A lot has been said about Torres del Paine: that it is a unique place in the world, that it owns the greatest variety of flora and fauna, that its colors and topography have captivated even the most experienced travelers. And all that is true, for many tourists it is a unique experience.
This National Park has a surface area of 181,000 has. and it is located 150 km from Puerto Natales and 400 km from Punta Arenas. It was created in 1959 and it was declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO en 1978.
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| Torres del Paine |
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| It has three accesses: Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul porter's offices. Its main attractions are its irregular topography, its diverse flora and fauna that make it an ideal place for those who wish to visit a different and unique place in the planet. Standing out, without a doubt, are Torres and Cuernos del Paine, a group of rocky formations that rise vertically giving life to the Park and whereby the main trekking trails are traced. |
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| Lago Pehóe |
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| Some of the stunning pinnacles of the Park are Paine Grande mount, Cuernos del Paine themselves, Torres del Paine, Fortaleza and Escudo. However, besides enjoying the summits, you can also get delighted with the Lakes, among them, the beautiful Grey lake and Serrano river, an excellent place for fishing. |
| Park vegetation is diverse, depending on the different zones. The most typical species are mata barrosa, calafate (that produces a berry that locals say you have to eat to return), steppes and coirón (broom sedge), capachitos and orchids. There are also small lenga and coigüe tree forests close to Pehoé Lake and on the way to Grey Lake. |
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Among typical fauna inhabitants of the park you will find guanacos, ñandues, condors, pumas, grey foxes and culpeos, as well as a great variety of birds.
The best equipped circuits can be traveled by car. More than 100 kilometers of roads cross the Park. Another option, the most common, is to practice hiking or trekking through clearly marked and signaled trails.
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| Typical fauna |
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Tourists may take a one-day trip or trek the full majestic Paine massif in six to ten days. Generally, these trails are suitable for all kinds of people wearing mountain clothing and gear. The park also counts on shelters where people can rest or spend the night.
Among the activities that tourists can practice are fishing, trekking, climbing, rafting, boat riding, horse riding and mountain biking.
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| Cuernos del Paine |
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Navimag takes you to Torres del Paine |
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For those who are planning to visit Torres del Paine, Navimag offers a different and fascinating route through the Patagonian channels.
The trip begins in Puerto Montt and it travels across Reloncaví inlet, Ancud or Corcovado gulf or Moraleda channel to the astonishing spectacle travelers can enjoy when going downhill Cordillera de la Costa in the Taitao peninsula. |
To finally arrive at Puerto Natales, the city that is closer (147 kilometers) to the monumental Torres del Paine. The journey can also be done the other way, that is, for those who are returning from the Torres to Puerto Montt.
The trip across the Patagonian Channels lasts 3 days and travelers are accompanied by specialized and bilingual tourist guides who give informative speeches on the main geographical and cultural attractions of the trip, as well as facts on the flora, the fauna, the native communities of the region and some points of interest.
For further information on the routes, ferries and prices, click here. |
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For further information on Torres del Paine: |
Patagonia Channels