
From the first time I saw a picture of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with jagged mountain towers piercing the sky over an icy blue lake, I knew I had to visit. I finally made this bucket-list trip come true, and have put together everything I learned on my trip into a Torres del Paine Travel Guide that covers the best places to stay, a week-long itinerary, the weather, the best hikes, and more.
Best Places to Stay in Torres del Paine

In order to see two different areas of the park, I split my trip between two hotels: Hotel Las Torres and Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa. I loved Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa (read my full review here) and was disappointed by Hotel Las Torres (read my full review here) but would still recommend staying at both for access to different areas of the park.
The other best hotels in Torres del Paine are:
- Hotel Lago Grey: A luxury hotel overlooking Glacier Grey. We had lunch in here after our Lago Grey boat tour, and it looked really nice.
- Eco Camp Patagonia: A cool sustainable hotel with dome-style suites.
- Explora Patagonia: The most expensive and luxurious hotel in the park.
- Tierra Patagonia: A remote hotel not far from Lago Grey.
W Trek Without Camping (7-Day W Trek Itinerary)

Want to do the W Trek without camping or staying in refugios? Follow my 7-day itinerary, which takes you to all the best hotels along the W Trek, while staying in luxury hotels.
Day 1
Fly into Puerto Natales Airport (PNT)
Transfer to Hotel Las Torres (1 hour 40 minute drive)
Day 2
Full-day hike through the Ascencio Valley to the Las Torres Baseview point.
Hotel: Hotel Las Torres
Day 3
Morning: Half-day excursion to Los Cuernos Viewpoint and Salto Grande Waterfall.
Afternoon: Mirador Lago Nordenskjold hike
Hotel: Hotel Las Torres
Day 4
Morning: Grey Lake boat tour and kayak.
Afternoon: Transfer to Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa
Hotel: Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa
Day 5
Full-day hike through the French Valley
Hotel: Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa
Day 6
Half-day hike to The Ferrier Lookout.
Hotel: Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa
Day 7
Transfer to Puerto Natales Airport (approximately a 1 hour 40 minute drive).
Torres del Paine Viewpoint Hikes / Best Torres del Paine Hikes

Hike | Distance | Time | Elevation Gain | Difficulty |
The Ferrier Lookout | 3.72 miles | 3 hours 48 minutes | 1,469 feet | Strenuous – short but steep the whole way |
Mirador Lago Nordenskjold | 4.94 miles | 2 hours | 776 feet | Easy |
Los Cuernos Lookout and Salto Grande Waterfall | 4.14 miles | 2 hours | 533 feet | Easy |
Base Towers | 12.43 miles | 7 hours 46 minutes | 4,607 | Difficult – long, but very doable. Only the last 45 minutes is rocky and steep. |
French Valley | 13.63 miles | 6 hours 51 minutes | 2,789 feet | Difficult – long, with lots of steep climbs. |
These were my favorite hikes that we did on our trip to Torres del Paine:
The Ferrier Lookout

This short but steep hike requires a guide (it’s still within the park, even though it’s not part of the W Trek. Be prepared for a steady climb without a lot of switchbacks, but you’ll be rewarded with views of glaciers, colorful lakes, and mountains.
Mirador Lago Nordenskjold

Accessible from the grounds of Las Torres Hotel. This flat trail winds down to stunning views of a brilliant blue lake. An under-the-radar trail that’s easy to follow on your own. We didn’t see a single other person when we did this hike.
Los Cuerno Lookout and Salto Grande Waterfall

A half-day excursion with a well-marked, flat trail offering incredible views of Los Cuernos and the Salto Grande Waterfall. Very accessible for most travelers, regardless of fitness level.
Base Towers Hike

Before our trip, I had struggled to find accurate reviews of Base Towers Hike and how hard it was. This hike was easier than I expected, with a fairly gentle uphill for the majority of the trek. Only the last 45-minutes is rocky and steep. If you’ve done a decent amount of hiking at home in preparation, Base Towers should be more than doable.
The Base Towers hike was a bit crowded in early November, but not too bad. I highly recommend staying at Hotel Las Torres, which is located at the start of the Base Towers Trail, when you do this trek. Since you’re already inside the park, you can start earlier than everyone else who has to wait for the Visitor’s Center entrance to open, and you can beat the crowds.
French Valley

The French Valley hike is one of the most beautiful Treks in Torres del Paine, taking you up close to some of the most majestic mountains. You must take a boat to and from the start of this hike. The boat only runs twice a day in November (six times a day in peak season) and you cannot make reservations.
People start lining up around 45 minutes before departure (on both ends). If the boat is full, you’ll have to wait hours for the next one, and the boat can only take 175 people at a time. It may be worth doing the French Valley yourself or on a private excursion, because if you get stuck with a slow group on a guided trip, you may have to turn around before the lookout to make it back in time for the last boat.
There is a nice base lodge and refugio at the start of the hike, where you can get drinks and food.
Lago Grey

