Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park

Introduction

Only the indigenous people who have lived here for generations can find such a simple yet precise word to describe everything in this landscape. Due to the extensive glaciers in the past, Torres del Paine has countless lakes, rivers, and lagoons of all sizes. Perhaps due to the presence of a type of algae in the water, the lakes here exhibit an extraordinary shade of blue, especially the most beautiful Lago Pehoe. This blue seems otherworldly—nothing else on Earth quite matches its hue, as if God had created a unique shade of blue just for this alpine lake.

The two snow-capped mountains surrounding Lago Pehoe, Cuernos del Paine and Torres del Paine, are more than just ordinary peaks to the locals. Legend has it that a giant venomous serpent once lived here, causing a great flood in an attempt to wipe out the tribes inhabiting Torres del Paine. When the waters receded, the serpent stole the corpses of the two strongest warriors from the tribe and turned them into stone. Locals believe that the two adjacent peaks of Cuernos del Paine are those two warriors. They not only guard the magical blue lake nestled in their embrace but also protect the people living in Torres del Paine.

Torres del Paine National Park is home to glaciers, lakes, rivers, forests, and waterfalls—nature’s bounty is all here. But because the area is remote and the weather is unpredictable, few people get the chance to enjoy it. And precisely for that reason, the park’s hundreds of wildlife species live freely and joyfully. If you go hiking in the mountains, you’re likely to encounter the region’s unique guanacos—they’re unafraid of humans. Even when you’re close enough to feel their breath, they won’t move away. The weather in Torres del Paine deters many, but the blue lakes high in the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. Only after enduring the trials of cold and wind does this most magical place on Earth—and the most stunning scenery imaginable—reveal itself to you.

Santiago, Chile