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.
Lake Sarmiento, the largest body of water within Torres del Paine National Park, spans approximately 90 km2. Its most striking feature, however, is the distinctive white "ring" along its shore, that contrasts dramatically with its deep blue waters. These whitish formations are thrombolites, living fossils of calcium carbonate that began forming with the last ice age around 10,000 years ago. A walk along the lake's banks offers an opportunity to appreciate these incredible formations up close, as well as to observe a variety of native fauna that find refuge in this area.
Please note due to its location, this trail can be easily combined with other hikes or drives to the park's highlights.
This trail is one of the few within the park that offers both stunning landscapes and tangible evidence of the Aonikenk native culture. The easy path provides panoramic views of the Paine Complex and the Patagonian steppe, and you'll have the opportunity to observe rock art from earlier human inhabitants. The area is also teeming with wildlife, including birds, guanacos, foxes, and even pumas. Due to its location, this trail can be easily combined with other short hikes or drives to the park's highlights.
Please note: Due to the presence of pumas, children younger than 10 years of age are not allowed on this trail.
A moderately challenging yet relatively short climb, but the reward is an unparalleled 360° panorama of the whole Paine Massif and its surrounding turquoise lakes. We'll begin near Camping Pehoe, at the edge of Pehoe Lake, and gradually ascend towards the lookout point. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to spot condors soaring overhead. The view from the top is truly breathtaking. As this hike is centrally located within the National Park, it's easy to combine with other nearby treks and lookouts.
Please note: This hike may not be advisable in certain wind conditions, as the lookout is exposed to very strong gusts. Your guide will assess the forecast and determine if it's safe to proceed.
Due to its location, this trail can be easily combined with other short hikes or drives to the park's highlights.
This lookout point offers one of the most scenic and comfortable hikes in the area, with countless photo opportunities. Our journey begins in Pudeto, taking us past the impressive Salto Grande Waterfall. After experiencing the waterfall's power, we'll continue toward the Paine massif, where we'll come face-to-face with its renowned "horns." This breathtaking scenery features turquoise glacial lakes, vibrant calafate bushes, and tranquil guanacos. The hike culminates in stunning views of Paine Grande, Cuernos, and Almirante Nieto overlooking the Nordenskjold Lake & French Valley.
Please note that this is a popular excursion due to its accessibility within the National Park. Due to its location, this trail can be easily combined with other short hikes or drives to the park's highlights.
​Horseback riding is an integral part of gaucho culture and offers one of the most authentic Patagonian experiences. Depending on weather and availability your guide will suggest an estancia (ranch) near Torres del Paine National Park for this activity. The total duration will depend on riders' skill levels and the chosen estancia's location. Please note that current and prior weather conditions may also affect the terrain and feasibility of this activity.
Important: A minimum level of skill and horseback riding experience is required.
Loma Guanaco, as the name suggests, is a prime location for observing large herds of guanacos. These impressive wild South American camelids, standing approximately 2 meters (7 feet) tall and weighing between 90 and 140 kg (200 to 310 lb), are among the largest native land mammals on the continent. Their presence often attracts other local species, including foxes, pumas, and condors. Situated en route to Laguna Azul, Loma Guanaco remains off the beaten path, offering visitors a secluded and tranquil experience. This activity can easily be combined with other short hikes and attractions in the area.
The Paine River, located in the eastern region of Torres del Paine National Park, offers breathtaking views easily accessible from our lodge. Originating from the Dickson Glacier, the river journeys through the park, ultimately flowing into Nordenskjöld Lake. A scenic waterfall, framed by the iconic granite needles, awaits you about halfway along the river's course. The name "Paine," meaning "blue" in the native Aonikenk language, reflects the stunning hues of the glacial waters, pristine skies, and majestic mountains.
Please note you will be combining an excursion to the Paine River with other nearby activities in the Laguna Azul area, such as Sierra Masle or Loma Guanaco, for a truly immersive experience.
The Sierra Contreras mountain range is right in Awasi Patagonia's backyard and offers a fantastic opportunity to stretch your legs after a long drive or simply take in the vast Patagonian landscape. From the summit, you'll enjoy 360º views that provide a perfect overview of the area's highlights, helping you get familiar with the surroundings. You'll be treated to postcard-worthy views of the Paine Mountain Range, Sierra Baguales, Valle de las Chinas, Lake Sarmiento, and other geographical wonders.
The hike can be started right from our Main Lodge, taking you through a lush lenga forest before reaching the open plateau. As a loop, the hike can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your fitness level.
During this hike we'll visit Laguna Azul, the very spot where Lady Florence Dixie—considered the first tourist to Torres del Paine—arrived in 1878. A loop trail will begin at the lake shore and take us through several of the diverse biomes that make up this remarkable national park. It's a perfect introduction to both Torres del Paine and the Paine Complex.
