- \n
- Torres del Paine: the basics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Los Glaciares: the basics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hiking in Torres del Paine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hiking in Los Glaciares<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adventure activities in Torres del Paine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adventure activities in Los Glaciares<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Where to stay in Torres del Paine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Where to stay in Los Glaciares<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to get to Torres del Paine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to get to Los Glaciares<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Travel between Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Torres del Paine: The basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Torres del Paine<\/a> sits in the heart of Chile\u2019s Magallanes Province at the very bottom of mainland South America. It comprises the Cordillera del Paine mountains, a distinct outcrop of the Andes Mountains, which are surrounded by the Patagonian steppe (pampa). The central part of the mountains is the Paine Massif, with its three iconic granite towers (Torres), its horns (Cuenos) and its glaciers \u2013 most notably Grey Glacier. The name Paine is taken from the indigenous Aonikenk (or Tehuelche) word for blue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Torres-del-Paine-mirador-condor-1024x732.jpg\")
View of the Paine Massif in Torres del Paine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Although a national park in its own right since 1959, the name is also used to encompass a much larger biosphere of the same name. Within this region, there are mountains, grassland, forest, and rivers and lakes, as well as the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The area has a rich biodiversity<\/a>, as well as many livestock ranches \u2013 home to the region\u2019s distinct gaucho culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Torres del Paine is contiguous with Los Glaciares National Park to the east, across the Argentinian border. Most people arrive in the area from Puerto Natales<\/a> (the park\u2019s traditional gateway) or Punta Arenas<\/a> to the south, Chile\u2019s second city.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Los Glaciares: The basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Los Glaciares National Park <\/a>is one of the oldest national parks in South America, having been established in 1937. It sits in Argentina\u2019s southern Santa Cruz Province, against the Chilean border and Torres del Paine, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n For most visitors, there are two hubs to Los Glaciares. The first of these is the epic Perito Moreno Glacier<\/a>, one of the fastest moving glaciers in Patagonia, which calves dramatically into Lago Argentina. The small city of El Calafate<\/a> is where travellers must base themselves to visit Perito Moreno Glacier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second hub centres on Los Glaciares\u2019s most important mountains: the FitzRoy range. These loom over the laidback mountain town of El Chalt\u00e9n<\/a>, which attracts hikers from all over the world for the scenery on its doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Los Glaciares is ecologically continuous with Torres del Paine, so has the same wildlife, forests, lakes and glaciers as its neighbour, served up in contrasting but complementary landscapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiking in Torres del Paine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Torres del Paine is home to one of South America\u2019s famous hikes: the W Trek<\/a>. This takes in the iconic Base of the Towers hike, along with the key locations of Lago Grey (for Grey Glacier) and French Valley. The W Trek can be hiked in any number of ways<\/a>, including camping, staying in refugios<\/a> or just in a series of day hikes from a hotel or lodge. The W Trek is the only trail in Torres del Paine that is open year round. Winter is a dramatic time <\/a>to hike here, albeit one with a more restricted choice of accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Grey-Glacier-from-John-Gardner-Pass--1024x732.jpeg\")
Hiking the O Circuit in Torres del Paine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The longer cousin of the W Trek is the O Circuit<\/a>, which includes the highlights of the W, but adds in the more remote northern sector of the park, including the testing John Gardner Pass with its steep ascent, followed by a series of hanging bridges with views out to Grey Glacier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s more to Torres del Paine than just the classics however, with myriad day hikes<\/a> where you can easily escape the busier trails and have the park almost entirely to yourself. The hikes to Mirador Condores or Mirador Ferrier offer some of the best views of the Paine Massif anywhere, while exploring the eastern sector around Sierra Baguales reveals a hidden landscape of fossils and canyons quite unlike anywhere else in the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiking in Los Glaciares<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The hiking heart of Los Glaciares beats strongest in El Chalt\u00e9n<\/a>, overlooked by Mount FitzRoy, from where you can do any number of day hikes just by walking out from your hotel\u2019s front door. The two classics are Laguna de Los Tres<\/a> and Cerro Torre<\/a> (easily stitched together into a longer camping trek), though there are plenty more including the panoramic Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike and the quiet trails of the Los Huemules Reserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Hiking the Huemul Circuit in Los Glaciares<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n For hikers wanting more of a test, the Humuel Circuit<\/a> offers the best challenge, hiking up to the very edge of the South Patagonian Ice Field, then camping next to a lake whose shores are strewn with icebergs from the nearby Viedma Glacier. For the toughest and most experienced hikers only, the South Patagonian Ice Field Expedition<\/a> crosses the actual ice cap. One of the most extreme treks it\u2019s possible to do, the rewards for those prepared for the challenge are immense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of equal remoteness, the six day traverse<\/a> of Los Glaciares to Upsala Glacier takes you through some of the most diverse landscapes in Patagonia, trailfinding along the way where few others have ever hiked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more on our wildest multi-day treks in Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine, see our page on backcountry hiking and trekking in Patagonia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adventure activities in Torres del Paine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Torres del Paine isn\u2019t just for hikers \u2013 there are plenty of other ways to explore its landscapes. Perhaps the most exciting of these is the chance to track pumas<\/a> \u2013 the only place in South America where you can do this. There\u2019s even the opportunity to spend time with conservation projects outside the national park helping pumas and ranchers coexist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Puma-in-Torres-del-Paine-1024x732.jpg\")
