Tour to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors
3 days in the Grey sector to kayak or walk on the glacier.
Limited availability, we recommend booking in advance.
Briefing
This 3-day all-inclusive tour (transportation, lodging, food...) will allow you to get to know the eastern area of Torres del Paine, the Paine Grande and Grey sectors. You will sail on Lake Pehoe, disembark in Paine Grande and walk to the Grey sector, where you will spend two nights. By staying two nights in the Grey sector you will have enough time to walk the route to the glacier viewpoint and beyond, to the hanging bridges next to the Grey glacier. In addition, you will be able to do kayak in front of the Grey glacier wall or walk on the ice of the glacier.
Live the experience of staying in one of the most beautiful areas of Torres del Paine and walk its trails. Sounds good, doesn't it? Well, keep reading and we'll tell you all about it 😉
Discover all the tours in Torres del Paine, both guided and self-guided, and start your adventure today—explore now!
Tour details
Included
- 2 nights lodging (according to selected option)
- Food (full board)
- Transportation Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine (round trip)
- Catamaran transportation (round trip)
- Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
Not included
- Activities on Grey Glacier (kayaking or ice walking)
- Day 1 breakfast
- Day 3 dinner
- Guide
- Porter
Important information
🚫 This tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old.
🏞️ If activities on the Grey Glacier are included and need to be canceled due to bad weather, you will be offered the option to reschedule for a different time slot, switch to another activity (covering any price difference), or receive a full refund of the activity cost.
Accommodation options:
- ⛺ Camping: Includes a pre-pitched tent set up on a platform, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat. All tents accommodate 2 people, but if you are traveling solo, you will be assigned a single tent.
- 🏠 "Refugio": Shared rooms with 4 or 6 beds, equipped with sheets and blankets.
🗺️ The tour can be customized — just contact us and let us know what you would like to modify.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellations!
- If you cancel at least 90 days before the start of the tour, you’ll receive a full 100% refund of the total cost.
- If you cancel between 89 and 60 days before the start of the tour, you will receive an 80% refund of the total cost.
- If you cancel between 59 and 65 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 50% refund of the total cost.
After this time or in case of a no-show, no refund will be provided.
*The same policies apply to reservation modifications.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine - Grey Trekking
Distance Paine Grande - Grey: 7 miles (11 km)
Approximate hiking time: 3-4 hours
Lodging: Grey Sector (camping or "refugio")
Highlights: Grey Viewpoint
Puerto Natales - Pudeto - Paine Grande
On the first day, you must go directly to the Puerto Natales Bus Station at the time indicated in the briefing. From there, you will take a direct bus to Pudeto, located inside Torres del Paine National Park. Pudeto is the port where you will board the catamaran for a 35-minute navigation across Lake Pehoé to the Paine Grande sector.
Paine Grande Sector - Grey Sector
When you disembark at Paine Grande, the route begins. For 7 miles (11 km) you will hike along the path that runs up the valley, with small ups and downs and a difference in altitude that does not exceed 350 meters. You will pass by Laguna Los Patos and little by little you will approach Grey Lake, which carries floating icebergs that falls from the wall of the glacier.
You will reach the Grey sector and, at this point, we recommend you keep hiking up the valley, until you reach the Grey Glacier Viewpoint, with incredible views of the Southern Ice Field.
You will return to the Grey sector, settle into the campsite or "refugio" (depending on the option selected) and between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM dinner will be served, always at the "refugio".
DAY 2: Grey glacier activities - hanging bridges
Lodging: Grey sector (camping or "refugio")
✨ Highlights: Activities in Grey glacier or hike to the hanging bridges.
Activities in Grey Glacier
This is your free day in the Grey sector, and you have different possibilities. The most popular is to book one of the two activities we offer on Grey Glacier (not included in the tour):
💬 Howlanders tip
We recommend you to book the first shift of the activity, as these excursions are only 10 minutes away from the Grey "refugio", and in case of cancellation due to bad weather, you will have the opportunity to join one of the following groups (subject to availability).
