Map of Patagonia Short Break - Torres Del Paine including Chile

Get back to nature in a land that defies expectations

Jagged mountains, pristine glaciers and bright blue lagoons are just the tip of the iceberg in Chile’s Patagonia region. Spend five days exploring ancient caves, hiking through native forests, sailing in search of glaciers and watching out for wildlife in the diverse landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park and Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Your base in the small city of Puerto Natales is the perfect place to put your feet up after an adventurous day and enjoy a glass of Chilean wine.


Start
Puerto Natales, Chile
Finish
Puerto Natales, Chile
Destination
Chile
Style
Comfort
Theme
Short Breaks
Code
GPAP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Travel with local Intrepid guides who will add another layer to your discoveries, taking care of the details and sharing stories about the scenery, wildlife and local culture.

  • Spending four nights in the lively little city of Puerto Natales, you’ll only have to unpack once, and you’ll have plenty of places to eat and relax when you’re not out exploring.

  • Join a local guide for a full day discovering the diverse landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, taking in granite towers, waterfalls, native forests and iceberg-filled lakes.

  • Explore the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers within Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, which can only be accessed by sea, cruising through the Ultima Esperanza fjord, passing by glaciers, waterfalls and small estancias.

  • Challenge yourself with a trek to Base Torres, or cruise around Lago Grey on a scenic boat tour.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader – our local representative fills this role – and the configuration of any fellow travellers in the group might change during the trip.

  • A good level of fitness is required to get the most out of the multiple treks available on this trip.

  • Weather in Patagonia can be wild, so it's important to prepare for all elements. Rain, wind and extreme cold are all part of the adventure. As a result of this wild weather the hikes and activities within Torres del Paine National Park may not always be possible, so if you are prepared to be a little flexible, you will have a great time!

Itinerary

Welcome to Patagonia! Few places on earth offer up such dramatic and breathtaking landscapes, the most iconic of which are contained within Torres del Paine National Park and Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, which you’ll be exploring over the next days. Your adventure begins at Puerto Natales airport, where you’ll be collected by a local representative and transferred to your hotel in the little city of Puerto Natales, sitting on the "Seno de Ultima Esperanza" (Bay of the Last Hope). You’re free to arrive at any time today, but if you get here early enough we suggest taking a walk along the Costanera, leading to the historic remains of the Braun & Blanchard wharf (it’s especially beautiful at sunset). If you want to wet your whistle, the city is dotted with establishments serving up excellent Chilean wine and locally produced craft beer.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Today you’ll be joined by a local guide to explore the remarkable and diverse landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Stop off on the way at the Milodon Cave, an enormous cavern where remains of prehistoric mammals like the mylodon, an extinct ground sloth, have been found. Continue on to Cuernos de Paine, the towering granite spikes of Torres del Paine National Park. From here, walk to Salto Grande – at 15 metres high, this is the park’s largest waterfall. Take some time to admire the powerful cascade tumbling into the beautiful turquoise lake below. Next up is a visit to Lago Gray, a picturesque lake fringed by the icy blue Grey Glacier. Hike through a coigue Forest, crossing suspension bridge over the Pingo River and eventually ending up at the beach. Here you can observe icebergs of different shapes and colours floating in the lake, caused by the melting of the Grey Glacier. After an exciting day, return to Puerto Natales for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Torres del Paine NP - Milodon Cave Guided Visit
  • Torres del Paine NP - Full day guided sightseeing tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Today begins at 7.30am at Puerto Bories pier, from where you’ll sail through the Senoret Channel and the Ultima Esperanza fjord. Cross into the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, the largest park in Chile and home to giant glaciers, lush vegetation, soaring waterfalls and loads of wildlife, including Andean condors, marine otters and cormorants. Sail past the seriously impressive Balmaceda glacier, hanging from the mountain of the same name. Dock at Puerto Toro and walk about a kilometer through a native forest filled with coigues, murtilla de magallanes, chaura and lichens. Walk towards the foot of the Serrano Glacier, following the edge of an iceberg-filled lake formed by its melt. Finally, enjoy an aperitif with glacial ice and have lunch at a typical Patagonian estancia before returning to Puerto Natales for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Torres del Paine NP - Full day Serrano & Balmaceda Glacier sailing and tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
If you’re up for a challenge, an 8-hour serious trek to Base Torres is included today, serving up the most impressive views of Torres del Paine’s granite towers and glacial lagoon. However, if you’d like to take it a bit easier you can book an optional boat excursion to get up close and personal with the serene scenery of Lago Gray, cruising past pristine icebergs and inspiring mountain views. This way you’ll get a whole new perspective on this wonderful lake. Be sure to have your camera ready as these are scenes you won’t want to forget! Enjoy an included dinner and pisco sour this evening to celebrate your adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Torres del Paine NP - Trekking to Base Torres
Optional Activities
  • Torres del Paine NP - Lago Grey and Glacier Grey navigation - USD90
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you'll be dropped off at the Puerto Natales bus station, from where you'll have the option to take the local bus to El Calafate on the Argentinean side of Patagonia (bus ticket included). If you would prefer to begin your trip in El Calafate and end in Puerto Natales, please get in touch ahead of time so your bus ticket can be arranged.
Included Activities
  • Local bus ticket to El Calafate
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee
  • Torres del Paine NP - Milodon Cave Guided Visit
  • Torres del Paine NP - Full day guided sightseeing tour
  • Torres del Paine NP - Full day Serrano & Balmaceda Glacier sailing and tour
  • Torres del Paine NP - Trekking to Base Torres
  • Local bus ticket to El Calafate

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Patagonia Short Break - Torres Del Paine trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means the configuration of any fellow travelers in the group might change during the trip.
2. This trip will run with a minimum of one person, so you may be joined by other travellers booked on the same date as you, or you may be on your own. This trip is operated by one of our local partners in Chile and therefore you may be joined by a mixture of Intrepid-booked passengers and other travellers during activities.
3. The maximum number of travelers is indicative of maximum number of travelers during join-in activities only.
4. Arrival transfer from Puerto Natales airport is included. Please ensure you provide us with your flight details at time of booking.
5. Private Transfers from Punta Arenas Airport or El Calafate Airport are available as additional services. Please enquire at the time of booking.
6. Entry into Chile does not currently require any proof of COVID-19 vaccination, however, we suggest submitting proof of vaccination in advance of travel in order to receive a mobility pass, which in turn allows travellers to access all public services; buses, museums, restaurants, etc. As this validation process can take a while, it is recommended that you submit your electronic validation request 15 days in advance of Travel. The link to submit and more information is available here: https://www.chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan/. Please also fill an electronic "Sworn declaration for travelers" form up to 48 hours before boarding, in which you must provide your contact, health and travel information. This form will provide a QR code as a means of verification. It can be obtained at www.c19.cl.

Essential trip information

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