2-day drive through Torres del Paine

I've uncovered a lot of information online with regards to trekking TdP

Thats because most of the park is best enjoyed whilst trekking. The best sights are mainly on the W trail.

Is it pretty easy to navigate the park by car?

Yeah. Its pretty easy. There is only a handful of roads you can drive on. So its impossible to get lost.

Can anyone suggest a route that would allow us to take advantage of the little time that we have in order to see as much as possible?
If coming from Serrano, you could stay at Hosteria Pehoe (its relatively cheap at about 90USD per night when I visited). It offers a great view of the Cuernos or if you want to rough it camp at Camping Pehoe (for about 10,000 pesos). There are a few cool hikes near here Condor Lookout and the walk to Mirador Cuernos (park at Salto Grande). You could even do a boat trip over to Glacier Grey (its about 100USD or so).

From there, you can drive around to Hosteria Las Torres (theres a few options for accom there - camping/eco camp has pod domes or the hotel). And do the day hike up to Mirador Las Torres (you can ride a horse halfway up too). Exit out via Amarga and drive back to Torres.

Be careful and make sure you fill up with petrol before leaving Puerto Natales.

Thank you, Trent. Sounds good!

Yikes. It looks as if Hosteria Pehoe, Las Torres, and even the eco camp place you mentioned are all fully booked. (Unfortunately, my husband just told me that he's not open to camping.) Any other recs?

If we can't find reasonable accommodations inside the park, how crazy would it be to drive back and forth between Puerto Natales and TdP for two days in a row? A total waste of fuel and time, right? The reason we'd even consider doing this is because Puerto Natales seems to have a lot of lovely places at more reasonable prices than some of the places located inside the park.

Thanks again!

Hi we too drove rental car last month from P Natales via Serrano and loved it all. We don't trek as in mid 60s but we all was perfect as so beqautiful. We stayed 1 night Rio Serrano ( very good), 1 night in Hotel Lago Tyndall ( really fab in a superior room though v pricey - newish and wonderful views and lake trip) and Hostel Pehoe ( sad its booked as again views stunning). We took a different route out as more northern and quicker for our return to El Calafate. You'll love it wherever you stay as breathtaking.

PS we stayed at the Singing Lamb in P N in a double room - was fantastic. Recommend! If you need to drive in and out will take couple of hours to get to destination - not impossible but a bit wearing. Try to get at least 1 night in the park if you can to save the travelling and enjoy the surrounds.

Thank you, Leighites. We are really excited for our trip!

Unfortunately, the Singing Lamb is fully booked. I'll take a look at Rio Serrano and Hotel Lago Tyndall.

Which park gate did you exit from -- Laguna Amarga or Sarmiento?

We will eventually make our way to El Calafate as well. Was it possible for you to rent a car in Puerto Natales and then drop it off in El Calafate?

Oops sorry not Hotel Lago Tyndall ( we cancelled that one but within their 28 day no cancellation refund period so wasted £152). We stayed hotel Rio Serrano which we really liked and had great views. However the best was Hotel Lago Grey which had mesmerising views and gt superior rooms but.v pricey. So sorry I got confused. We left via Laguna Amarga after hostel Pehoe. A comfortable drive back to El C. Will be fab.

Unfortunately, most of the accom will be at the higher end of the scale due to being in a national park and due to demand. The only real 'budget' place I recall is Hosteria Pehoe.

Puerto Natales does have more places at reasonable prices. You have to realise that you are going at a time when accom is most sought after and is also most booked out. Even the campsites on the W trail are booked out at that time.

You could stay in Puerto Natales and travel in each day, but you'd be cranking out a lot of fuel, its a good 2 hour drive each way. You cold 'save money' on accom but you'd probably spend that on fuel. If thats what you want, then you can attempt to do it.

I agree with Trent - the drive to the park from Puerto Natales seems wasteful but there isn't a place to stay in the park (outside of camping) other than the accommodations already mentioned. Staying in the park is incredibly expensive but it the best way to do it if you're not planning on camping/hiking.