebush (Protea family) and its dazzling scarlet-red flowers among a good selection of montane flora. Soaring condors on this part of the trail will offer great chances for photography and study. After nearly 4 hours you will reach Refugio Los Cuernos, and its great setting at the base of the mountains. From the refugio you will be marvelled by the impressive views of the granite walls of Los Cuernos and part of Paine Grande (Big Paine Mount) at the distance. Don't forget to see the great sunsets with dramatic lenticular cloud formations and the granite walls glowing with the sunrise light.

NOTE: This part can be one of the windiest of the whole trail as most of the path is exposed to the katabatic winds. Are you interested to learn what is katabatic?

O/N Refugio Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 4 • Full day hike to Valle del Francés (French's Valley)

You will start your day with a two hour hike to the "Italian Camp", located along the Rio Frances (French's River). From here you will have commanding views of the huge hanging glacier of Paine Grande (the Big Paine Mount), tallest peak in the park (3,050 m | 10,000 ft.). Avalanches are often heard and you can even see them at the distance (at the other side of the River!), these avalanches feed an ever-growing piedmonte glacier and there is a large melting at its base; you will see huge volumes of fast-moving water flowing towards the river. You will keep ascending two to three hours up the Valle del Francés (French Valley), until you literraly walk along a lateral morraine. A spectacular mountain formation awaits, one of the finest in Patagonia, and you will realize that is no need to reach the very beginning of the valley to see this; just a short distance from Italian Camp you will be amazed by the grand mountain scenario.There is a fantastic amphitheatre of granite spires, the least-known park's peaks but also several of the most beautiful and a fantastic location for landscape photography. You will have unusual angles of the Paine "Horns", the "Mask", the "Blade" and the "Sword". In terms of wildlife the striking Torrent Duck is often seen along the river rapids. Lots of orchids and an interesting array of montane flowers are usually found along the path. After some time for silence and appreciation, you will descend towards Refugio Paine Grande (nearly 2 hours from Italian Camp); this is an easy and relatively level walk.

O/N Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 5 • Hike to Grey Glacier

From the Refugio Paine Grande takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach the viewpoint of the Grey Glacier. Tthe path ascends for an hour and then descends along the eastern side of the lake. Impressive indigo-colored icebergs drift towards the other side of the lake, driven by impressive gales. You will be walking along the formation source of the entire Paine Massif; impressive layers and folds which here are rather vertical than horizontal as well as feeding dykes, granite intrusions and deformed sedimentary rock layers talk about the dramatic origin of these magnificent set of mountains. The Paine Massif is very young in comparison to the much eroded Andes that you can see beyond the glaciers towards the west and north. You will eventually reach the Grey Glacier, one of the most impressive glaciers of the whole Patagonian Icefield, yet one of the most rapidly receading. If you are lucky you can even see some calving from its heavily-crevassed front. Here, there is a again another great sunset opportunity with dramatic clouds passing rapidly pushed by the strong westerly winds.

O/N Refugio Grey, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 6 • Southern Patagonian Icefield | Hike to Pehoé Lake

One the highlights of the whole itinerary is to walk along the eastern edge of the magnificent Campo de Hielo Sur (Southern Patagonian Icefield). You can walk up to Camp "Los Guardas", approximately 2 hours from the lodge, from where you will get commanding vistas to the colosal ice tongue which produces the Grey Glacier. It is really impressive to see the abrasive ice action and the resulting polished rock, in the places where the ice cover has recently disappeared. Evergreen Nothofagus beech forests slowly start to colonize these ice-free areas and you will imagine this process by seeing the huge "nunatak" completely covered by beech woodlands. Some interesting birds inhabit these woods, such as the White-crested Elaenia, a flycatcher that will migrate to the Amazon during the winter season, or the Green-backed Firecrown. This is the world's southernmost hummingbird and one of the few species that you can see close to a glacier, being very unique in that sense. This is truly a remote location where very few people has been able to explore and the hikers just reach the edge of this pristine teritories. During the afternoon you will walk back to Paine Grande Lodge, for nearly 4 hours, at a good leisure pace. This will be your last night in the park. It is worthwhile to see a sunset at Pehoe Lake, its impressive emerald-colored waters, contrasting with the dramatic colors and cloud formations of the sunset.

O/N Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine. (B,L,D).

 

Day 7 • Pehoe Lake | Catamaran trip to Pudeto | Bus journey to Puerto Natales

This morning we will board the catamaran "Campos de Hielo" in order to reach the eastern side of Pehoe Lake. This is a short ride of approximately 30 minutes from where you will have  one of the last views of the Paine Massif; this will be one of the last of your activities within the park. By noon you will be transferred from Pudeto Camp to Puerto Natales and from there you will take a connecting regular bus service to Punta Arenas. Arriving to Punta Arenas around 9pm. (B,L).

 

Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide.

 

• W Circuit without a guide? See what the forums say. Click here.

 

• Another good introduction to this famous hiking trail. Click here.

MAP

 

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02 

 

DATES & RATES

 

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02 

2010 | 2011 Dates:

Available from September 2010 through April 2011.

