The all day trip from Puerto Natales is well worth the day and it is not expensive. They stop before the park so you can buy a bag lunch, but I would strongly recommend getting things the day before in Puerto Natales and making lunch before you start the tour. And be prepared for strong winds as others have mentioned.

We just got back from 4 nights/5 days at TDP national park. We booked our trip through Cascada travel, staying at their EcoCamp and one of the Park's Refugios. Primary reason for booking through this outfit was to not have to deal with logistics of transportation and we had heard that the hosterias and refugios were often booked up in high-season (though in one of our stops at the hosteria, we asked and there were rooms available). Transportation and itinerary was seamless through Cascada and I'm really glad we didn't have to deal with trying to get around the park. There didn't seem to be a lot of (if any) public transportation options and the Park is vast and very spread out.

EcoCamp was a bit more rustic than we expected but it grows on you. I was surprised by how nice the Refugios and Hosterias were - modern, clean and very much catering to the non-hard core hiking tourist (in the case of the Hosterias). It would've been nice to have some of their amenities (one of them had a spa) but it also would've taken away from our experience. In the end, very glad we stayed at EcoCamp.

The scenery at TDP is breaktaking, beautiful and one of kind. The terrain is really amazing, and the variety in the mountains is so unique. The weather can be unpredictable, but we were very lucky, only light drizzles off and on, and one spectacular sunny day. I also liked that there are varied sights in the park, from lakes, to grand mountains, to glaciers, to wildlife. It really adds to the experience.

The hiking is very good - the trails were pretty well-marked, for the most part - we had a guide on all our hikes but I think it could be done individually without too much trouble. The "W" circuit is sort of what everyone does, or at least some portion of it. There were always people on the trails, which is good or bad depending on your preference (but keep in mind we were there in peak season), but never overwhelming amounts of people (i.e. tourbus crowds). I think this is owing to the fact that some of the hikes, if you do them all the way in, are rather challenging and lengthy. The more casual hiker may only do a portion of the hikes in, but their views are more limited. Our first hike was 18 miles into and out of French Valley, and to be honest, we had not trained enough for it. It was really tough (though the views gorgeous).

I would love to go back but it is a long ways away. I'm curious as to how Chilean govt will handle growth in the Park. While this is an experience everyone should have, hopefully the growth to accommodate visitors is done in a controlled manner. It truly is a special place.

I was leary about going to Torres del Paine in the winter because I could find very little information before I left but I'm so glad I went anyway!

I flew into Punta Arenas and rented a car to drive myself there. It took me about 4.5 hours but the roads were great. It's a nicely paved highway from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales then a great dirt/gravel road starting just outside Puerto Natales. I was alone but it was an easy drive and the scenery gave me a great sense of the place and its stark grandness.

I spent about a week at the Hosteria Lago Grey which I loved. The place was perhaps 1/4 occupied so I had a nice room with a great view (room 701). I could lie in bed and see the mountains and look across the lake to the glacier. The staff and food were great.

I took the boat across the lake to see Glacier Grey on their first trip of the season (when I first arrived the boat wasn't running yet). Cold but beautiful.

I did some hiking around the park (no more than a few hours at a time, no major trekking) which was just amazing. I also drove all over the place and, in winter, there were virtually no other people or cars anywhere. I had the whole place to myself so could go as slow as I wanted, stop in the middle of the road, do whatever. It was fantastic!

I was even pleasantly surprised by the weather. It was cold now and then but not nearly as cold as I expected. It was often windy but not always. One day it was blowing at least hurricane strength but with 6 days there I had plenty of gorgous sunny days too.

The scenery can't be beat! The mountains are truly amazing while the lower parts of the park are easily accessible (no snow on the ground) and gorgeous in all shades of brown and gold before the spring greenery comes.

I saw guanacos galore, condors, hawks, foxes (even a family of 4 foxes who live near the hotel!), skunks and even flamingoes!

This was the trip of a lifetime and worth every penny I spent to get there (all the way from Hawaii).

Torres del Paine National Park -- This TRULY is like visiting another planet -- A WONDERFUL, GORGEOUS, UNSPOILED WILDERNESS! It is the most favorite place I have ever visited.

We rented a car to get there from Punta Arenas airport. What an experience for those who like to get away from everything and be ON YOUR OWN. If you require constant contact to the outside world, this place is not for you. ( You get a flat tire, you fix it yourself or a "very kind" passerby will help you. Make sure you have a jack in the trunk). Every moment was a treasure and the SCENERY and wildlife is stupendous and you just enjoy it to the max!!!