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Puerto Natales is the capital of the province of Ultima Esperanza in Chile. Puerto Natales is a town in southern Chile located about 250km north of Punta Arenas, Chile and is the final port of call for the Navimag ferry sailing from Puerto Montt. With excellent tourism facilities, it is the primary point of transit for travelers on their way to the Torres del Paine National Park, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park and the Cueva del Milodon (Milodon Cave). |
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| GETTING THERE |
There are no direct transportation services from the airport in Punta Arenas to the Torres del Paine park, except with package tours and hotels that have their own vehicles, or by chartering an auto or van. The earliest flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas arrives at around noon; from there it's a 3-hour drive to Puerto Natales. The last bus to the park leaves at 2:30pm for the 2-hour journey to the park - however, this is likely to change with the opening of the new access route to the park that will shorten the journey to about a 45-minute to 1-hour drive.
BUS
Several companies offer daily service from October to April. During the low season, only two companies, Bus Sur and JB, offer service to the park. Buses to Torres del Paine enter through the Laguna Amarga ranger station, stop at the Pudeto catamaran dock, and terminate at the park administration center. If you're going directly to the Torres trail head at Hostería Las Torres, there are minivan transfers waiting at the Laguna Amarga station that charge about $3 one-way.
TOUR VAN
Check into the minivan tour services that plan stops at the Salto Grande waterfall and carry on to Lago Grey for a walk along the beach to view giant icebergs.
CAR
Heading north on Pedro Montt out of town, follow the dirt road for 51km (32 miles) until you reach Cerro Castillo. From here the road turns left and heads 47km (29 miles) toward the park (keep your eyes open for another left turn that is signed TORRES DEL PAINE).
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| EATING AND DRINKING |
| The restaurants in Puerto Natales offer everything from Pizza to Vegetarian Lasagne. Of a few good bars, el Ruperto in the main drag is one of the most popular. Lodging is available to suit every budget with some good, friendly hostals and some large, luxury hotels on the waterfront.
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| RECOMMENDED SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES |
Hiking
An exciting excursion in the park is taking a crampon-shoed walk across Glacier Grey. Trips begin from the Refugio Grey with a 15-minute zodiac boat ride to the starting point on the western arm of the glacier. The excursion is a full-day trip. Guests are provided with full equipment, including crampons, ice axes, ropes, and harnesses, and are given basic ice-climbing instructions. Bigfoot Expeditions runs this concession (Bories 206; tel. 61/413247; www.bigfootpatagonia.com), and reservations are necessary (though if you're in the area, check for last-minute spaces). The cost is $60 per person, which includes a snack.
The best way to view the glacier up close is to ride Hostería Grey's half-day boat ride, which takes passengers past floating icebergs and directly to the face of the glacier. Passengers ride round-trip from the shore at Lake Grey; however, hikers can take the Pehoé ferry, walk approximately 4 hours to the Grey refugio, and then ride back on the Hostería Grey boat ($45 one-way), and transfer to the administration center and wait for a bus to drop them back at their hotel (though most hotels will arrange pickup for this excursion). The price is $60 round-trip and $45 one-way, and there are two trips leaving daily, at 8am and 3pm. Best of all, the journey runs year-round. Reservations are a must, as are transfer reservations from the administration center; contact the hostería at tel. 61/229512; www.austrohoteles.cl. Travelers who are not lodging at the Refugio Grey may take the early boat from the Hostería Grey, participate in the glacier walk, and head back with the late boat.
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| MUST SEE |
| Torres del Paine National Park, Natural Monument Cueva del Milodón, and Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, the glaciers in Montaña Balmaceda, Serrano, and the seven glaciers in Canal de las Montañas.
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