Campingsites open

Torres del Paine, the return of the Patagonian paradise

Good news for nature lovers and adventurers at heart! It is now possible to visit the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park with Vértice Travel and trek the W circuit, camping in its equipped sites Grey and Paine Grande. 

Remote par excellence, Patagonia was for centuries the last limit of the known world. Mythical and faraway land, in ancient times it was called Terra Australis Ignota, a legendary continent situated at the southernmost extreme of the globe. Just like 500 years ago, Patagonia remains nowadays an unknown and rugged territory, almost unpopulated; and in the midst of it we find Torres del Paine National Park. The closest cities are Puerto Natales (at 147km) and Punta Arenas (at 393km).

This extensive park of 227.000 hectares –created in 1959 and declared Biosphere Reserve in 1978- is one of Chile´s most visited national parks, known for its overwhelming landscapes with mountains of singular formations, ice fields of intense blues and enormous glaciers; rushing rivers, lakes, forests and golden pampas where guanaco lamas graze. 

Today, after travel restrictions imposed by sanitary authorities in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the park is open again for visitors, and we invite you to experience one of its most famous trekking routes with Vértice Travel: the classic W, whose main camps are already operating. This 4 or 5 days trekking traverses the most famous paths around the Paine massif; and it begins with a demanding 22km hike up the Ascencio valley through lush forests and a field of massive rocks until it reaches one of the world`s most emblematic lookout points: the Base of the Towers, from where one gets a spectacular view of the three granite towers and the glacial lake at its feet. We will overnight at Torre Central shelter.

We continue our way the second day with a 4-5 hour trek, crossing clear streams and enjoying views of the hanging glaciers of mount Almirante Nieto. We can get the chance of a very special encounter with the majestic condors gliding right above our heads, and then continue bordering the scenic Lake Nordenskjold until we arrive at Los Cuernos shelter or Domo Frances for overnighting. The third day will be an adventure framed in Patagonian landscapes. We recommend an early start for this intense hiking up the French Valley, an ascent through great rocks and forests, until we reach a plateau from which we will get the most fascinating views of Los Cuernos, lagoons and hanging glaciers. The return is down the same path to arrive at Paine Grande Campsite. 

Located by Lake Pehoe with beautiful views of Los Cuernos and Paine Grande massif, Paine Grande Campsite is the beginning or ending point of the W – as from here we can take the paths that lead to Grey Glacier or the French Valley. Paine Grande Campsite has a windproof cooking area (quincho), shared bathrooms separated by gender with showers and hot water. It also has a restaurant and a small grocery shop. 

The route continues on the fourth day towards the imposing Grey Glacier through a narrow valley leading to Los Patos lagoon, and as we progress we will begin to marvel with the emergence of the impressive Southern Patagonian Ice Fields and the icebergs of Grey Glacier, which we will then meet face to face from the Glacier Lookout.  

The pathway descends through a mountainous forest until it reaches Grey Campsite, well located in a peaceful forest a few minutes walking distance from the gigantic blue ice wall of the glacier. After settling in, if there is time, we can choose to walk to the hanging bridges (3 or 4 hours), from where the best views of the ice fields can be gained. This camping where we will spend our last night –and same as Paine Grande Campsite- is well appointed with shared bathrooms, hot water showers and a windproof cooking area.

The last day we will trek to Paine Grande shelter, from where we will begin our return journey towards Puerto Natales. 

Vértice Travel has a Travel Safe Certificate issued by Sernatur, in accordance with the implementation and compliance with sanitary protocols and guidelines, ensuring all recommended safety measures be taken for visitors to be kept safe of Covid-19 during their stay.  

Come and walk with us in true connection with nature, breath in the purest air in the world and experience the greatest wonders of the Chilean Patagonia!

*Camping gear can be rented upon arrival (tent, mat, sleeping bag and a cooking kit including kitchenette, gas and cooking pot).