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Full-Day Tour to the Torres del Paine National Park
4.1
68 Ratings
El Calafate
Explore Torres del Paine National Park in a full-day 4x4 tour from El Calafate. Discover scenic views, waterfalls, and lakes with short hikes.
Duration:
15 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- El Calafate - Early in the morning at 6:30 AM, we will pick you up for a full-day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. We will travel in a 4WD Overland Truck, which performs excellently on both paved and unpaved roads. The vehicle is equipped with a toilet and Wi-Fi access. After approximately a 3-hour drive, we will reach the international border with Chile. Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish; your tour guide will assist you with customs documentation. After completing the customs process, we will continue to the National Park. Multiple vehicles may be used for pick-up or drop-off to expedite the tour. Time spent at borders can vary. When booking, we handle document control and park tickets, and check dietary restrictions to organize the departure and avoid future issues in areas where solutions are more complicated. - Cancha Carrera - Upon reaching the Argentine border, immigration and customs procedures for Argentina begin. The guide will assist you with the necessary documentation and processes. Once each passenger has completed these procedures, they return to the truck. We then proceed to the Chilean border at “Cerro Castillo.” - Cerro Castillo - We continue with the customs procedures in Chile. Our guide will assist you with the requirements and ensure you have everything needed to enter the country before departing from El Calafate. We will make a short stop at a charming Patagonian bar called Cafeteria El Ovejero. It’s a 20-minute stop where passengers can have a drink, use the facilities, and take photographs of this unique Patagonian café. - Grey Glacier - This is our first encounter with the Paine massif. A viewpoint surrounded by lakes offers a unique view of the Paine massif. We will stop and descend to admire the area’s beauty. - Torres del Paine National Park - At 1:00 PM, we will finally arrive at the National Park and enter through the Serrano gate. This area offers amazing and unique views of the Cuernos del Paine. - Lake Pehoé - We will stop in this area and start a short hike toward the shore of Pehoe Lake to reach The Horns viewpoint for some up-close views of the Horns of Torres del Paine (subject to weather conditions). This is one of the most spectacular views of Torres del Paine, including the turquoise waters of lakes Pehoe and Nordenskjold, Almirante Nieto Mount, the Paine “Horns,” French Valley, and Big Paine. Trekking distance: 4.5 kilometers Duration: 1:30 hours Difficulty: easy At the end of this panoramic journey, you’ll make a quick stop at Cerro Castillo village to use its facilities before setting out on the return trip to your hotel in El Calafate, arriving late in the evening. Arrival to El Calafate will be between 9 and 11 PM (depending on time spent at customs) The itinerary is subject to change due to weather and road conditions, etc. It is the traveler’s responsibility to have all their necessary travel documents to cross the international border. - Mirador Salto Grande - Followed by a visit to the Salto Grande Lookout Point, which showcases a 10-meter (32-foot) waterfall. - Nordenskjold Lake - Then, you will continue towards Nordenskjold Lake, where we will make a short stop at a spot that offers a beautiful view of the Paine horns from a profile perspective overlooking the lake. - Laguna Amarga - This is one of our last stops and the perfect spot before leaving the National Park, offering a view of the famous Towers of Torres del Paine (visibility is subject to weather conditions). - Cerro Castillo - At the end of this panoramic journey, you’ll make a quick stop at Cerro Castillo village to use its facilities before setting out on the return trip to the Argentinian border and finally to El Calafate. - El Calafate - Around 9:30 PM, arrival at your accommodation in El Calafate. Arrival to El Calafate will be between 9 and 11 PM (depending on time spent at customs) The itinerary is subject to change due to weather and road conditions, etc. It is the traveler’s responsibility to have all their necessary travel documents to cross the international border.
What's Included
- Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
- Professional Bilingual guide
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle with WC and Wifi
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Entrance Fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Snacks
Additional Information
Depart from your hotel in El Calafate on an all-terrain vehicle to discover the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park across the Chilean border. This full-day tour brings visitors to the most scenic views that are accessible by vehicle within the park. Visit its most famous attractions, while learning about the flora, fauna and geology of the mountains that characterize the zone. If you only have a day to spare, this tour provides a great opportunity to enjoy Torres del Paine’s amazing views. As you ride on a latest-generation 4x4 Overland Truck through the park you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy its amazing views on less time. Discover beautiful waterfalls, gaze at its beautiful lakes and lagoons from the lookout points, and further explore as you go on short hikes for some even better perspectives.
- IMPORTANT: Passport name, number, date of birth and nationality information MUST be provided at the time of booking for ALL PARTICIPANTS. We are NOT able to confirm the booking until passport information is received. Please write the names EXACTLY as they figure on your passport. If not, you will not be able to cross the border. It is also important that you travel with the SAME passport that you declared in your reservation. If you inform us of an id number, and then you change it, you must inform us before travelling
- You must carry your passport with you on the day of travel
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements/allergies at time of booking
- Infant Seats: Request at the time of booking. It is forbidden to travel with babies or children on a parent’s lap
- Some information about border crossing will be provided on your booking confirmation
- We suggest that passengers have travel insurance
- No people with disabling diseases in relation to coordination and motor skills
- No people with overweight
- No people who suffer from risk diseases with cardiopathy
Location
El Calafate
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.1
(68 Ratings)
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Hackbarthmichelle
Feb 6, 2020
Once in a lifetime - Torres del Paine National Park was beautiful and truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Matias (Tour Guide) and Mauro (Driver) made a great team with getting everyone through the border crossings and back very efficiently.
