Chilean Patagonia Travel Guide
Base of the Towers (Mirador Las Torres), Torres Del Paine, Chile
Trip of a Lifetime in Torres del Paine
If you asked me, “Mountains or beach?”, I’d answer mountains every time. And after visiting Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia, I’m 1000% percent more sure of my answer. From towering granite peaks to glacial blue lakes, this place is an outdoor lover’s dream. The scenery here is unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else in the world (not that I’ve been everywhere, of course), and I would go back again and again.
If Patagonia has been on your bucket list for a while, don’t hesitate to check off Torres del Paine. The views are mesmerizing, the food is incredible, and the people are so kind and welcoming. Read on for where to stay and the best things to do when visiting Chilean Patagonia.
A Few Things to Note
Chilean Patagonia was our third stop on a 16-day South America vacation. Before this, we were in Argentine Patagonia and Uco Valley, Mendoza.
Be sure to give yourself at least five nights in Torres del Paine. That’s how long we were there and while I could have absolutely stayed longer, we felt like we had ample time to do the best hikes and enjoy our stunning hotel (more on that later).
If you’re staying at one of the luxury lodges in the park, you do not need a rental car to explore Torres del Paine National Park. They will provide roundtrip airport transfers and drive you to and from all of your excursions. I highly recommend staying at one of the lodges so they can help you map out your stay. Otherwise, it can be pretty overwhelming because there’s so much to see! Plus, none of the roads in the national park are paved, so if you do rent a car, you’ll want something that can handle the bumpy terrain.
Best Time to Visit Chilean Patagonia
We visited Torres del Paine in mid-January, which is their summer. The mornings and evenings were cooler (in the 40s), with daily highs in the low 60s. For the best weather/warmest temperatures, visit December to February (with February being the driest/when vegetation is the most brown). But be advised: this is also the busiest season, so expect more crowds and the highest prices for lodging. Shoulder seasons like Fall (March-April) and Spring (October-November) still have good weather with fewer crowds and better deals on luxury lodging.
What to Pack for Chilean Patagonia
The most important thing to remember about Torres del Paine is that you can experience all four seasons in one day! That is why it’s critically important to be prepared and pack layers and rain/wind gear. When we would start our hikes in the morning, we’d wear a thermal layer and a lighter outer layer, and as the day went on, we’d be shedding layers. Even though it didn’t get above 62° F, the sun is strong. Despite staying in a five-star luxury lodge, meal attire is very casual. Most people wore athlesiure/hiking clothes to dinner, and I typically wore leggings with a sweater and slippers. So, here’s what I would pack for Torres del Paine:
Worn in hiking boots (I love my Helly Hansens)
Hiking socks (Darn Tough makes great ones and they’re a VT brand)
Rain coat (for the wind too, which Patagonia is known for!)
Rain pants (I have these ones from Outdoor Research)
Hiking pants or leggings
Long-sleeve, high-performance fabric shirts (I love my lululemon Swiftly Tech or this one from Amazon is a great affordable option)
Lighter outer layer (like the Patagonia Nano Puff; feels sacrilegious to not wear Patagonia in Patagonia!)
Winter hat
Lightweight gloves
Thin zip-up (like the lululemon Define Jacket)
Half-zip fleece
Sweaters
Slippers for around the lodge (I wore my Ugg ones everywhere)
Bathing suit (most of the luxury lodges have a pool and/or hot tub)
Polarized sunglasses
Nice camera (I brought my Nikon D3400. While iPhones have come a long way, a nicer camera is the best way to get pictures that try to do the scenery justice!)
Sunscreen (your guides/lodge will have some in case you forget)
I also packed two pairs of jeans (I only wore one pair once the entire time), Chelsea boots (didn’t wear them at all), and a nicer top (which I also didn’t wear). Long story short…hiking chic is the name of the game!
