Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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size of 242,242 hectar es (598,338 acr es), and in 1978 was declar ed a World Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO for its singular beauty and ecology . This park used to be a back-
packer's dream, for adv enturous trekkers only. These days, mor e and mor e visitors ar e
choosing shorter hikes and fancier lodges, and Torres del Paine is closer to becoming a
destination on the beaten path. Hiking along the main trails in January or February, you
may find yourself in a queue and stumble upon places to spend money at ev ery corner.
Still, it's a big place, with big skies and r oom for many. There are options for ev eryone,
which is why the number of visitors to this par k is growing by nearly 20,000 per year.
ESSENTIALS
When to Go & What to Bring
This is not the easiest of national par ks to visit. The climate in the par k can be abomi-
nable. Wind speeds can peak at 161kmph (100 mph), and it can rain and sno w even in
the middle of summer. It is not unusual for visitors to spend 5 days in the park and never
see the Towers. On average, the windiest days happen betw een late O ctober and mid-
March, but the only pr edictable thing about the w eather her e is its unpr edictability.
Besides the very unpredictable weather, spring is a beautiful time for budding flowers and
birds; during the fall, the beech for ests turn colors, which can be especially striking on
walks up to the Towers and to the glacier . The winter is surprisingly temperate, with
relatively few snowstorms and no wind—but shor t days. You'll need to stay in a hotel
during the winter, but you'll practically have the park to yourself. Summer is, ironically,
the worst time to come, especially from late December to mid-February, when the wind
blows at full fury and crowds descend upon the park. When the wind blows, it can make
even a short walk a rather scar y experience or just crazy making. B ut just try to go with
it, rather than fight it, and r
12
evel in the ex citement of the extr eme envir onment that
defines Patagonia.
I can't stress enough the impor tance of bringing the right gear , especially waterproof
hiking boots (if you plan to do any trekking), weatherproof outerwear, and warm layers,
even in the summer . The ozone problem is acute her e, so y ou'll need sunscr een, sun-
glasses, and a hat as w ell.
Visitor & Park Entrance Information
Your visit to Torres del Paine will require logistical planning, unless you've left it up to an
all-inclusive tour or hotel (this option is increasingly popular and there are more choices
available for all-inclusive trips). Begin your research at www.torresdelpaine.cl, an English-
language overview of the par k and its surr oundings, including maps, activities informa-
tion, events, photos, hotel overviews and links, and more. The park service
CONAF
has
a relatively unhelpful S panish-only website at www .conaf.cl. The park's administration
and visitor center are at the southern end of the park (
&
61/691931
). The park is open
daily year-round from 8:30am to 10pm. The cost to enter is $30 (£20); during the win-
ter, the cost is $10 (£6.80) for adults. I t's a lot—“P aine” as the par k is called, is most
visited park and the country and thus the money-grabber for the entire Chilean National
Park system.
Getting There & Away
Many travelers are unaware of the enormous amount of time it takes to get to Torres del
Paine. From the Argentine side, semir egular buses r un to the par k, but most go first to
the town of Puerto Natales, where you will need to spend the night before heading to the
park. Remember that if you are planning to camp in Torres del Paine, you'll need to buy
