Reasons to go

  • Hike to the iconic mile-high granite towers, the park's majestic centrepiece
  • Experience a world-class introduction to multi-day hiking, or put your experience to the test with a more challenging trek
  • Gaze at the stars from a hot tub in some of Patagonia's most luxurious accommodation
  • Horseride, kayak, cycle and fly-fish in the Patagonian wilderness
  • Witness glaciers descending from the ice cap
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Swoop says

If you want something more off-the-beaten-track, explore the hidden valleys of Bader, Silencio and Pingo, or the bizarre rock formations of Baguales. The area's outlying estancias where you can ride with gauchos, and the wilds of the neighbouring Bernado O'Higgins National Park, come highly recommended.

5 ways to discover the national park

1. Must-see landmarks

The famous rock formations steal the show in the national park. Torres del Paine gets its name from three soaring granite towers, best seen from a lookout point visited on both the W Trek and O Circuit, and you can also trek up on a day hike. For a quieter perspective, some off-the-beaten-track hikes also offer beautiful views from different directions, making them some of the most interesting Torres del Paine treks.

Sat right in the middle of the W Trek route, the enormous, multi-coloured Cuernos peaks are a highlight, which can be enjoyed up close from the French Valley or Bader Valleys, or from across Lago Nordenskjold. One of the easiest must-see landmarks to reach is the Grey Glacier. A mesmerising wall of ice, this deep blue glacier creaks and calves icebergs into the lake, which then slowly drift downstream. Visit on a day hike, by kayak, or on a boat across Lago Grey.

Torres del Paine National Park

Base of the Towers

2. Day hikes vs multi-day trekking

All the park's most famous landmarks can be seen on day hikes, which means you don't have to carry all your equipment. You'll be transferred to the trailhead every morning, have more of a choice of what to see each day, and can stay in a private room with a bit of luxury in the evening.

Multi-day treks are tougher, but more rewarding for some - you'll need to be prepared to stay in shared dorms with basic facilities along the route.

Torres del Paine National Park

Hiking to Cerro Paine, Torres del Paine

3. Guided vs self-guided treks

Some parts of the park can only be reached with a guide, including the north side of the O Circuit Trek and some of the more off-the-beaten-track routes. The W Trek and a few others can be done self-guided.

With their knowledge of flora, fauna and culture, our local guides can really add to your experience, however if you want to hike self-guided our local partners will ensure you have everything you need to explore the trails.

To experience both, hike the W Trek self-guided, and meet a guide at the end to take you into the north of the park to complete the O Circuit.

Torres del Paine National Park

4. Kayaking, horse riding, mountain biking, fishing...

The national park is vast and there are some areas simply best explored on horseback, by kayak or mountain bike. With forests, desert, pampa and glaciers waiting to be discovered, get away from the crowds on the main trails and you'll experience a completely different side to this stunning wilderness landscape.

Add an activity to the end of your multi-day hike, or choose a multi-sport trip to kayak down rivers, bike down single track, gallop across pampa and ice hike on a glacier, all as part of one big adventure in the park.

Torres del Paine National Park

Kayakers paddle past a huge iceberg on Lago Grey, Torres del Paine

5. Wildlife

You can hardly move for guanacos in Torres del Paine, but the park is most famous for its more elusive puma population. Your best chance of seeing them up close is on a dedicated puma tracking trip, as they tend to stay away from the crowds on the main trails.

For the bird watchers, condors are the park's most well-known resident, and you can take trips up to lookout points to watch them swoop down the mountainside. Keep your eyes peeled for armadillos, foxes and endangered Huemul deer amongst other smaller mammals.

Puma in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Puma in Torres del Paine

Explore Torres del Paine National Park

Five ways to plan your Torres del Paine adventure

1. When to go

The park is at its busiest between December and February, and you'll need to be prepared to share the main trails with a steady stream of fellow hikers. The winds are at their fiercest and temperatures regularly reach up into the mid-20s. The weather is still wildly unpredictable, expect rain, wind, sun and cloud all in one day.

To escape the crowds and see the park at its most colourful, visit in Autumn when the leaves turn and the park is full of reds, golds and oranges. In Spring, expect quiet trails, blossoming wildflowers and chilly nights as the park shakes off a snowy winter. 

Between June and September many services close for winter. Even though it's a little more of a logistical challenge, for some the benefits of fewer people, calmer winds, stunning snowscapes, and long drawn-out sunrises are more than worth it.

