Puerto Natales: Torres del Paine Full Day Tour – The Ultimate Guide

Visiting Puerto Natales and going for a Torres del Paine Full Day Tour is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. This magnificent area of Southern Patagonia is home to some of the world’s most incredible wilderness and wildlife. Here, travelers can explore unparalleled beauty, complete challenging hikes, or relax and enjoy the views. Nonetheless, planning your visit can be a bit overwhelming due to the amount of information and activities available in the area. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your Torres del Paine full day tour in Puerto Natales.

Let’s dive in

Location

Puerto Natales is located in the extreme south of Chile, in Chilean Patagonia, is a port city located on Cook Bay, near the Ultima Esperanza sound and the Serrano river. It serves as an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to have a closer look at Torres del Paine National Park, as it is the closest major city to the park. It is just a 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from the eastern edge of the park, so it’s no surprise that it is by far the most popular city for travelers keen to visit this spectacular area.

What to Expect from Torres del Paine Full Day Tour?

Torres del Paine full day tours are just one way to explore this majestic region. The highlight of these tours is seeing Torres del Paine up close and being able to discover all that this national park has to offer. You will get to admire the three granite mountains known as the ‘paine’ or towers: Paine Grande (the highest of them all), Las Torres, and Los Cuernos; as well as visiting glaciated lakes such as Gray, Pehoe, and Nordenskjöld – all while accompanied by experienced local guides.

The full-day tour typically lasts 8 hours and starts early in the morning so you can have plenty of time to experience the stunning views that Torres del Paine has to offer. You will usually leave Puerto Natales at 7:30am and drive around 1,5 hours until Laguna Amarga Entrance where you will be welcomed by your local guide who will explain all you need to know before starting your adventure.

What’s Included in a Torres del Paine Full Day Tour?

When deciding to go for a Torres del Paine full day tour you will usually be provided with a transportation service from downtown Puerto Natales directly to Laguna Amarga entrance where you will enter restaurant “Las Torres” The full day tour includes guiding along Salto Grande Lake and Nordenskjold Lake as well as other programs and activities described in the following list:

• Transfer from Puerto Natales- Laguna Amarga Entrance- Puerto Natales
• Lunch at Mirador Las Torres (not included on the full-day tour program type) Kitchen service open from 11:30am- 3:30pm
• Visit to Grey Glacier
• Visit Las Torres Lookout
• Visit Salto Grande
• Visit Nordenskjöld Lake
• Visit Lago Pehoe
• Visit Laguna Amarga

The guide also points out some of the main wildlife species found in the area such as guanacos, rheas, eagles, condors, giant cactus forests and alerces. Plus, there is another opportunity to observe thousands of birds near Salto Grande due to the abundant presence of fish in the lake. After enjoying all the natural beauty of Patagonia in this 8-hour tour, you’ll get back safe to downtown Puerto Natales.

Benefits of Joining a Tour

If you want to truly take advantage of what Torres del Paine has to offer, it’s highly recommended that you join a guided tour. This is because you will be given an expert guide who will familiarize you with the area much faster than if you were just going to explore yourself.

Moreover, your tour guide will be able to show you spots off the beaten track which you would not find if going solo. A tour leader will provide fascinating tangential stories about the fauna and its environment which make your overall experience much more rewarding than if done independently. These tales are often fascinating and will add a huge amount of value to your trip. Additionally, with a professional tour guide, you don’t have to worry about getting lost or taking wrong turns while trekking, which can be an issue if going on your own. Guides are also a great source of information when it comes to navigating parks regulations and safety concerns. By joining a Torres del Paine full day tour you can visit popular attractions like Salto Grande, Grey Glacier, and small lookout points off the beaten track such as Mirador de Los Cazadores. Plus, you’ll enjoy an experienced bilingual naturalist guide throughout your tour providing interesting commentary

The Takeaway

The Torres del Paine full day tour is an amazing way for anyone who wants to appreciate nature and wonders that this area has to offer at their fullest. In just 8 hours you can make memorable lifetime experiences that go from taking amazing pictures of Salto Grande Lake or Grey Glacier, appreciate wildlife species like guanacos or condors, and lots of stories from their talented tour guides. If you now feel ready for the experience, head over to GetYourGuide, where you can easily book your full day tour in advance and start planning your dream vacation in Patagonia!