Trekking Base Torres - Torres del Paine trek from Puerto Natales
Description
The Base Torres trek is one of the most popular group-guided tours available in Puerto Natales, a perfect alternative for travelers who only have one day to tour Torres del Paine but don’t want to miss the incredible views of the Mirador Base Torres. This tour is offered all year round. Even in winter, many travelers are encouraged to hike to the viewpoint (for winter tours, crampons are used to ensure the safety of the group of up to 15 people). In addition to transportation and mountain equipment, the tour includes a professional guide and an assistant, so all travelers will be accompanied, regardless of the speed at which you walk.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Difficulty: Medium - 12.43 mi - 20 km (8 hours) - Starting altitude: 295 ft above sea level (90 m) - Maximum altitude: 2855 ft above sea level (870 m) - The tour starts with pick-up at your accommodations and depending on your location, we’ll be arriving to get you between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. After the group is assembled, our guide will give us trekking poles and brief us about the tour, especially covering the trek to Base Torres. We’ll then head to Torres del Paine National Park. In the winter season, groups are small, with one guide for every 4 travelers. In the summer season, groups can have up to 21 people, with one guide for every 6 travelers to adapt to different walking paces. This way, all participants are always accompanied. It’s common for smaller groups of 7–10 people to form along the route, offering a more personalized experience.
After the two-hour ride in the shuttle bus, we’ll arrive at the entrance of the National Park via the Porteria Amarga Sector. From the moment we enter the park, we'll be enjoying the impressive views of Torres del Paine.
At this point, you’ll begin the trek to the Hostería Las Torres Sector. On the journey of about four hours, we’ll cross the Ascensio Valley and walk through the cozy Lenga Forest. We’ll also see the Almirante Nieto Hill from several perspectives while we make our way. At the end of this section, we’ll climb a glacier moraine (rocky path with a steep slope), until reaching our destination, the Base Torres Viewpoint.
With these incredible views, we’ll eat lunch, take pictures, and make the descent to the small beach formed by the lake. Touch its waters and marvel at the stunning views from the beach. After this stop, the whole group will meet and begin the descent, this portion is about three hours. The shuttle bus will then return us to Puerto Natales. Between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, the bus will arrive at our lodgings and end this day full of hiking, excitement, and memories at the Base of Torres del Paine.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- It is mandatory to bring the correct equipment for the tour: Mountain shoes with good soles, Food and drinks & Headlamp and gaiters* only during the winter season (June to September approximately)
Reviews(95)
Excellent and rewarding trek! Really great value for money as well considering the experience. Highly recommend.
1 star One of the worst experiences we have had booking an excursion. We understand perfectly that our physical condition was not the best and that the trek to Base Torres is demanding. We never expected the guide to walk at our pace the whole time. However, when a guided service is hired, the minimum that is expected is that the guide accompanies the group and looks out for their safety. That never happened. During practically the entire hike, the guide was way ahead of us. Every time he stopped, it was only to tell us that we were slowing him down, instead of supporting us, motivating us, or looking for a solution. At no point did we feel that his priority was our safety or that he wanted to fulfill the service we had paid for. The most outrageous thing happened when there was approximately 1 km left to reach the viewpoint. After having walked nearly 10 km, the guide told us to turn around because we were going to slow him down. It was that simple. Without trying to help us complete the route, without offering alternatives, and without the slightest empathy. The most serious thing is that we ended up walking the 10 km back alone, precisely at a time of year when the park requires this route to be done with a guide for safety reasons. It is completely contradictory to charge for a guided trek and then let the clients return alone. Furthermore, while we were descending, we saw several excursions pass by that were still heading up toward the Towers. This made it clear that there was no objective reason to make us turn back at that moment; it was not that the trail was about to close or that we were the last ones on the mountain. The guide simply decided that he no longer wanted to wait for us. We are not upset about not having reached the Towers. We are upset because we paid for a guide who was practically never with us, who made us feel like a burden throughout the entire trip, and who preferred to abandon his clients rather than provide the service he offered. The mountain always involves effort, and we understand that. What is not acceptable is paying for safety, accompaniment, and professionalism, and receiving exactly the opposite. I would definitely not recommend this company to anyone.
Gilbert, Gracias por compartir sus comentarios sobre el Trekking Base Torres. Lamentamos saber que su experiencia y el guia no cumplieron con tus expectativas. Hemos compartido sus comentarios con nuestro equipo local para revisar lo sucedido. Sabemos que te pusiste en contacto directa con nosotros por tu reclamo y te estaremos enviando la repuesta por el mismo medio a la brevedad. Howlanders team.
