What excursions are available?
1. Base of the Towers Hike
2. Laguna Inge Hike
3. Lake Pehoé Boat Ride and French Valley Hike
4. Drive and Walk Western Lakes; Glacier Grey Boat Ride
5. Cerro Ferrier Lookout Hike
6. Water & Granite: Lookouts of Paine Hike
7. Ancient Shores: Lago Sarmiento Walk
8. Trail of Water: Lazo to Weber Bridge Hike
9. Aonikenk Trail Half-day Hike
10. Laguna Azul Country Day
11. Traditional Estancia Day
12. Vega Castillo Wetland Safari
1. Base of the Towers Hike
After breakfast, we'll leave EcoCamp and head towards Hosteria Las Torres to join the trail ascending to the Ascencio Valley on the eastern face of the Towers. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the picturesque route to the valley.
A steep moraine (a huge mass of boulders) leads us to the base of the Towers – three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After a tough final ascent, the Towers eventually come into full view. We'll backtrack along the same trail through the Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp Patagonia.
Available: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun | Full day: 7am-6pm | Trek: 22km, 8-10hrs | Difficulty: Demanding
Base of the Towers, Torres del Paine
Towers Base Hike
20km | 12.4 miles
9hrs
Elevation gain: +3,651ft/1,113m
Elevation loss: -3,651ft/1,113m
2. Laguna Inge Half-day Hike
After breakfast, follow the trail from EcoCamp toward Refugio Los Cuernos on a relaxed half-day hike to Laguna Inge. Cross the Ascencio River and walk through open Patagonian steppe beneath Mount Almirante Nieto, watching for native flora, wildlife, and Andean condors. At the lagoon, enjoy quiet views of the central Paine Massif; by continuing slightly farther, you can see Lake Nordenskjöld and Los Cuernos.
Return to EcoCamp with the afternoon free to relax in the domes and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Available: Tue | Half day: 9am-2pm | Hike: 8km, 3hrs | Difficulty: Easy
3. Lake Pehoé Boat Ride and French Valley Hike
After breakfast, we drive to Lake Pehoé and take the catamaran to the northwestern part of the lake. Here we start trekking to the French Valley (Valle Frances) along a steep trail. We'll reach the hanging bridge over the French River, from where there are fantastic views.
We'll then continue our ascent to the upper section of the valley where we'll take in the extensive mass of geological formations. After a picnic lunch, we descend to Refugio Paine Grande, on the shores of Lake Pehoé then board the catamaran back to Pudeto, from where we'll be transported back to EcoCamp.
Available: Mon, Thu & Sat | Full-day: 6:30am-8:40pm | Trek: 18km, 6hrs | Difficulty: Medium | Unavailable Sept until Oct 15th & from April 16th until May 2nd | Advanced booking required
The French Valley, Torres del Paine
Pehoé & French Valley
20.6km | 12.8 miles
6hrs
Elevation gain: +1,975ft/602m
Elevation loss: -1,975ft/602m
4. Drive and Walk Western Lakes; Glacier Grey Boat Ride
We'll drive across the park with views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. During the journey, we'll stop to observe and photograph herds of guanacos, Andean condors and interesting flora.
As we walk along the shore of the beautiful Lake Pehoe, we'll see the tumbling Salto Grande Waterfall and from here we can drive up to Lake Grey. We'll have a picnic lunch by the lake before taking a boat trip to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredibly close look at the glacier, we'll drive back to the EcoCamp.
Available: Tue & Fri | Full-day: 9am-6:30pm | Trek: 0.8km, 1hr | Difficulty: Easy | Advanced booking required
Icebergs on Lake Grey, Torres del Paine
Western Lakes & Glacier Grey
1.4km | 0.9 miles
1hr
Elevation gain: +82ft/25m
Elevation loss: -82ft/25m
Swoop says
If you're doing the Safari in Southern Patagonia trip, you'll be asked to preselect one excursion per day to help our partner and guides understand your preferred choices. Your guide will confirm these at your briefing, and they may be subject to change. The French Valley Trek and Grey Glacier Navigation have limited availability, so if you'd like to do either, please do select them in advance to secure your spot.
Isidora Cruz Customer Operations Specialist
5. Cerro Ferrier Lookout Hike
We start the day driving across the park with views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. Walking along the shores of the beautiful Lake Pehoe we'll see Salto Grande waterfall. We'll drive south to the shore of Lake Grey from where our hike to Cerro Ferrier begins. This is a fairly steep route which takes us through a fairytale-like Magellanic forest.
After ascending for about 1.5hrs we'll reach a viewpoint that will offer a unique perspective of the Paine Massif, Grey Glacier and some of the most famous lakes of the National Park. We'll then return to Lake Grey and head back to EcoCamp.
Available: Fri | Full-day: 9am-6.30pm | Trek: 12km, 4hrs | Difficulty: Demanding
Bracing the wind at Mirador Ferrier
Salto Grande & Mirador Ferrier
7km | 4.4 miles
4hrs
Elevation gain: +2,024ft/617m
Elevation loss: -2,024ft/617m
6. Water & Granite: Lookouts of Paine
After breakfast, we'll drive to Lake Nordenskjöld and the magnificent Salto Grande waterfall. From here it's a short walk to the Cuernos viewpoint, which has a stunning panoramic view of the mighty Horns.
