The minibus journey is just under four-and-a-half hours: The journey from Punta Arenas to Patagonia Camp, along 200 kilometers (124 miles) of paved road takes two-and-a-quarter hours. From there, the 190 kilometers (118 miles) to Torres del Paine National Park is mainly along dirt roads and takes two hours and 20 minutes.
Daily activities at Patagonia Camp include:
BASE TORRES - Duration 9 hours - Difficulty: High
Following a 1.5 transfer, the hike begins uphill until we enter the Valle Asencio. After a short break, we continue to the second part of the trail where we walk through a native Nothofagus forest. The last part of the trail takes us up a steep moraine that ends at the spectacular base of the towers.
LAGUNA VERDE - Duration 6 hours - Difficulty: Medium
The van takes us to the Estancia Lazo, an excellent example of a typical Patagonian ranch, where we start our hike towards the Paine River. Going along the edge of the beautiful Laguna Verde we continue the trail towards the Mirador Toro, a spectacular lookout point from where we have a stunning view of the Toro Lake and the Patagonian mountain range. Our hike ends downhill where the River Paine and Toro Lake converge, in an amazing mixture of blue and green colors.
LA PENINSULA - Duration 6 hours - Difficulty: Medium
This hike starts where Lago Toro converges with Laguna Maravilla. Hiking through a typical puesto Gaucho, we start our hike with a great view of Laguna Maravilla and Salto Maravilla. In the second half of the trail, we walk along the Bahia Maitenes, where we observe the different species of flora present in Patagonia. This hike ends, walking through the edge of the Lago Porteño ending at Patagonia Camp.
MIRADOR CONDOR - Duration 2 ½ hours - Difficulty: Medium
We take the van to Torres del Paine National Park, near Lago Pehoe. This hike starts at the edge of the lake where the trail goes uphill towards the famous Mirador Condor. During the hike we observe different species of flora present in the park and if we are lucky we can see the elegant soaring of the Andean Condor. Once at the top of the lookout point, we can observe the magnificence of the Paine Massive and the amazing contrast with the turquoise color of Lago Pehoe.
LAGO SARMIENTO - Duration 2 ½ hours -Difficulty: Medium
This hike starts on a trail that leads to the shores of Lago Sarmiento. Once we get to the lake we can observe the calcium carbonate formations all along the shoreline making Lago Sarmiento unique in the park. This is a nice hike where we can observe a few of the different species of birds present in the park. If we are lucky - on the way back we can walk through a herd of Guanacos.
PLAYA GREY - Duration 2 hours - Difficulty: Easy
This excursion leads us to one of Torres del Paine National Park's main attractions - Lago Grey beach and Grey Glacier. First we arrive at Lago Grey where, after crossing a hanging bridge over the Pingo River, we will cross into a dark Patagonian forest. We will arrive at Lago Grey beach and view the electric blue icebergs that have broken off of Glacier Grey. From here we can see the Grey Glacier in the distance, an enormous, 6km-wide wall of ice.
MIRADOR CUERNOS & SALTO GRANDE - Duration 2 ½ hours - Difficulty: Easy
This excursion takes us to Salto Grande, a beautiful waterfall that demonstrates all the power and magic of Chilean Patagonia. After a short trek we arrive at the Mirador Cuernos, a spectacular lookout point with up-close and direct views of the Paine Massif.
MIRADOR EL ESTRIBO - Duration 3 hours - Difficulty: Medium/High
After a 20 minute drive that takes us to the Estancia Complejo Torres del Paine, we start an uphill hike towards the Mirador El Estribo. At the top of this lookout, enjoy a panoramic view of Lago Porteño, a beautiful lake, in which colors go from deep blue to turquoise. With a little bit of luck small herds of Guanacos can be spotted.
MIRADOR TENERIFE - Duration 3 hours - Difficulty: Medium
After a short drive towards Estancia Complejo Torres del Paine, we start walking up to the lookout point of Cerro Tenerife. At this beautiful spot, enjoy the impressive views of the colorful Lago Porteño, the majestic Cerro Castillo and the emblematic Torres del Paine Massif.
LAGUNA AZUL - Duration 3 hours - Difficulty: Easy
After an hour drive, we will star trekking to Laguna Azul, where we will take part in a fairly easy trek along the northern shore of this beautiful lake. From this vantage point we can enjoy spectacular views of the Towers - granite formations that give the name to this incredible National Park. This excursion is ideal for enjoying the park’s native forests and regional fauna.
Recommendations
Patagonia is infamous for it’s variable weather so we highly recommend taking proper trekking gear. We recommend layered clothing, especially a rain and/or wind jacket, trekking shoes, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunblock, insect repellent and a backpack.
Accommodation: Patagonia Camp Located on the shore of Lake Toro, close to Torres del Paine, in a region of extraordinary beauty, Patagonia Camp is the first luxury camp in Chile. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes, ancient forrests, lakes, and turquoise-colored rivers, Patagonia Camp is the ideal place to experience the rugged and wild Patagonian region by combining nature and adventure with comfort and luxury.