How to Get to Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia
The closest airport to Torres del Paine is Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport, or Puerto Natales (PNT). It’s a little over an hour from where we stayed, which was just 10 minutes from the national park entrance. There are daily flights to and from Santiago on LATAM. The flight time from Santiago to Puerto Natales is a little over three hours. JetSMART is a budget airline that also goes to PNT, but I heard horror stories from fellow travelers about flying them (frequent/unexplained delays and cancellations). As I mentioned above, most of the luxury lodges will pick you up at the airport.
Where to Stay in Torres del Paine, Chile
Tierra Patagonia. Hands down. I had first seen pictures of the hotel on Instagram years ago, and it had always been on my bucket list. Walking into the lobby for the first time and seeing the view of Paine Massif reflecting in Lago Sarmiento truly took my breath away. The hotel itself is an architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape to not disrupt wildlife. If you need further proof, guanacos (similar to llamas) would freely roam around the property, and the night before we arrived, a female puma and two cubs walked right in front of the restaurant as guests were enjoying dinner!
Lobby, Tierra Patagonia
Exterior, Tierra Patagonia
Every single room has a view of the lake and iconic mountain range. We were in a Superior Room, but you really can’t go wrong with whatever room type you choose. We spent a lot of time at the Uma Spa, and it’s not hard to see why. It features in an indoor heated pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to drink in the views. Outside you’ll find a hot tub to soak your sore muscles after a long hike. Every time we went to the spa, horses from a nearby estancia (ranch) were grazing on grass. The scenery was so beautiful it didn’t feel real! We each got a massage and used the sauna daily. We didn’t make it to one, but Uma Spa also offers daily yoga and meditation. Next time!
Superior Room, Tierra Patagonia
Uma Spa, Tierra Patagonia
I would be remiss to not mention the standout service we received at Tierra Patagonia. Everyone—from our excursion guides (shoutout to Dani and Alena) to the servers (shoutout to Celeste and Pia) to the bartenders (Crhis!)—provided a world-class experience. The food was incredible. For every lunch and dinner, you could choose between a four-course menu or a “snack menu” that featured comfort classics like a cheeseburger, pizza, caesar salad, fried chicken sandwich, etc. Some of my favorite dishes included a beef short rib with potatoes au gratin, a bacon-wrapped filet, a seafood risotto, and a coffee crémeux dessert. The Pisco Sour is the national drink of Chile (with a long-standing dispute over whether it originated here or in Peru), and Tierra Patagonia makes amazing ones. The traditional Pisco Sour contains a 2:1:1 ratio of Pisco, lemon juice, and simple syrup, plus one egg white. Crhis would whip up special Pisco Sours, including one made with lime juice instead of lemon plus mint, and the delicious Calafate Sour. The restaurant also had an incredible selection of Chilean wines, including our favorite: the Milla Cala from Vik, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
There were so many thoughtful touches throughout our stay, including a build-your-own trail mix bar, a Mammut hiking backpack to use on excursions, custom buffs to protect your face from the wind, and a beautiful hand-knitted sheep and socks, made by local women, that were left in our room on our last night. Tierra Patagonia thinks of every last detail, which means it comes as no surprise they were awarded Three MICHELIN Keys in 2025.
Okay…now for the best part! If you book with me, you can unlock exclusive perks at Tierra Patagonia like:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary 50 minute massage for up to two people, per room, once during stay (you’ll need it after all the hiking!)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Tierra Patagonia has stunning views from every corner
Things to Do in Torres del Paine
Hike, eat, sleep, repeat! With four distinct regions that span nearly 1,000 square miles, each with unique terrain, there is so much to explore in Torres del Paine National Park. And Tierra Patagonia’s location right at the edge makes it the perfect home base for daily excursions. While there are so many more hikes we would have liked to have done, here is our ideal five-day Torres del Paine itinerary when staying at Tierra Patagonia:
Day 1
Fly into Puerto Natales. Try to snag a seat on the early flight that departs Santiago at 5:30 am and arrives in PNT at 9 am so you can maximize your time! It is so worth the early wake-up call. The drive to Tierra Patagonia from the airport is a little over one hour, and you’re likely to spot guanacos and emus along the way.
