Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine National Park encompasses 2,400 square kilometers of Patagonian wilderness in southern Chile. The park's iconic granite towers, massive glaciers, and turquoise lakes create some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on Earth. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve represents one of the last pristine wilderness areas in the Southern Hemisphere. The park supports guanacos, pumas, Andean condors, huemul deer, and over 100 bird species. The puma population is particularly healthy, with some of the highest densities in South America. Diverse ecosystems include Patagonian steppe, Magellanic subpolar forests, and Andean desert, each supporting unique communities of plants and animals. Conservation focuses on balancing increasing tourism with ecosystem protection. The park implements strict visitor limits on popular trails, promotes Leave No Trace principles, and works with local estancias (ranches) on wildlife corridor conservation. Recent rewilding efforts and private conservation initiatives in adjacent lands have expanded protected habitat significantly.

Water Features

Glacial lakes, rivers, glaciers

Ecosystem

This destination features a grassland & savanna ecosystem.