Sunrise light on the Cuernos del Paine above Lago Pehoé

Chile · Patagonian Andes

Chile

Granite towers, turquoise lakes and wind-scoured steppe define Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Southern-hemisphere summer, from November to March, is the main season.

Best months: Nov–Mar
Signature peak: Paine Grande, 2,884 m
Fly into: Punta Arenas (PUQ)
Destinations: 12

Explore Chile Best time to visit

Destinations in Chile

Where to go in Chile

12 of 12 destinations · Main season Nov–Mar

Granite towers above a green glacial lake in Torres del Paine

Best Nov–Mar

Torres del Paine, Patagonia

Base of the Towers

A long day hike to a glacial lake below the three granite towers.

2,850 m · Nov–Mar · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours

Best Nov–Mar

Torres del Paine, Patagonia

Cuernos & Lago Pehoé

Banded granite horns above the turquoise water of Lago Pehoé.

2,884 m · Nov–Mar · Easy

Good for: Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Villarrica volcano and its lake seen from a ridge trail near Pucón

Best Dec–Mar

Araucanía

Villarrica and Pucón

A snow-capped, active volcano above a lakeside adventure town in the Chilean Lake District.

2,847 m · Dec–Mar · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Llaima volcano above Lake Conguillío, framed by a monkey-puzzle tree

Best Dec–Mar

Araucanía

Conguillío National Park

Ancient araucaria forests, black lava fields and a blue lake at the foot of the Llaima volcano.

3,125 m · Dec–Mar · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

The snow-covered cone of Osorno Volcano under a blue sky

Best Dec–Mar

Los Lagos

Osorno Volcano and Puerto Varas

A cone-shaped volcano above a large lake, with German-influenced towns, waterfalls and forest.

2,652 m · Dec–Mar · Easy

Good for: Scenic views · Lakes · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours

Snow-covered Andean peaks above San José de Maipo in the Cajón del Maipo

Best Oct–Apr

Santiago Metropolitan Region

Cajón del Maipo

A deep Andean valley within day-trip distance of Santiago, with hot springs, rafting and glaciers on high peaks.

2,500 m · Oct–Apr · Easy

Good for: Scenic views · Trekking · Snow & ski

Stays Flights Tours

The village of Cerro Castillo below its jagged peak in evening light

Best Nov–Mar

Aysén, Patagonia

Cerro Castillo

A jagged, castle-like mountain in northern Patagonia, with a famous multi-day trek and a village on the Carretera Austral.

2,675 m · Nov–Mar · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Swirling marble cave walls above turquoise water on General Carrera Lake

Best Nov–Mar

General Carrera Lake, Aysén

Marble Caves

Smooth, swirling marble caves and chapels on the shores of a turquoise glacial lake.

200 m · Nov–Mar · Easy

Good for: Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

A green fjord valley with forested mountains in Pumalín Park

Best Nov–Apr

Los Lagos, Patagonia

Pumalín Park

A huge park of temperate rainforest, waterfalls, fjords and volcanoes, crossed by the Carretera Austral.

2,404 m · Nov–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours

Parinacota volcano rising above the altiplano in Lauca National Park

Best Apr–Nov

Arica and Parinacota

Lauca National Park

A high-altitude park of twin volcanoes, a mirror-calm lake and herds of vicuñas near the Bolivian border.

4,517 m · Apr–Nov · Moderate

Good for: Lakes · Scenic views · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours

Laguna Miscanti and volcanic peaks on the Atacama altiplano

Best Mar–Nov

Antofagasta, Atacama

Altiplanic Lagoons and Miscanti

Deep blue lagoons beneath volcanoes in the high Atacama, a day trip from San Pedro de Atacama.

4,140 m · Mar–Nov · Easy

Good for: Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Laguna Verde among monkey-puzzle trees in Huerquehue National Park

Best Nov–Apr

Araucanía

Huerquehue National Park

A park of small lakes, waterfalls and monkey-puzzle forest, with a well-known day hike from near Pucón.

1,200 m · Nov–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

About Chile

Chile at a glance

Torres del Paine National Park, in the Magallanes region of southern Chile, is one of South America's great hiking destinations. Granite spires, hanging glaciers and bright lakes sit within a few days' walk of each other.

The W trek, usually walked in four to five days, links the Grey Glacier, the French Valley and the Base of the Towers, with refugios and campsites along the way. The longer O circuit continues around the whole massif.

The main season is November to March. Wind and fast-changing weather are part of the experience in every month. Campsites and refugios usually have to be booked well ahead in summer, so plan early and check current park rules.

Getting there

Fly to Punta Arenas (PUQ), or to Puerto Natales (PNT) when flights operate, usually via Santiago. Buses connect Puerto Natales with the park in roughly two hours.

Getting around

Within the park, shuttle buses link the main entrances, and a catamaran crosses Lago Pehoé. Most visitors base themselves in Puerto Natales or inside the park.

Entry and safety

Many nationalities can visit Chile as tourists without a visa, but rules vary. Check the official government information before you travel.

Prepare for strong wind and cold at any time of year. Staying on registered trails and campsites is mandatory in the park, and open fires are strictly prohibited.

Official sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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