Puerto Natales & Torres Del Paine!

Where is this place?
Chile

Coordinates: 51.7269° S, 72.5068° W

Elevation: 3 m / 9.8 ft

Why should I go here?
Well, it’s as if the Norwegian fjords and the Swiss Alps had a child and sent them to a boarding school between South America and Antarctica.
This place is absolutely amazing. I believe it’s the number one reason people come to Chile for leisure (Santiago is still a big business center and probably the main reason people come to Chile).
So yes, you should visit Patagonia because it’s good for your health!

Best way to get there?
Plane to either Natales or Punta Arenas, then drive into downtown Natales.

Will I get mugged?
We highly doubt it. Safety is rated 4.8, making it one of the safest places to visit in South America, if not the safest.

Is it cheap to eat here?
2/5. You have to understand that it’s a remote destination, so food and drink are more expensive because getting supplies here is a journey in itself.

How about accommodations?
3/5. Reasonable for the destination. You can actually find inexpensive Airbnbs and hostels. In Torres del Paine National Park, nothing is cheap.

Transportation?
Chile prices: 2.5/5.
Remember, we pay about 7-8 USD per gallon of gasoline in Chile.

What if I get sick?
Don’t get sick here. Service is very slow.
1.5/5 for healthcare facilities.

Are the people friendly?
Extremely. 4.5/5 for friendliness.

Special Tips?
Pack light.
This is my main travel tip. I made the mistake of doing the W Trek (80 km / 50 mi) with 20 kg / 44 lbs on my back.
My knees still sound like an old church door opening ever so slowly, every time I get up from the sofa.
If you’re doing a tour mainly using vehicles, scratch that and just bring tons of layers.

Nickname:
Natales / Las Torres

Etymology:
Puerto Natales means “Port of Birth.”
Torres del Paine: Torre means towers, and “Paine” means “Blue Sky” in the old Picunche language.

Plan My Getaway (What to Pack):
Seasons:
Winter year-round, with occasional days of extreme heat… or five.
It’s windy, sometimes rainy, and the best time to go is between January and February. However, it doesn’t really matter—you’ll get similar windy, rainy weather with a window of sun year-round.

Accessories and Equipment:
Bring all of your cameras and batteries.

Where Should I Stay?
Puerto Natales, and drive in or take a bus into Torres del Paine. There are plenty of vacation rentals in Natales.
If you want to stay somewhere nice, go to The Singular. It is amazing.
If you’re staying inside the park, Hotel Lago Grey has the best access to hikes.
Explora is kind of its own resort, offering ultra-premium experiences.
Now, if you manage to get a room at Hosteria, do it.

Transportation:

• Bikes? Hmm. Doable, but it’s too windy.
• Cab? There are some in downtown Natales and near the bus terminal.
• Uber? Yes.
• Buses? Yes.
• Trains? No.
• Planes? Yes. There is the PNT Airport.

What’s for Lunch?
Quick: Café Artimaña
Light: La Disquería
Nice: Asador Patagonico

What’s for Dinner?
You’re going to El Bote, the locals' favorite spot. You have to try the fish soup "Caldillo de Congrio." Their broth is so unique it has been replicated in many places, and locals say it’s “how caldillo should be.”

What Are the Locals Drinking?
Calafate Sour.

Coffee?
Eh.

Communications:

• WhatsApp? Yes.
• SIM Cards? You can find them in the main square of Natales.
• Emails? Everywhere. This place is packed in the summer, and reservations are often made 6-8 months in advance.

Cool Discoveries:
Last Hope Gin Distillery and their beautiful Calafate Gin, which is, in my opinion, the best in Chile. What do I know? I’m just a sommelier with a degree in spirits.
Last Hope was my favorite place in Natales. I loved everything about it. Beautiful whiskey bar and house gins. The food was great.

Culture:
The mix of cultures here is amazing. You’ll notice Dutch and Croatian last names, giving some areas a European feel.

History:
This place has a rich history of hikers and mountain climbers discovering its incredible areas.

Art Scene:
There are some great murals in Natales, remembering the local native communities. The art scene reflects a painful history of conquest that erased the Selk’nam culture. Every time I visit, I take a moment to remember them.

Music Scene:
You might hear some casual strumming in a local restaurant or bar. Not much else.

Language:
Spanish, though most people who work here speak English, especially in the park.

In Conclusion:
I fed a fox, met a penguin, and my daughter almost flew away (but didn’t).
The views are amazing.
When I did the W Trek, I remember hating my life and loving it at the same time. It was the most painful hiking experience I’ve ever done, but I was seeing some amazing places. I didn’t really know how to feel.
Everything about this place is amazing.

Tour Guide Services:
We offer tailor-made trips and yearly tours here, all lasting 4+ days.

Sample Multi-Day Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive in Puerto Natales, have lunch at Asador Patagonico, stroll along the waterfront, visit the plaza and side streets full of stores, and relax in the afternoon. End the day with drinks and casual food at Last Hope.

Day 2:
Torres del Paine Sightseeing Circuit: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. We drive to the main spots and take 200,000+ pictures.

Alternatively, If you'd rather not be hopping in and out of a vehicle all day, choose an optional hike if you're more active...

Optional Hikes:

• Mirador Los Cuernos Hike (Easy, 2-3 hours) from Estancia Pudeto
• Hiking Laguna Azul / Mirador Sierra Masle (Easy-Medium, 1-2 hours)
• Mirador Condor Hike (Medium, 1-2 hours) from Hostería Pehoe
• Mirador Walter Ferrier (Medium, 3-4 hours) from Guardería Grey
• Mirador Base Torres del Paine (Hard, 7-8 hours) from Torres del Paine Welcome Center

Day 3:
More hiking!
Choose optional hike(s) from the list above.

Day 4:
Drive to Hotel Lago Grey and do some light hiking in the area.
Have lunch at Hotel Lago Grey’s restaurant or enjoy a nice picnic in the area.
Head to the navigation dock and sail Grey Lake.
Drive back to your accommodation.

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