The source time is an activity allowance, not a current departure or a door-to-door promise. Confirm admission, transfer and equipment inclusions for your date.
01
Make the day workable
The source time is not a universal round-trip estimate. Check the current trail cutoff, conditions and permitted starting time; sunrise access must not be assumed. [1]
02
Confirm your starting point
Use the location and exact operator meeting point when planning the approach. A place in the same curation group can be well outside the town or road corridor.
One of the highlights of your entire trip to Patagonia is catching the sunrise touchinging the peaks of the towers — an absolutely magical moment. While we are usually on a comfy side of adventures, we made an exception by waking up in the middle of the night to start our hike. Even though it was rough at times (hiking in complete darkness without flashlight, knowing that pumas are wondering around), we never regretted our decision — sunrise over the Torres Del Paine instantly erased everything that led to that moment.
About these tips
These are the original tips from Roman’s Patagonia curation. Personal recollections describe past visits. Check current access, prices, inclusions and booking rules with the venue or operator for your dates.
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This place appears on Day 11 of the 13-day Patagonian Adventure default. Review the complete day and selected overnight before committing to transport.
KEEP EXPLORING
Other choices in the wider area
Compare the actual locations and access; this list does not establish a feasible same-day circuit.
Hiking up to the base of the Towers is the most iconic part of the W-trek with the most iconic view in Torres del Paine.
If you are doing it on your last day of W-trek (as we strongly recommend), you will start at Refugio Chileno and make your way up to the base (2-2.5h), and then all the way back down to Hotel Las Torres (another 4-5h) to the end of your epic W-trek adventure.
The alternative way of doing it (and quite popular if you don't want to stay overnight) is an out-and-back hike from Hotel Las Torres. It is a much more strenuous hike with 3,418 ft of elevation gain, but still doable in about 7 hours. But we don't recommend this option for the reasons laid out below.
What should I plan before visiting Base of the Towers Hike?+
The source time is not a universal round-trip estimate. Check the current trail cutoff, conditions and permitted starting time; sunrise access must not be assumed. [1]
Is this selected in a saved route?+
It appears on Day 11 of the 13-day Patagonian Adventure default. A different duration or customized plan can change membership and order.
Sources & planning notes+
Fyno curation reviewed November 5, 2026. Editorial planning advice updated 2026-11-05. Check current operating details with the venue before visiting.
The source background and original Expert tips retain their curator provenance. Planning notes do not confirm current prices, trail opening, wildlife sightings, room inventory or a connected booking.
Curated by Roman ↗Patagonia curation · Planning notes 
RomanPatagonia expert
Iconic hikes
Expert-curated
