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Hiking in Torres del Paine
World famous trekking awaits in Torres del Paine National Park. Each valley, peak and pass hides its own treasures, be it hanging glaciers, vast pampas, twisted metamorphic rock or…
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Estancias offer the perfect base to explore the wilderness around Torres del Paine. These traditional ranches offer a slice of Patagonian gaucho culture, where you can explore their trails on foot or horseback by day, then sink into their rustic charms at night, where frontier views stretch out under a dome of endless stars.
Estancia Lazo, Torres del Paine
Estancia San Luis bathing in stars
The estancias of Torres del Paine show off some of the best wilderness in Patagonia. These working ranches are destinations in themselves, where you can unplug and immerse yourself in all that the wilderness has to offer.
Those estancias bordering Torres del Paine National Park are included in many of the multi-day horse riding trips and also make excellent bases from which to journey through the park on guided wildlife trips. The estancias closer to Puerto Natales on the Antonio Varas Peninsula offer contrasting scenery and are great for bird watching and authentic gaucho experiences.
Whichever you choose, you’ll have almost vast landscapes to explore by yourself.
There is much variation in levels of comfort, number of excursions offered, and the extent to which the estancia is still a working ranch compared to focusing on tourism. Consider what’s most important for you to get out of your stay: Swoop Patagonia’s specialists know every estancia inside out, so you can trust us to find the perfect one for your Torres del Paine trip.
Estancias come in all shapes and sizes in Torres del Paine, from basic dorm-type accommodations to beautifully restored homes with excellent service and dining. There really is everything for all tastes.
Cerro Guido is the biggest working estancia in the Torres del Paine region, covering 250,000 acres (101,000 hectares) of land. Over a century old, it offers the peace and comfort of a good hotel, but with all the rich character of a traditional Patagonian ranch.
The estancia sits in a beautiful location on the eastern border of the national park, where you can enjoy horse-riding, visits with a pioneering conservation programme helping pumas and livestock share the land, or even see where palaeontologists are digging up ancient fossils. Alternatively, just sit back and enjoy a traditional barbecue under an endless sky.
A converted old-fashioned ranch house, Las Chinas acts as an annex to the Cerro Guido lodge.
It offers a simpler (and more budget friendly) experience than its parent estancia, hosting up to 14 people in four rooms of two to four bunk beds (extra beds can be added). Each room has a shared bathroom with hot water and modern facilities, and there is a common space with a roaring fireplace.
The real adventure begins outside in the Las Chinas valley, which you can start exploring the moment you step foot outside the estancia. Trails lead through native lenga forests to a stunning viewpoint looking out to the Paine Massif.
Horse riding from Estancia Las Chinas, Torres del Paine
Estancia Lazo is situated just on the border of Torres del Paine and is part of a huge cattle ranch dating from the last century that now rus 32,000 acres (13,000 hectares). It boasts magnificent views over Laguna Verde as well as the Paine Massif.
The rooms are simple yet comfortable. The main estancia house and dining room-cum-bar are great to relax in after a day of riding in the park.
The estancia also has a complete house for up to eight people that can be booked for exclusive stays.
Estancia Lazo, Torres del Paine
This family-run working estancia treats its guests with breathtaking views of Torres del Paine’s iconic granite towers and the eastern side of the Paine Massif. The ranch continues to function as a sheep farm, running livestock across its 16,000 acres (6500 hectares).
Its seven rooms are all in the converted farmhouse and may be simple but are perfectly cosy. In the evenings you can unwind by the fireplace in the lounge or enjoy meeting other travellers by the barbecue. The hosts provide a warm friendly atmosphere, and there are varied activities on offer here, including horse riding excursions that offer the chance for some great birdwatching.
Estancia San Luis, managed by the devoted Cárdenas-Oyarzún family for over 45 years, blends traditional livestock farming with the allure of Patagonian cultural tourism across its 32,00 acres (13,000 hectares).
Visitors can engage with nature via horseback riding, exploring the estate's diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, and stay at the Puesto Rio Vizcachas, a charmingly refurbished house near the Argentinian border.
This destination offers a genuine slice of Patagonian life, complete with stunning views, local cuisine, and a tranquil atmosphere made for adventure and relaxation in equal measure.
Estancia San Luis bathing in stars
You know you’re escaping the crowds when your estancia begins with a trip by boat because there’s no proper road access. Estancia La Peninsula has just that – a stone’s throw and a world away from Puerto Natales in the wilderness of the Antonio Varas Peninsula.
The 47,000 acres (19 hectares) of this working sheep ranch are dominated by glacier-capped mountains and the startling reflections of the surrounding fjords. Here, you can immerse yourself in gaucho culture, saddle up yourself or jump in a Land Rover to drive to spectacular views of this remote peninsula.
For a real treat, the estancia offers adventures to La Barossa, a private cabin miles from anywhere, where you can stay in complete cosy seclusion.
Estancia Lago Pinto is another historic working ranch, tracing its roots back to the pioneering days of 1890. Today, under the stewardship of Pedro Pivcevic Jara, the estancia has adapted to modern demands by transitioning from sheep to cattle farming, yet it staunchly preserves the rural customs and sustainable practices of its heritage.
Guests at Estancia Lago Pinto are treated to an immersive experience of Patagonian life, from authentic barbecues and folk music, to educational tours of the greenhouses and animal enclosures, culminating in hands-on activities like sheep shearing and horseback riding through sweeping historic landscapes.
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Discover MoreImpartial advice and a bespoke service to make your trip perfect.
We are former guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts & adventurers.
Swoop is proud to be B Corp Certified as we know sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
We’ll make sure you have the adventure of a lifetime.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
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