What can I do in Torres del Paine after November 26, 2020 reopening?

Limited access

In this first stage of the reopening, which began on November 26th, the access of visitors will be allowed throughout the area of ​​the interior vehicular road of the park enabled by the Laguna Amarga, Lago Sarmiento, and Río Serrano gates. In addition to the road to the Río Pingo and Salto Grande sector, the viewpoints and trails surrounding the road are included for this area. As well as the excursion trail of the mountain circuit “W”, which connects the sectors of the Gray Glacier, French Valley, and Base Torres.

From today and for the day, the path to Base Torres and the remaining hiking trails of the “W” can be visited, they will be enabled as of November 30th. It is important to point out that all the mountain trails have set time limits for their route, as is the case of the footpath to Base Torres, whose closing at the entrance will be at 3:00 p.m. each day, so it will not be possible to start walks from the appointed time, as well as visitors must leave the Base Torres viewpoint at 5:00 p.m.

Hikers who enter the area on the “W” circuit, during the first stage of the reopening of the park, must do so without considering the lake transportation service of Lake Pehoé.

On the other hand, the mountain camping service will be offered to start from Monday, November 30, and will correspond to Paine Grande, Campamento Italiano, and Gray. The occupation of this service will be made by the prior reservation of the sites.

For its part, the hotel service (hotels and mountain refuges is subject to the programming of each company.

“W” Circuit

This reopening plan does not compromise the section of the “W” circuit that is on private property however, the information provided by the representative of the “Cerro Paine Reserve” enclosure considers the operation of the camping service of the Cuernos and Central camps, as a first stage and then start operations with the shelters of the aforementioned camps.

In this phase, the Laguna Azul and Laguna Verde sectors will be closed to visitors, as well as the main Macizo Paine mountain circuit called the “O”.

The system for registering and charging entry to the park will be done through the website: www.aspticket.cl. It is very important, all visitors must check-in 24 hours prior to their visit.

During this phase, the public toilets of the goals will be kept open. Also, those arranged in the Villa Monzino Information Center and the Pingo sector nursery. The public-use toilets in the Pudeto sector will not be in operation until the health permits are issued.

Hotel Lago Grey, Torres del Paine 2018-2019 Review

Lago Grey Hotel is located in one of the most privileged places within the National Park of Torres del Paine.

The park, declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is located at the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia, about 2.900 km away of Chile´s capital city of Santiago, 340 km from Punta Arenas and 116 Km of Puerto Natales.

Lago Grey Hotel is situated along the homonymous lake, from our facilities you can enjoy the amazing panoramic view that the Grey Lake offer among the impressive and beautiful floating icebergs. Grey Glacier is part of the Southern Ice Fields, the third largest freshwater in the world.

Cameras: Mauricio Escalona, Florencia Escalona
Music: Cool Wet Sand / Gavin Luke
Location: Torres del Paine, Chile

Thanks to: Vertice Patagonia and Hostería Grey

How to book campsites in Torres del Paine

IMPORTANT UPDATE INFORMATION (Nov. 2021): To all who want to Visit Torres del Paine National Park you may visit the official book site Booking Patagonia at: www.bookingpatagonia.travel

 

There are three different agencies (CONAF, Vertice, Fantástico Sur) that offer campsites and shelters in Torres del Paine National Park. The campsites you need to reserve will depend on your route and budget.

I recommend trying to make reservations at the same time since the three agencies are not connected, which makes it very difficult to coordinate them.

You can either wait and book your campsites in person in Puerto Natales (very limited availability) or book online, alternate between corresponding websites.

 

Notice

  • It’s mandatory to have advance reservations for all the campsites along the W Trek and the O Circuit. Printed vouchers may be required at designated checkpoints on the trail.
  • The O Circuit can only be traveled counterclockwise.

