Upon arrival at the lodge, your private guide will take your preferences and weather conditions into account to design the ideal itinerary together. Each day you will be able to choose either one Full Day or two Half Day excursions, combining both the National Park's highlights and off-the-beaten-path gems. Meanwhile, enjoy a sneak peek of some of the possibilities.
Awasi Patagonia’s private reserve overlooks the granite peaks of the Torres del Paine National Park, making it the perfect base for daily explorations.
You’ll be able to visit authentic “estancias” to experience gaucho life, or see this isolated corner of the world through the eyes of its first pioneers.
Who lives at the end of the world? With a bit of luck you will be able to spot ñandus, guanacos, condors or maybe even a puma.
One on the few trails within the park that combines gorgeous landscapes with tangible evidence of the Aonikenk native culture. You will enjoy an easy path with panoramic views towards the Paine Complex and the Patagonian steppe, and observe some evidence of rock art from earlier human inhabitants. If that wasn't enough, plenty of birds, guanacos and foxes roam the area, which is why this trail is also well known for puma sightings. Due to the location of this trail it is easily combined with other short hikes or drives to the park's highlights.
Note: Due to the presence of pumas, children younger than 10 years of age are not allowed to do this trail.
A short but slightly challenging hike that is not well-known to most tourists, yet has one the best 360° views of the National Park. We start close to Camping Pehoe, at the edge of Pehoe Lake and slowly but steadily we gain altitude towards the lookout. Every once in a while condors can be spotted close by soaring over us. The view will (quite literally) blow you away. This hike is located in the middle of the National Park, so it is an excellent add-on to other activities or highlights.
Note: Depending on the wind conditions this hike might not be recommended, as the lookout is exposed to very strong winds. Your guide will be able to determine this checking the forecast.
At the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, this lookout is one of the most scenic and comfortable hikes in the area and offers a surplus of photo opportunities. We start walking from Pudeto, passing by Salto Grande Waterfall. After marveling at the power of this waterfall, we walk towards the foot the famous "horns" in a scenery that blends turquoise glacial lakes, calafate bushes and peaceful guanacos. Finally, we are rewarded with the views of Paine Grande, Cuernos and Almirante Nieto overlooking the Nordenskjold Lake.
Note: This is a fairly popular excursion, since it's one the most accessible hikes within the National Park.
Get the feeling of what the iconic "baqueanos" experienced, riding on the endless yellow Patagonian steppe. Looking onto the Paine Complex towards the east, and north the imposing Sierra Baguales Range. This excursion has the perfect mixture of traditional culture and surreal sightseeing. We can combine it with excursions in the Sierra Baguales Mountain Range and finish our day with some local "asado" (the traditional gaucho barbacue) in the best scenery and light as the day comes to and end.
Note: We need to cross a river to get to this estancia, so depending on the amount of precipitation and melting snow, sometimes we cannot get to the Estancia.
In Patagonia horses are a big part of gaucho culture, so hiking and horseback riding are two of the best ways to get to know this place. This excursion begins only a few minutes away from our lodge in a nearby Estancia, riding through the steppe with one of the best views of Torres del Paine. The duration of this activity will be determined by the skill level of the riders. The current and prior weather conditions also determine the feasibility of this excursion, since the terrain could be affected.
Note: A minimum skill level and horseback riding experience is necessary.
As the name says, it's the place where large herds of guanacos usually roam. These wild South American camelids stand at around 2 meters (7 feet) tall and weigh between 90 and 140 kg (200 to 310 lb) making them one of the largest native terrestrial mammals on the continent. Their presence also provides good chances to encounter other local species like foxes, pumas and condors. Loma Guanaco is on the way towards Laguna Azul, in an area that not many tourists visit, making it a very private and quiet spot. It is possible to combine this activity with other short hikes and highlights in the area.
The Paine River is located on the Eastern region of the Torres del Paine National Park, very close to our lodge and to the Amarga Lake, so it's easy to appreciate the views from its banks after a comfortable drive. The river rises from its source in Dickson Glacier and eventually flows into the Nordenskjöld Lake, in the heart of the park. About halfway through lays this scenic waterfall, with the three famous granite needles as its backdrop. "Paine" means blue in the native Aonikenk language, and it's easy to imagine from the tones of the glacial waters, the pristine skies and the tinged mountains why they decided to name the region after that colour.
Note: This excursion is best combined with other nearby activities in the Laguna Azul area, such as Sierra Masle or Loma Guanaco.
This mountain range is right in Awasi Patagonia's "backyard": Sierra Contreras is a a great way to stretch your legs after a long drive or simply contemplate the vastness of the Patagonian landscape. Its 360º views from the top are a good way to get a reference of the area's highlights and decide on the next the hikes. You will enjoy real-life postcard views of the Paine Mountain Range, Sierra Baguales, Valle de las Chinas and Lake Sarmiento, among other geographical wonders. It's not even necessary to jump into a car: you can start right from our Main Lodge though the lush lenga-forest that serves as ourrefuge until you reach the open plateau.
Note: It's well marked, can be done with or without the guide. It's a loop that can go from 45 mins to 2 hours depending on fitness level.
What we consider "the first tourist of Torres del Paine" (Lady Florence Dixie, in 1878) arrived at Laguna Azul, where we will be hiking. Starting from the lake shore we will walk up a loop that showcases a few of the different biomes that compose Torres del Paine. It's a good introduction to the National Park and the Paine Complex.
Note: consider reading Florence Dixie's book "Across Patagonia" beforehand to appreciate how unchanged the landscape remains.
