This time, venturing to Torres del Paine, I opted for a direct flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales, a quaint little town nestled closer to the park. Given the limited flight options, it’s essential to book your tickets well in advance.
🌟 When it came to accommodation, we chose Hotel Costaustralis in the town, which was perfect for our self-drive adventure. At nearly 2000 RMB per night, it wasn’t cheap, but the hotel’s amenities and breathtaking views were well worth it! The rooms are equipped with heating, and the stunning vistas from the room are showcased in photos p12 and 13. Additionally, the hotel offers its own parking lot, making it incredibly convenient.
🌟 For our car rental, we went with Europcar, conveniently located near our hotel. The daily rental fee was around 400 RMB. I must commend them for their exceptional service. On the first day, we had a flat tire and had to use the spare. When we returned the car the next morning, the staff immediately took it to the repair shop without any fuss. It only took about an hour, and they didn’t charge us a penny—definitely a thumbs up!
🌟 As for navigating the routes, I know many find the road names in various guides confusing. The solution is simple: just search for the location and follow Google Maps; you won’t go wrong!
On the first day, after arriving in the town in the morning, we picked up our car and headed straight to Lago Grey Hotel to see the glacier, as shown in the left half of the line on p16. We managed to cover most of the left half of the route that day (except for a small part in the upper left corner). We set off at around 12:30 PM and returned at 10 PM, including the time to change the tire and driving cautiously with the spare.
On the second day, we followed the right half of the line on the map to Laguna Azul and then retraced our steps back. All major attractions are well-marked, so there’s no need to worry about missing them. We started our journey at around 10:30 AM and returned by 4 or 5 PM.
🌟 For meals, we packed food from the local supermarket while exploring the park. In the evening, we dined at a popular restaurant called Santolla, where the scallops and king crab (p14 and 15) were absolutely delicious! However, be sure to arrive early, as the wait can get quite long.
‼️ Points to note
1️⃣ Download the Google offline map in advance. There is no signal in the park, and the offline map works flawlessly.
2️⃣ Drive slowly, especially on the left route leading to the glacier. The latter part is extremely bumpy, with potholes and numerous stones. Fortunately, a kind Chilean local helped us change the tire [laughing].
3️⃣ Fill up the gas in the town; it’s more than enough for two days, with some to spare.
4️⃣ Boat tickets for viewing the glacier need to be booked in advance. I sent an email to the hotel, and after confirming the itinerary, the hotel provided a payment link. On the day, we picked up the tickets at the hotel and walked to the boarding point.
5️⃣ When it came to purchasing the park entrance ticket, I encountered a bit of a hiccup. Unfortunately, I was unable to access the park’s website beforehand, so I planned to buy the tickets on-site. To my surprise, our magnetic stripe credit card wasn’t accepted. The friendly staff, however, simply had us fill out a form and graciously allowed us to enter for free 🙇♀️.
6️⃣ Don’t let a little rain dampen your spirits! The weather here is as unpredictable as it is enchanting, with sudden downpours giving way to clear blue skies and vibrant rainbows in the blink of an eye. But be prepared for some gusty winds that can really pick up! Make sure to bring a sturdy hat to keep the breeze at bay.