Meet/Depart: Daily departures from Puerto Natales, Chile. Optional transfers to/from Punta Arenas, Chile (Please inquire).

Trips are guaranteed to depart with no minimum of participants.

 

Rates for Custom departures (you choose the date):

Trip Length	6 days | 5 nights
Options	Non-Guided		Guided
# of guests	1-4		2-3	4+
Price per person	$748		$1,498	$1,148
Trip Length	7 days | 6 nights
Options	Non-Guided		Guided
# of guests	1-4		2-3	4+
Price per person	$875		$1,785	$1,325

 

Dates and Rates for scheduled guided departures:

Trip Length	6 days | 5 nights ; Saturday through Thursday
2010 Dates	Oct 23, Nov 13, Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 18
2011 Dates	Jan 8, Jan 22, Feb 12, Feb 26, Mar 12, Mar 26, Apr 9, Apr 23
Price per person	$1,148.00
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants.  Maximum group size 6 participants.

 

NOTE: The above price is per person in US$, based on shared occupancy. The refugios normally have 6 bunks per room. See refugio descriptions.
 

Do you want to book individual nights at some of the refugios?

Follow the link and tell us what do you need. Click here.

 

Do you want us to arrange your stay in Puerto Natales?

Book our Torres del Paine Hiker program and you will get a 10% discount on the room rates. Our recommended hotels and hostels in Puerto Natales:

Hotel	Hostel Natales	Weskar Lodge
Double Room (10% off)	$56	$198 (high season) / $114 (low)
Single Room (10% off)	$41	$135 (high season) / $94 (low)

 

NOTE: All with private facilities. Prices includes breakfast.

 

Do you want us to arrange your flights to Punta Arenas, Chile?

Please ask us. We can do that for you.

 

What the trip includes/excludes

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

The trip price includes: All accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary, guide services (only guided option), tickets on scheduled buses to/from Torres del Paine, and catamaran one-way tickets from Refugio Paine Grande to Pudeto.

The trip price excludes: Park entrance fees (USD 30 per person), domestic flights, tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

 

Tour Registration: To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it (by fax or email). Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

 

Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

If cancellation is made 60 days or more before departure date, the trip fees less 30% is refundable.

If cancellation is made fewer than 59 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

 

LODGES

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02 

 

Check out the descriptions and set of images of the mountain lodges we use on this hiking | trekking itinerary and their comfortable facilities. 

 

Refugio Las Torres, Torres del Paine

Refugio "Las Torres" is located at the starting point of the many hiking excursions that make this park, a true mecca for hikers, adventurers and explorers from all over the world. Among the best-known hiking trails is the hike to the base of the Towers (Base de las Torres), the long "O" round-circuit, and of course, the spectacular and popular "W" Circuit.

The lodge (or refugio) is a meeting point of hikers from different corners of the planet and the local people. Here you will have the opportunity to rent horses, learn how to rock climb or have a bath in a hot tub with an amazing view, among several other services. This "refugio" is divided into two buildings (plus a camping site) as described below:

 

Refugio Torre Central
This is the main and the newest building of this mountain lodge facility. The lodge have 54 beds plus a restaurant, a bar, two lounge rooms, a souvenir shop and a store. This section of the lodge offers slightly better comfort and infrastructure than the more older Refugio Torre Norte. 

Refugio Torre Norte
This building is situated only a few yards from the Refugio Torre Central and has 64 beds, a bar and a lounge room. All the meals are  served at Refugio Torre Central.

This is a mountain lodge and as such it offers shared rooms, each one having six bunks. There are spacious shared bathrooms (with WC and hot showers) for gents and ladies.

For this program you can bring your sleeping bag or we can arrange a proper bed (with sheets and blankets) ready for your arrival. This "treat" is available at most of the different "refugios". Try to minimize the weight of your backpack; don't bring too much camping gear as you will spend each night on a refugio, with cozy bedrooms and cooking facilities. Bring your camera, memory cards, battery chargers, and even a light tripd instead!

Refugio Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine

This refugio is located along the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld,approximately 4 hours hike from Refugio Torre Central.The lodge is surrounded by  beech forests and scrub vegetation, but it is renowned by its setting; its is flanked by the impressive granite walls of the Cuernos del Paine (the Horns). This mountain lodge facility has 32 bunks, a restaurant, shared bathrooms (separate facilities for gents and ladies) and a camping site.

Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine

This mountain lodge can hold up to 100 people, distributed into 23 bedrooms with 2-3 bunks each. The rooms have fantastic views over Pehoe Lake, Paine Grande Mount, the French Valley and the eastern side of the Paine Horns.

Each bedroom has comfortable bunk beds and drawers for storing gear. The toilets, located on the first and second floor, are equipped with sinks, toilets and hot showers, and there are separate facilities for men and women.

 

 

Refugio Grey, Torres del Paine

This lodge is located just a few minutes walk from Grey Glacier, at the end of the W circuit. The refugio has a restaurant, and 30 beds, arranged in comfortable bedrooms; all bunk beds are located on the second floor. The shared bathrooms are on the first floor, and there are separate facilities for men and women and all equipped with toilets and hot showers.

