A short guide about Youth (18-35) travel to Torres del Paine National Park
“The Paine massif is unrivalled...In its colours and form it is without doubt one of the most fantastic and spectacular sights that human imagination can conceive." - Salesian missionary Padre Agostini.
From the wind-bent grasses of the plains to the sheer, frozen cliffs of the Andes, the 935 square miles of Torres del Paine National Park rank among South America's most stunning and diverse. Not only does Torres del Paine boast several distinct ecosystems; each ecosystem contains a wealth of landscapes, flora, and fauna found nowhere else in world. More than 40 mammals make their home in the park, including the Guanaco, Puma, and Patagonian Gray Fox. Some of the world's rarest bird species such as the: Andean Condor, Crested Cara Cara and Black Vulture among them, are found in Torres as well.
The Torres del Paine National Park is a Biosphere Reserve created in 1978, so the park, including its paths is protected by CONAF. Its many geographic attractions are said to be equivalent to Alaska but in the southern hemisphere, with glaciers, lakes, and awesome hiking trails that include two beautiful mountain peaks; the Paine Mountain and the Cuernos del Paine. Here you will find incredible vegetation such as the Lengas and Coigue Forests, Calafate, Estepa and the Mata Barrosa. Trekking tours through the park provide superb views of the lakes; Sarmiento, Nordenskjold, and Pehoe. A short trek from the natural monument of the imposing Cave of Milodon leads to a big waterfall called Salto Grande, which is part of the hydrographical net of the park. Continue on to Lake Grey, where after a 30 minute walk through the Millennium Forest you arrive at its beach to admire a great number of icebergs over the lake.
Tourabout has a number of travel packages to South America that include adventure tours through the Torres del Paine National Park and make full use of its resources. The park is a perfect opportunity for those who like to kayak and raft; meanwhile, the mountains are the favourite spot to practice climbing and high mountain tours.