Torres del Paine Trekking FAQ

Torres del Paine National Park is in Chilean Patagonia. Specifically, the Province of Ultima Esperanza, which is in the region of Magallanes (Region XII). Punta Arenas, the region's capital, is 312 km from the Park entrance and Puerto Natales, gateway to the Park, is 112 km away. 

Buses run direct to Puerto Natales from Punta Arenas (around 3 hours) and crossborder from El Calafate  in Argentina (5-6 hours). 

From Puerto Natales buses to the first Park entrance at Laguna Amarga take just over two hours. Buses continue on to Pudeto (30 mins), from where you can catch the catamaran across Lago Pehoé to Paine Grande Mountain Lodge (30 mins).  
 
From Laguna Amarga, shuttles meet the buses and run to and from Refuguios Torres Central and Norte and the start or end of the W Trek. 

Sky Airline flies to Puerto Natales  from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt and other Chilean cities. Flights are weather dependent. LATAM flies regularly to the city of Punta Arenas  and less often to Puerto Natales.

Navimag runs more or less weekly ferries from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales through the Patagonian Fjords. The voyage takes about four days, but is weather dependent.  

Unpredictable. In summer 100 mph winds are not unusual, and when the wind blows from the Patagonian Ice Cap temperatures can drop 10 degrees Celsius in minutes. On the other hand, hot sunny days are also common. Generally, summer temperatures range from 41F (5C) to 68F (20C) and winter temperatures from 28F (-2C) to 43F (6C). Waterproof, windproof clothing is essential for trekking in Torres del Paine. 

Source: www.pasesparques.cl  from where you can buy tickets.

All year, between 8:00am and 6:30pm.  

The entrances at Laguna Amarga and Río Serrano are open from 7am to 8pm. 
 
Portería Sarmiento is open from 8am to 7pm. 

Visitor Centres are open from 8am to 6pm every day. Some trails have strict start times. For example, the Base Torres trek must be started at Laguna Amarga by 9am.

Refugios are lodges, which offer basic accommodation to trekkers in shared dormitories as well as meals and usually hot showers. Book them via Las Torres or Vertice Patagonia .

Luxury options range from boutique hotels to estancias. They are often fully-inclusive or they can be combined with a group Torres de Paine tour.

Only at designated camping grounds. 

You must hike the Circuit in an anti-clockwise direction and this avoids beginning the trek with the most difficult section, the John Gardner Pass, and avoids walking into strong headwinds while you're up there. Hiking the W from West to East leaves the most difficult hike, The Towers, until last, but either direction is allowed. 

To hike the Circuit you will need to camp at Los Perros at least, although you may be able to hire a pre-set tent with sleeping mat and sleeping bag, but check in advance. Carrying a tent for emergency shelter on the pass is still advisable. There are now no open campsites or shelters on the pass, so you must be able to hike some 17km from Los Perros to Refugio Grey in one day. 

In theory yes in summer between October and April on the W and Cirucit trails, but check for restrictions. Different rules apply in winter when you must join a group tour. In addition, on some trails you must be accompanied by a guide, and this changes constantly throughout the season. Always check for latest updates. 

Or you could join a group Torres del Paine trekking tour led by a certified guide.

Meals are served at the refugios and most have well-stocked but expensive shops selling trekking supplies, such as dried pasta.