Wildlife in Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine’s mountains and plains offer a spectacular backdrop for incredible wildlife encounters, from puma tracking to watching condors soaring on the thermals.
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Reasons to visit Puerto Natales
- Relax before or after your Torres del Paine trip, in a town packed with hotels, camping gear shops and brilliant foodie options
- Go horse riding in the wide open ranges of a working Patagonian estancia, to get a get a taste of traditional gaucho culture
- Get close the spectacular Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, approaching them by boat or paddling in a kayak
- Explore single track mountain biking trails, climbing to alpine meadows for dramatic views and equally dramatic descents
- Follow hiking trails from the coastal sound high up into the mountains to spectacular viewpoints
What to see and do around Puerto Natales
Glacier trips
Torres del Paine doesn’t have a monopoly on glaciers. Two particularly fine examples can be found a short distance away from Puerto Natales – easily visited on a day excursion by boat or a two day kayaking trip from the town.
The Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers lie at the head of narrow fjords close to Puerto Natales. Catamaran trips are available, which include navigation to the glaciers where you can do short forest hikes and a traditional asado lunch.
Alternatively, a two day camping and paddling adventure can take you via the lagoon at the mouth of Serrano Glacier, where you can kayak among icebergs and approach the face of the glacier itself.
Balmaceda Glacier
Estancias
Estancias, or working ranches, are the heartbeat of traditional Patagonian culture, and there are many of them dotted around Puerto Natales to spend time in, including one that can only be reached by boat across to a remote peninsula.
They offer a variety of ways to discover the landscapes. Horseback riding is embedded deep in the culture here: there are few better places to be than out under a wide horizon with nothing but your horse and your guide to teach about the ways of the gaucho and sheep ranching.
Whether you're making a day trip or staying overnight, invariably, you’ll return from a day's excursions to enjoy a hearty asado, or Patagonian barbecue.
Estancia Peninsula
Lisette says
The small town vibe of Puerto Natales is at its best during the golden hour at the end of the day, walking its coastal path while the distant mountains are lit up in peach and gold and reflected in its quiet waters.
Lisette Nunez Ogalde Patagonia Team Leader
Mountain biking
Puerto Natales is perfect for exploring by mountain bike, using old ranch trails to pick your way through the landscape.
Led by an experienced guide, you climb along wide trails to reach a high-altitude meadow located in the heart of Last Hope Sound. From here, a singletrack climbs higher, in places requiring you to carry your bike, until you reach a spectacular viewpoint over the water, mountains and sweeping grasslands. The trail then descends to the plains, to rejoin the expedition vehicle to return you to Puerto Natales.
No experience is necessary, but you’ll need to be fit.
Mountain biking at Last Hope Sound
Day hikes
While hikers are drawn immediately to the glamour of Torres del Paine’s mountain trails Puerto Natales also has some good, easy day hikes.
Mirador Dorotea is found at the end of a trail leading east from town. After a walk through lenga forest, the path climbs steeply to a tremendous viewpoint over Puerto Natales, Last Hope Sound and the surrounding mountains. Another well-maintained trail is to the viewpoint over Laguna Sofia, via the enormous Milodon Cave, a popular attraction where the remains of a giant ground sloth were found in 1896.
If you want to talk it easy, follow the Costanera (waterfront) walking north out of town, past the remains of the historic pier.
Laguna Sofia hike
What our travellers think of Puerto Natales
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Where to stay in Puerto Natales
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 accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets.
If you're looking for all-inclusive packages with a full choice of activities and daily excursions consider of one of Puerto Natales's luxury spa hotels.
How to get to Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales airport (code PNT) is five miles (7 km) north of the city. It has a daily direct flight to Santiago (3½ hours). Most travellers heading to Torres del Paine fly into Punta Arenas, which has many more flight connections to Santiago.
By road, Puerto Natales is 70 miles/112 km) from Torres del Paine National Park and (155 miles/250 km) from Punta Arenas. Buses to Punta Arenas are plentiful and take around three hours.
Travel to Argentina Cross-border buses run between Puerto Natales and El Calafate (for Los Glaciares National Park), taking between 5–7 hours depending on border control.
Puerto Natales bus station
How to get to Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is the nearest city to Torres del Paine (70 miles/112 km). It takes around two hours to reach the national park entrance, on a semi-paved but very scenic road. Virtually all tour itineraries in Torres del Paine include a morning transfer from Puerto Natales.
If you are travelling privately, a number of bus companies operate early morning shuttle buses to the park, but availability can still be tight and so should be booked as early as possible. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange private transfers: a faster but more expensive option.
For a more slow but adventurous option, you can take a boat from Puerto Natales up Last Hope Sound and enter the national park via the Rio Serrano.
Hiking near the Cuernos in Torres del Paine
Swoop says
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.
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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 …
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How to get to Torres del Paine
Whether you’re travelling from Santiago, Los Glaciares or beyond, Torres del Paine National Park is easy to get to from across Patagonia.
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