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Las Torres, el sendero de AscencioLeaving from Las Torres on foot or horseback, we make our way through Valle Ascencio to Refugio Chileno, about two hours away. From there, we continue our journey through a forest of beech trees. After about an hour, we will reach a moraine, which we will ascend to a view of the three towers, the north face of Monte Almirante Nieto and Cerro Nido de Condor.
Frenchmans ValleyAs in the Mirador Grey excursion, we ride the catamaran from Refugio Pudeto to Refugio Pehoe. We pass Lago Skottsberg, then ascend Valle del Frances, where we will see a good view of Paine Grande, Glaciar Frances and Los Cuernos. We are likely to see avalanches on the snowy mountains above us.
Pumas FootpathThis trek leaves from Las Torres and rounds the west face of the Cerro Paine. From the highest point of the mountain, we enjoy a spectacular view to the south and east. We should be able to see the Torres del Paine and trace the route the rivers take as they descend from mountaintops to the lakes below.
Nieto GlacierOn this intense, Stairmaster-style trek, we scale the steep side of the approximately 2,670-meter/8,760-foot Monte Almirante Nieto, the glacier-capped mountain in the backyard of Las Torres. After about 2.5 hours of climbing, we will reach the Glaciar Nieto on its north face.
Nordenskjöld Lookout PointOn this three-hour trek we will learn about the plants, mammals and birds living close to the place where the Río Paine enters Lago Nordenskjöld. We will see views of the southern section of Lago Nordenskjöld, as well as Monte Almirante Nieto and the Torres.
Los Lagos PathWe take a vehicle to the Estancia Lazo at the Hostería Mirador del Paine, a ranch about an hour and a half southeast of the park. From the ranch, we can see rivers feed into the Señoret Canal on their way to the Fiordo Ultima Esperanza. We begin trekking toward Lago del Toro, enjoying views of the Paine Massif and several lakes and lagoons in the area. The chances are good of seeing the water birds and condors.
Nordenskjöld LakeWe leave Las Torres and skirt the base of the nearby Monte Almirante Nieto either on horseback or foot. We will enjoy expansive views of Lago Nordenskjöld and the Andes Mountain range as we make our way over the gently rolling terrain. The higher vantage point of the horse’s back enhances our view.
Los Cuernos, Arriero PathWe leave Las Torres on horseback or foot and skirt the south face of the glacier-capped Monte Almirante Nieto, which will provide us a spectacular view of both the mountain and Lago Nordenskjöld in the distance. We end the hike at the base of the Cuernos del Paine, or the Paine Horns. In the walls of these three peaks, we can see geology at work: layers of light-colored granite rock sandwiched between two layers of darker sedimentary rock.
Grey View PointWe ride the catamaran half-an-hour from Refugio Pudeto to Refugio Pehoe. From there, we walk around Lago Grey to a refugio of the same name. We get a close view of Glaciar Grey, a 26 kilometer-long glacier that is part of one of the largest ice fields in the world.
Valley of SilenceWe ride on horseback into the Valle de Ascencio, following the route most rock climbers use to approach the Torres. We leave the horses at Refugio Chileno to trek through lenga forests to Campamento Japones. There, we enter Valle de Silencio and pass over rocky terrain for about six hours. Ultimately, we will see views of Glaciar Oggioni, Cerro Escudo and Cerro Fortaleza.
Lenga ForestsThis excursion is designed for people interested in learning about the ecosystem of the Patagonian lenga forests. As we explore old lenga forests in the land surrounding Las Torres, we look for Magellanic woodpeckers, Austral parakeets and flickers as well as the scat of various members of the cat family, including the puma.
* This excursion is available only to guests who are participating in the Las Torres programs. Interpretavive TrailThis trail gives you a glimpse of the biodiversity present in Torres del Paine National Park. In its 2.5 kilometers, you will encounter marshes, forests, streams and lakes, exploring some of the habitats most characteristic of Patagonia. Around 45 species of birds, trees, lichens, fungi and geologic intrusions are among the items you can study during your walk. Baguales SierraWe eat breakfast in the lodge, then head by vehicle to Sierra Baguales to walk on an exclusive trail. We learn about the history of the place, including the origin of the name ‘Sierra’ and the expedition of the region’s first tourist, Lady Florence Dixie. Once we arrive at La Estancia Baguales, we walk to a site where we will find and learn about fossils. The excursion lasts about six hours.
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