This excursion was named in honour of Clark, a dear friend of Awasi and how he inspired us. Adventurous, multi-faceted and off-the-beaten-track, this trek is ideal for those who enjoy being very active and seeing things from a different perspective. Located outside the National Park, it's most likely you won't cross another person in the area, and you'll be rewarded with 360 degree views of the Torres del Paine massif and the steppe to the East. Asides from being a relatively steep ascent, there will be bird-watching opportunities, as well as the chance to cross several different ecosystems and observe both geological and glaciological facts of the area.
One of the most iconic and popular trails in the National Park, albeit one of the most challenging. We go deep into Ascencios Valley to our final destination, the always awe inspiring Torres del Paine. We recommend starting the day early in order to avoid crowds and get the most out of this experience. It's a hike that's challenging to everyone and the last mile can be specially hard since we will walk up throught a morraine before being able to marvel at the sight of the Torres.
Notes: The difficulty level of this activity could be increased due to weather conditions, so we recommend checking the forecast with your guide.
Experience the true vastness of Patagonia by visiting one of the places that remain the most remote and isolated from the crowds. Sierra Baguales (its name meaning "wild horses") is one of the most enigmatic mountain ranges (besides the Paine Complex). It's uniqueness and contrast will leave you day dreaming of the roaming gauchos and baqueanos era, feeling what the first European pioneers might have experienced when they first arrived in this corner of the World.
Notes: William H. Greenwood, a settler from the late 1800's, wrote about his life this area (Sierra Baguales) in his memoires "Patagonia Wild and Free" (1875). We highly recommend reading his book before or during your visit to Patagonia.
Located on the opposite side of the National Park to Awasi, this area is closer to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Pacific Ocean. The greener surroundings are evidence of the more frequent precipitations that enter the Paine complex from the West. This lookout is just on the edge of the mainstream circuit and allows you to truly appreciate the majestic geography and peculiar hydric system. It's a short distance to walk, but the terrain is steep. At the end you will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views of the National Park, which include the Grey Glacier, lake and river, the lakes Pehoe, Nordenskjöld, and Toro, all with their distinct tones of blue and turquoise.
Notes: The drive is long but is an excursion in itself, as you will drive past most of the National Parks highlights and lookouts, with plenty of photo opportunities.
Travel through time and find million-year-old fossils from sea life to plants. It's a hike that can be either short or long depending on what and where you want to explore. We start the hike on Patagonian steppe and after 1 hour of hiking we find the first spot of fossils, where we are also rewarded with a beautiful sight over Santa Lucía Mountain. After that we leave the yellow steppe and get into the Andean desert where we can find more fossils and peculiar rock formations that give you an-out-of-this-world vibe.
Notes: William H. Greenwood, a settler from the late 1800's, wrote about his life this area i(Sierra Baguales) n his memoires "Patagonia Wild and Free" (1875). We highly recommend reading his book before or during your visit to Patagonia.
This hike is part of the famous “W Circuit”, and one of the more adventurous options. From our lodge, we will drive to the heart of the National Park, and take a ferry to cross Lake Pehoe to the starting point of this trail. First, we will walk at the foot of the highest mountain in Torres del Paine: the Paine Grande. Then, go around the Skottberg lagoon through a mountainous landscape until we reach the Italian Camp. Past this camp the trail becomes more technical and we gain altitude until we reach a plateau framed by the peaks of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. This in an imposing place, where you can see forests and glaciers in a unique environment.
Note: Access to this activity depends on a ferry which operation is external to Awasi, and is subject to weather. Due to changing conditions in the area, it is important to remain flexible.
This is one of the few options to appreciate glaciers up close within Torres del Paine. From our lodge, we will drive to the heart of the National Park, and take a ferry to cross the beautiful Lake Pehoe to the starting point of this trail. Once we get to Guardería Paine Grande, we start walking to the West, heading towards the Southern Patagonian Icefield and one the best known glaciers of the region: the Grey Glacier. It's a concurred hike because it's part of the famous "W Circuit", but none the less very entertaining and enjoyable.
Note: Access to this activity depends on a ferry which operation is external to Awasi, and is subject to weather. Due to changing conditions in the area, it is important to remain flexible.
A rewarding hike that is a great introduction to the difererent patagonian ecosystems. From steppe, lenga forest, to lakes with an an "out of the beaten path" feeling you can sense and see the vastness of the patagonian landscapes. It can be challenging distance wise, but most of the hike is flat until the last lookout over Lake Toro. The variety of scenery will keep you engaged and wanting to get to know more of this landscape.
Located on the opposite side to Awasi of the Torres del Paine National Park, the weather here is completely different. Much more exposed to the humidity that arrives from the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Ice Fields, the forest around this area is lush and green. We will start our trek at Guardería Grey. The first hour is a flat section, with the stunning mountains Paine Grande and Cordón Olguin to the north. We will see Calafate bushes, Lenga trees, and orchids. Halfway through we will pass Chorrillo Los Salmones, a water course with a picturesque waterfall. At this point we will enter the evergreen forest, and slowly we start going deeper into these green and calm surroundings.
Notes: The drive is long but is an excursion in itself, as you will drive past most of the National Parks highlights and lookouts, with plenty of photo opportunities.
About 85% of the 130 bird species that can be spotted around Torres del Paine can be seen in Vega Castillo. To get there, we head to the southside of Lake Toro, to a "small" Estancia, that has a unique mixture of traditional sheep farming and extraordinary birdwatching opportunities. It is surrounded by Cerro Tenerife and Cerro Castillo. It's a place that offers a good change of pace and privacy, since the Vega Castillo Wetlands remain a hidden gem to most of Torres del Paine's visitors.