Torres del Paine at a glance
Torres del Paine National Park lies in the Magallanes region of Chilean Patagonia, in the province of Última Esperanza. It covers 227,298 hectares and has been a national park since 13 May 1959. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, listed since 1978, but not a World Heritage Site. The Paine massif, the blue Cuernos, the lakes and Grey Glacier are the reasons most people come.
Most visitors base themselves in Puerto Natales, the town about 2 hours or more away by road depending on where in the park you get off the bus. Some come on a long day tour from El Calafate in Argentina. Others walk the W Trek over 3 to 5 days or the full circuit over 8 to 10 days. Prices on this site are from 2026 and change, so check them before you book.
What this guide covers
From a single day on the road to a week on the trail.
If you have one day, a road tour from Puerto Natales takes in the Cueva del Milodón, Lago Grey, Lago Pehoé, Salto Grande and the Laguna Amarga. The long Base Las Torres walk is a separate day, and a boat to Grey Glacier is another. If you have a week, the W Trek links Grey, the Valle del Francés and the Base Las Torres viewpoint, with nights in refugios or campsites that you must reserve in advance.
The pages below cover entrance rules, the main walks, wildlife, weather, the season, getting there, Puerto Natales, El Calafate and where to sleep. Start with the tours if you want to book, or with the entrance and reservation rules if you are planning a trek.
Our picks: Torres del Paine
A private day with park entry, puma tracking, the Grey Glacier boat, a small-group day with the Milodon Cave, the classic full day and a fjord cruise from Puerto Natales.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private full-day Torres del Paine tour with park entry
- Park entry
- Private guide and car
- Lunch box
A private car and local guide for ten hours with the park entry, a lunch box and a route adapted to the weather.
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Puma tracking with a local guide
- Specialist puma guide
- Spotting scopes and binoculars
- Transport from Puerto Natales
Eleven hours with a specialist puma guide, spotting scopes and binoculars, coffee and snacks. Sightings are never certain; check whether park entry is included before you book.
Check availability →
Three-hour boat trip to Grey Glacier
- Three-hour boat trip
- Pisco sour
Three hours on Lago Grey to the glacier front with a pisco sour. It starts inside the park, so you need your own way there and the park entry.
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Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers cruise from Puerto Natales
- Bernardo O'Higgins park entry
- Port fees
- Coffee or tea
A half-day boat trip on the fjord to two glaciers in the neighbouring national park, with its entry and port fees included. It does not enter Torres del Paine.
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Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave in a small group
- Pickup in Puerto Natales
- Park viewpoints and short walks
- Milodon Cave stop
A full day with viewpoints in the park, short walks and a stop at the Milodon Cave. Park and cave entry are extra.
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Torres del Paine full-day tour
- Guide
- Hotel pickup and return
Twelve hours with a guide and hotel transfers through the park. Park entry and the Milodon Cave ticket are paid separately.
Check availability →Torres del Paine tours and day trips
Day tours from Puerto Natales and El Calafate, boat trips and hikes, with live prices and availability.
Explore the park and the region
One page for each part of the trip.
Torres del Paine tours compared
Full-day road tours, hikes and boat trips: length, season and what the price covers.
The W Trek
Three viewpoints in 3 to 5 days, and why nights must be reserved.
The O Circuit
The full circuit in 8 to 10 days, with its season and booking rules.
Base Las Torres hike
The day walk to the three towers: distance, time and entry cut-offs.
Valle del Francés
Mirador Francés and Mirador Británico, and what is separate from them.
Grey Glacier
Boat trips, kayaking and the trail to the lake.
Lago Pehoé
The catamaran from Pudeto, Salto Grande and the viewpoints.
Entrance fee and tickets
The 2026 pass system, online purchase and prices.
Refugios and camping
Reservations, designated campsites and example prices.
Wildlife
Pumas, guanacos, rheas and condors, and how to behave around them.
Weather and wind
Monthly measurements from the Puerto Natales station for 2025.
Best time to visit
Summer and winter operating periods and how they affect plans.
Getting there
Bus from Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, flights and road works.
Puerto Natales
The town on the fjord and the Cueva del Milodón.
From El Calafate
The long border-crossing day tour and the bus to Natales.
Itineraries for 1, 3 or 5 days
Suggested ways to combine the main sights.
Where to stay
Hotels in the park, refugios on the trail or a base in Natales.
A few things to know before you go
Rules and operating details for the 2026/27 season.
A new ticket system since 1 May 2026
The park sells a day pass or a multi-day pass for 2 to 10 consecutive days. Tickets are bought online at least 24 hours before entry. The pass is not a reservation for a shuttle, the catamaran or a bed on the trail.
Entrance fee and tickets →Base Las Torres has no extra access rule in 2026
The additional access regulation that had been planned is not being introduced in 2026. The hike uses the normal park ticket. Entry cut-off times apply, and the shuttle from Laguna Amarga to the Welcome Center is a separate fare.
Base Las Torres hike →The O Circuit has a season
The full circuit is not open all year, and a reopening is decided by a weather and safety assessment. Do not assume it starts on a particular day in November. Confirm the status before you pay for nights.
O Circuit →Winter rules include guides
The winter regulation brings a guide requirement on parts of the W and a temporary closure in midwinter. Do not plan a self-guided trek for the cold months without checking the current rules.
Best time to visit →Roadworks and flights
Road works near Laguna Amarga can add travel time, and the road via Sarmiento is the alternative. Flights to Puerto Natales are announced to be reduced from January to March 2027, with Punta Arenas as the fallback.
Getting there →Part of the Milodón cave is closed
A limited section inside the main cave is closed for safety until 31 December 2026. The rest of the visit is possible.
Puerto Natales →Torres del Paine: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need?
One day covers the road route from Puerto Natales. Three days lets you add the Base Las Torres hike and a Grey boat trip on separate days. The W Trek takes 3 to 5 days, and the O Circuit 8 to 10. See the itinerary page for suggested plans.
Do I need a reservation for a day tour?
Mountain nights on the W and O must be reserved before you enter. A day trip does not need a bed, but you still need a park ticket bought online at least 24 hours ahead unless your tour includes it. Check what each tour lists.
How much is the park entrance?
2026 amounts for an adult foreign visitor are CLP 32,400 to 34,000 for a day ticket and CLP 48,500 for a multi-day pass. Children in the youngest group are free. Prices vary, so confirm the amount at checkout. Details are on the entrance fee page.
Can I hike the Base Las Torres trail in a day?
Yes, as a long day walk of about 22 km and roughly 8 to 9 hours. Entry has a morning cut-off and the exit time is 15:00, so start early. See the Base Las Torres page.
Is this the official website of Torres del Paine National Park?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to CONAF, the park administration, the operators of the refugios and campsites, or any tour company.