Stream W Trek in Autumn

Autumn foliage in the Ascencio Valley, Torres del Paine

2. Choosing where to stay

  • Some of Patagonia's most luxurious hotels are here, but they aren't recommended for those on a tight budget. If you are looking to splash out on your once-in-a-lifetime trip, look for a luxury lodge or glamping option. Alternatively, there are also some high-quality 3-4 star hotels.
  • On multi-day hikes you get more privacy if you camp, and tents are already set up so you don't need to carry your gear. By contrast, refugios are often shared dorms and harbour a sociable, friendly atmosphere.
  • Location is key when deciding on a base for your excursions. Choose somewhere central to have good access to the main trails. Estancias are more remote, but do encourage you to immerse yourself in Patagonian culture. 
Torres del Paine National Park

Luxury domes accommodation

3. Going solo - options for single travellers

With so many activities and places to stay on offer, Torres del Paine is a really good place to visit as a solo traveller. The camaraderie in refugios means that you will be swept into conversation on the W Trek. If you prefer to stay in comfort you can join group excursions in the day.

If you are looking for a more adventurous trip then let Swoop know and we will "matchmake you" with like-minded travellers who are looking to share the costs of their trip via a group tour.

Torres del Paine National Park

Pingo Valley

4. Best places to combine with Torres del Paine

Just across the border in Argentina is Los Glaciares National Park, a gem with stunning hiking, huge rock formations, blue-green lakes and glaciers. If you can't get enough of the stunning scenery in this region then Los Glaciares is a must to tag on to your adventure, but remember to factor in a day to get between them, across the border.

Exploring the fjords near to Torres del Paine can be an excellent way to experience vast glaciers and humpback whales, and can also be used to travel by sea to Tierra del Fuego. For experienced trekkers, we recommend flying from Punta Arenas down to the island of Navarino to take on the Dientes de Navarino trek.

Mt Fitz Roy, Los Glaciares National Park

Mt Fitz Roy, Los Glaciares National Park

5. Is Torres del Paine right for you?

Albeit the most famous attraction around, and with arguably some of the most dramatic scenery, Torres del Paine isn't for everyone. The hiking trails can get very busy, especially in high season, so if you're looking to immerse yourself in the beautiful wilderness away from the crowds, then there is a wealth of other challenging and beautiful hiking, kayaking, horseriding elsewhere in Patagonia.

Explore our hiking page for more information on other options.

Las Chinas horse riding

Horse riding from Estancia Las Chinas, Torres del Paine

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What Our Customers Think of Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park trips scored 4.4/5 from 1640 reviews

It would be my wish that everyone could just spend a few minutes in the quiet pristine beauty of Torres Del Paine. I think they would take better care of the planet if they did. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Sheri-Lin Newell - USA

Absolutely beautiful. Even though we live in Colorado, the mountains were still absolutely breathtaking. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Kira Ellsasser - USA

The park itself was beautiful and beyond what I expected. The hikes were difficult but doable and worth it. We had beautiful weather the entire time which definitely helped the views. The trails in some spots are difficult to navigate so I’m glad we went with our guides. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Jessica Van Dyk - USA

We love the journey!! To experience all weather in one day was amazing. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Suchita Dinkar Patkar - USA

Torres Del Paine is a place where you NEVER get tired of the view and the mountains surrounding you. They are constantly changing with the light and weather elements. The area is respected and loved by locals and visitors. I never saw a single piece of trash. It is nature at its finest. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Suzanne Ricca - USA

It was so much more than I thought it would be. The grandeur of this area is undescribable, you have to visit it to take in the wonder and grandeur and beauty of the area. But go for more than 5 days and four nights, stay for 10. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Debbie McMahon - USA

This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Stunning views and the different terrain, lakes and glaciers make it magical. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Rozini Mohd Amin - Malaysia

Every day in Torres del Paine was amazing. Read the full review

Travelled: April 2022

Barbara Crabtree - USA

I'm thankful that I got to see this side of the world. I found an inner peace that I thought I’d lost. I will forever carry this experience in my mind and heart. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2022

Martha Izazaga - USA

Standing by the glittering turquoise lake Azul and torrent Salto Grande waterfalls, in the distance the snow-capped peaks: one of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes in the world. I have fallen in love with this wild and barren land of unique natural beauty. I stand facing this magnificent scene grateful for every breath I take. The rough and lonely countryside around the Nordenskiöld lake, free of any of the troubles of this world. To emerge yourself here is to forget anything unkind. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2022

