Torres del Paine National Park, located in Chilean Patagonia, is one of South America's most stunning and visited sites. Spanning approximately 242,242 hectares (598,593 acres), this park is a true paradise for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts, offering landscapes that seem lifted straight from a masterpiece.
A map of the park reveals a world of diverse terrains—glaciers, grasslands, and granite peaks. Some popular spots are the Base of the Towers viewpoint, the French Valley, and Grey Glacier.
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Patagonia, a region shared by Argentina and Chile, stretches from the lower sections of the Andes mountains to the southern end of South America. Known for its rugged, unspoiled nature, it's a place where lakes, plains, glaciers, and towering peaks come together. Torres del Paine is a jewel in this wild landscape.
Where the name Patagonia comes from is not entirely clear. Several explanations are circulating. One is that the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan called the region "Patagón," inspired by the large footprints in the sand. Magellan believed these footprints belonged to the native Tehuelche people, whom he described as giants. "Pata" translates to "foot" in Spanish, hence "Patagonia," suggesting a "land of big feet." But it could also be that he was referring to a popular book featuring a monster with a dog's head from then on. That monster was called "Pathagon," and he could have associated that creature with the local inhabitants, who looked different from what he was used to.
Reaching this remote location is an adventure in itself.
Patagonia’s remarkable landscapes, with its numerous lakes and glaciers and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, sometimes overshadow its rich and powerful history. But don’t be fooled! The region is full of stories about the indigenous tribes, Chilean gauchos (cowboys), and Lady Florence Dixie, a British aristocrat and the first tourist in Torres del Paine National Park.
In Torres del Paine, you can easily experience all four seasons in one day. We tell our travelers to prepare for anything. The Weather can range from snow to wind to rain to sunshine at any point of the year. Learn how the region’s complex weather system works and why it is so extreme.
Explore Torres del Paine National Park's magnificent landscapes and geological formations to experience its wonders. Here, you'll find some of the world's most stunning mountains (the "Torres ", Los Cuernos, and Mt. Paine Grande) and the vast southern Patagonian ice fields. Through our active activities in the park, we encourage our travelers to immerse themselves in these outdoor settings and experience the park at its purest state.
Through our programs, we showcase Patagonia’s unique plants and animals while respecting them in their natural environment. Plantlife includes beautiful species, like the lenga tree or calafate berry.
Insider's guide: When to visit Patagonia
