Torres del Paine, Chile, one of Earth’s most beautiful places!

Torres del Paine has an absolutely magnificent scenery! The vastness of Towers of Paine, this southern part of Chile with incomparable views, is amazing.
This National park in Patagonia, Chile, has dramatically beautiful mountains and massive glaciers, which, depending on the time of the day, shows many different colors;
Also, rolling hills, rivers and cascades, streams and lakes with different hue of blue;
And, of course, los Torres Del Paine (pronounced Pie-nay), the three granite peaks of the Paine Massif known as Torres Monzino, Torres Central and Torres d’Agostini.

All that create countless stunning vistas!

It is absolutely amazing in good weather conditions! And, it can be a bit challenging with the changing weather but it’s all worth it!

Also, the wilderness and spectacular animal and bird life gives the feeling of being in a real sanctuary. Consequently, walking for hours through Towers of Paine, through this stunning scenery, worth every step you make!

Torres Del Paine may be South America’s most incredible National Park! Was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978.
So, visit it to enjoy all the best that nature has to offer in Patagonia!

Points of interest

Torres del Paine National Park is encompassing mountains, lakes, glaciers, and rivers.
Every single thing is interesting in Towers of Paine! So, there is a list with some of those places that you may want to see:

• To begin with, Puerto Natales, a charming lakeside village

• Besides, Milodón cave, thousand-year-old cave
• Also, Salto Grande ( grand jump) – a waterfall on the Paine River, the outfall of Nordenskjöld Lake
• Equally important, Paine Grande, the largest mountain in the park
• Another is Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine). The three granite peaks of the Paine Massif. Lady Florence Caroline Dixie, a Scottish traveller, war correspondent, writer and feminist, referred to the three towers as Cleopatra’s Needles in her book Across Patagonia (1880).
• For example, Almirante Nieto Peak, located between Torres Del Paine and Cuernos Del Paine
• Also Cuernos towers, monumental granite towers
• And Magellanic forests. Those really gives a peaceful and relaxing example of Patagonian nature
• Next, Paso del Viento where the view and wind are unforgettable and literally breathtaking
• Another one is Rio Paine, the main river flowing through the park

• Definitely the Miradores:
  • De las Torres, to see the Towers of Paine standing in front of the glacial lake
  • Condor Trail to see the condors wait fo the wind to fly

• And, the small valleys that separates the mountains of the massif and spectacular granite spires and takes take you to four different categories of vegetation. Like this are the Valleys:
  • Bader, Paine’s hidden valley that most hikers walk as a straight path
  • Ascencio, has an open campsite with a view of the famous towers
  • Del Silencio (Silence Valley).
  • Del Francés (French Valley). Can hike to the two viewpoints to see the hanging glacier.

• For sure, the amazing lakes:
  • Grey, a glacially fed lake
  • Pehoé which is fed mainly by Paine River but it also by Skottsberg Lake
  • Nordenskiöld, named after its discoverer
  • Sarmiento, there is hydrothermal activity in this one
  • Dickson which is drained by the Paine River and fed by the glacier Dikson
  • Del Toro Lake named like this because, says the locals,the lake ‘is angry a lot’

• Also, wonderful Glaciers:
  • Grey, just west of the Cordillera del Paine (the mountain group), can be seen from two hanging bridges
  • Puma – a secret glacier that can be accessed a park ranger or licensed guide
  • Tyndall or Geike. Definitely one of the largest glaciers in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
  • Zapata lies right on the edge of the Ice Cap
  • French Glacier, a hanging glacier

• And the stunning lagoons:
  • Bitter Lagoon (Laguna Amarga),known for the bitter taste of its water
  • Blue Lagoon. Allows full see of the Torres del Paine without trekking.

For the terrain, vegetation and wildlife, the road between those two lagoons is one of the most remarkable of the park.

• John Garner Pass, next to the Southern Patagonian Ice field, with breathtaking views we get from over Glacier Grey and the outskirt of the Southern Patagonian Ice field. Three beautiful hanging bridges offering view after view of the glacier

Things to do

For sure there are a lot of things to do in Torres del Paine, since you are in one of the most beautiful places in the world:

• First of all, trek to the Towers of Paine or through Valley Frances to get the Mirador
• Or maybe bo biking to cover more distance than hiking
• Also, kayaking is possible on a few places, including Lago Grey
• For example, go ice hiking on Glacier Grey
• Or, go horseback riding
• Later, try fly fishing on one of the numerous lakes
• On the other hand, take a boat tour on Lago Grey to Glacier, passing beautiful Icebergs floating on the lake
• Maybe find a specialist guide to spot puma and guanaco

In Torres del Paine, each day you can be marveled about the scenery!

The glaciers, the blue lagoons, the rock shapes, the fossils discovered by chance, it’s all mind-boggling! But, still remember that each day you should be able to dress for a freezing winter and a steamy summer.

The best known hiking routes in Torres del Paine are:

• First: Route “W”, which is the most popular one. This is a 4-5 days and 50 miles / 80 km trek. You can see the most important things including the Torres. Is a part of the “O” route
• Second: The “O” route, also named or the Torres del Paine Circuit, which is a 9 days and 68 miles / 441 km trek.
• Third: By adding another day to this route, is possible to complete the “Q” route with its 78.8 miles / 127.5 km.

Noteworthy, in a one-day tour from Punta Arenas is also possible. It allows you to see highlights of the park if you have little time.

Over the year

Definitely, always expect some rain and strong winds as it’s Patagonia! Actually, you can expect all 4 seasons in one day! You can experience sun, sleet, wind, rain and snow in a very short period of time.

Summer months
December, January and February have strong winds as a constant. During January, which is the the warmest month, temperatures are around 61°F / 16 °C.

March and April are the rainiest months.

Winter months
June, July and August are characterized by an average low temperature of 27 °F / -3 °C, and an average high temperature of 41 °F / 5 °C.

Jully, September and October a the drier months.

Best time to visit the park is between November to early March. This is summertime in the southern hemisphere.
Also, during summer, daylight hours are long given the southern latitude.

Location

Torres del Paine is in southern Chilean Patagonia, close to the border with Argentina and the landscape is dominated by the Paine massif. At 70 miles / 112 km north of Puerto Natales and 194 miles / 312 km north of Punta Arenas.

How to get there

By Air

The nearest airport is in Punta Arena, Chile, at 215 miles / 417 km.
From this airport can take a bus to Puerto Natales, Chile. This one is the closest town to Torres del Paine National Park
Noteworthy, when booking a tour from Punta Arenas probably will have the transfer to Torres del Paine National Park included. Also, it is possible to rent a car.

Another airport is El Calafate in Argentina. It is at 157 miles / 253 km and from there can take a bus across the border to Puerto Natales. Also is possible to rent a car or join a excursion.

By car

Getting to Puerto Natales, Chile from Punta Arenas, Chile is a three hours drive on Route 9.
Once in Puerto Natales you can go to the northwest entrance in the park, at Laguna Amarga.

Useful information