The ''Torres del Paine'' (Spanish for "Towers of Paine" and "Paine" is the old indigenos name for the colour blue), three immense rock towers give the park its name.
Other attractions include the ''Cuernos del Paine'' (Spanish for "Horns of Paine" -- horn-like mountain tops), Grey Glacier, Lago Grey, Lago Pehoe, Lago Nordenskjold and Lago Sarmiento.
Guanacos, Flamingos, Pumas, Ostrich
There are no direct buses for El Calafate but many tour operators offer them, in particular [http://www.chaltentravel.com/ Chalten Travel]. It is thus possible to go directly from El Calafate to the park and even return another day, although this is expensive (count 80 US$ return, +40 US$ when returning another day).
A minivan runs between Laguna Amarga and Los Torres. The price is CLP 1.000 one way (Jan 2008).
The rest must be done by foot.
Hike the '''Big Circuit''': with the connection of the two ends of the W via Campamento los Perros, Refugio Dickson, Campamento Seron.
'''Daytour:''' Drop off at Administration, Mirador Condor, Salto Grande, Mirador Cuernos, Mirador del Nordenskjold. Catch the bus at Laguna Amarga Gate.
'''Daytour:''' Drop off at Laguna Amarga Gate, Minibus to Hosteria Las Torres, hike to Campamento Torres and Mirador Torres and back (10 km). Minibus to the Laguna Amarga park gate.
'''Daytour:''' Drop off at Pudeto, by boat to Refugio Paine Grande, back by boat. Sightseeing tour by boat on lago Grey to the Grey glacier.
Note: Big Foot Patagonia (www.bigfootpatagonia.com), who used to be the only company licensed to offer ice climbing, had change they, don_Lt offer the ice hike any longer on the glacier Grey. Their operations are apparently now limited to kayaking and mountaineering under the name [http://www.indomitapatagonia.com/ Indomita Patagonia] and the trekking trips are under Antares Patagonia Adventure [http://www.antarespatagonia.com].
The ice hiking is now offered by [http://www.rutaspatagonia.com Rutas Patagonia] +(56) 61 613874, you can book them at Refugio Grey or from other refugios by radio. It's expensive (count on ~140 USD for a half day) but highly recommended.
There are several basic lodgings in the park called "Refugios". If you plan on staying in those, make reservations well in advance. The cost for a dorm bed is about US$38.
Reservations for Refugio Torres, El Chileno and Los Cuernos, contact [http://www.wcircuit.com/ FantasticoSur].
For Paine Grande Lodge (was Refugio Pehoe), contact [http://verticepatagonia.cl/ Vertice Patagonia]. The website doesn't mention Refugio Lago Grey, but they do handle the reservations for there too since november 2007. No contact info either on their website, but the email for reservations is ventas01 <at> verticepatagonia.cl and phone is +56 (61) 41-2742.
Both FantasticoSur and Vertice will ask for credit card information and charge it two weeks before arrival. There appears to be no cancellation penalty before that.