Overview
Explore Torres del Paine’s lesser-known side during winter! Discover ancient caves, primitive paintings, and hill-top views of the fjords and Última Esperanza. Step inside the Milodon Cave and it’s surrounding formations. Trek through dreamy landscapes and quiet trails alongside lakes and mountains and ride horseback through the wetlands and pampas of a local estancia. Each day offers unique opportunities to spot chilean flamingos, guanacos, and if you’re lucky enough – pumas! Escape from summer’s crowds on this Torres del Paine winter experience. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, families, and true nature lovers – this 5-day program takes you to Grey Lake, Pingo Valley, Laguna Azul, plus prime spots for wildlife and bird watching. A quiet and pristine time to visit the 8th wonder of the world, winter offers an extraordinary experience without the busy crowds during peak season months.
Trip Highlights
• Hike through history – discover primitive cave paintings
• Visit the Milodon Cave among others
• Wander in crisp, snowy landscapes
• Observe Andean Condors and various birdlife
• Chance to spot Andean deer (huemul) and other native fauna
• Hike to Grey Lake and Pingo Valley
• See icebergs up close
• Ride Horseback through postcard pampas and natural wetlands
• Stay in a Charming Cabin in Rio Serrano
Please Remember: This program requires a certain physical ability in order to complete successfully. Keep in mind that each member of a guided group will have a different rhythm and pace but group members must follow the pace indicated by the guide according to the distance and daylight hours available. Each day’s activity will have a minimum number of kilometers or miles which must be covered. Activity times are estimated and could be more or less given trail and weather conditions and the groups’ overall rhythm. We encourage our guests to remember that traveling in a guided group allows for a unique experience – bonding with fellow travelers and interacting with the guide and the destination in which they are visiting.
DOWNLOAD YOUR MAPS:
• TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
• MAGALLANES AND ANTÁRTICA CHILENA REGION (ENGLISH)
• REGIÓN DE MAGALLANES Y ANTÁRTICA CHILENA (ESPAÑOL)
DOWNLOAD YOUR PACK LIST:
WINTER DISCOVERING TORRES DEL PAINE PACK LIST
Itinerary
Day 1
Hike Rupestre Patagonia
- 30 Minute Transfer
- 4 Hour Guided Hike, 11 km / 6.8 mi
- 1.5 Hour Transfer
- Night at Konkashken Cabin (BL-D)
Our first day begins with a short transfer from your hotel or accommodation in Puerto Natales – making for a laid back morning.
We’ll start by traveling 30 minutes along the beautiful coast of Natales before arriving to the Milodon Cave Sector where we’ll begin today’s adventure. Our guide will take us to visit a viewpoint over the “Cueva Grande” (Large Cave), ascending 600 meters (1,968 ft.) where we’ll be introduced to the fauna and flora of Patagonia.
With sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes, this is a great spot for some first photos and for watching condors soar above us. We’ll pass by natural condor colonies and through native lenga forests, later arriving to the ‘Sofia Lagoon viewpoint’.
After resting a moment and enjoying the spectacular views of the far reaching fjords below, we’ll continue alongside mountainous walls to see our first cave paintings of the day. Our guide will tell us about their significant value and history.
Moving along, we’ll enter another cave equipped with headlamps to discover the millenary stalactite minerals which have taken millions of years to form above.
After carefully inspecting these incredible formations, we leave the cave and head towards the eaves of “Two Horseshoes” where we live an experience in the forest and discover yet more cave paintings on the rocky walls.
As we make our way back, we will visit the Milodon Cave Natural Monument, a 200 meter (656 dt.) long cave where the remains of a mylodon (a large ground sloth) and other early Patagonian animals were discovered.
After our time exploring this magnificent natural formation, we will enjoy a delicious, locally prepared lunch with fresh ingredients. Once we are finished, we’ll take our transfer to the Serrano Village in Torres del Paine National Park where we’ll settle in to our relaxing and cozy accommodation, Konkashken Lodge which offers a unique cabin experience alongside the Serrano River.
Day 2
Hike to Grey Lake & Pingo Valley
- 30 Minute Transfer
- 2 Hour Round-Trip Hike to Grey Lake
- 3 Hour Round-Trip Hike of Pingo Valley
- 30 Minute Transfer
- Night at Konkashken Cabin (B-BL-D)
After a freshly prepared breakfast, we begin with our second day’s adventure. Our destination today is Grey Lake whose enormous glacier of the same name forms part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a geological phenomenon that still guards many unexplored sections.
The trail is short and flat, winding through beech forests where we may see Chilean flickers, torrent ducks and cachañas (Austral parakeets).
We’ll cross a pebble beach and reach our viewpoint overlooking the lake and its blue floating icebergs and surrounding forests. Here, we’ll have lunch before setting off on our afternoon hike to Pingo Valley.
This trail takes us to “Cascada los Salmones”, a waterfall where salmon are sometimes seen. Be alert as we return – you may see a huemul (Andean deer) hiding nearby.
A transfer will take us back to our accommodation for the evening where we will have a delicious dinner and warm night’s rest.
Day 3
Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout & Condor Lookout
- 1 Hour Transfer
- 2 Hour Round-Trip Hike of Los Cuernos Lookout
- 2 Hour Round-Trip Hike of Condor Lookout
- 30 Minute Transfer (B-BL)
- Night at Konkashken Cabin (B-BL-D)
A morning transfer will take us to Salto Grande Waterfall where we’ll begin our hike. Our first destination is the Paine Grande and Lake Nordensjköld lookout point.
Here, we’ll have lunch before setting off for Mirador Condor (Condor Lookout) along a path offering changing panoramic views of the Park and views of Pehoe Lake and twin granite peaks Los Cuernos from the summit.
