Best time to visit Torres del Paine
The park runs a summer season from October to April and a winter season from May to September. Summer has longer opening hours and the boat season on Lago Grey. Winter brings shorter hours, snow and a guide requirement for the main trails. Nobody can promise good weather in any month, so choose the season that fits your plan and leave margin.
If your main goal is a day on the road or on the water, start with the Torres del Paine day tours and the Grey Glacier boat trips. Both follow the summer season most closely. For trekking, the nights in the mountain refugios and campings decide your dates, not the weather alone.
Seasons compared
What changes between summer and winter.
| Item | Summer, October to April | Winter, May to September |
|---|---|---|
| Park hours | 07:00 to 21:00 daily | 08:00 to 18:30 daily |
| Grey boat trips | 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 | – |
| Grey kayak | October 2026 to April 2027 | – |
| W Trek | Reserve every night in advance | Guide required. Closure planned for June and July 2026 |
| Snow | – | Above 25 cm at Italiano or 30 cm at Mirador Francés, the trail to Británico is unsafe |
| Planning margin | Bad weather can still cancel boats | Rangers can restrict trails in bad weather |
Hours can shift, so check on the day. Park hours are not the same as a trail being open. For most visitors, the summer season is the easier choice: longer hours and the boat season.
Our pick: easy hikes in any season
Shorter walks with a guide work in more seasons than the long treks.
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.
Torres del Paine tours by season
Day trips, hikes and boat trips in the park, with live prices and availability for your dates.
Best time by goal
Pick the plan first, then the dates.
The W Trek
The W takes 3 to 5 days. Every night in a mountain refugio or camping must be reserved before you enter, and entry alone does not replace a bed. Choose your dates around confirmed nights. In winter the regulation requires a specialized guide.
The W Trek →The O Circuit
The O takes 8 to 10 days. It has been closed since May, at least until 31 October 2026. Reopening depends on a weather and safety review and is not automatic for November, so do not book around a fixed start.
The O Circuit →Base Las Torres in a day
The day hike to the towers needs about 8 hours. Start early, because entry to the trail closes at 09:00 or 09:30 and the exit is at 15:00. In winter the hike needs a guide and registration at Laguna Amarga.
Base Las Torres hike →Grey Glacier by boat
Boat trips and kayaking have fixed seasons. Departures can be cancelled in bad weather, so keep a spare day.
Grey Glacier →A day tour from Puerto Natales
A full-day road tour from Puerto Natales runs from 08:30 to 19:00, about 10.5 hours, with park entry extra. It needs no mountain beds, so it is the plan that is easiest to change if the weather turns.
Puerto Natales →Travel changes for 2026/27
Plan around these before you fix dates.
Flights, January to March 2027
An airline has announced reduced operation at Puerto Natales airport because of runway work, with cancellations on routes from Santiago and Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas airport is the fallback. Check your flight if you travel in those months.
Getting there →Road works at Laguna Amarga
Road improvement works are under way at Laguna Amarga. The road to Sarmiento stays open as the alternative. Allow extra time on the way in.
Entrance tickets
Since 1 May 2026 you buy a day pass or a multi-day pass for 2 to 10 consecutive days. Buy online at least 24 hours before you enter. Adult day passes for foreign visitors are CLP 32,400 to CLP 34,000 in 2026.
Entrance fee →Cueva del Milodón
A section inside the main cave is closed for safety until 31 December 2026. The rest of the visit is possible.
Plan the rest of your trip
More guides for choosing dates.
Best time to visit Torres del Paine: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Torres del Paine?
There is no guaranteed best month. The summer season from October to April has longer park hours and the boat season, and the right month depends on your plan and your booked nights.
When does the Grey Glacier boat season run?
Boat trips run from 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, and kayaking from October 2026 to April 2027. Wind can still cancel a departure.
Can I visit in winter?
Yes, but the winter regulation requires a specialized guide for the main trails, and the W Trek was set to close in June and July 2026. Hours are shorter, from 08:00 to 18:30 daily.
Is the O Circuit open?
It has been closed since May, at least until 31 October 2026. Reopening depends on weather and safety, so do not treat it as automatic for November.
Do I need to book before I go?
Yes. Buy your park ticket online at least 24 hours before entry, and reserve every night in the mountains for the W and O. Entry alone does not give you a bed.
Is this website the official park site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. For current seasons, hours and trail status, check the park administration before you go.