Amazing !!!! Stunning views making it unforgettable- but must note this is a fast paced trek.Guides were very attentive especially with me as I slipped on the descent and this became an emergency. The guides banded together and safely carried me off which took 6 hrs on its own. And then drove me 2 hrs for medical treatment. I’m forever grateful to them The guides are super experienced on this mountain and they know it like the back of their hand. If you find yourself on the mountain with Sebastian, Tamara, Pablo, Manuel, Alex, Francisco and 2 others who’s names I have forgotten- believe me you are in great hands 🫶🏽
Hola! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We are truly grateful for your kind words about our guides and their dedication. We are very glad to know that, despite the unexpected situation during the trek, you received the support and care needed. Safety and assistance in the mountains are always our top priorities, and we are proud of the professionalism and teamwork shown by Sebastian, Tamara, Pablo, Manuel, Alex, Francisco, and the rest of the team. We will make sure to share your message with them, as it will mean a lot to know that their efforts made such a difference. Howlanders team.
Incredible, competent guides and very kind, tiring trail but very worth it, super indicative, obs: be prepared because it is very tiring
Hola! Muito obrigado por compartilhar sua experiência com howlanders.com! Ficamos muito felizes em saber que você aproveitou a trilha e que nossos guias contribuíram para tornar a experiência ainda mais especial. Realmente, é uma atividade desafiadora e exige preparo físico, mas como você mencionou, todo o esforço vale a pena pelas paisagens e momentos vividos. Agradecemos muito pela recomendação e esperamos poder acompanhar você em uma nova aventura em breve! Howlanders team!
It was a lovely experience, the climb was a bit challenging but I am very grateful to the guides Daniel and Francisco who made it incredible, thank you so much 🌻 And thanks to Hector for taking us to and from Natales.
Marian, ¡Muchas gracias por compartir tu experiencia! Nos alegra saber que, a pesar del esfuerzo de la subida, disfrutaste la aventura. Daniel y Francisco estarán muy felices de saber que pudieron acompañarte y hacer de la experiencia algo inolvidable. Un saludo, El equipo de Howlanders
Highly recommend! Very nice guides Alex, Francisco, Pablo! Very friendly and professional! Think about everyone in the team! Must to do thing in Paine! I will let them to be my guide in the future as well!
Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation! 😊 We’re really happy to hear you had such a great experience on the Base Torres trek. Alex, Francisco, and Pablo will be delighted to know they made such a positive impact on your trip. We’re proud to work with guides who are not only professional but also truly care about every member of the group. It means a lot to us that you’d choose to go on another adventure with them in the future — we’ll be here whenever you’re ready! Best regards, Howlanders Team
This is a unique experience and, without a doubt, the best I have ever experienced. It is important to consider that it is highly conditioned by the climate. The guide was transparent from the outset and offered an appropriate service for this type of expedition, which helps minimize risks.
Hola, ¡Muchísimas gracias por compartir tu experiencia! Nos alegra saber que el trekking a Base Torres fue una de las mejores vivencias que has tenido 😊 Tal como comentas, el clima en Torres del Paine juega un papel muy importante, y por eso trabajamos con guías que priorizan siempre la seguridad y la transparencia desde el primer momento. Nos encanta saber que te sentiste bien acompañado y que el servicio estuvo a la altura de una experiencia tan especial. ¡Gracias por confiar en Howlanders y esperamos verte en una próxima aventura! Un saludo, Howlanders Team
The guides are very nice and helpful. I really enjoy eve though the path is quite difficult. At the end this is amazing
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the experience and that our guides made a positive difference. The trek can definitely be challenging, but reaching the end makes it all the more rewarding! We hope to see you on another adventure soon. Howlanders Team
Great communication with the guides from the moment we booked, through pick‑up, and all the way until we were back at the hotel. The scenery was stunning from beginning to end. We enjoyed sunshine for the first four hours, followed by the classic Patagonian mix of clouds and rain — still absolutely beautiful. The autumn-colored forest was magical. 🍂😍 A big thank you to our knowledgeable and excellent guides: Josefa, Emilia, and Paulo.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed the Base Torres trek and the beautiful Patagonian scenery throughout the day. We’re also glad that Josefa, Emilia, and Paulo helped make the experience so special. Best regards, Howlanders Team
This guided tour/trek was a great way to hike Base Torres! Pablo and Sebastian were fantastic guides- knowledgeable and patient. It’s a tough hike, especially the last hour, even as someone who works out and runs regularly. I almost gave up with 30-40 minutes to go, but so glad I finished as the views were amazing. The descent was nearly as tough but well worth the pain!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Pablo and Sebastian made your Base Torres hike enjoyable and that you pushed through to enjoy the amazing views. It’s great to know the challenge was worth it! Best regards, Howlanders Team
