Torres del Paine Trek: Granite Towers Day Hike from Puerto Natales

Hike to the towers' base and stand where the granite walls rise above the lagoon

A full-day trek in Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales, departing early from your hotel and returning by 8 PM, with a bilingual guide, trekking poles and air-conditioned transport. The hike covers moderate to steep terrain over roughly 13 hours total, climbing to the scree field where the three granite towers appear only in the final 400 meters, weather dependent. Children from age 12 are welcome. The park entrance fee is separate.

The experience

Hotel pickup starts before dawn, then a two-hour drive through Patagonia to the Laguna Amarga gate where you register and transfer to the trailhead. The trek itself unfolds in stages: an hour and a half of moderate climbing through Magellanic forest to Refugio Chileno, then two easier hours to the scree field. A glacial moraine of loose rock. From there, a steep one-hour push up the slope brings you to the edge of the lagoon, and only in those final 400 meters do the three granite towers come into view, shaped by glacial ice into the shapes that draw climbers and photographers from across the world. Weather decides whether you see them clearly or glimpse them through cloud.

You get a break of just over half an hour at the towers' base for photographs and a snack (bring your own or buy one beforehand, food is not included). The return follows the same trail downhill to the visitor center, where the vehicle waits. The whole day runs 13 hours door-to-door. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese, and carries trekking poles for you. The van is air-conditioned for the long drive. The park entrance fee and any lunch box are paid separately.

The hike demands moderate fitness (the steep final hour is the crux), and the weather in Patagonia shifts fast, so layers and waterproof gear matter more than the season. Children from 12 onward can join if they have the stamina for a full mountain day. The trek is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular conditions that limit sustained climbing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Puerto Natales.
• bilingual guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese.
• trekking poles.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the two-hour drive each way.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jan 2027

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 50

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by 2Patagonia Travel

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're staying in Puerto Natales without a car: the trek starts from your hotel and includes round-trip transport, so you walk straight from accommodation to trail.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Torres del Paine trek actually like on the day?

You hike through southern beech forest for the first three hours, then climb loose scree for the final steep push. The towers themselves, three granite peaks shaped by glaciers, only appear in the last 400 meters, and weather determines how clearly you see them. The return is the same route downhill, and you're back at your hotel by 8 PM.

Do I need climbing gear or special equipment to reach the towers?

No climbing gear is needed. The trek is hiking on marked trails and scree, and trekking poles are provided. Wear sturdy boots, layers, and a waterproof jacket: Patagonian weather changes fast and rain is common even in summer.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

Hotel pickup, the guide, trekking poles, the vehicle, and transport to and from the park are included. The Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee and any food (lunch box, snacks) are separate and paid at the gate or beforehand.

How early does the day start, and when do I get back?

Pickup happens very early in the morning from your Puerto Natales hotel. The full day runs 13 hours total, and you arrive back at your accommodation around 8 PM.