Torres del Paine & Milodon Cave: Day Trip from Puerto Natales

Summary

Patagonia’s wild colors, ancient caves and glacier walks in one long day

You’ll ride from Puerto Natales into Torres del Paine’s wild heart with a local guide, pausing for lakeside views and stories along the way. Expect an easy hike to Grey Glacier, lunch by Lake Pehoé with mountain views, and a cool wander through Milodon Cave before heading home with Patagonia still clinging to your jacket sleeves.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be so quiet when we first rolled into Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales — but there’s something about those jagged peaks that makes you forget small talk. Our guide, Camila, pointed out guanacos grazing near the road (they look a bit like llamas, if you squint), and I caught this weird mix of cold air and sun on my face through the shuttle window. The Patagonian steppe just stretches forever. It’s two hours from town, but it doesn’t feel long with all that space outside. We stopped at Lake Sarmiento first; the water was this pale blue-grey that almost looked fake against the dry grass. Someone in our group tried to pronounce “Laguna Amarga” — Camila grinned and corrected him gently.

The viewpoints come one after another: Lake Noderhold, then Pehoé with its glassy water and those black “Cuernos” horns behind it. Lunch was at Pehoé sector — sandwiches and thermos coffee while wind whipped around us (hold onto your napkin). It’s not a hiking-heavy day trip to Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales, which honestly was fine by me. My knees thanked me later. But you do get a proper walk at Grey Lake — about an hour through old lenga forest that smells faintly sweet and earthy if you breathe in deep enough. The glacier is way across the water, streaked with blues I didn’t know existed outside paint tubes. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in city traffic.

On the way back, we made one last stop at Milodon Cave. The air inside was cooler than outside — almost damp — and Camila told us about the giant sloth bones they found here (the milodón). There’s even a life-sized statue by the entrance; someone tried to hug it for a photo but just looked awkward instead. Not sure what I expected from a cave visit, but it felt oddly peaceful walking under those high stone ceilings after all the wind earlier. We got back to Puerto Natales just before six, tired but not wiped out — more like pleasantly wrung out by all that space and sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave

• Pick up at Puerto Natales accommodations
• Drive to Torres del Paine National Park
• Enter park via Laguna Amarga Gate
• View Patagonian steppe and Macizo Paine
• Stop at Lake Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga, and Lake Noderhold viewpoints
• Lunch at Pehoé Camping Sector with lake views
• Hike one hour at Grey Lake through Lenga Forest
• Admire Grey Glacier from lake shore
• Drive through Portería Serrano Sector
• Visit Milodon Cave Natural Monument
• Return to Puerto Natales, tour ends

Top questions

How long is the Torres del Paine & Milodon Cave day tour?

The tour lasts around 12 hours, including transport from Puerto Natales.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation in Puerto Natales is included.

Do I need to be very fit for this Torres del Paine day trip?

No, it’s suitable for all fitness levels with only light hiking required.

What are the main stops on this tour?

You’ll visit several viewpoints in Torres del Paine, have lunch at Lake Pehoé sector, walk at Grey Lake, and explore Milodon Cave.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch is included at the Pehoé sector overlooking Lake Pehoé.

Are guides bilingual on this Torres del Paine tour?

Yes, your guide speaks both Spanish and English throughout the trip.

When does the tour return to Puerto Natales?

You’ll arrive back between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., depending on conditions.

How far is Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales?

The drive takes about two hours each way by shuttle bus.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Puerto Natales by private shuttle bus, guidance from a bilingual local expert throughout Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave visits, entry fees covered where needed, first aid kit on hand just in case, plus group lunch with time to soak up those mountain views before returning in time for dinner back in town.