Winter Highlights of Torres del Paine

Day 1: Transfer to Torres del Paine; Hike to Las Torres viewpoint

Early in the morning (7am) we will drive to Torres del Paine National Park. We begin our first full day trek, heading to the base of the Towers viewpoint following the Ascencio River before entering the Ascencio Valley. Our walk will be uphill for 1hr, stopping to observe the first glimpses of the valley and panoramic views of the Lake Nordenskjöld.

During the following 2hrs, we’ll walk through unbelievable forests of tall deciduous beech (Nothofagus Pumilio) and waterfalls, and then continue ascending through a huge terminal moraine up to a photographic view point (900m).

From here we will be surrounded by three giant granite towers (2,850m) and a lagoon with slurry waters resulting from glacial erosion. We will stop here for lunch, taking our time to enjoy this astonishing scenery, before our descent returning along the same path back. 

Length of excursion: 2hr transfer, 7hr hike 

Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Night at mountain hut or hotel

Day 2: Half-day hike to Lake Grey; Half-day hike to the Pingo Valley

Early in the morning we start our day by going up Lake Grey, with its impressive glacier of the same name, forming part of the South Patagonian Ice Field, third largest reserve of ice in the world, 350km long. We will make a short, flat walk, through a mature beech forest with possible sightings of Chilean flickers, austral parakeets or torrent ducks.

We will cross a stony beach to arrive at a view point on a peninsula from where we can see deep blue icebergs surrounded by forests In the afternoon we start a hike to the Pingo Valley for a walk to the 'Cascada los Salmones' where we’ll stop to take in the view before returning back along the same trail, with a chance to find the elusive Huemul (Andean deer). Then we take a transfer back to our accommodation.

Length of excursion: 30min transfer, 2hr morning hike, 3hr afternoon hike

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Night at mountain hut or hotel

Day 3: Half-day hike to Los Cuernos viewpoint; Half-day hike to Cerro Condor

We make a stop at the Salto Grande waterfall to do our first hike to a viewpoint of the Paine Grande (3,050m) and the Nordensjköld Lake. After enjoying a good picnic, we start a walk to the Cerro Condor, a path with panoramic glimpses of the park. This area is known for viewing the flight of the condor. After these hikes we start our drive back to Puerto Natales.

Length of excursion: 1hr transfer, 2hr morning hike, 3hr afternoon hike

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch