10 Things Your Guide Wants You to Know About Torres del Paine - Insights From Matías Garcés
Hello Torres del Paine, hello Patagonia, hello Chile!! Can you tell that we’re super excited about the recent additions of four amazing Torres del Paine trips to the Skyhook platform?
Patagonia is a bucket list destination, and there’s no better way to discover this magical corner of the world than with a local guide leading you. You experience all the best parts of the area, getting insider knowledge from an expert who knows it like the back of their hand.
To help you get to know the famous Torres del Paine National Park better, and get an idea of what to expect hiking in the park, we caught up with Matías Garcés, Skyhook’s local Host. Matias is based in Puerto Natales in Chile, which is one of the gateways to the national park.
We asked Matias, what 10 things do you want travelers to know about Torres del Paine? Here’s what he had to say.
10 Things Matías Wants You to Know About Torres del Paine
The Torres del Paine National Park at the southern tip of Chile (Southern Patagonia) boasts two of the world's most famous trails: the W Circuit and the O Circuit, named for the shape they form on a map.
These trails allow you to experience the most stunning highlights of the national park. You may have seen photos of the three granite towers, the famous Cuernos del Paine, or perhaps the Grey Glacier from the John Gardner Pass. That's just a part of what you'll experience on these routes within one of the world's most famous national parks.
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1. What makes Torres del Paine National Park so special?
Firstly, its location. It lies in the southernmost region of Chile (Magallanes Region), in Southern Patagonia at the foot of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. It’s a unique location full of drama and wild nature. It’s also one of the least populated areas on the planet (1 inhabitant per km²).
Besides this, Torres del Paine has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its incredibly high ecological value, both in terms of flora and fauna. The park is particularly well-known for its great diversity of animals, with the Puma (Mountain Lion) standing out. Torres del Paine is home to the highest concentration of Pumas in the world.
In addition to its ecological value, the park holds cultural significance. This is due to the historic presence of livestock farming in this Patagonian region in the 19th century. The Gaucho culture (Patagonian Cowboy) and all the evidence of human settlements (rock paintings and pre-Columbian objects) dating back between approximately 500 and 2,500 years ago also contribute to its cultural importance.
2. When is the best time to hike these Circuits?
The best time to hike the W or the O Circuits is during spring and summer, between October and April when temperatures rise and there are more hours of daylight. However, this is no guarantee of 100% sunny, pleasant, and stable weather, as this is also the time when the strong winds of Patagonia appear, leading to dramatic changes within the same day. I’m talking four seasons in one day.
It’s also possible to do the W Circuit between May and August when the wind disappears. Generally, the days are calmer, colder, and shorter during this time.
Good to know: During the low season, not all services are available. Some campsites and refuges are closed, which means you have to look into alternative accommodation. The weather also means you need more technical mountain equipment such as gaiters and ice crampons.
3. How long does it take to complete the Circuits?
W Circuit: Between 4-5 days.
The complete circuit is 72 km long, so it's important to be physically prepared, as it features very demanding sections (over 900m elevation gain) and an accumulated elevation change of over 2,830m up and 2,900m down.
O Circuit: Between 7-8 days.
A very demanding and physical route of almost 100 km (with a 1,200m elevation gain). It features very exposed mountain passes with bad weather and an accumulated elevation change of +6,517m and -6,572m.
For these hikes, we recommend a 40-liter backpack, with a maximum weight of 13kg, to carry only your personal belongings. You should always use trekking poles to protect your knees over long distances.
Unexpected events, such as bad weather conditions and winds, can also make hikes more challenging, extending the times between accommodations and making the total experience more demanding.
4. What’s the best way to get to Torres del Paine National Park?
The quickest and most comfortable way is through the airport in Puerto Natales (the closest city to the national park), which has commercial flights between October and March.
There is also the option of going through the Punta Arenas airport, which receives flights all year round. If you choose this airport, you’ll take a three-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales.
Once you arrive at the Puerto Natales bus terminal (“Rodoviario”), you’ll notice that it is also the starting point for buses to Torres del Paine Park.