Check in, have a late breakfast, and hit the Uma Spa. We were feeling pretty groggy after our 3:30 am wakeup, so it was so nice to ease in by visiting the outdoor hot tub, heated indoor pool, and sauna.
Enjoy a hearty meal in the restaurant to fuel up for an afternoon hike. While it’s hard, maybe save the Chilean wine for dinner…it’s really dry in Torres del Paine, so I found myself getting dehydrated easily. Drink lots of water!
Head to Laguna Azul for an easy half-day hike. You’ll spot tons of birds, work up a little sweat with the gradual incline, and enjoy stunning views of the lake and a unique vantage point of the Towers.
Pro tip: Another reason to stay in one of the luxury lodges? In addition to roundtrip transportation in a comfortable and spacious van, Tierra Patagonia set up a happy hour after every excursion, complete with local beer (I loved the Cerveza Austral Calafate, a blueberry ale), fruit, and pastries.
Laguna Azul, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Hiking happy hour, provided by Tierra Patagonia
Day 2
Get an early start (6 am) so you can have a hearty breakfast before departing at 7 am for one of the more challenging—but most iconic—hikes: Base of the Towers!
Also known as Mirador Las Torres, Base of the Towers is a full-day trek to the iconic granite peaks of Torres del Paine. This 14 mile out-and-back hike (though we clocked closer to 15 miles) covers roughly 3,500 ft in elevation gain as you weave through enchanting forests, cross glacial-blue rivers, and scramble up boulder fields. Though not technically challenging, it’s a long day on your feet. We’ve done far harder/steeper hikes in Colorado, but my legs were exhausted after this one! As we rounded the corner at the top of the boulder field and caught our first glimpses of Lake Torres and the granite towers, I was immediately speechless. This is one of the most iconic hikes/views in the world, and seeing it in person was a truly spiritual experience. We also couldn’t have gotten luckier with the weather. Our ascent was mostly through cloudy skies and light rain, and the infamous Windy Pass was windy. But as we approached the top, the clouds parted and we were met with sun and beautiful blue skies to admire the view. I could have stayed up there all day!
Be aware: The hike down is long. I’m talking relentless downhill and pounding on your knees/toes. We had a small group of experienced hikers, and all five of us were incredibly tired by the end. It was beyond worth it, though. This is easily one of my favorite—if not my favorite—hikes I’ve ever done.
Depending on how fast of a hiker you are, you’ll get back to Tierra Patagonia a little before 6 pm, giving you ample time to soak your tired muscles in the hot tub (while enjoying a celebratory Pisco Sour, of course) before dinner.
For dinner, be prepared to feast; you’ve earned it! An indulgent meal and a couple of glasses of Chilean wine tired us out pretty quickly, and needless to say, we slept like babies that night.
Base of the Towers, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Day 3
Sleep in! We woke up insanely sore from our Base of the Towers hike, so it was so nice to have a day with no agenda, especially after feeling like we had been constantly on the move the past few days. We had a big, leisurely breakfast (order the pancakes) while enjoying the gorgeous views.
Next, visit the Uma Spa for a massage (remember if you book with me, a 50-minute massage is included for two people per room). After your treatment, soak in the outdoor hot tub (again), followed by floating in the heated pool while enjoying the views and a quick sauna session.
The rest of the day is yours to explore the property, have time for a delicious, multi-course lunch, and relax. Take a leisurely stroll down to the lake while looking for puma tracks, rent bikes, or read a book with a beautiful backdrop. Tierra Patagonia offers Pisco Sour classes twice a week, so be sure to check one out for a fun change of pace!
My husband and I love making vacation friends. It’s so special meeting people from all over the world and sharing travel stories with one another. We had happy hour (complete with a rainbow) and dinner with vacation friends this night, and it was so much fun.
