The first piece of important Patagonia info: Torres del Paine National Park is located in Southern Chilean Patagonia. It is one of the most amazing natural places of our world! It was created in 1959 and today, has 227 298 ha. Torres del Paine National Park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Paine means “blue” in the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language and is pronounced PIE-neh, while Torres means “towers”.

HIGHLIGHTS:
The Torres del Paine are three magnificent granite peaks of the Paine mountain range or Paine Massif. From left to right they are known as Torres d’Agostini, Torres Central and Torres Monzino. They extend up to 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level and are joined by the mighty Cuernos del Paine which are a unique geological formation due to their two colors which actually are two different types of rock. (granite and sedimentary rock). The park has amazing valleys: Frances, Asencio, Bader. Rivers: Paine, Serrano, Grey and Asencio, Lakes: Grey, Pehoe, Nordenskiold and Sarmiento. Spectacular Glaciers: Grey, Pingo and Tyndall that belong to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Torres del Paine is home of many flora and fauna species such as: Pumas, Guanacos, Foxes, Andean Condor, Black Chested Buzzard Eagles, Huemul (native deer), Chilean Flamingos and Lesser Rheas (Ñandú)among others. Keep you eyes open while you trek cause they are all over the place!

THE TREKS:
The trails are world famous! therefore, they are very well marked, with campsites and refugios (hostel like), consequently, easy to get to every night. You can do day hikes or multi-day hikes. The most famous are W Trek and O Circuit.

W TREK / W CIRCUIT:
The classic version can be done in 5 days (but can be done in 4 too) It forms a “W” shape since it visits the 2 main valleys of the massif: Asencio Valley (the Paine towers) French Valley (Paine Horns and Paine Grande mountain) and finally, gets to Grey Glacier. This is the most popular multi-day hike in Torres del Paine. Normally people trek it from East to West, but it can be done in any direction. The W circuit is a physical challenge but a friendly one that can be achieved by trekkers with little experience.

O LOOP / O CIRCUIT:
This 8 or 9 day hike is a bigger challenge since it goes around the massif, through more remote areas of the park. It also goes through John Garners mountain pass which is one of the highest points you are likely to trek to in Torres del Paine, at an altitude of around 1,200 m above sea level. This is not a technical pass, but unstable weather in Patagonia can make it challenging due to strong winds and snow even in summer. The are amazing views from the pass of Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Take in consideration that for accommodation, there’s two nights that only offer camping for the O circuit. The O circuit is an amazing adventure for experienced trekkers.

SECRET TRAILS:
Off the beaten track: There are other trails on the park that can only be visited with a guide and special permits. Therefore, are only available for rock climbing or mountaineering expeditions and closed to visitors because of the exposure or because of conservation reasons. This areas include: Bader, Silencio and Pingo Valleys among others. (secret Patagonia info)