During the 2024-2025 season, there are two daily departures to Torres del Paine: 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM (arrive 15 minutes before the bus departure).
Upon arrival at the park, the bus stops at the “Laguna Amarga” sector, which is the official entrance to the park. Here, you have to show your pre-purchased access ticket.
It is important to know where your circuit begins (east or west) as this will determine whether you continue with the same bus to the Pudeto sector or head towards the Central Refuge Sector.
Good to know: The programs listed on Skyhook take care of all the transportation and logistics issues for you beforehand. This makes your trip much simpler and more enjoyable.
5. How much are the entrance fees to Torres del Paine?
2024-2025 Season: Foreigners: Youth (13+) and Adults US$47. Children under 12 enter for free.
6. What are the must-see highlights of the park?
These trips are feasts for the senses. Not only because of the park’s scenic beauty, which has earned it the title of the eighth wonder of the world but also because of the strong presence of its elements.
Every part of the trail has its allure. The most famous features are the Base de las Torres Viewpoint and the Grey Glacier at the park's extremes.
One of my favorites is the Valle del Francés, in the middle zone. It captivates all who visit with its incredible Lenga forests, hanging glaciers, and the impressive Cuernos del Paine that guards the valley. All in all, it’s a scene of overwhelming beauty.
The rest of the trails offer other great panoramic views of the mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and hanging glaciers in the area.
7. What’s the accommodation like?
For the W and O Circuits, you can choose between camping or staying in a refuge. Either way, accommodation needs to be booked and paid upfront before going to the park.
At your accommodation, the park provides services such as showers, mini-markets, meals, indoor cooking spaces, (limited) use of electricity and internet, and rental of equipment such as tents, insulating mattresses, and sleeping bags. Prices vary depending on the services you want to hire and the weight you are willing to carry.
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8. Is it necessary to have a guide to hike the W or O Circuits?
We always recommend the company of a local guide. Not because it is required or necessary, but rather because a guide helps to make your experience significantly richer and deeper. They transmit knowledge about the park and local traditions of Patagonia, helping you interpret the landscape and its phenomena better.
In some trails between May and August, when mountain areas require certain care, the company of a certified guide is required.
Good to know: You can book both guided and unguided versions of the W and O Circuits through Skyhook. Check out the trips here:
9. What to pack for your Torres del Paine hiking trip
Below is a list of basic equipment for someone who wants to do the circuits with an all-inclusive program, either in a refuge or camping.
40L backpack (with a rain cover)
Small backpack for day trips
Trekking poles (highly recommended)
Water-resistant jacket and pants (Goretex or similar)
A thermal polar or thermal sweater
First layer of Merino wool or a breathable material
Short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts
Shoes you regularly walk in (not new ones)
Cell phone (camera)
Sandals (for bathing and resting)
Front flashlight
Padlock to lock your tent
Quick-drying towel (lightweight)
Cold-resistant hat, gloves, and sun hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Camera
Binoculars (for those who want to use them)
Water bottle (1L is enough)
Ziploc bags (for your trash)
First aid kit (with bandages, band-aids, and anti-inflammatories)
10. What other add-ons/destinations do you recommend for extending these trips?
We often get asked this question by our Guests. And we’re pleased to tell you there are some amazing options just as exciting as Torres del Paine.
If you’re interested in continuing to explore Chile, we can connect you with the Lake District located in Northern Patagonia or the Atacama Desert (the other end of Chile), where we have hiking programs to the summits of volcanoes in the highlands.
If you want something within Southern Patagonia, we have programs in the mountain village in Argentina called El Chaltén, where the famous Fitz-Roy mountain (Patagonia Logo) is located. It's a place of great trekking and spectacular views.
As a last option, it is very common for travelers visiting Torres del Paine to also connect with Antarctica, in multi-day cruise programs or a more economical full-day experience on the white continent.
Final Thoughts
A big thank you to Matías for sharing this awesome information with us. If you have any questions about Torres del Paine, get in touch. We can’t wait to welcome you to this amazing part of the world.
Further Reading
Hiking in Chile
W Circuit vs O Circuit
Torres del Paine hike difficulty