We planned to kayak Lago Grey with Bigfoot Adventures instead of doing the Grey Glacier hike. We took the sightseeing Lago Grey cruise to get to the kayak center, but they canceled the tour while we were on the boat (not before.) Reading the reviews, it seems like the kayak tour rarely ever goes out since the area is so windy.
Be warned that Bigfoot Adventures makes you buy two one-way ferry tickets which is almost double the price of a round-trip sightseeing boat trip for the kayaking trip, and they won’t refund the difference if the kayaking tour is canceled and you have to stay on the cruise.
Our guide told us that the Lago Grey hike doesn’t get closer to the glacier than we did on the boat, and recommended the Ferrier lookout hike as a better way to get a bird’s eye view of the ice field.
Torres del Paine Weather
The weather in Torres del Paine is very unpredictable and can change rapidly throughout the day and in different areas of the park. Torres del Paine gets weather from all directions—cold winds from Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and the Andes. Definitely prepare for wind, as there can be gusts of up to 110 km/hour that appear out of nowhere on a mild day.
When we visited in November, we had no rain, and a lot of sunshine (but also a lot of wind). Be prepared for anything! On hikes, wear lots of layers as you’ll warm up quickly climbing uphill, but you will get cold quickly when you stop to take a break. Pack sunscreen and lotion for windburn.
The Best Time to Visit Torres del Paine National Park
I recommend visiting in November, which is the end of spring in Torres del Paine. The crowds are not as bad as they are during the peak summer season, but the weather is still good.
Spring (September to November)
As nature awakens from its winter slumber, Torres del Paine National Park bursts into life. This season offers a tranquil experience with fewer visitors, allowing you to immerse yourself in the park’s raw beauty.
- Temperature: A comfortable 13°C (55°F) on average
- Weather: Predominantly sunny days with clear blue skies and minimal rainfall
Highlights:
- Blooming vegetation
- Active wildlife with newborn animals
- Long, bright days perfect for exploration
Summer (December to March)
The peak tourist season brings warmth and extended daylight hours, making it the most popular time to visit. Be prepared for varying temperatures throughout the day.
- Temperature: Averages around 18°C (64°F)
- Weather: Warm afternoons with cooler mornings and evenings
- Pro Tip: Layer your clothing for maximum comfort
Autumn (March to June)
Fall in Torres del Paine is a visual feast of autumn colors.
- Temperature: A chilly 13°C (55°F) on average
Highlights:
- Fewer crowds
- Spectacular autumn foliage
Winter (June to August)
For those who appreciate the quiet majesty of snow-capped peaks, winter offers a unique and peaceful experience. However, be aware that many services and hotels in the park are closed during winter. Many trails will be inaccessible due to snow and ice.
- Temperature: Drops to an average of 5°C (40°F), wind chill can be freezing
- Snow-covered mountains in their silent, powerful glory
Torres del Paine National Park Map

How to Get to Torres del Paine
The closest airport to Torres del Paine is Puerto Natales Airport (PNT). From there, it’s approximately a 1 hour 40 minute drive to the park. You can also fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ), which is a five-hour drive to Torres del Paine. Be careful when searching for flights, as many search engines (including Google Flights) will show you both airports even if you’re specifically looking for PNT. It’s worth the extra money to fly into PNT and save the extra drive time. However, you need to book very far in advance, as flights into PNT sell out early.
I recommend leaving at least an extra day between your international flight (which will likely be through Santiago) and your connecting flight to Torres del Paine. We booked our flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales Airport almost a year in advance, and the flight times were changed about five times before our trip. The schedules change very frequently, and you don’t want a flight time change to mess up your trip.
Torres del Paine Altitude/Elevation of Torres del Paine
You don’t need to worry about acclimating to elevation or altitude in Torres del Paine. The park’s floor sits at around 500 feet, and most hikes on the W Trek only reach a maximum elevation of 3,600 feet.
Torres del Paine Entry Cost
Entrance fees to Torres del Paine can be purchased online through aspticket.cl. You will receive a QR code to show at the entrance. You can also buy a ticket at the park entrance, but they only accept credit cards.
Most hotels inside the park include the entrance fee in the room rate, as do all-inclusive tours or treks.
Prices are different for foreign tourists and visitors from Chile. These are the current entrance fees for Torres del Paine for foreign tourists.
Ticket Type | Cost |
Single Day Adult (18+) | $35 |
Adult 3-Day Pass | $49 |
Single Day Teen (12-17) | $18 |
Teen 3-Day Pass | $49 |
Torres del Paine Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance for Torres del Paine
Torres Del Paine is really remote, and there isn’t a hospital in the park. If you were to twist an ankle while hiking, get sick, or have an accident, you would need to be evacuated to a medical center outside the park. I recommend getting travel insurance through World Nomads before setting off on a hiking trip like this one.
More Stories from our Chile Trip
- Hotel Las Torres Patagonia Review: The Closest Hotel to Mirador Las Torres in Torres del Paine, Chile
- Do You Tip in Chile? The Ultimate Tipping Guide.
- Rio Serrano Hotel + Spa, Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Chile Review