Wild and romantic hikes in the most beautiful natural preserve of Chile
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine is spectacular. World-renowned for its challenging trekking, the park contains 15 peaks above 2000 m. At its centre is the glacier-topped granite massif Macizo Paine from which rise the vertical pink granite Torres (towers) de Paine and below them the strange Cuernos (horns) de Paine, swooping buttresses of lighter granite under caps of darker sedimentary rock. From the vast Campo de Hielo Sur ice cap on its western edge, four main glaciers (ventisqueros), Grey, Dickson, Zapata and Tyndall, drop into vividly coloured lakes formed by their meltwater: turquoise, ultramarine and pistachio expanses, some filled with wind-sculpted royal blue icebergs. Wherever you explore, there are constantly changing views of dramatic peaks and ice fields. Allow five to seven days to see the park properly. The park is also one of the best places on the continent for viewing rheas and guanacos. Apart from the 3500 guanacos, 24 other species of mammals can be seen here, including hares, foxes, skunks, huemules and pumas (the last two only very rarely). For helpful information on the park see http://www.torresdelpaine.com (in English).