Hanging bridges
You can complete the day walking to the hanging bridges, which are located in front of the glacier, from there you will admire not just the tongue of the glacier, but all the valleys that are forming the Grey Glacier. The first bridge is only 1,2 miles (2 km) from the "refugio" Grey, the second is 2 miles (3.5 km) away and the third is 3,7 miles (6 km) away. Consider these distances and plan your itinerary based on your preferences. Please note that the distances indicated are per way (one way), and you will return to the Grey "refugio" by the same trail, so the distance will be doubled.
Day 3: Trekking to Paine Grande - Catamaran - Puerto Natales
Distance Paine Grande - Grey: 7 miles (11 km)
Approximate hiking time: 3-4 hours
✨ Highlights: Activities in Grey or route to the hanging bridges.
Activities in Grey sector
On the third day you can do one of the activities listed on day 2: ice walking or kayaking (not included) or the hiking trail to the hanging bridges.
Paine Grande - Puerto Natales
At lunch time you will have to start hiking the 7 miles (11 km) back to Paine Grande, doing so by the same route as the first day, but this time with negative slope, which can be completed in just over 3 hours.
You will board the catamaran back to Pudeto at 7:35 PM and, upon arrival, the bus will be waiting for you to take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales. Once at the bus station, a private transport will take you to your accommodation, where you will arrive at approximately 9:45 PM.
What to bring to to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors tour
The weather in Torres del Paine is highly unpredictable. It is essential to follow the 3-layer system to adapt to any weather conditions. We recommend that your backpack does not exceed 10% of your body weight. We’ve created this “what to pack” guide to help you, but keep in mind that every hiker has specific needs.
Essential documents
- Passport
- PDI (immigration card for foreign travelers who are non-residents in Chile)
- Accommodation reservation ticket
Clothing and footwear
- Hiking pants (lightweight or shorts)
- Warm long pants
- Base layer: thermal shirt
- Mid layer: fleece or similar
- Outer layer: waterproof jacket
- Insulated jacket or fleece
- Cap or sun hat
- Hiking boots (ideally waterproof)
- Comfortable shoes for resting
- Sandals (for showers)
Accessories and equipment
- Personal hygiene items
- Headlamp and batteries (especially useful at campsites)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Trekking poles
- Cash (USD or CLP)
- Medium trekking backpack (approx. 40 liters / 10.5 gallons (40 liters))
- Padlock for lockers
Where does the tour to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors start
The tour begins and ends at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal. On the first day, you’ll take the bus that departs at 6:45 AM, so we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early. On the last day of the tour, you’ll return to the same station at 9:45 PM.
The transfers between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park is made by regular bus (ticket included in the tour) both on the outbound and return trips.
👉 Find out how to get to Puerto Natales and check all available transport options.
Questions & Answers
Are kayaking and ice walking activities at Grey included?
No, they are not included in the tour so you can customize it to your liking. You can book them with us by adding them as extras when reserving the tour or separately through the following links:
What are the Grey campsite and "refugio" like?
We have created a post in our blog where we tell you all the details about Grey sector.
Is lunch included and where do you eat at lunchtime?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge, even if you are staying at a campsite. A "lunchbox" is provided for lunch that you will pick up at breakfast time and that you will be able to enjoy throughout the tour.
What documentation do I need to bring to access Torres del Paine National Park?
To access Torres del Paine National Park you must present your valid passport, as well as the park entrance fee and the lodging reservation documentation, which will be given to you during the briefing. In addition, if you are a foreign traveler not residing in Chile, you must present at each lodging the migratory card that you will be given upon entering Chile.
Do I have to carry all my luggage to Torres del Paine?
No, from Howlanders we recommend you to take only what you need to do the trek for 6 days and leave the rest of the luggage in the luggage room of your accommodation in Puerto Natales.
Do I have to carry my backpack for the entire tour?
You will have to carry your backpack for the 11 km that separate Paine Grande and Grey both on the way there and on the way back. Then, you can leave your luggage at your accommodation in Grey and carry your backpack only with what you need for that day.
Can I request a special diet?
Yes. When booking, please tell us which option you want from the available choices:
• Standard (no restrictions)
• Vegetarian
• Vegan
Gluten-free menu: we can adapt it, but we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination due to shared kitchens.
Recommendation: if you have celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance, contact us and we will help arrange your booking.
to the Grey and Paine Grande sectors tour reviews with Howlanders
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