We'll then drive to Lake Pehoé and start a two-hour round-trip hike to El Condor viewpoint. From here we'll see the shocking blue of Lake Pehoé and the River Paine and on a clear day, it's possible to see the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the distance. After a picnic lunch in this superb spot, we'll retrace our steps along the same trail and drive back to EcoCamp.
Available: Sun | Full-day: 9am-4:00pm | Hike: 6.3km, 3-4hrs | Difficulty: Easy
Salto Grande waterfall
Salto Grande & El Cóndor viewpoint
3.7km | 2.3 miles
2hrs
Elevation gain: +772ft/235m
Elevation loss: -772ft/235m
7. Ancient Shores: Lago Sarmiento Walk
This relaxed, predominantly flat walk covers diverse natural scenery and offers the chance to visit a startlingly blue lake, isolated from all the other water systems of the area.
First, you'll examine the geology of the area’s turbidite rock folds, before descending the isthmus which separates Lake Sarmiento from Lake Sarmiento Chico which was once a single lake to eventually arrive at a picturesque bay on the western side of Lake Sarmiento.
If the weather allows, we'll extend the walk along the Laguna Larga trail and enjoy lunch on the lakeshore.
On the walk back to the van there will be some stunning views across Lake Sarmiento from its western shore, looking towards its eastern coast glimmering on the horizon.
Available: Wed & Sat | Full day: 9:30am-4pm | Hike: 4km, 2hrs | Difficulty: Very easy
Lake Sarmiento
Lakes Sarmiento & Sarmiento Chico
4km | 2.5 miles
2hrs
Elevation gain: +539ft/164m
Elevation loss: -539ft/164m
8. Trail of Water: Lazo to Weber Bridge Hike
We set off at 9am, driving past Estancia Lazo Weber to Laguna Verde where we'll begin our hike on the Lazo Weber Trail. This hike is generally flat and is packed with native flora and fauna. There are superb views of the Paine range. We'll have a picnic lunch by Laguna Honda. Along here is one of the quietest forests in the national park – a fantastic opportunity to see native trees such as the lenga and the coihue.
Later we'll reach El Toro viewpoint where there are 360-degree views of the Paine mountain range, the Patagonian Andes, and a variety of rivers and lakes. From here it's a 1hr descent to Weber Bridge on the Paine River where we'll meet up our van and return to EcoCamp.
Available: Tue & Fri | Full-day: 9am-6.30pm | Hike: 12km, 5hrs | Difficulty: Medium
Hiking from Estancia Lazo
Lazo Weber Hike
14km | 8.7 miles
5hrs
Elevation gain: +862ft/263m
Elevation loss: -1,726ft/526m
9. Aonikenk Trail Half-day Hike
Travel to eastern Torres del Paine for the one-way Aonikenk Trail between the Sarmiento and Laguna Amarga entrances. Cross open steppe with views of Lake Sarmiento, mountains, and rock formations while looking for guanacos, foxes, birds of prey, and signs of pumas. Visit a natural rock shelter with ancient cave paintings, then continue through steppe and shrubland to Laguna Amarga. Return to EcoCamp with the afternoon free. This easy hike combines scenery, wildlife, and Indigenous history.
Available: Thu | Half day: 9am-2pm | Hike: 7.8km, 3:30hrs | Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
10. Laguna Azul Country Day
This leisurely outing starts with breakfast at EcoCamp and a brief journey to the Laguna Azul sector. From there, the activity splits into two options: a gentle horse ride or a scenic walk along the Las Chinas River, both leading to a stunning waterfall. The horse ride offers the tranquillity of crossing serene rivers, while the walking option provides splendid views of the Paine Massif.
The day wraps up with a hearty barbecue featuring beef, lamb, hamburgers, and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, ensuring there's something for everyone before returning to EcoCamp.
Available: Sun | Full day: 9am-4pm | Distance: 4km, 1.5hrs | Difficulty: Very easy
Views of the Paine Massif from Estancia Laguna Azul
11. Traditional Estancia Day
Head to the enchanting Estancia Dos Elianas where you'll have a briefing about horse riding. The excursion begins with a thrilling two-hour ride to the breathtaking Sierra Ballena and back.
You'll have roasted lamb for lunch and then take a captivating tour of the Estancia, immersing yourself in the rich traditions of Patagonia.
Towards the end of the day, you'll enjoy sopaipillas, jam, cheese, and bread, all prepared using local ingredients.
Note: During Sept and May, this excursion will be replaced with the 'Water & Granite: Lookouts of Paine' excursion.
Available: Wed | Full day: 8:30am-5:30pm | Horse ride: 7km, 2hrs | Difficulty: Very easy
Horse riding in Torres del Paine
Estancia Day & Horse Riding
6km | 3.7 miles
2hrs
Elevation gain: +183ft/56m
Elevation loss: -183ft/56m
12. Vega Castillo Wetland Safari
This excursion perfectly highlights the rich and diverse wildlife of Patagonia - from condors and foxes to armadillos and beyond. You’ll journey beyond the national park to Bahía El Bote, where the wetlands of Estancia Vega Castillo await.
This privately run conservation initiative is committed to preserving and raising awareness of native Patagonian species. Designed to be accessible for all travellers, this unforgettable wildlife safari offers a rare opportunity to observe animals in their natural environment while actively supporting local conservation efforts.
Available: Mon | Full day: 6:30am-8:40pm | Walk: 9km, 1-2hrs | Difficulty: Easy