Tour overview

This 5-day independent short break is a compact way to see Torres del Paine National Park, staying in a comfortable hotel in Puerto Natales rather than on the trail. There is no tour leader: local guides lead each excursion, and transfers, park entry and activities are arranged for you. Groups are small, with up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over. You stay four nights in Puerto Natales, with four breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner included, plus arrival and departure transfers and local bus tickets if you are travelling to or from El Calafate in Argentina.

Puerto Natales, a small port on the Última Esperanza fjord, is the gateway to Torres del Paine. On the first full day a local guide takes you into the park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, stopping at the Milodon Cave, where the remains of a giant prehistoric ground sloth were discovered, and continuing past turquoise lakes, waterfalls and viewpoints of the granite horns and towers, with herds of guanaco along the way. The town has a lively restaurant scene, known for its Patagonian lamb and king crab.

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The next day you sail from the Puerto Bories pier through the Señoret Channel and along the Última Esperanza fjord into Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, the largest in Chile, to see the Balmaceda Glacier tumbling down the mountainside and walk to the face of the Serrano Glacier.

The third day is a choice. If you are up for a challenge, take the eight-hour trek to the Base of the Towers, climbing through the Ascencio Valley to the glacial lake beneath the three granite towers of Paine, the most famous view in Patagonia. If you prefer, spend a gentler day exploring the town and fjord. On the last morning you are dropped at the airport or the bus station, with the option to continue to El Calafate.

The physical rating is medium, rising to challenging for the Base Torres trek. This break suits travellers who want Patagonia's highlights in a few days, with a comfortable bed each night. Extra nights can be added in Puerto Natales or El Calafate.

Trip highlights

  • The Milodon Cave (Day 2)
  • A full-day guided tour of Torres del Paine (Day 2)
  • The Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers by boat (Day 3)
  • The trek to the Base of the Towers (Day 4)
  • A hotel in Puerto Natales every night
  • Park entry and transfers included

Your route

4 stops from Puerto Natales to Serrano Glacier

5-day trip: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – Serrano Glacier – Base Torres – Puerto Natales
  1. Puerto Natales Days 1–5
  2. Milodon Cave Day 2
  3. Torres del Paine NP Days 2 & 4
  4. Serrano Glacier Day 3

Why choose this tour

Torres del Paine's highlights in five days, without camping or refuges. Local guides, park entry and transfers arranged, with no tour leader.

Best suited to

  • Travellers short on time
  • Independent travellers combining Chile and Argentina
  • Walkers who want a comfortable bed each night
  • Photographers
A waterfall beneath the mountains of Torres del Paine

Day-by-day itinerary

5 days from Puerto Natales, Chile to Puerto Natales, Chile

  1. Day 1 · Puerto Natales Arrive in Puerto Natales

    Transfer from the airport or bus station to your hotel.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Milodon Cave, Torres del Paine National Park Torres del Paine

    A full day in the park with a local guide, starting at the Milodon Cave.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Última Esperanza fjord, Balmaceda Glacier, Serrano Glacier Glacier boat trip

    Sail the Última Esperanza fjord to the Balmaceda Glacier and walk to the Serrano Glacier.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Ascencio Valley, Base Las Torres Base of the Towers

    Take on the eight-hour trek to the Base of the Towers, or enjoy a gentler day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Puerto Natales Trip ends in Puerto Natales

    A drop-off at the bus station or airport after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A glacier with icy cliffs meeting a fjord

Where you stay

  • Puerto Natales (4 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 4 nights in a Puerto Natales hotel
  • Meals 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Torres del Paine National Park entry
  • Milodon Cave visit and a full-day guided tour of the park
  • Full-day boat trip to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers
  • Guided trek to the Base of the Towers
  • Airport or bus station transfers, and local bus tickets from and to El Calafate

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Two guanacos in Patagonia

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a tour leader — this is an independent break with local guides
  • You want to trek the full W — this break uses a hotel base
  • You find long hikes difficult — the Base Torres trek is eight hours
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Torres del Paine beneath dramatic clouds

Departures & prices

From £1,375 per person, twin share, tour only. 90 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is there a tour leader?

No. This is an independent break. Local guides lead each excursion, and transfers and park entry are arranged.

How hard is the Base Torres trek?

Challenging: about eight hours with a steep final climb over boulders. A gentler day is available instead.

Can I continue to El Calafate?

Yes. Local bus tickets between Puerto Natales and El Calafate are included.

When is the best time to go?

October to April, when the weather is mildest and boat trips run.

What should I pack?

Windproof and waterproof layers, hiking boots, a hat and sunglasses.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over on the guided excursions.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £1,375
See dates & prices