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The Route of Parks would not be complete
without connecting to Torres del Paine
National Park, Patagonia’s soaring gem. In the
summer, this tip of the world receives 17 hours
of daylight, and you’re going to need them
all to soak in the serene teal lakes, towering
granite pillars, pounding waterfalls and
radiant icebergs that will highlight your visit.
There’s more to Torres del Paine simply
than the stunning landscapes. Animal lovers
will get their fill, spotting gray foxes in the
high plains brush, their eyes keenly lit in
search of their next meal; and Andean condors
circling overhead, their nine-foot wingspans
casting surreal shadows below. Culture seekers
delight in the historic Milodón Caves, where
the continent’s first humans covered the walls
with ancient drawings.
Yet it’s the terrain that is the park’s main
draw, especially the namesake Paine Towers.
These three, highly photogenic granite spires
stand out among the jagged Cordillera Paine
Mountains, towering over glacial lakes and
snow-spotted pampas. Catching the light at
different angles, they start the day as rose-
colored beacons at sunrise, slowly turning
different shades of blue as the sun slides across
the sky, making them a joy to soak in from
different viewpoints.
WINTER | 2019
There are many ways to experience the
Paine Towers, along with the rest of the park
itself. Horseback rides with gauchos, glacier
hikes and expert-guided nature walks immerse
you in the landscape, as does kayaking right up
to the massive icebergs leisurely floating across
Grey Lake. For those seeking a complete tour,
hiking the celebrated W Trek is a multi-day
expedition that unforgettably weaves through
the skyscraping mountains, dark blue fjords
and hauntingly beautiful woodlands.
PHOTOS
TOP: TORRES
D E L PA I N E
LAKE PEHOE,
CHILE
BOTTOM:
GUANACO IN
TORRES DEL
PA I N E , C H I L E
C O N TACT YO U R T R AV E L A DV I S O R TO DAY