Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas?

• Most travelers spend 5-8 days in Torres del Paine and Punta Arenas combined
• Visiting Torres del Paine and Punta Arenas in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Santiago

How Many Days to Spend in Chile

Recommended Itineraries for Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

This eight-day tour is perfect for any keen photographer, giving you the opportunity to see a variety of natural wonders and wildlife throughout Patagonia. Start in Punta Arenas, which you'll use as a base for visiting the Strait of Magellan and Isla Magdalena as you spot penguins, albatrosses, and a variety of other birdlife. Move on to Torres del Paine National Park to search for pumas with a specialized guide, then finish your adventure with some scenic hiking in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Read more

Extended Itineraries

10-Day Itinerary Including Santiago & Atacama Desert

Explore regions on both ends of Chile's latitudinal spectrum with this 10-day itinerary. After getting a taste of Santiago, fly north to the Atacama desert—an oasis in the driest part of the world known for geysers, moonscapes, and starry skies. Then fly all the way south to Patagonia's Punta Arenas, where you'll meet a penguin colony before finishing in Torres del Paine National Park for a range of activities and wildlife viewing. Read more

10-Day Itinerary Including Santiago (& Puerto Natales)

Begin your journey in the metropolitan capital city of Santiago. Learn all about Chilean culture during your city tour and wine tasting, followed by a visit to the vibrant port cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Next, head south to Patagonia and walk with Magellanic penguins on Isla Magdalena. Top it all off with a trip to Torres del Paine National Park. Here you'll be treated to breathtaking views of vast grasslands, glaciers, forests, and more. You'll even have the opportunity to hike to the base of the park's iconic towers. Read more

2-Week Itinerary Including Santiago, Puerto Varas (& Puerto Natales)

Make your way around a series of unforgettable natural attractions — including national parks, mountain peaks, icy glaciers, penguin colonies, pristine lagoons, and more — on this two-week tour around Chilean Patagonia and the Lake District. Bookended on both sides with a few days in the bustling capital city of Santiago, the itinerary takes you first to Patagonia and the cities of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Move on to the Lake District, side-tripping to the mythical island of Chiloé. Trek through native forests to waterfalls and marvel at volcanoes before heading back to Santiago, where the trip comes to a close. Read more

How to travel between Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas

How to get to Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited places in Chile—and South America. It's close to both Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and you'll often travel via one or both of these cities. This five-day trip will bring you face-to-face with all the best places and is especially great to consider if you're traveling from Santiago. Read more

How to get to Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is one of those places that isn't easily overseen and attracts many travelers. Except for being just a boat tour away from Magdalena Island (also called Penguin Island), Punta Arenas is also the main stop before heading to Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. If you're traveling through Chile, then you'll most likely want to include Punta Arenas in your travel plans. Read more