A No-Hike Torres del Paine Solo Itinerary And Budget

This is a multi-part series focused at people that do no want to do through hikes like the W and the O in Torres del Paine. I did a few small hikes during the day but predominantly most of the things I did were easy to access with little hiking, if at all. Some you don’t even have to get out of your vehicle. You can read what is useful to you:
Part 1: What to see and do without long or difficult hikes
Part 2: Where to stay cheap for the non-hiker.
Part 3: Getting around & What to eat.
Part 4: How many days you should, my non-hike itinerary, the costs, and my biggest mistakes.<- you are here

How long should you visit Torres del Paine as a non-hiker?

 I budgeted 4 nights/ 5 days including the days I flew in and out of the park. I landed on the first day early enough in the morning that I was in Patagonia around mid-day, even after stopping at the grocery store and a bunch of viewpoints along the way.
I absolutely could have spent more time there or gone at a slower pace. This was a small part of a larger trip, so any extra time spent anywhere took away from somewhere else, and my stop after this was EASTER ISLAND!!! So I chose to do as much as I could each day with fewer days. Patagonia was absolutely the most expensive part of my trip – both accommodations and food were significantly more money, even more than easter island, do I also made my decision based on that.

My Torres del Paine Non-hiking Itinerary

This is where your personal experience may be different than mine, however, to give you a general idea of what you could do, including driving yourself and not taking transit, in a few days at the park,.

Day 1

• Flew into Puerto Natales (PNT). The two direct flights to 2 airports people near the park Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas is considerably further, but there is bus service from there to the park.
• Rented a car at the airport.
• Went into Puerto Natales to find a grocery store and breakfast. Grocery items are extremely limited in or near the park
• Drove to the park via Cerro Castillo, and past Laguna Amarga on the y – 156 road.
• Stopped at the Entrance House Entra Laguna Amarga. You can pay you park ticket here if you have not pre-purchased it. My Canadian cards did not work, but they simply wrote down my name and plate and told me to buy online once I could get some internet. I’m normally more prepared and pre-buy things, but this was my reminder to stay on top of things! It was, however, no big deal.
• TOOK A PICTURE OF THE PARK MAP – There was no paper handouts and this can save you if you can’t get any signal or wifi while you travel around to get oriented.
• Drove through the park to my hostel at Pampa Lodge
• Went to dinner at Rio Pinto
• Went back and walked around Pampa Lodge property and collapsed into bed as I had been up for too many hours

Day 2

• Had a big breakfast at the hostel. You are given a custom omlette and robust self serve continental area
• Headed to Mirador Nordenskjöld
• Went over and did the Laguna Azul Hike – I will guess I hiked about 7km.
• Ate pizza leftovers in the car
• Went to Cascadia Rio Paine
• Headed back to my hostel
• Stopped and watch a wild puma for 20 minutes
• Had a short rest, had the last of my pizza for dinner with some snacks I had from the grocery store including long chips, and then walked around Villa Rio Serrano. There are lots of horses and water views to enjoy in the very small peninsula area.

Day 3

• Always a big breakfast before starting the day
• Went and sat at the small beach at Puente Weber and enjoyed the sunshine to keep me warm even though it was windy. Always windy.
• Did the short walk to Mirador Salto Grande and continued on to Mirador Cuernos
• I had my book with me and chilled at Mirador Cuernos for quite a while. Had a snack, chatted with others, and tried to be present.
• Drove over to Lake Pehoé, checked out the views and the took the footbridge over to Hosteria Pehoé
• Stopped at the Explora Boardwalk and took some pictures.
• Headed back to the hostel
• Relaxed for awhile then had dinner at the restaurant at the lodge.

Day 4

• Always breakfast
• A slow morning, packed up a bit, hung around the lodge and read as it was dreary and rainy
• Lunch at Rio Pinto
• Walked the to the Mirador Glacier Grey
• Leftovers for dinner in the car overlooking a river
• Did most of my packing
• Early to bed

Day 5

• Breakfast + everything packed and in the car, and then sat in the hostel reading and enjoying the view.
• Drove back into Puerto Natales to fill up the gas tank and grab some treats before hitting the airport
• My 11am flight was delayed until mid-aftenoon
• Flew back to Santiago de Chile for one night before Rappa Nui (Easter Island) the next day

How Much Did My Torres del Paine Trip Actually Cost?

$1,803 CAD

These prices include the cost from flying from Santiago De Chile to Puerto Natales. To get to Santiago will vary greatly depending on where you are flying from, but major centres can sometimes get flights for $800-1,200 from Canada. I live in Halifax, so that wasn’t me.

Flights: $475 (320,580 CLP / $343 USD)

Car and Gas: $426 (287,510 CLP / $307 USD )

Hostel: $710 (479,285 CLP / $511 USD)

Food $101 (68,182 CLP / $73 USD)

Free breakfast AND I ate as cheap as possible. Plan for $20-$50 per plate.

National Park Pass: $91 (48 500 CLP / $66 USD)

My 2 biggest mistakes in Torres del Paine as a solo person.

1. Internet was barely useable. Even on wifi. I assumed cell service wouldn’t be great, but even wifi in the lodge was like molasses. I had made basic plans, and did take a picture of the park map at the ranger station at the gate, as the ranger recommended, but DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON USING THE INTERNET FOR ANYTHING.
   
   Being a solo traveller, I always buy a local sim so I am always connected. This is partially about convenience and staying connected to the world, but primarily about safety.  Download all the maps. Research all the forecasts. Have all the information you need ahead of time.
2. It was windy.
   
   And when I mean windy, I mean WINDY.
   
   I had warm clothes with me but ended up wearing everything. everyday. even though it was summer. Bring warm windbreaker clothes and a hat you can secure to your body.

Was it worth it?

….Easter Island surprised me in the best possible way and stole my heart. (coming soon)

Check it out You can read what is useful to you:
Part 1: What to see and do without long or difficult hikes.
Part 2: Where to stay cheap for the non-hiker.
Part 3: Getting around & What to eat.
Part 4: How many days you should, my non-hike itinerary, the costs, and my biggest mistakes.<- you are here