CL · Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica · 51.00°S 73.00°W

torres del paine national park

Granite towers, turquoise lakes, glaciers and guanacos on the Patagonian steppe.

Best time
November–March bring long days and full access, though the wind can be fierce and the weather changes fast. May–August are winter, with snow, fewer services and guides required on the main trails for much of the season.
How long
3–5 days; about 5 days for the W trek
Getting there
Fly to Santiago with one stop via Sydney or Melbourne, about 23–27 hours all in, then about 3.5 hours on to Puerto Natales (flights run in the warmer months) or to Punta Arenas, 3 hours further by road. The park is about 2 hours from Puerto Natales. This part of Chile is 11 hours behind KL all year.
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CL · Magallanes and Chilean Antarcticatorres del paine national park51.00°S 73.00°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Granite towers, turquoise lakes, glaciers and guanacos on the Patagonian steppe.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingTorres del Paine National ParkCL, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica
KLtorres del paine national park
≈ 14,670 km from KL, as the crow flies
Valle del Francés, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile.Nationalpark Torres del Paine

Photo: Mirko Thiessen · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Torres del Paine is Patagonia at full blast: granite towers, horn-shaped peaks, glaciers and turquoise lakes above open steppe. You don't need to walk the whole W trek to enjoy it, but even a short visit needs transport and beds booked together.

Makan

  1. Patagonian lambSlow-roasted over a fire, the region's signature meal.Map ↗
  2. CentollaSouthern king crab from the cold channels, a Magallanes speciality.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Base TorresA long, steep day hike to the lake beneath the three granite towers. Start early.Map ↗
  2. Salto Grande and Mirador CuernosShort walks to a roaring waterfall and a view of the Cuernos peaks over Lake Nordenskjöld.Map ↗
  3. Grey GlacierIcebergs drifting on Lake Grey, and boat trips up to the glacier's face.Map ↗
  4. GuanacosWild cousins of the llama graze along the park roads; pumas are around too, if you're very lucky.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book refugios and campsites for the W trek months ahead, separately from the park entry ticket.
  • Leave a spare day; wind regularly cancels boats and closes trails.
  • Halal is very hard to arrange here; plan on fish and vegetarian meals, and ask for them in writing if you book full board.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.