It's not the Rockies with a glacier. It's a 1,810 km² park at the end of the world, with 100 km/h winds, a booking system that collapses in June, and three treks that don't blend together.
It's not the Rockies with a glacier. It's a 1,810 km² park at the end of the world, with 100 km/h winds, a booking system that collapses in June, and three treks that don't blend together.
The park sits 5 hours from Punta Arenas (PUQ) — 3h by Bus Sur to Puerto Natales (CLP 12,000-18,000) and another 2h to the Laguna Amarga gate (CLP 15,000).
Classic W Trek: 4-5 days, 80 km, three valleys (Grey, Francés, Ascencio). O Circuit: 8-10 days, 130 km, full loop around the massif — October to March only, counterclockwise direction mandatory.
Vertice refugios (Grey, Paine Grande, Dickson) and Las Torres (Central, Chileno, Frances, Cuernos): CLP 60,000-180,000/night per person in shared dorms. Camping: CLP 8,000-25,000/night.
Booking opens **July 2025** for the 2026 season. By **June 2026** the refugios for the second half of summer are 90% sold out. Anyone waiting until October sleeps in a tent.
Winds of 80-120 km/h are normal between November and February. January has 18h of daylight and the heaviest crowds. October and March: fewer people, more snow, refugios closing early.
It's not the Rockies with a glacier. It's a 1,810 km² park at the end of the world, with 100 km/h winds, a booking system that collapses in June, and three treks that don't blend together.