Day 4
Grey Glacier Cruise! As I mentioned above, Torres del Paine National Park has an incredibly diverse landscape. The Grey Glacier is a massive, almost 4-mile wide glacier that is reached by a cruise across Lago Grey. Though not a private excursion/not exclusively for hotel guests, this was one of the highlights of our trip. The day starts with a scenic drive through the western region of the park, where we spotted a baby fox, flamingos, and the majestic Andean condor. Then, after a 30-minute walk across the rocky shoreline of Lake Grey (wear sneakers!), you board the boat that takes you so close to the glacier. Wear layers, including a waterproof/windproof outer shell. The weather gods truly were in our favor on this trip: the cruise started of cold and rainy, and by the time we reached the Grey Glacier, the clouds parted, giving way to sunny, blue skies. The tour guide also told us that we got incredibly lucky, as an iceberg had broken off and flipped overnight, appearing like a sapphire floating in the lake. You also get a ticket for a complimentary Pisco Sour onboard, but save it for when they harvest a piece of glacier ice (that’s broken off, of course)! Drinking a Pisco Sour with glacier ice in Patagonia is one of the more unique experiences I’ve ever had (but the cocktails can’t compare to the ones at the hotel).
Be aware: this a long day with lots of driving. The ride back to Tierra Patagonia is nearly two hours, broken up by a lunch stop at Pampa Lodge in Rio Serrano (or some guest may dine at Hotel Lago Grey). Despite being tired, it was impossible to nap as we drove past the majestic Los Cuernos (The Horns) and the beautiful blue of Lago Pehoé.
Unfortunately my husband was feeling a little under the weather once we got back to the hotel, so I enjoyed a solo girl dinner with a book. Honestly, I didn’t hate it!
Iceberg that broke off of the Grey Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park
Ice from Lago Grey, Torres del Paine
Grey Glacier Pisco Sour
Baby fox in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Flamingos in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Andean condor, Torres del Paine National Park
Day 5
My husband woke up still feeling sick, so I started my day with a run down to Lago Sarmiento and along its shore.
By the time I got back, he was feeling much better, so we had breakfast followed by a visit to Uma Spa (are you sensing a trend here?)
After a light lunch, we headed out to Mirador Cuernos, a hike to the Cuernos Viewpoint. Los Cuernos, also know as The Horns, are three stunning granite peaks with layers of sedimentary rock . While it’s hard to beat seeing The Towers up close and personal, this view was a close second. The trail itself is easy, winding past the beautiful Salto Grande waterfall and (more) glacial blue lakes. This was such a nice way to end our trip: it afforded stunning views without being strenuous (we didn’t want to be too tired/sore for our long travel day the next day).
On our last night, we decided the aforementioned Vik Milla Cala was our favorite wine, and enjoyed it alongside a beautiful dinner with the decadent coffee crémeux as the cherry on top.
Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Salto Grande, Torres del Paine National Park
On our last day, we were lucky to not have to depart the hotel until 10 am, so we were able to enjoy a lovely breakfast and take one last walk down to the lake. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever been so devastated to leave a hotel. Tierra Patagonia is one of those places that’s just indescribably special (but I sure have tried to explain it with my ramblings in this guide—if you’ve made it this far, thanks for sticking around).
Helpful Torres del Paine Tips
Don’t try to overload your itinerary. While there’s so much to see, this is an incredibly active vacation, so you’ll want to bake in time for relaxation and enjoying your hotel amenities, especially if you’re staying at Tierra Patagonia.
Tip your guides! You spend a lot of time with them throughout your stay, so you’ll want to make sure you express your gratitude for their extensive knowledge and attentiveness. Totally up to you, but we decided to do $50 per guide per day. We also tipped housekeeping, our servers, and the bartenders. At Tierra Patagonia, you’re able to leave tips at the end of your stay, in cash (USD preferred) or on a credit card.
If it’s not clear from this guide, our trip to Torres del Paine will go down as one of my favorites. The landscape is just out-of-this-world beautiful, and Tierra Patagonia is the definition of five-star luxury for adventure lovers. This is one place I hope to return to, and I hope you get to visit someday!
Other Favorite Pictures from Torres del Paine
Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine National Park
Sunrise at Tierra Patagonia featuring Lago Sarmiento
Lago Grey, Torres del Paine National Park
Lake Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park
Laguna Azul, Torres del Paine
Lago Grey iceberg, Torres del Paine
