At leisure to relax and explore the spectacular scenery of Torres Del Paine National Park.
Activities vary by lodge, but most offer optional daily excursions to view the chain of beautiful glacier lakes that flow into Lake Pehoé (pay locally). These include:
Lake Amarga ('Bitter Lake') which has one of the best views of the three granite Torres Del Paine ('Towers of Blue') from which the park takes its name. Flamingos can sometimes be seen here.
Lake Azul with its azure blue waters and wonderful views.
Lake Nordenskjold lookout, with its view over the different peaks of the Paine Massif, including the famous 'horns' (Cuernos del Paine) and Paine Grande, the highest mountain at over 10,000 ft (3,050 m).
Salto Grande Waterfall where you can walk 15-minutes to get really close to this powder blue cascade.
Lake Grey where you can walk across a hanging bridge over the Pingo River to the shores of the lake. From here walk 30-minutes each way to get up close to the spectacular blue icebergs that fall from the Grey Glacier, which can be seen in the distance.
The optional Lake Grey Glacier boat ride is also not to be missed. This navigation will take you right up to the face of this mighty glacier.
Walkers and hikers will also be spoilt for choice, with optional activities ranging from easy to extremely tough:
The Fauna Trail in the eastern section of the park is an easy 1.5-hour walk (3-hours if done both ways) to a cave with some old paintings. Guanaco are plentiful on these open plains and this is therefore the habitat of their main predator - the elusive puma (also called mountain lion, or cougar) - but as they are nocturnal and have excellent camouflage they are rarely seen.
The Condor Lookout (2-hours) is a steeper but still relatively easy hike up to the nesting grounds of these huge vultures.
The Base of the Towers is an iconic hike to the base of the Torres Del Paine, but it is an extremely tough (and steep) all day hike that takes 8 to 9 hours.
The W Trek is a 4-day hike that combines the Base of the Towers with a W-shaped route around the front of the Paine Massif and into two valleys, but the first part of it can be done as a day hike. The hike is long, but not difficult.
Ice Hike on Grey Glacier (6-hours) is a challenging but thrilling hike on ice, using crampons that are provided.
If you would like to horse ride through this spectacular scenery, be sure to request an estancia (ranch) situated near the entrance to the park.
Note: Lodge charges vary depending upon the programme you have booked (see lodge notes). If you have booked an all-inclusive package most of these activities are usually included, but supplements may be payable for the Grey Glacier navigation and the Ice Hike.