As a suggestion, you might enjoy reading Lady Florence Dixie's book "Across Patagonia" beforehand. It offers a fascinating perspective on how remarkably unchanged the landscape remains today.
This excursion was named in honor of a cherished friend of Awasi. Clark's adventurous spirit and unique perspective inspired us deeply throughout our many years of collaboration.
This trek is perfect for those who love to be active and seek out original experiences. Situated outside the National Park, you'll likely have the area entirely to yourselves, enjoying 360-degree views of the Torres del Paine massif and the eastern steppe. While the ascent is relatively steep, you'll be rewarded with opportunities for bird-watching, and the chance to traverse diverse ecosystems while observing the area's geological and glaciological wonders.
Please note that trekking boots are recommended.
The Base Torres trail is one of the most iconic and popular in the National Park, but also one of the most challenging. Our journey will take us deep into the Ascencio Valley, culminating at the awe-inspiring granite Torres del Paine and a turquoise glacial lake.
During the high season (November to February) this trail can become crowded. To best experience this hike during those months, we recommend an early start. The trail is challenging for all hikers, and the final mile is particularly demanding as we ascend a steep moraine to reach the Torres.
Please note that weather conditions can increase the difficulty level of this hike. We advise checking the forecast with your guide.
This lookout is located on the western edge of the National Park. Its proximity to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Pacific Ocean significantly influences the landscape, resulting in greener surroundings due to more frequent precipitation.
The Ferrier Lookout is a short but steep walk, offering a unique and rewarding view from the top. You'll be able to fully appreciate the majestic geography and the distinctive drainage basin/watershed of Torres del Paine. This includes the Grey Glacier, Grey Lake, and Grey River, as well as Lakes Pehoe, Nordenskjöld, and Toro, each with its own unique shade of blue and turquoise.
Please note that while the drive to this area is long, it's an excursion in itself. You'll pass most of the National Park's highlights and lookouts, providing ample photo opportunities.
Sierra Baguales offers a unique journey through time, where you can experience Patagonia as it was centuries ago. Discover million-year-old fossils of marine life and plants on various hikes tailored to your interests and energy level. We begin on the Patagonian steppe, and after hiking, we'll reach the fossil areas, which also offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. From there, we'll leave the steppe behind and enter the Andean desert, where you'll encounter even more fossils and extraordinary rock formations that create an otherworldly atmosphere.
For a deeper understanding of the area's history, we highly recommend reading "Patagonia Wild and Free" (1875) by William H. Greenwood, a European settler who vividly documented his life in Patagonia in the late 1800s.
The middle part of the renowned "W Circuit" this area promises a thrilling adventure. We'll depart from our lodge and drive into the heart of the National Park, then take a ferry across Lake Pehoe to reach the trailhead. Our hike will begin at the foot of Paine Grande, the highest mountain in Torres del Paine. We'll then navigate around the Skottberg lagoon, traversing a mountainous landscape until we arrive at the Italian Camp. Beyond this point, the trail becomes more challenging as we ascend to a plateau framed by the impressive peaks of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. From this vantage point, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of forests and glaciers in a truly unique environment.
Please note that access to this activity depends on a ferry service that is not operated by Awasi and is subject to weather conditions and availability. Given the ever-changing conditions in the area, flexibility is essential.
A close-up glacier viewing experience within Torres del Paine National Park. This excursion begins with a scenic drive from our lodge to the park's heart, followed by a ferry ride across the picturesque Lake Pehoe to the trailhead.
From GuarderÃa Paine Grande, we'll embark on a westward hike towards the Southern Patagonian Icefield and the renowned Grey Glacier. While this trail is popular as part of the "W Circuit," it nonetheless offers a captivating and rewarding experience.
Please note that access to this activity depends on a ferry service that is not operated by Awasi and is subject to weather conditions and availability. Given the ever-changing conditions in the area, flexibility is essential.
This rewarding hike offers a fantastic introduction to the diverse Patagonian ecosystems. You'll journey through steppe, lenga forest, and along lakeshores, experiencing the vastness of the Patagonian landscape in a truly "off-the-beaten-path" setting. While the distance can be challenging, the terrain is mostly flat until the final lookout over Lake Toro. The ever-changing scenery will captivate you and leave you eager to explore more of this remarkable region.
Please note this hike begins from a private estancia on the edge of the park and leads toward its center. The return to the hotel through the park can be combined with other short hikes, such as Cóndor, Cuernos, or Sarmiento Chico.
Vega Castillo boasts a unique ecosystem, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching, with 85% of the bird species found around Torres del Paine present in this area.
Located on the south side of Lake Toro, you'll find a small Estancia that blends traditional gaucho sheep farming with exceptional birdwatching opportunities. Nestled between Cerro Tenerife and Cerro Castillo, this site offers a peaceful retreat, with the Vega Castillo Wetlands largely untouched by most park visitors.
This low-impact excursion is perfect for nature enthusiasts and can be explored by foot or horseback, subject to availability.