Puma tracking in Torres del Paine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Torres del Paine\u2019s gaucho tradition makes it a great place to explore by horseback riding<\/a>. Many lodges and estancias operate their own stables, making short excursions and full day rides an easy option. For those who prefer their saddles to come with wheels, there are also many remote mountain biking<\/a> trails. An increasing number of Swoop\u2019s partners now offer e-mountain bikes to make the ascent a little easier \u2013 or just to take the strain while touring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a different perspective, it\u2019s possible to take to the waters to discover Torres del Paine by kayak<\/a>, paddling on the Serrano and Grey Rivers, and even near the face of Grey Glacier itself<\/a>. If you really want to slow it down however, those rivers are also well-stocked with trout and salmon, making fly-fishing a relaxing way to immerse yourself in the landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many hotels and lodges offer all-inclusive programmes, where you can pick activities the night before according to your preference (and the weather forecast). Our guide to adventure activities in Torres del Paine<\/a> has everything you need to know about exploring beyond the hiking trails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adventure activities in Los Glaciares<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to adventure, Los Glaciares holds one of Patagonia\u2019s biggest trump cards: Perito Moreno Glacier. There are many ways to explore its epic ice<\/a>, including by boat, kayak or even ice hiking<\/a> across its back. All visits here include time on the boardwalks facing the ice cliffs to see Perito Moreno in its true majestic perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Horse riding in Los Glaciares<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n One of the best ways to explore Los Glaciares is on a horse riding trip<\/a> \u2013 this is true gaucho country. While there are plenty of wonderful day rides to do from lodges and estancias, this is somewhere where you can really ride out into the wilderness to lose yourself on a multiday riding trip<\/a>, sleeping in rustic gaucho outposts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El Chalt\u00e9n is one of the birthplaces of climbing in Patagonia<\/a>, and there are many opportunities to get roped up and tackle a granite rockface, whether you have climbing experience or just want to try a taste. The Santa Cruz and La Leona Rivers near El Chalt\u00e9n, and Lago del Desierto are great for kayaking, while the trails around here are also ideal mountain biking country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read our guide to adventure activities in Los Glaciares<\/a> for a complete guide to getting the most out of this national park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where to stay in Torres del Paine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Torres del Paine has a wide choice of places to stay, but the most important thing to know is that the national park and the surrounding area is a big place, so wherever you stay you\u2019ll need to travel to get to the different trailheads or other locations. But thankfully, the scenery on the drive is always dramatic to look at! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.swoop-patagonia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Restaurant-at-Explora-Torres-del-Paine-with-view-of-Paine-Massif-1024x732.jpg\")
Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n There are hotels<\/a> suiting a wide variety of budgets dispersed throughout the park and its outskirts, including close to the Base of the Towers, Glacier Grey and Serrano Village<\/a> (which has views of the Paine Massif). Refugios<\/a> are a good option for those hiking the W Trek (alongside campsites<\/a> \u2013 wild camping isn\u2019t allowed in the park). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the higher end, Torres del Paine has some of Patagonia\u2019s best luxury lodges<\/a>, traditional estancias<\/a> and glamping<\/a> options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
See our guide to Torres del Paine\u2019s accommodation options<\/a> for everything to know about where to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where to stay in Los Glaciares<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The most popular choice to stay in Los Glaciares is the small mountain town of El Chalt\u00e9n, which is overlooked by Mount FitzRoy itself. It\u2019s a classic chilled-out traveller\u2019s hub<\/a>, and plenty of hiking opportunities the moment you step outside your accommodation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Aguas Arriba Lodge in Los Glaciares<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n El Calafate is Los Glaciares\u2019s hub city (though it\u2019s more of an overgrown town), and lots of people stay here for at least a short time because it\u2019s the best jumping off point for Perito Moreno Glacier<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to really escape from everything, Los Glaciares has some amazing estancias <\/a>where you can connect with Patagonia’s traditional gaucho culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our guide to Los Glaciares accommodation<\/a> has everything you need to know about where to stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to get to Torres del Paine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are two main gateway points to Torres del Paine: Puerto Natales<\/a> and Punta Arenas<\/a>. Both are about a 3\u00bd hour flight from Chile\u2019s capital city Santiago<\/a>. Puerto Natales is the nearest town to the national park (about a 90 minute drive from the main park entrance), making it a better option for many travellers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The approach by road to Torres del Paine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Punta Arenas is slightly further away, but has more flight connections from Santiago and direct flights to Aysen and the Chilean Lake District, as well as being a hub for Patagonia adventure cruises<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, see our detailed guide on getting to Torres del Paine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to get to Los Glaciares<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
El Calafate<\/a> is the gateway airport for Los Glaciares, and is well-served by direct flights from Buenos Aires<\/a>. It takes around three hours to fly between the two. El Calafate is well-connected for direct flights to other parts of Patagonia, including Tierra del Fuego<\/a>, the Argentinian Lake District<\/a> and Peninsula Vald\u00e9s<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The road to El Chalt\u00e9n in Los Glaciares<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n There is no airport at El Chalt\u00e9n<\/a>. It takes around three hours to travel between El Calafate and El Chalt\u00e9n by road, with dramatic views as you approach the FitzRoy mountain range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, see our detailed guide on getting to Los Glaciares<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to travel between Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Los Glaciares: the basics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
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