Have your cameras ready at the condor viewpoint: this is a prime spot for observing condors and black-chested buzzard eagles as they glide and soar above.
We’ll return along the same path to our our transfer which will take us to our cozy accommodations for the evening.
Day 4
Hike Sarmiento – Laguna Amarga & Hike of Laguna Azul
- 30 Minute Transfer
- 2 Hour Hike to Laguna Amarga
- 20 Minute Transfer
- 1 Hour Hike at Laguna Azul
- 1 Hour Transfer
- Night at Ovejero Patagónico (B-BL-D)
Our morning begins with a nourishing breakfast with calming views of the quiet Patagonia morning. Later, we’ll take a 30 minute transfer where we’ll begin our hike from the Sarmiento Lake ranger station in route to the Laguna Amarga area.
Hiking along a beautiful wildlife observation trail which connects two of the four park entrances, we’ll be able to photograph some spectacular landscapes and observe guanacos and a wide variety of endemic waterbird species who frequent this area for nesting and feeding.
The coscoroba swan, upland goose, caiquenes, and black-neck swans are just a few of the species we can see along our way.
After about an hour of hiking, we will reach a rock eave formation where a series of cave paintings dating back to 6,000 years ago can be observed.
We will learn about this section’s history and some of the first inhabitants of Patagonia who frequented this area to hunt. This trail crosses through a very special landscape of the park which has several small lagoons and wonderful frontal views of the Paine Massif.
This sector is also a place where Pumas tend to frequent due to it’s prime conditions for hunting guanacos! Arriving to the Laguna Amarga entrance, our transfer awaits where it will transfer us just a short distance to Laguna Azul. This area is holds an enchanting lake bordering the park; home to ducks, swans, coots, woodpeckers and blessed with an incredible view of the Three Towers.
After our day hikes are finished, our transfer takes us to our warm and welcoming accommodation for the evening in the nearby town of Cerro Castillo where we stay for the evening at the charming Ovejero Patagónico. Dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant before we enjoy a good nights rest.
Day 5
Horseback Ride & Birdwatching Hike at Estancia Vega Castillo
- 30 Minute Transfer
- 3 Hour Horseback Ride
- 1 Hour Birdwatching Hike
- 2 Hour Transfer
We’ll arrive at Vega Castillo Wetland, a hidden spot in Torres del Paine, teeming with birdlife. This area offers more than 1,000 acres (450 hectares) of wetlands, pampa, and wildlife habitat. We will meet our horses and the local gaucho who will accompany us along our first ride to Vega Castillo Wetland. Once we’ve prepared ourselves and the horses, we set off along a peaceful 3 hour round trip ride, walking and trotting as we follow the Tres Pasos River into the beautiful wetlands and postcard views of the Paine Massif and valley that stretches out around us.
We will enjoy a relaxing walk along the wetlands through this beautiful landscape where we will enjoy birdwatching and have the unique opportunity to observe bird species who inhabit this area.
After our ride, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before we say our goodbyes and board our transfer back to Puerto Natales where our journey ends.
INCLUDED
- All private transportation indicated in the schedule
- Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Horses, Saddles, and Riding Helmets
- Local Gaucho for Horseback Ride
- All meals indicated in the schedule (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: menu dinner)
- 3 Nights Lodging in Konkashken Cabin in the Serrano Area (two-room cabin with shared bathroom)
- 1 Night Lodging in Ovejero Patagónico (double standard rooms with private bathrooms)
- Guide/driver (English-Spanish)
NOT INCLUDED
- Any additional nights
- Medical expenses
- Insurance of any kind
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for Guide/ Driver
Lodgings
Konkashken Cabin
A cozy location located tucked alongside the Serrano River. These simple cabins offer a quiet place to rest and enjoy magnificent views of the Paine Massif. Cabins have bunk beds with fresh linens and a warm wood burning stove inside. Meals are served in the lodge which is spacious and welcoming. Bathrooms are shared and offer hot water.
Hotel Estancia El Ovejero Patagónico
Hotel Estancia El Ovejero Patagónico is settled in the countryside in the heart of Cerro Castillo where this family owned hotel has worked for decades. Just a few kilometers outside the park, this is a serene location which offers a spacious lounge, open dining area, and rooms that invite you to stay a little longer. Each room has beautiful natural light and a private bathroom. Guests enjoy the unique country charm of this special hotel.
Dates & Prices
Chile Nativo operates with a maximum of 8 guests per departure which allows for a high level of individualized service and an unforgettable personalized experience.
PRICES FOR SEASON 2022/2023: (valid until August 2023)
1 Guest Total in Group: USD$ 5.195
2 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 3.595 per person
3 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 3.095 per person
4 – 8 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 2.695 per person
Departures available upon request with a minimum of 4 guests (we could operate with a smaller group with an extra supplement) (May – August)
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Reviews
Enjoyed the whole thing – super beautiful area – hope to return one day. I felt as though our guide Rodrigo really made the experience amazing, he knew so much about everything and was really mindful and helpful.
Mila Markovic, Australia
Outstanding experience to discover new horizons. Everything was perfect: the organisation, our guide Pelin and the Lago Grey hotel. We appreciated the diversity of the hikes and the professionalism and enthusiastic mood of Pelin at every single moment. The group was a good mix of people and the location of the hotel was awesome. We had a great time and we definitely recommend it!
Joanna Cheres, UK
This was one of the most memorable, challenging, and amazing experiences of my life. Rodrigo, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. This was the most amazing experience ever.I am thankful we found Chile Nativo to tour with.