SLIDE SHOW

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02  

 

Check out our set of images from recent trips to the "W" Circuit in Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park.

 

FAQ

 

Torres del Paine Hiker | 6 & 7 days | Trip Code: TDP02

How much does it cost the entrace fee to Torres del Paine National Park?

 

The park entrace fee is $15,000 CLP, around USD$ 30 per person.

 

What is the time table for buses in the Park?

 

Morning departures
From Puerto Natales to the Park			From the Park (Administration) to Puerto Natales
Time	Place		Time	Place
07:30 hrs	Puerto Natales		13:00 hrs	Park Administration
08:30 hrs	Cerro Castillo		13:30 hrs	Pudeto
09:30 hrs	Laguna Amarga Entrance		14:30 hrs	Laguna Amarga Entrance
10:50 hrs	Pudeto		15:30 hrs	Cerro Castillo
12:00 hrs	Park Administration		16:30 hrs	Puerto Natales
Afternoon departures
From Puerto Natales to the Park			From the Park (Administration) to Puerto Natales
Time	Place		Time	Place
14:30 hrs	Puerto Natales		18:30 hrs	Park Administration
15:30 hrs	Cerro Castillo		19:00 hrs	Pudeto
16:30 hrs	Laguna Amarga Entrance		20:00 hrs	Laguna Amarga Entrance
17:30 hrs	Pudeto		21:00 hrs	Cerro Castillo
18:00 hrs	Park Administration		22:00 hrs	Puerto Natales

 

Where do regular buses leave Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park?

The address from where most of the regular buses leave is Arturo Prat St. No. 258, just in front of Puerto Natales Cathedral.

 

What are the Catamaran Schedules?

 

Dates	Pudeto	Pehoe
October 1-15 2010	12:00 hrs	12:30 hrs
October 16 to November 15 2010	12:00 hrs	12:30 hrs
	18:00 hrs	18:30 hrs
November 16 2010 to March 15 2011	09:30 hrs	10:30 hrs
	12:00 hrs	12:30 hrs
	18:00 hrs	18:30 hrs
March 16-31 2011	12:00 hrs	12:30 hrs
	18:00 hrs	18:30 hrs
April 1-30 2011	12:00 hrs	12:30 hrs

 

Is it safe to do the W circuit without a Trekking guide?

 

Still without a trekking guide is safe, because the trails are very well marked and the people who work at the lodges are all well informed and cooperative.

 

Read more here. 'W' hiking circuit without a guide? See what the forums say. Click here.

 

• Another good introduction to this famous hiking trail. Click here.

 

What are the average temperatures in the Park?

The park has a mild summers, with maximum temperatures of 16ºC (61ºF) in January, the warmest month; during the winter time is relatively cold with a minimum temperatures of -2,5ºC (27ºF) in July, the coldest moth.

 

ºC / ºF	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average	10,3 50,5	10,4 50,7	8,9 48,0	6,9 44,4	4,3 39,7	2,1 35,7	1,9 35,4	3,2 37,7	5,2 41,3	6,9 44,4	8,6 47,4	9,7 49,4
Maximum	14,5 58,1	13,8 56,8	12,6 54,6	11,1 51,9	10,2 50,3	7,3 45,1	7,9 46,2	6,7 44,0	7,4 45,3	9,4 48,9	11,5 52,7	13,2 55,7
Minimum	3,2 37,7	2,9 37,2	2,9 37,2	0,6 33,0	0,3 32,5	-1,5 29,3	-2,5 27,5	0,5 31,1	2,4 36,3	2,8 37,0	3,0 37,4	3,2 37,7

 

Is there any chance to rent a sleeping bag or other gear at the lodges?

Yes, there is some gear available for renting at each lodge, except at Refugio Torres.

 

Is it necessary to carry your own food?

We recomend to carry only hiking rations, because each refugio is capable to provide meals and drinks.

 

How many people share each room in the refuges?

In general each room is shared with 5 more people, except at Refugio Los Cuernos where there are 8 bunk beds per room.

 

What to bring during your hike to Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia?

 

Recommended Clothing for Hikers | Multi-layer clothing is the key! Learn more on how to layer!

 

• First-layer underwear (Capilene or similar).
• Vest and fleece jacket.
• Waterproof jacket and trousers.
• Shorts (for unusual sunny and warm conditions).

 

• A cap to protect your head and ears.
• Woolen or fleece hat.
• A pair of fleece and waterproof gloves.

 

• Hiking socks.
• Waterproof hiking shoes.
• Sandals.
• A pair of trainers, crocs or similar casual footwear to rest and relax at the camp sites.
• Gaiters.

 

Accessories

 

• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sun block cream – minimum factor 45
• Chapstick Lip balm or similar
• Torch
• Bottle of water
• Towel
• Binoculars
• Camera and batteries

 

For sleeping

 

• Sleeping bag capable of enduring 0º to 20º C.
• Portable insulating matress against cold and damp ground (only if you are camping).