Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park, is one of the most visited destinations in our country, with a landscape with unparalleled peaks, blue lakes, deserted pampas and rivers full of icebergs.

It has an area of ​​242,242 hectares, with an altitude ranging from 200 to 3,050 meters (Macizo Paine). It has 4 accesses: Porterías Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul and Río Serrano (Administrative Headquarters Sector).  Laguna Amarga and Serrano entrances are the most important ones.

It has varied fauna such as pumas, guanacos, and foxes, without specifying the more than 100 species of birds such as condors, caiquenes, austral parakeet and Magellanic woodpecker among others.

You may hike and trek in the trails, navigate, kayak or enjoy a horseback riding in Patagonian style through the pampas. Marvel at Lake Grey and navigate until you reach its impressive glacier, one of the icons of this Biosphere Reserve. There are several lookout points and treks and hikes that can be done, we highly recommend:

• Nordenskjöld lookout point (located in the main road)
• “Salto Grande” waterfall
• Condor Viewpoint (2 hours roundtrip hike)
• “Los Cuernos” lookout point (2 hours roundtrip hike)
• Lake Grey Beach
• Mount Ferrier trek
• Río Pingo Valley trek

Here are some of the must-see activities that you should consider:

W Circuit

This is the most popular trekking circuit of the park, is very important that you plan your trip in advance and make reservations, as is not allowed people without reservations to do the trek.

You can do it by yourself or through an adventure company that will make all the arrangements for you.

The W trail runs through the most important landmarks of the Paine Massif in Torres del Paine National Park. Through the valley of the Ascencio River you can access the base of the towers, then head towards Lake Nordenskjöld to reach Los Cuernos sector. The trek continues along the path to the French Valley and then to Paine Grande sector where the trek to Grey Lookout point to see the Grey Glacier begins

Difficulty: medium high
Length: 76 km
Duration: 4 to 5 days

Macizo Paine Circuit

This circuit, which includes the W, begins at the visitor center of the Cerro Paine reserve, then continues north to reach the Serón sector. When bordering the Paine massif in its northern part, the encounter is with Lake Dickson and the John Gardner Pass, the highest point on the circuit, with 1,241 meters height and a privileged view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, with impressive suspension bridges. The path subsequently joins the W circuit at the Grey viewpoint.

In this trek you will have the possibility to admire places that are not possible to observe unless you trek this marvelous circuit such us: Dickson lake and Glacier, Los Perros Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, where you will observe some of the mountains and ice tongues that conform the icefield.

Difficulty: medium high
Length: 134 km
Duration: 7 to 10 days

This is without a doubt the more challenging trek in the park, so previous experience is recommended. It is very important that you plan your trip in advance prepare your equipment and make reservations, as is not allowed people without reservations to do the trek.

You can do it by yourself or through an adventure company that will make all the arrangements for you, it is highly recommended to do it accompanied.

Grey Lake Navigation

In this beautiful lake generated by the southern arm of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field you can see gigantic icebergs that fall from the base of the glacier, delivering an excellent visual scenario.

From the beach of Grey Lake you embark the Catamaran where through a navigation of 1 hour you reach the wall of the Grey glacier, where you will be navigating near the wall for about another hour and then come back.

The excursion takes place in the eastern side of the National Park and it has different departures during the day and depending on the month of the season.  It is possible to do it year round and is recommended to make the reservation in advance.

While you are navigating you will observe the eastern side of the Paine Massif, Paine Grande mount, Punta Bariloche and Olguín range until the catamaran approaches very close to the Glacier.

Duration: 3 hours.

Ice Hiking in Grey Glacier

Walking on a glacier might be one of the most unforgettable experiences you can live. The excursion is about 5 to 6 hours, considering the time required to approach to the glacier through the Nunatak.  Participants receive instructions on how to hike and behave on the ice with the help of the technical team and special equipment is provided for each person: piolet, helmet, crampons, etc.

During the excursion, you will appreciate a variety of ice formations, while the guides provide explanations about the geographical environment and general glaciology.

Ascents

If you have a consistent physical condition, technical knowledge and the desire to climb the mountains of Patagonia, you have the opportunity to challenge summits such as, the “Torre Norte” part of the three towers that form part of the famous Torres del Paine of Paine or Mount Almirante Nieto. These expeditions can be made through organized tours, through which you can access all the necessary equipment to make this journey, as well as guides with vast experience in the summits of Patagonia.

Sport Fishing

The authorized fishing sectors in the park are the Serrano River until the confluences with the Grey River. The law of sport fishing says that the extraction of three pieces per exit is allowed, not exceeding 15 kilos. You must have a sport fishing license, which can be purchased at the park’s administrative headquarters or at the Sernapesca office in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas.