Excursions from Awasi Patagonia

Discover the fossilised remains of a forest, where you can observe and appreciate leaves and trunks that have been petrified for more than 25 million years.

This is an invitation to become a paleontologist for the day and identify plants through their leaves. All this in the middle of the mountainous landscape of the Sierra Baguales in the ‘Geological and Paleontological Park La Cumbre - Baguales’.

Half-day | Travel time: 1hr 15mins | Length of hike: 2.5hrs | Difficulty: Moderate

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Leaving directly from the door of the Awasi, this is our most difficult hike.  We will climb the Sierra Contreras up to the summit, passing through lengas, yaretas and talus.

At the top, a 360° view awaits us, which includes the Sierra Baguales and the North, Central and South towers, standing among distinct valleys and lakes. We continue along the plane of the summit, observing extraordinary landscapes and formations until the moment of descent.

Full-day | Length of hike: 7hrs | Difficulty: High

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Discover how the gauchos of Patagonia live in these remote and lonely places of the planet. You will ride across the ranch, accompanied by one of these gauchos, until arriving at the trading post named ‘El Mercado’, a place of housing and work for these people who carry out their work in these solitary areas.

Marvel at the serenity, isolation and beauty that a place like this, on the banks of the Las Chinas River, can offer you.

Full-day | Travel time: 15mins | Length of ride: 6hrs | Difficulty: High

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Travel through the northeast sector of the ranch that houses our private reserve and let yourself be surprised by the beauty of the landscapes that surround this place.

If the weather allows, apart from admiring the Salto Las Chinas waterfall, you can also enjoy privileged views, such as Azul Lagoon with the Torres del Paine in background or Lake Sarmiento with the extensive grasslands of the Pampas that surround it, scenery you will surely never forget.

Full-day | Travel time: 15mins | Length of ride: 5hrs | Difficulty: Moderate

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What we consider 'the first tourist of Torres del Paine' (Lady Florence Dixie, in 1878) arrived at Azul Lagoon, 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 massif.

Note: consider reading Florence Dixie's book, 'Across Patagonia' to appreciate how unchanged the landscape remains.

Half-day | Travel time: 1hr | Length of hike: 3.5hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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An excellent location in which to appreciate a variety of local birds, such as caiquen, jugarjue duck and tagua. Azul Lagoon is a paradise for birdwatchers. In addition, the presence of guanacos and ñandúes is very common along the way.

You will be enchanted by the imposing Torres del Paine behind the backdrop of the Azul Lagoon and the perfect mix of Patagonian steppe and forest.

Half-day | Travel time: 1hr | Length of hike: 2hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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This mountain range is right in Awasi Patagonia's 'backyard'. Sierra Contreras is 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'll 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 our refuge until you reach the open plateau.

Note: It's well marked and can be done with or without the guide. It's a loop that can go from 45mins to 2hrs, depending on your fitness level.

Half-day | Length of hike: 45mins-2hrs | Difficulty: Moderate

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In Patagonia horses are a big part of gaucho culture, so hiking and horse 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 horse riding experience is necessary.

Half-day | Travel time: 15mins | Length of ride: 1-4hrs | Difficulty: Moderate

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Cleopatra’s Needles was the name that Lady Florence Dixie, the first tourist to visit the area, bestowed upon the Torres del Paine. When you take this tour, you can follow the same route that the explorer took in 1878, to contemplate and feel some of the experiences of such a daring journey.

Half-day | Travel time: 15mins | Length of hike: 3hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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As the name says, it's the place where large herds of guanacos usually roam. These wild South American camelids stand at around 2m (7ft) tall and weigh between 90 and 140kg (200 to 310lbs) making them one of the largest native terrestrial mammals on the continent. Their presence also provides a good chance to encounter other local species like foxes, pumas and condors.

Loma Guanaco is on the way to Azul Lagoon, 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.

