Lago Pehoé at a glance
Lago Pehoé sits in the middle of the park, with the Paine massif behind it. The catamaran crosses it between Pudeto and Paine Grande in about 30 minutes. It is the usual way into the W Trek from the road side, and it is a different boat on a different lake from the Grey Glacier cruise.
You do not need the boat to enjoy the lake. Salto Grande and Mirador Cuernos can be reached from Pudeto without a catamaran ticket. The park ticket applies to everything, see the entrance fee page. If you prefer a driver and a guide, compare the day tours below.
Our pick: across Lago Pehoé
This French Valley hike crosses the lake by catamaran from Pudeto.
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.
Lago Pehoé and Torres del Paine tours
Full-day park tours that pass the lake and the waterfall, with live prices and availability.
Catamaran departures from Pudeto
Departure times for the 2026/27 season. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Period | Departures from Pudeto |
|---|---|
| 1 to 15 October 2026 | 10:30 and 18:00 |
| 16 October 2026 to 15 April 2027 | 08:00, 10:30, 16:15 and 18:00 |
| 16 to 30 April 2027 | 10:30 and 17:30 |
Return times from Paine Grande differ from these, so check them before you plan a day trip. The early departure may not run on 25 December and 1 January. Bad weather can cancel a crossing, which is why it pays to leave a buffer before a bus or a flight. For most hikers who want to start the W from the lake side, the early boat and a night booked at Paine Grande make the simplest plan.
Fares, changes and the cancellation terms
The fare is CLP 28,000, or $31, per person and per leg. Children up to and including age 10 travel free with a paying adult. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure.
Changes up to 72 hours before departure cost CLP 5,000 ($5). If you cancel at least 72 hours before, CLP 23,000 ($26) is refunded, and after that nothing. Whether tickets are sold online in advance or at the pier can differ by season, so check how to buy before you travel and keep a cash backup. The ticket is not a reservation for a bus or a refugio night.
Salto Grande and Mirador Cuernos
Two classic stops on the lake, reached from Pudeto.
Salto Grande
The waterfall is reached from Pudeto. The catamaran is not part of it, but the park ticket is.
Mirador Cuernos
The viewpoint looks at the Cuernos del Paine. It is a separate access from Pudeto and not part of the French Valley trail. For the valley itself, read the French Valley page.
Paine Grande
The Paine Grande refugio sits at the western end of the crossing. It is the starting point for the Grey and the French Valley legs of the W. Reserve nights in advance. See refugios and camping.
Getting to Pudeto and planning the day
Pick the right bus stop and leave a buffer.
The park buses stop at Laguna Amarga, Pudeto, Pehoé, the administration and Grey, so choose the stop that matches your plan. A regular bus from Puerto Natales to the park costs CLP 18,000 one way or CLP 35,000 return in 2026/27, and the ride can take from 2 hours depending on the stop. Roadworks near Laguna Amarga can slow the trip, so count on extra time. A boat day, a waterfall and a viewpoint fit into one day, but do not squeeze in a bus connection with a tight margin. See the getting there page for the full picture.
Rules and weather at the lake
The weather can change the plan on the day.
Wind
Weather can switch from sun to rain, wind or snow quickly. Bad weather can cancel the crossing. Read the weather page and dress for wind even on a clear morning.
No swimming, no drones
Swimming is prohibited in all lakes, lagoons and rivers of the park. Private drones are banned. No open fire.
Staying near the lake
There is lodging on the lake shore near Pehoé and in the southern Grey area, in addition to the refugios on the walking routes. For a comparison of lodging areas, see where to stay.
Lago Pehoé: frequently asked questions
How much is the Lago Pehoé catamaran?
The fare for 2026/27 is CLP 28,000, or $31, per person and per leg. Children up to and including age 10 travel free with a paying adult.
How long is the crossing?
About 30 minutes between Pudeto and Paine Grande. Wind can change that, so do not plan a tight connection.
Do I need the catamaran to see Salto Grande or Mirador Cuernos?
No. Both are reached from Pudeto without a catamaran ticket. The park ticket applies.
Can I change or cancel a catamaran ticket?
A change up to 72 hours before departure costs CLP 5,000 ($5). A cancellation at least 72 hours before refunds CLP 23,000 ($26), and later cancellations get no refund.
Is this the official website of the park?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the national park, CONAF or the concessionaires in the park, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.