From Wikitravel

Torres del Paine is a national park in the Extreme South region of Patagonian Chile. It is located in the southern tiers of the Andes and features mountains, lakes and glaciers.

The Torres del Paine (Spanish for "Towers of Paine" and "Paine" is the old indigenos name for the colour blue), three immense rock towers give the park its name.

Other attractions include the Cuernos del Paine (Spanish for "Horns of Paine" -- horn-like mountain tops), Grey Glacier, Lago Grey, Lago Pehoe, Lago Nordenskjöld and Lago Sarmiento.

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

Guanacos, Flamingos, Pumas, Ostrich

[edit] Climate

[edit] Get In

Daily buses run from Puerto Natales (4 hours), the main connection with civilization. The buses are between 10000 and 12000 pesos return.

There are no direct buses for El Calafate but many tour operators offer them, in particular Chalten Travel. It is thus possible to go directly from El Calafate to the park and even return another day, although this is expensive (count 80 US$ return, +40 US$ when returning another day).

[edit] Fees/Permits

A Ch$15.000 (Jan 2008) entrance fee is collected on entrance. People from Mercosur and National students get in at discounted price.

[edit] Get around

A catamaran runs between Refugio Pudeto and Refugio Lago Pehoé. A one-way ticket is CLP 11.000. Round trip costs CLP 17.000 (Jan 2008). Another boat runs between Hostería Lago Grey and Refugio Grey.

A minivan runs between Laguna Amarga and Los Torres. The price is CLP 1.000 one way (Jan 2008).

The rest must be done by foot.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Hike the big W: Bus to Visitors Centre/Administration, hike via Campamento Las Carretas to Refugio Paine Grande (17.5 km), sleep first night there, Hike to Refugio Grey and Campamento Los Guardas (beautiful view of Grey Glacier) and back to Refugio Paine Grande (15 km), sleep at Refugio Paine Grande, hike to Campamento Italiano (7.6 km), sleep there, hike to Campamento Britanico and the Mirador (beautiful view on the snow covered summits) and back (15 km), sleep at Campamento Italiano, hike to Hosteria Las Torres (16.5 km), sleep there, hike to Campamento Torres and Mirador Torres (beautiful view of the three torres) and back (10 km). Minibus to the Laguna Amarga park gate. Hike the big Circuit with the connection of the two ends of the W via Campamento los Perros, Refugio Dickson, Campamento Seron. Daytour: Drop off at Administration, Mirador Condor, Salto Grande, Mirador Cuernos, Mirador del Nordenskjold. Catch the bus at Laguna Amarga Gate. Daytour: Drop off at Laguna Amarga Gate, Minibus to Hosteria Las Torres, hike to Campamento Torres and Mirador Torres and back (10 km). Minibus to the Laguna Amarga park gate. Daytour: Drop off at Pudeto, by boat to Refugio Paine Grande, back by boat. Sightseeing tour by boat on lago Grey to the Grey glacier.

Note: The website of Big Foot Patagonia (www.bigfootpatagonia.com), who used to be the only company licensed to offer ice climbing appears to be completely outdated. Their operations are apparently now limited to kayaking under the name Indomita Patagonia.

The ice hiking is now offered by Rutas Patagonia +(56) 61 613874, you can book them at Refugio Grey or from other refugios by radio. It's expensive (count on ~140 USD for a half day) but highly recommended.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

There are several basic lodgings in the park called "Refugios". If you plan on staying in those, make reservations well in advance. The cost for a dorm bed is about US$38.

Reservations for Refugio Torres, El Chileno and Los Cuernos, contact FantásticoSur.

For Paine Grande Lodge (was Refugio Pehoe), contact Vertice Patagonia. The website doesn't mention Refugio Lago Grey, but they do handle the reservations for there too since november 2007. No contact info either on their website, but the email for reservations is ventas01 <at> verticepatagonia.cl and phone is +56 (61) 41-2742.

Both FantasticoSur and Vertice will ask for credit card information and charge it two weeks before arrival. There appears to be no cancellation penalty before that.

[edit] Camping

There are several campsites. Camping near a refugio cost Ch$3.500 or Ch$3.800. The other campsites are free.

[edit] Backcountry

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!