Half-day | Travel time: 45mins | Length of hike: 3hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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The Paine River is located on the Eastern region of the Torres del Paine National Park, very close to our lodge and to the Lake Amarga, 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 Lake Nordenskjöld, in the heart of the park. About halfway through is 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 Azul Lagoon area, such as Sierra Masle or Loma Guanaco.

Half-day | Travel time: 45mins | Length of hike: 3hrs | Length of ride: 2hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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Get the feeling of what the iconic ‘baqueanos’ experienced, riding on the endless yellow Patagonian steppe. Looking onto the Paine massif towards the east, and to the 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’ (traditional gaucho BBQ) 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. Depending on the amount of precipitation and melting snow, sometimes we cannot get to the estancia.

Half-day | Travel time: 45mins | Length of hike: 1-4hrs | Difficulty: Moderate

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This is 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 massif 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 hike this trail.

Half-day | Travel time: 45mins | Length of hike: 4hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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Evoke the indomitable lands of Patagonia, walking through the same steppe that the nomadic Tehuelches travelled years ago. An indigenous people that left expressive rock art in a cave to which we will arrive after a quiet walk, accompanied by guanacos and ñandúes.

Half-day | Travel time: 55mins | Length of hike: 2.5hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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This challenging path is the most visited in the park and for a very good reason: the prize of being so close under the wonderful towers. They will make you feel like you are in one of the famous postcards of the area, right at the base of the towers, before a glacial lagoon, experiencing the 12 million years of history that sculpted them from the granite from which they are composed.

To reach this much-venerated location you will have to overcome many obstacles: an ascent of 800 meters, strong winds, changeable weather and a variety of ecosystems.

Full-day | Travel time: 1hr 10mins | Length of hike: 7.5hrs | Difficulty: High

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This is considered one of the best trails in the Park. It ascends past steep rock formations and, with some luck; you can witness the avalanches of the Glacier Francés. A little higher, we find impressive summits and immense granite walls, giving a 360-degree view of the heart of the Paine massif.

This excursion has a long duration, because we have to cross the Lago Pehoé Lake in a catamaran, offering us a beautiful view of the Massif.

Full-day | Travel time: 1hr 20mins | Length of hike: 7hrs | Difficulty: High

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Nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, the lookout promises stunning vistas... 

Starting from Pudeto, the trail leads past the awe-inspiring Salto Grande Waterfall, immersing you in a landscape adorned with turquoise glacial lakes, vibrant calafate bushes, and serene guanacos. As you journey towards the iconic "horns," including Paine Grande and Almirante Nieto, be prepared for photo opportunities overlooking the Nordenskjold Lake.

Half-day | Travel time: 1.5hrs | Length of hike: 5hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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With a central location just east of Lago Pehoé, this short but steep excursion will reward you with a spectacular 360-degree view of the park. To the northwest is the always-impressive Campo de Hielo Sur ice field; to the north, the dominant Paine massif, with its Cuernos being the main protagonists, at the foot of Nordenskjöld Lake; to the east, the Sierra Baguales; to the south, the Sierra del Toro.

The strong winds on this trail are as notable as the landscapes and condors in high flight.

Half-day | Travel time: 1.5hrs | Length of hike: 2hrs | Difficulty: High

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In one of the park’s oldest forests, you will be able to appreciate the predominant flora of this area, growing alongside the eponymous river, the Pingo. Surrounded by ancient rock formations, sculpted by powerful glaciers, you will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

With more than 1,000mm of rainfall per year, it is one of the rainiest areas in the park. This, along with the aforementioned flora and river, makes it the ideal habitat for the huemul, an emblematic animal in our country.

Full-day | Travel time: 2hrs | Length of hike: 2.5hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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Searching for a prize worthy of your efforts? This is the perfect option to be amazed by the number of the Park’s wonders. Thanks to the panoramic views from this site, you can appreciate the endless lakes, mighty rivers and much of the imposing Macizo Paine.

The steep path and the winds that sometimes buffet the summit make this hike quite difficult but the views are worth the effort.

Full-day | Travel time: 2hrs | Length of hike: 3.5hrs | Difficulty: High

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