
Wildlife in Torres del Paine
As dusk falls and the hikers retreat from the trails, the national park belongs to some of it's most elusive residents. Pumas pad silently down the mountainside, endangered Huemul …
Deep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Situated on the Last Hope Sound, Puerto Natales was originally a small fishing port. As it is the gateway to Torres del Paine, this little town has more recently turned its hand to tourism and supporting visitors to the national park. Stay at one of the many hotels, and buy your last minute camping & trekking essentials before your adventure in the park.
All roads to Torres del Paine pass through Puerto Natales, and the countless hikers and adventurers that stop off here are served well by numerous hiking and camping shops and a variety of hotels and dining options. Spend a day here preparing for your trek in Torres del Paine, or stop a while on your way back after you've finished your adventures.
Soak in a spa at a remote luxury hotel, gaze upon views of the Last Hope Sound from your boutique hotel bedroom, meet fellow travellers at a lodge that doubles as a community hub, or immerse yourself in gaucho culture on an estancia. Puerto Natales has it all, and we've put together a selection of our favourites to help you to find the accommodation that suits you.
How you get to Puerto Natales largely depends on where you are travelling from. Crossing the border from Argentina is either time-consuming or very expensive, so travelling from Chile is by far the better option. There are no direct flights from Buenos Aires to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales – you would have to take a connecting flight via Santiago.
Flights from Santiago operate twice a week during the peak season (December - February), offering easier access to Torres del Paine during the summer months. You'll save about three hours on the road, but it's important to be aware that the flights are somewhat unreliable.
Santiago, Chile
Punta Arenas has more regular flights than Puerto Natales, so is often a better bet to fly into. From the airport you can then take the bus to Puerto Natales, a journey of approximately 3 hours which departs regularly and costs around USD $7.
From the airport we recommend Buses Pacheco and from the town centre Bus-Sur or Buses Fernandez. We suggest you ask your tour operator to book the bus in advance for you, we'd be happy to help.
Punta Arenas & the Strait of Magellan
From El Calafate you can catch a bus that will take you over the Chilean border, the bus takes around 6/7 hours (depending on how long it takes to cross the border) and costs approximately USD $55. You could also take a private transfer. Some of our luxury lodges in El Calafate include a transfer to Puerto Natales.
Navimag operate a ferry service between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales. It is a 4 day journey for which you can book a private or shared cabin. Ticket prices start from USD $450 and include all meals.
The hiking, fishing, horse riding, condor spotting and kayaking opportunities in this area are outstanding. Experience the full choice of activities with daily excursions from one of Puerto Natales's luxury all-inclusive spa hotels.
In 1896, remains of a giant ground sloth were found in a cave just outside Puerto Natales. The Milodon Cave is now a popular tourist attraction, and you can explore some of the 30 metre high, 200 metre deep cave on a day trip from the town.
Explore some of the off-the-beaten-track wilderness with a boat trip to Peninsula Antonio Varas, where plenty of trails, forests, beaches and glaciers offer spectacular hiking and wildlife watching opportunities.
Experience traditional gaucho culture by spending a few days living and riding from a local estancia, where families have lived off the land for generations.
Buses operate from Puerto Natales town centre to Torres del Paine, taking 2.5 hours. Book well in advance as availability can be tight.
If you'd like a like a little more flexibility you can take a private transfer, however these are considerably more expensive. By far the most adventurous option is taking a boat from the Last Hope Sound up the Serrano river, straight into the heart of the national park.
Almost all guided trips and tour itineraries include the journey from Puerto Natales. If you're staying at a hotel or luxury lodge in the national park, it's likely you'll enter the park on one of their shared transfers from Punta Arenas or El Calafate which often stop at Puerto Natales for lunch.
Las Torres, Torres del Paine
Fly direct to Puerto Natales and skip Punta Arenas if you can, it’s a more interesting town especially in off season. Read the full review
Travelled: April 2022
Maddie Emberson - Canada
Review:
Taking a boat into Torres del Paine brings a whole different perspective to the park, cuts out a few hours on a bus, and brings a real sense of adventure to your journey.
As dusk falls and the hikers retreat from the trails, the national park belongs to some of it's most elusive residents. Pumas pad silently down the mountainside, endangered Huemul …
World famous trekking awaits in Torres del Paine National Park. Each valley, peak and pass hides its own treasures, be it hanging glaciers, vast pampas, twisted metamorphic rock or…
Torres del Paine National Park offers a wide range of accommodation. Stay at a refugios or campsites for a fun and traditional hiking experience. Learn about gaucho culture at an …
Torres del Paine National Park is remote, a characteristic that adds to its intrigue but also the time it takes to get there. Make sure you maximise your time in a world of jagged …
A warm welcome awaits you at Estancia Mercedes. Both a family home and estancia; it is cosy, with home cooked food and no internet or phone signal. There are lots of cats, …
Cross the Última Esperanza Fjord to relax and explore the remote Antonio Veras Peninsula. Hike and horseback ride through lush forests and along rocky beaches to surrounding …
Offering a new concept as an Estancia Park, guests are guided on various active excursions at one of Puerto Natales best known ranches. Only accessible by boat, and with …
Estancia Mercedes is a family home and estancia; it is cosy, with home cooked food and no internet or phone signal. There are lots of cats, dogs and horses allowing you to enjoy a true Patagonian gaucho experience.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
1-855-369-7866This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Privacy policy