Campamento Torres (mandatory booking January and February 2018)

If you are wondering how to book at Campamento Torres for January & February 2018 to see the sunrise at the base of Torres del Paine, here is the official information from CONAF:

“Remember that during January and February, you need a booking to stay at Campamento Torres. You can book in Puerto Natales, at CONAF’s Provincial Office or in the park, at the Porteria Laguna Amarga entrance or at CONAF’s Campamento Italiano. Bookings must be done in person and are operated on a first-come-first-served policy. If the campground is full, we suggest you plan your trip staying at Campamento Chileno or Camping Las Torres. “

Torres del Paine entrance fee 2017 2018

Torres del Paine Entrance Fee

Visitors

High season
(1 October to 30 April)

CH $

Low season
(1 May to 30 September)

CH $

Chilean

6.000

4.000

Foreign

21.000

11.000

Chilean Children (6-16 years)

2.000

1.000

Foreign Children

6.000

1.000

* Values in local currency

Design tailor-made tours

We at The Patagonia Group pride ourselves on our experience and in-depth knowledge of the region, hence the ability to design tailor-made tours to suit your special interest. We are a group of local people who live in the region, so we know how to make the best experience from your photography trip.

Tell us how long you plan to visit Patagonia and any specific desires you have, and we will be happy to suggest and design the best routes, including the length of stay, the best lodging, and highlights not to be missed as the best places to take landscape photography.

We have fixed departures for each trip, please get in touch with us if you would like to join one of this groups ( maximum 6 people). If these dates are not convenient we can customize any of these trips to suit your requirements.
To expedite your request, please fill out the following form here.

Torres del Paine Trekkings

Paine Massif Circuit

This trail skirts the Paine Massif.

The journey begins in Laguna Amarga towards Paine Lake to Seron Campsite, and then continues to the refuge and Dickson campsite to continue along Los Perros River up to a glacier. The next section is the area of Paso, up to Paso Campsite next to Grey Glacier. The trek continues to the south and reaches the Grey Refuge. Then surrounding the Grey Lake it reaches Paine Grande Mountain Lodge.

To complete the journey there are two alternatives. The first one is to walk 18 km to the Administration Office and the second one is to take the catamaran in Paine Grande to Pudeto (20 minutes)
Difficulty: medium and high
Length: 120 km
Duration: 7-10 days

W trail

This trail surrounds the Nordenskjöld Lake through Ascencio Valley up to Torres Del Paine.
From there the trail continues to Los Cuernos Refuge, then Frances Valley and Grey Glacier to reach Pehoe Lake
Difficulty: medium and high
Length: 50, 1 km
Duration: 4-5 days
Trails

Hosteria Las Torres – Base Las Torres
Las Torres area is an excellent point of excursions, it has campsites, refuges and hostry. It is located two hours from El Chileno campsite on Base Torres trail, and from Chileno there are one hour and a half to Torres campsite. Base Torres lookout is placed one hour away from Torres campsite. The lookout has an incredible view of the base of these beautiful Rocky Mountains with its glacial lagoon.
Difficulty: high
Length: 9, 5 km
Duration: 4, 5 hrs.
Altitude: Hosteria Las Torres 190 m. – Base Las Torres 1000 m.

Hosteria Las Torres – Seron
In Las Torres area there is a campsite, a lodge and a hostry with good facilities.
On this trail you will climb up to 400 mamsl, then down to 200 m.
The trail is marked by its pampas with Paine River on the right side.
Difficulty: medium
Length: 8,9 km
Duration: 4.0 hrs
Altitude: Hosteria Las torres 190 m. – Seron campsite 200 m.

Seron campsite – Dickson Refuge
During this trail is possible to see pampas, plains, mountains and glaciers. It has an excellent view of Paine Lake.
Difficulty: medium
Length: 18.5 km
Duration: 6.0 hrs.
Altitude: Seron campsite 200 m. – Dickson refuge 220 m.

Dickson Refuge – Los Perros Campsite
This trail goes through a Lenga forest and an awesome view of the glacier and Perros Lake.
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 8.7 km
Duration: 4.5 hrs.
Altitude: Dickson Refugio 220 m. – Los Perros Campsite 580 m.

