Things to do in

Puerto Natales

Contemplate one of the world's most celebrated areas of outstanding natural beauty, Torres del Paine, on the most famous hike in Patagonia, the “W Trek.” Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas Airport and take a regular bus transfer to Puerto Natales Bus Station. From there, take a taxi to the Garden Domes Lodge (not included). Savor a welcome dinner and drinks, following the W Trek briefing. Stay at Garden Domes Lodge in the main cabin room accommodation in a shared double or twin room. You can leave your main luggage with the local partner during the hike so you only need to carry your hiking clothes and equipment, as well as the sleeping bag and mat provided. Day 2: Take a private transfer to Torres del Paine National Park, then trek to Base Torres (11.2 miles, 7-8 hours) with a tour guide and small group. After the hike, stay at Torre Central Lodge where you will sleep in a 6 to 8-bedroom dormitory accommodation. Note: the tour guide is only available during this day and you will be hiking on your own for the rest of the trip. Difficulty level for this day is high. Day 3: On the 3rd day, hike alongside Lake Nordenskjold to Los Cuernos (The Horns) and Frances Area (9.1 miles, 6.5 hours). Camp out at Camping Frances or Camping Los Cuernos. The tent will already be installed and ready before your arrival at the camping spot. Day 4: Trek through the French Valley to the British Lookout to Paine Grande (12.6 miles, 9 hours). Stay at Camping Paine Grande. As before, the tent will already be installed and ready before your arrival at the camping spot. Day 5: Complete a round trip trek from Paine Grande to the Grey Glacier Area (13.7 miles, 7 hours). Then, take the catamaran across Lake Pehoe to reach your bus transfer back to Puerto Natales. Rest your weary legs in a shared double or twin room at Garden Domes or at ChileTour Guest House. Day 6: Departure day. Take a taxi to the Puerto Natales Bus Station (not included), and take the regular bus transfer to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales Airport, (included). Please note: you will receive your bus ticket via email from the local partner. You must print the ticket to board the regular bus at the exit of both airports. The bus is easy to find, as both airports are very small. You will ride to Puerto Natales Bus Station and take a taxi to the meeting point at Garden Domes Lodge at your own expense.

Start the tour with pick up from your accommodation in Puerto Natales between 7:30 AM to 8 AM, then set off for the Torres del Paine National Park. Arrive by about 10 AM and access the park through Portería Laguna Amarga, where you will be able to get an excellent view of the Paine Towers. As you venture through the park, observe a wide variety of native fauna and flora. Make several stops at the main viewpoints to appreciate the uniqueness of the landscape and the magnitude of the Paine Massif from different perspectives. At Midday, stop for lunch before continuing the itinerary towards the Grey Lake. Here, enjoy a 1-hour hike through an ancient Lenga forest and along Grey Lake Beach. From this side of the park, it is possible to enjoy the view of the West face of the Paine Massif and the intense blue hues of Grey’s glacial ice. Once your adventure in the park is over, drive back to Puerto Natales (through Portería Serrano). On the way, stop by the Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, of the Pleistocene era. Return to the city by about 7 PM.

Trek through the wilderness of Patagonia on a full day guided excursion out into this magnificent landscape. After pickup from your hotel between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM, you’ll head to the mysterious Sierra Baguales mountain range. On arrival at the horse ranch, you’ll enjoy a welcome coffee and cookies as you learn about the origins of the ranch.   Start off on a short trek of a half hour to visit Laguna Irene, where you can observe and photograph the birds and surroundings. As you do this, you’ll talk with your guide about the process of colonization of Patagonia, the history of the first human occupation of this place, and the habits and social importance of Patagonia for its first population.   Then, head to your next trekking starting point. On this second hike, you’ll cover 12.5 kilometers of medium inclination. Take in views of the Baguales mountain range, where pumas, guanacos, and wild horses live. After 3.5 hours of hiking, you’ll find marine fossils, dating back more than 50 million years. With a bit of luck, you may even run into a herd of horses.   Continue to a viewpoint located 1,200 meters above sea level and take in panoramic views of the entire sector, including excellent views of the various rock formations. Enjoy your packed lunch before taking the road back to the ranch, and from there, back to Puerto Natales.