TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK TOUR

The excursion begins visiting the Milodon Cave, a natural monument located on Benitez Hill, 25 kilometers from Puerto Natales, where in 1895 were found remains of extinct animals like Sabre Toothed Tiger, American Horse and a large mammal known as Milodon. It is necessary to walk for half an hour to go into the cave and observe the stalactites, places where the remains were

found and a replica of Milodon. The excursion continues bordering different lakes such as Sofía, Porteño and Toro toward the park, which is a biosphere reserve founded in 1959 with a surface over 242.000 hectares. Here the landscape changes drastically becoming unforgettable due its dozen lakes populated by marine birds, and in the background granite picks dominating the area.

Turquoise lakes, waterfalls and mountains covered by ice are the predominant landscape inside the park. The trip continues with a walk on the shores of Grey Lake, where blue icebergs can be seen, and in the background the vast Grey glacier. After lunch a walk for 15 minutes into the park is necessary toward the Waterfall (Salto Grande), which is communicating two big lakes inside the park; Nordenskjold and Pehoe Lakes. The road takes us to the Nordenskjold look out and bordering Sarmiento Lake finally arriving in Laguna Amarga, from where we will have a panoramic view of the three “Towers of Paine”, always depending on the weather conditions. Once we leave the park you will be able to enjoy the most diverse landscapes, such as, the magellanic deciduous forest and the vast Patagonian steppe dominated by the wind and aridity. On the way is possible to find two species members of the local fauna: the Patagonian guanaco, South American camel and relative of Llama, and the endemic lesser Rhea (Ñandu), relative of the African Ostrich. Before arriving in Puerto Natales we will observe the little village of Cerro Castillo and Figueroa Lake.

Length: 11 hours
Level of demand: Medium
Season: All year round
Traveling Distance: 200 km (125 miles) one way
Shopping stop: Cerro Castillo
Physical demand: Soft walk to visit the Milodon Cave with ups and downs inside the cave.
Soft walk to visit the waterfall Salto Grande
Soft walk with a suspension bridge and ups and downs.
Min. Capacity: 01 pax
Max. Capacity: On request
Rest rooms: Cerro Castillo, Entrance of the Park, Restaurant
Transportation: On request
Service: Private ore regular
Guides Languages: English, German, French and Spanish