- 9 mins
Imagine waking up to the fresh air of Patagonia, surrounded by granite mountains and glacier-blue lakes that seem straight out of a dream. That's the magic of Torres del Paine National Park, a place that will not only take your breath away with its beauty, but also transform you with every step you take.
This blog is not just a list of activities; it's a gateway to the experience that awaits you. We will guide you through 10 must-dos that we've designed for you to enjoy Torres del Paine to the fullest. From the iconic Base Torres Viewpoint hike to horseback riding and living the experience like a Patagonian cowboy, each option has been crafted to combine comfort with adventure, so that you can experience the authentic Patagonia.
We know that planning a trip to such a remote destination is a challenge, which is why we've selected these activities to make your visit to Torres del Paine unforgettable and worry-free. Get ready to discover why thousands of travelers choose this place every year for the adventure of a lifetime, and why you should be next. Continue reading and start dreaming about your next great escape!
1 - Conquer the Base Torres Viewpoint
This is without doubt something you can't miss if you come to Chilean Patagonia. Standing in front of the granite towers that give the national park its name is not just about reaching a vantage point, but about experiencing a journey that combines physical effort, a connection with nature and an unparalleled visual reward.
After a challenging hike of around four and a half hours, you are greeted by three granite towers reflected in a glacial lagoon. It is a breathtaking spectacle, where you can observe condors nesting among the rock formations, clouds passing between the columns and a sense of unity with all those who have managed to conquer the viewpoint.
This place not only represents the symbolic heart of the park, but also a personal milestone for the thousands of travelers who attempt to reach it. The feeling of being surrounded by mountains in a silence interrupted only by the wind is hard to compare. It's an experience in which landscape and emotion merge into one. So, if there's one experience you can't miss on your visit to Torres del Paine, it's this one. Climbing to the Base Torres Viewpoint is more than a hike through the mountains; it's a memory that will stay with you for a lifetime.
2 - Hike the entire W Circuit
The W Circuit is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world, and completing it is an unforgettable experience. There are several options to live this adventure, which can last between four and five days. During the trek, you will have the opportunity to discover some of the park's most spectacular landscapes: the imposing Base Torres Viewpoint, the amazing Francés Valley and the majestic Grey Glacier, among others.
Doing the W Circuit with Las Torres Patagonia allows you to access comfortable mountain stays, with prepared meals and logistics tailored to your needs as a visitor, making each day hiking pure enjoyment. It's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the essence of the park, without worrying about anything else.
3 - Visit Grey Glacier and sail among icebergs
One of the most impressive experiences in Torres del Paine is to be on a boat trip that takes you into Lake Grey in search of Patagonia's famous ice tongues, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
During the journey, you will cross a lake dotted with floating blue icebergs that look hand-carved. You will board a catamaran that will take you closer to the immensity of the glacier, where you will be able to hear glacial sounds like never before, and feel the icy nature move with the crunch of ice breaking away. A direct connection with the force of Patagonian nature.
This tour not only provides breathtaking landscapes, but also the opportunity to learn about the effects of climate change on the region's glaciers.
If you prefer not to take the boat trip, you can explore the shores of Lake Grey and its peninsula, where you will find a viewpoint offering unparalleled views amidst the serenity of the lake.
4 - Horseback ride through Patagonia like a baqueano
Horseback riding through the Patagonian steppe is to live the long tradition of a baqueano (Patagonian cowboy) for a day. These expert riders from the south have traversed these territories for generations.
At Las Torres Patagonia, you can enjoy this exclusive experience, as we are the only tourism service offering horseback riding in the national park—one more reason to choose us. During our rides, you can experience this unique connection. Our guides will be true Patagonian cowboys, who will not only lead the way, but also share their knowledge of the flora, fauna and each of the natural phenomena that are part of this ecosystem.
We have an extensive selection of horseback rides, experiences designed to connect with the different viewpoints, trails and landscapes of Patagonia. We offer horseback tours for riders with different levels of experience; so, whether it's your first time or you already have good skills at handling the reins, at Las Torres Patagonia, we have the perfect adventure for you.
5 - Try the local cocktails at one of our bars
After a day exploring the trails or horseback riding through the steppe, our bars are the perfect place to relax and celebrate the day with other adventurers.
One of the options is the Pionero Bar, located in the heart of Hotel Las Torres. This bar offers a cocktail menu inspired by local ingredients like Calafate berries, creating unique blends that reflect the character of Patagonia.
