The closest town to Torres del Paine National Park is the charming and cozy Puerto Natales. (don’t forget to take a walk along the promenade!). It is 115 km from Torres del Paine. We arrived in the city by bus from El Calafate. As soon as we got off at the bus station we found our dream trip to the Torres del Paine park.
You were offered several options – from walking tracks for a few days to day trips. Walking or guided. Trip that includes the most beautiful places in the park. The people preferred the last option. We were a little exhausted from the track to Laguna Los Tress and Fitz Roy.
So we didn’t want to keep looking at our watches and worrying that we wouldn’t be on time for the transfer back to the city . The buses are not waiting for anyone. This trip cost us $ 60 per person and separately CLP 25,000 for the park entrance. Admission can only be paid in cash, but can be paid in US dollars, Argentine and Chilean pesos.
By bus to Torres del Paine
If you prefer a trek, you must be at the bus station in Puerto Natales at 07:00. There are buses twice a day that depart at 7.30 am and 2.30 pm (arrive at the park entrance at 9.45 am and 4.30 pm respectively) and save some money. The bus returns from the building of the park administration at 13.00 and 18.00. Stops at the entrance of the park at 14.30 and 19.45 and arrives in the city at 17.00 and 22.00.
By car rental to Torres del Paine
Of course, the easiest way to get to the natural landmarks in Aysen is by car. You can rent it in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas – the capital of Chilean Patagonia. Punta Arenas has several branches of large rental offices such as Hertz and Alamo with standard “predatory” conditions for Patagonia (from $ 65 per day for a small Ford Focus car and from $ 125 per day for a SUV). In other words Puerto Natales you can book a car through a serious site, they only offer jeeps ($ 125 per day).
If you decide on this option, I highly recommend taking a larger car. First, the park has a mostly gravel road, and worrying about the small car all the time can spoil the pleasure of a quiet walk in nature. And second, very strong winds can be unpleasant and dangerous for cars.
For instance when renting a car you will be asked for a driver’s license, international rights and a bank card to block the deposit. A few days in the Torres del Paine park you can buy a tour for a few days. Usually offer five-day routes in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. Which includes transfer, ticket to the park, overnight at a convenient refjio, food and a route guide.
What useful we did in the park
The cost of such tours starts at $ 1000 and averages $ 2000. What do we want to see in Torres del Paine? Absolutely “must-see” are the places marked with an asterisk on the map – even if you are on a day trip :
- Torres peaks (Cerro Torre Grande massif and Cordillera del Paine towers)
- Lake Gray (if you are for more than a day be sure to go and see the Glacier Gray-remarkably beautiful)
- views of Los Cuernos
- Lake Sarmiento
- Pehoe Lake
- Lake El Toro
- Salto Grande Falls
So early the next morning we went to the bus station, where the buses leave. Covering an area of almost 2,500 square kilometers, we saw remarkable mountain peaks, turbulent rivers, magnificent lakes, the blue tongues of glaciers and golden valleys where guanaco grazed. To reach the Torres Towers, you will have to walk about 5 km from the nearest car park, which will take about 1.5-2 hours one way.
Do we need to have internet in the park
But the stunning view is worth the effort! Contemplating the peaks bathed in the sun or wrapped in clouds, feeling pleasantly tired, filling your chest with the purest air – this is something that someone can’t help but like! One way to Gray Glacier is from the pier to Lago Gray Hotel, with a catamaran for about $ 80 (CLP 45000). In an hour and a half they will leave you on the shore, on the observation deck. The $ 100 option (CLP 55,000) will not only allow you to walk on the glacier along the specified route, but also return to the starting point.
In conclusion the catamaran travels twice a day: at 8.00 am and at 2.00 pm (check-in starts one hour before departure). Tickets are purchased at the pier. National Park Torres del Paine how to get there without wasting money and time. It would be good to have a guide or a guide so that you do not get lost in translation.