Five half-day excursions in Torres del Paine

At Hotel Las Torres, we offer activities to suit everyone’s tastes. Venture out on foot along the trails of Torres del Paine National Park, set out on horseback with our baqueanos (Patagonian cowboys) to explore the reserve as the early pioneers did, or simply experience the culture and delve deeper into what Patagonia has to offer. Whatever kind of experience you are looking for, we will always have something in store for you. Today, we want to tell you about some half-day excursions we offer at Hotel Las Torres.

Laguna Azul Van + Trekking 

On this half-day excursion, we will head to Laguna Azul, located in the eastern part of the national park, to view the granite towers the park is named after from three different vantage points—so have your camera ready to capture memories that will last a lifetime. 

This excursion begins with a relaxing drive along the highway with scenic views of the Patagonian pampas. Once we arrive at our destination, we will do an easy trek to the shore of the lagoon, where we can admire the stunning towers of the Paine Massif that give the park its name.

This excursion includes a stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Paine Waterfall, which offers incredible photo opportunities. And don’t forget to take a snapshot of the towers as seen from Laguna Amarga, another stop on our trip.

One of the highlights of this excursion is the possibility of extraordinary sightings of the local wildlife, including guanacos, condors, rheas and, if we are lucky, maybe even a puma.

Cuernos Lookout Van + Trekking

For many who visit the park, the Cuernos Lookout offers one of the best scenic views, a picture postcard as iconic as the vista from Base Torres Lookout. 

For this half-day excursion, we will travel by van to the Pudeto Sector, escorted along the way by stunning natural vistas. The van will drop us at the trailhead to Salto Grande, a waterfall that flows between Lago Nordenskjöld and Lago Pehoé.

As we approach the lake, be prepared to be amazed by the panoramic vistas that Nordenskjöld offers. If the conditions are right, the elements will align perfectly into a breathtaking snapshot of the Paine Massif’s reflection on the lake, with the ‘horns’ at the center and a spectacular sky as a backdrop. 

Patagón Van + Trekking

On this excursion, we will learn about the park's wildlife as well as its cultural history. 

It all begins with an early morning departure from Hotel Las Torres in a van that will take us to Portería Sarmiento. After being dropped just past the park gate, we will begin our 9.5-kilometer trek over flat terrain. 

As we cross the pampa, our guide will explain the geological forces that have shaped the biosphere, from the unique rock formations to the stunning lakes that can be seen in the distance.

Here, we will also encounter evidence of the area’s earliest human inhabitants—cave paintings left by the Aonikenk people. To gain access this restricted area, we will be accompanied by a certified guide at all times, so guests must always follow his or her instructions during the excursion.

We may also enjoy sightings of a variety of local wildlife, so have your camera ready to capture these uniquely Patagonian moments.

Lenga Forest Trekking

On this excursion, we will immerse ourselves in a segment of the famous O Circuit, trekking deep into a forest of Lenga, the most emblematic tree of the Patagonian woodlands.

If you count birdwatching among your interests, this could rank as one of your favorite excursions, as the Lenga forest is home to a wide variety of birds in their natural habitat, from striking woodpeckers to colorful Patagonian parrots called cachañas. 

This excursion takes us on an easy trek around the base of Cerro Paine, surrounded by centuries-old trees and colorful flowers such as the porcelain orchid, the palomita or white dog orchid and others.

And if you want to find out more about mycology—the study of mushrooms—on this excursion you can also learn about the different fungi that can be found in the park. Our guide will carry a magnifying glass for observing these species up close without disturbing them. 

This excursion will leave you feeling much more intimately acquainted with Patagonia, with a deeper understanding of the micro and macro ecosystems that coexist in the park.

Baqueano Experience 

Horses are at the heart of the Las Torres Patagonia experience, so don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with the Banqueanos and their day-to-day work managing our stables and the nearly 180 horses housed there.   

On this excursion, our guide will accompany us to the stables to visit these Patagonian cowboys, who will tell us all about how they care for these noble animals, from medical and dental attention to hoof trimming and how they organize their work shifts.

You will also learn about our innovative holistic grazing system, which allows us to manage horse traffic and grazing in the national park while safeguarding the soil by rotating the areas used for pasturing and overnight stays.

Participants will also learn about the Baqueanos’ traditional attire and folk music, and can try Yerba Mate, a hot drink similar to tea that comes with its own set of social customs.

This excursion offers the perfect complement to an excursion on horseback another day, as it will deepen your connection to the noble tradition of caring for these animals.

These are just a few of the many excursions you can enjoy while staying with us at Hotel Las Torres. Patagonia is waiting for you!