If you are staying in the Central Sector, the Central Bar will be your choice. Here, you will find a diverse selection of signature cocktails, many of which celebrate moments lived in Patagonia, drawing inspiration from everything you can see in the park.
Additionally, you will be attended by local bartenders who have participated in national-level competitions, who combine modern techniques with traditional flavors. Whether you choose a gin or a reinterpretation of the classic sour, our bars transform each cocktail into a perfect chapter to close your day.
6 - Dine at the Coirón Restaurant and taste Magellanic flavors
At the Coirón Restaurant, our cuisine becomes a sensory journey through Patagonia. With fresh products from our bio-intensive garden, as well as fresh beef, Magellanic lamb and Patagonian hake, each dish will immediately connect you with the land around you.
Our restaurant offers a signature cuisine that celebrates the region’s culinary tradition with a contemporary approach. Here, intense flavors, penetrating aromas and the perfect blend of colors are the protagonists of an unforgettable meal while you admire the starry Patagonian sky.
Dining here is not just a respite to nourish the spirit, but an experience that marks a journey through the best cuisine at the southern tip of the world.
7 - Share with other visitors in our mountain stays
Our mountain stays are meeting points for travelers from all over the world who share the desire to discover the national park through their own steps. After a long hike, you can enjoy that sense of camaraderie that develops around a hot meal, a shared mate or stories by the warmth of the fire.
Sleeping in a mountain stay is an authentic and communal experience. Conversation can move from the comfortable interior of our facilities to the outdoors, contemplating the natural wonders that extend before you.
Many visitors form lasting friendships, plan the next stages of the circuit together or simply let themselves be carried away by the adventurous spirit, meeting people who – although it may be the last time they see each other – create memories that will last a lifetime.
8 - Connect with Las Torres Patagonia's sustainable initiatives
Las Torres Patagonia also gives you the opportunity to learn and be part of our sustainable tourism model.
Through the initiatives led by our NGO, Las Torres Patagonia Conservancy, visitors can learn about conservation projects, recycling programs, waste management and the reforestation of the park.
By approaching any of our park rangers, identified by the Las Torres Patagonia logo, you can start a pleasant conversation about the park and the efforts we make all year round to care for the area for future generations.
You can also get involved in cultural experiences, such as visits to our bio-intensive garden, walking the interpretive trail and learning a bit more about local flora, or talking to our guides in order to learn how to be a responsible tourist in Torres del Paine.
9 - Camp under the stars and discover the magic of Patagonian nights
Sleeping in a tent surrounded by mountains, rivers and starry skies is an unforgettable experience, even more so in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park. In our fully equipped campsites, you will find skies frosted with an infinite number of stars, the sound of the wind through the trees and the feeling of being completely immersed in nature.
Camping with Las Torres Patagonia allows you to choose your favorite option to live this type of adventure. We have elevated tents with everything you need for a comfortable night, or you can rent a ground site and spend the night with the equipment that has accompanied you on a thousand adventures.
You will be able to experience the unique Patagonian night, while the sunrise will welcome you to a new day of adventure.
10 - Live a unique experience with a mountain cabin in the heart of the Cuernos Sector
Built in one of the most iconic parts of the W Circuit, our mountain cabins in the Cuernos Sector offer you an experience that combines intimacy with unique comfort.
Set amidst native forests surrounded by mountains, with a privileged view of Lake Nordenskjöld, our mountain cabins in the Cuernos Sector offer an intimate and cozy refuge in the heart of nature. Designed for two people, they are the perfect place to rest after a day of trekking, whether you are traveling with your partner, a close friend or a special family member.
These cabins allow for greater privacy, without sacrificing the essence of adventure. Each has a heating system, and is located meters from the dining rooms and other services we offer at Las Torres Patagonia.
Sleeping here is an unparalleled experience in the heart of Torres del Paine.
We hope this list of 10 experiences has inspired you to plan your own adventure in the heart of Patagonia. At Las Torres Patagonia, not only do we offer accommodation and tours within the park; we also connect you with nature and the emotion of living this unique experience. Every hike is an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Are you ready to explore Torres del Paine, navigate between icebergs or simply relax under the stars? Your adventure at the southern tip of the world awaits you. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the magic of Torres del Paine with us. Discover our circuits and take the first step towards an unforgettable experience.