Anne Devecchi - Ecuador

It was unreal beauty. Pictures don't even do justice to how amazing and unique this landscape is and I cannot stop telling people about how amazing it was! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Michael Gioia - USA

What was our most memorable moment? Seeing a puma in the wild. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

José Olivares - USA

It was more beautiful than I had imagined Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Lori Dickens - USA

Exceeded expectations! Bluest blue we’ve ever seen. Highest wind we have ever felt! Incredible sensory landscape very worthy of experiencing for multiple days. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Jonathan Staker - USA

Words cannot describe it... amazing!!!! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Christopher Breese - USA

More beautiful than my words can convey. Towers are magnificent. Wildlife is abundant and diverse. It is a many faceted diamond. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Tom Holmes - USA

The highlights were many. There is such a unique combination of terrains from glaciers to snow-capped peaks and turquoise lakes which would be hard to find together in a relatively compact area. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Sean Johnston - USA

Amazing place, it is so beautiful that you cannot stop taking pictures. Every corner has a different amazing view. I have been to a lot of national parks, but this is the most beautiful one. I hope Chile will keep protecting and expanding it. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

Nora Nagy - Hungary

What was our most memorable moment? Too many to count. Hiking and horseback riding in Torres Del Paine, photographing rheas, condors, and a puma, and riding in a zodiac up to a glacier. Fantastic time. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2020

Steven Ray - United States Of America

Hiking in the Zapata Valley with no humans for miles, hearing the feral cows, stumbling upon fossils and hearing the thunderous glacier drops - we really were in the middle of nowhere. After our self-guided hike on the W Trail switching gears to a guided hike in Zapata Valley was incredible. The nearly untouched wilderness engulfed our hearts and we will never forget our time there. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Meghan Riley - United States Of America

Torres del Paine is the most beautiful, unspoiled place that we have ever been to, and we have traveled to every continent on the globe except Antarctica. This park is unlike any found in the States. Except on the French Valley trek, we encountered few other hikers or visitors. It's pristine, and the Chilean people have really preserved this wonderful resource. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

John Jenkins - United States Of America

My advice is GO! It was really incredible. I spent 2 weeks in total in Patagonia, but if you have the time then spend longer. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Meg Randell - United Kingdom

This was an amazing experience - we pushed our bodies to the limit, and together as newlyweds. We also learned so much more about tires than we ever thought we would know about. If anything, I personally learned more patience and problem-solving. The amount of nature and scenery was absolutely what we were looking for in a holiday. And improving on our Spanish knowledge was a plus. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Victoria Vuong - United States Of America

The trip was an adventure and to see such beautiful scenery was breathtaking. The people of Patagonia were extremely friendly and helpful and without question getting up close and personal with a Glacier was a truly memorable moment. The shear scale of nature in the raw is a beautiful thing to see Read the full review

Travelled: January 2019

David Cook - United Kingdom

Every 5 minutes we had a completely different view. There could be gale force winds hitting a mountain top from one side, but clear blue skies on the other. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2019

Rory Dormer - United Kingdom

The accommodation booking process of the national park can add stress to people's trips so I was fortunate that I did not have to endure this by booking through Swoop. The advice and recommendations I received reflected what I wanted to experience and to be able to achieve this at very short notice was great. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2018

Michael Thomson - United Kingdom

The highlight was the scenery at the Torres del Paine. We have been to some very scenic places in the world and this was amongst the best. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2018

Rod & Olwyn Dawson - United Kingdom

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The best way I've found to describe the vistas, were that they almost looked fake, the colors, the light, the snow, the clear blue water; it was all just stunning.

Travelled: July 2017

Philip - Virginia, US

Beyond my expectations. I could not get over all of the beauty on my trek. Everyday there was something new and amazing to discover. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2016

Kristen Boscia - United States Of America

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Highlights were glacier hike, French valley and Torres. Scenery exceeded expectations, even after all of the photos we looked at. The hike was challenging, fun and invigorating.

Travelled: December 2016

Nicole - Massachusetts

What a wonderful, mind-blowing, refreshing experience. There are simply not enough positive adjectives to describe our time in Torres del Paine. Thank you for helping me plan one of the best experiences I've had!

Travelled: January 2016

Lydia -

All facets of the trip exceeded our expectations from the landscape to the guide. The trip was one that my wife and I will never forget.

Travelled: January 2016

Pierre -

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