They were very kind, thoughtful, welcoming, funny and informative. You could tell that they love what they do which added to our wonderful Patagonia experience! I didn't think the tour was too long either.
Thanks soo much!! :)
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_o
Jan 27, 2020
Absolutely great! - We had an incredible time on this tour - a highlight of our Patagonia trip. We only had a few days there so a day trip was perfect. The day was long (but ample time to nap if you please) - but a must do!!! It was approx 5-6 hours in the car total over the course of the day. We got back to the city center around 9:00pm which is dinner time in El Calafate anyways so it worked out well.
The tour guides were fantastic, spoke English well and were very helpful in answering questions throughout the day.
We went to multiple places in Torres Del Paine and each was better than the previous.
They lunch provided was not great - so I’d suggest bringing extra snacks for yourself.
I suggest sneakers / hiking boots, and layers. Some places were cool while others were incredibly windy and cold.
Overall, a PHENOMENAL, trip. Would love to go there again and stay longer.
Review provided by Viator
Irina_v
Jan 20, 2020
great day trip adventure - Loved the trip and our guides - everyone was polite and informative. We had sufficient number of stops (though perhaps include one short stop to take pictures of guanacas, which were everywhere along the road, just a few yards away from the road). We are discerning travelers and were wary of this upcoming day trip, but were happy to see how everything was smoothly organized. Lunches are OK, but you have a chance to bring your own food and also buy more food on the way back, at a local Chilean joint.
Review provided by Viator
Dannysupersonic
Dec 23, 2019
Unmissable experience - I was a little concerned as I read in many reviews that this tour is too long, and yes, I found it long. But you are in Patagonia, distances are supposed to be huge and the landscape is a big reward, so the distance is in the end acceptable. If you are afraid of distances don't come to Patagonia!
The guide and driver (Matias and Mauro) were highly professional and let us experience the park from many beautiful places, so in only 1 day we have been able to get the most out of the national park. Border crossing didn't present any problem, and even the lunchbox was tasty and abundant.
Not a lot of toilets during the trip, but this is nobody's fault so just be prepared.
Unmissable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rcnesneg
Dec 20, 2019
Awesome day trip! - This trip is long - runs all day to drive to Chile. It's absolutely beautiful though and well worth it. Amazing views, fun little hikes, and made new friends! Even saw a puma!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole
Dec 2, 2019
Amazing! - This is was an incredible way to start our trip in Patagonia! Eduardo, the guide, is very knowledge and fun. This is a great way to explore the river and it’s surrounding areas. A personal highlight for me is how small the tour is. You’re not competing to see things and you really get to enjoy yourself.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charles_b
Nov 28, 2019
Torres del Paine - Great tour of the mountains. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Overall it was a great tour.
Review provided by Viator
Bruce
Dec 12, 2018
Just Gorgeous & Magnificent! - A beautiful day and magnificent scenery. Bus trip from El Calafate - some on the bus were on the round trip - a long trip, 16 hours, due to 3 hour bus trip each way. Thankfully, we were staying in Torres del Paine National Park, and had a "shorter" trip. Saw the namesake Torres, the river and waterfall at Salto Grande, walked among a herd of many guanacos; guide was very knowledgeable and helpful, and we had a nice box lunch at another waterfall that looked like a wedding cake in its fall. Whether you're staying in the park or just on a one day journey from El Calafate, more than worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathys14
Nov 20, 2019
Great! - Very long day! ... but worth it. We didn’t have nice weather, was cold and windy but... park is beautiful. Tour guide was okey
Review provided by Viator
Finicky_one
Oct 21, 2018
Not enough time hiking and admiring the beauty. Uncomfortable ride with too many stops - We weren't impressed by this tour because of many reasons.
- Way too much time on the bus. The short-cut on the unpaved road is a bone jarring, older rollercoaster-like drive. At times during the drive you are thrown off your seat by a few inches.
- Most of the stories and explanations are offered in Spanish. English translation is bare minimum and more of an after thought.
- Long lines and lot of time spent at the border crossings 2 while going and 2 while returning
- The guide and the driver remind me of jaded folks who have spent way too much time of their lives herding people
- Too many people on the bus 45 and only one door to get in and out. So if you're on the last row, you're out of luck. Bus is older, not super clean and not comfortable
- Way too many stops. Get out of the bus, take a picture and get back in. Would have preferred fewer stops and more time hiking
- Not enough time hiking and admiring the beautiful vistas in the park
- No advanced notice to passengers to not bring fruits, cheese, meat etc. because Chilean border won't allow any of that.
Overall, it is a lot of work for a couple of hours actually enjoying the hike and gorgeous views. For 600, we could have flown to Chile and had a better adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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