Los Perros Campsite – Paso Campsite
Trail bound by marshland, usually covered by snow and the descent is steep.
It is an ardous trek through an area of strong winds. Paso has an spectacular view of the Grey Glacier and part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Difficulty: medium
Length: 12.0 km
Duration: 6 hrs.
Altitude: Los Perros 580 m. – Paso campsite 400 mamsl – Paso 1200 m.

Paso campsite – Grey Refuge
The trail is next to the Glacier and it has a view of the lake and icebergs.
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 10.0 km
Duration: 5hrs.
Altitude: Paso Campsite 400 m. – grey Refugio 90 m.

Grey Refuge – Paine Grande Mountain Lodge
After a steep rise the trek continues through a beautiful trail with a view of the Lake and Grey Glacier, crossing a Lenga, Coigüe and Ñirre forest, lagoons and beautiful landscapes to reach Pehoe Lake
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 11.0 km
Duration: 3hrs.
Altitud: Grey Refuge 90 m. – Pehoe 40 m.

Paine Grande Mountain Lodge – Italiano Campsite
Easy trail with a view of Cuernos Del Paine. In pehoe there is a CONAF park ranger station. Italiano campsite is only for camp, it does not have any services. It is recommended to stay at Los Cuernos Refuge.
Difficulty: easy
Length: 7.6 km
Duration: 2.5 hrs.
Altitude: Paine Grande Lodge 40 m. – Italiano 200 m.

Italiano Campsite – Britanico Lookout
It is recommended to stay at Britanico Campsite to appreciate a magic sunrise in Frances’ Valley. It has a privileged view of the mountains Espada, Hoja, Cuernos, Aleta de Tiburon and others.
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 5.5 km
Duration: 2.5 hrs.
Altitude: Italiano campsite 200 m. – Britanico lookout 600 m.

Italiano campsite – Hosteria Las Torres
This trail has an excellent view of Nordensksöld Lake and Cuernos del Paine. In Cuernos Refuge there is provision of food.
Difficulty: medium
Length: 16.5 km
Duration: 7 hrs.
Altitud: Italiano Campsite 200 m. – Hosteria Las Torres 190 m.

Other Trails
CONAF Administration Office – Laguna Verde
It begins near the administration Office or by the creek La Feria. During this trek, the trail goes through lenga forests, lagoons populated by small birds and it is possible to observe wildlife closely. The trail begins to climb to Sierra del Toro. From the top it is possible to se Cuernos Del Paine and the southern shore of Sarmiento Lake.

Villa Monzino – Paine Grande
This is an easy trek for every person. The trail goes to Las Carretas Campsite, reaching Pehoe lookout and then finish in Paine Grande Mountain Lodge. It is a privileged area of the Park because of its view.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 16 km
Duration: 5 hrs.

Grey Park rangers Station – Zapata Lookout

This is a trail that requires a guide or a CONAF park ranger and permission from the Grey Ranger Station before starting, as this is a trail of a lot of vegetation and wildlife. It Begins from Grey Ranger Station to get to Pingo Campsite, then follows with a waterfall of the same name. Zapata lookout and campsite is located just 4 km from there.
Difficulty: medium
Length: 15 km
Duration: 5.5 hrs.

Sarmiento Entrance – Laguna Amarga Entrance
Steppe trail of medium difficulty, where it is possible to observe birds and wildlife all the way, and also cave paintings.
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 7 kms.
Duration: 2 hrs.

Salto Grande – Cuernos Lookout
Rocky trail of medium difficulty due to strong wind in that area.
Difficulty: Medium
Longitude: 4 km
Duration: 1 hr.

Camping Pehoé – Mirador del Condor
Wonderful view of the Paine Massif and Pehoé Lake.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.5 km
Length: 40 min.

* Before starting any of these walks NOT forget to check the condition of the trails and difficulty with the rangers

Source: www.conaf.cl