Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park
Trek options and where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Changes in Torres del Paine park regulations make it imperative you book your accommodation before hiking.
Tom writes:
“Torres del Paine National Park authorities (CONAF) has just announced that only trekkers who have confirmed accommodation can enter the park for more than a day – including self sufficient campers.
The advice is book early as anyone wishing to hike in Torres will find spaces sell out fast, especially in the peak seasons of November to February.
Those that do travel will be generously rewarded – the spectacular granite peaks, forests, steppe lands and beautiful lakes and valleys of Paine are a home to abundant wildlife and exciting weather.
Here’s a lowdown on the increasingly wide range of ways to visit – and places to stay – in Chile’s incredible Torres del Paine – voted the World’s Eighth Natural Wonder recently.
Check our Facebook or Pinterest photos and be inspired.
Paine – trek options
There are two very famous walks in Paine that are a must for trekkers – the Paine W (5–7 days) and the Paine Circuit (8–10 days).
On the Paine Circuit you must camp at some point, whereas on the Paine W you have more options (see below).
Paine also boasts a number of variations on the Paine W, such as the shorter 5-day Paine W, a series of day walks as in our Patagonia Highlights.
It’s not all trekking though – there is a choice of day tours that can include walking, photography, horse riding, kayaking and more if you stay at a hotel, such as the luxury Tierra Patagonia.
Paine – where to sleep
REFUGIOS
These are mountain lodges strategically located in the park so as to enable the trekker to trek the full Paine W.
These do book up very quickly, especially in the peak months of November through to February, and really should be reserved well in advance at almost any time of year.
Accommodation is in mixed dorms of 4, 6 or 8 people equipped with bunk beds. Bedding and/or sleeping bags can be rented.
All offer cafeteria services serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as packed lunch options. Shared bathroom single sex facilities.
These are our preferred option on trips like our Patagonia Self-Guided, where we book all the transport and accommodation and you just need to walk.
DOMOS – DOMES
Mixed domes that sleep up to 8 people in bunk beds. Shared bathrooms. Cafeteria services or in nearby refugio.
These are a fairly new introduction to the park, and some – such as at Refugios Cuernos – have a hot tub!
CAMPING
If the refugios/domes are full, they also offer a camping option whereby the refugio staff set up a tent / thermarest and clean sleeping bag for your arrival.
You can use all the refugio facilities as normal, then set off the following day, leaving the tent etc. behind – no need for you to carry any camping gear. We can help to organise this, too.
Of course, some trekkers prefer to carry their own tent and food, and, at the time of writing, that’s still available as an option. You can pay extra to get meals from refugios if you don’t want to carry cooking gear and food.
HOTELS
There are several hotel options scattered in the park and around the periphery, and they usually open from October through to April.
You can choose from 3 to 5 star, bed and breakfast only or some offer all-inclusive packages that include transfers, all meals, house drinks and excursions.
Most hotels offer options for excursion/tours to be purchased from the hotel as well, if you want to leave your choices until your arrival.
Horse riding, kayaking, walks, photography and wildlife spotting are some of the more diverse activities that the hotels can offer.
Tierra Patagonia and Hotel Las Torres are two lovely examples of visiting Paine in style.
Note: you won’t be able to complete the full Paine W from a hotel.
More information
Don’t forget to read out Patagonia Wildlife blog.
Contact us for more information about Paine and/or Chile.
