As you may already know, Leona Amarga is located just at the border of the national park, Torres del Paine. If you have come all the way down to the end of the world to do your puma-watching experience, we recommend you stay some extra days before or after your puma tour, to get to know the national park. Here are some tips on where to go, what to expect to see, and where to stay if you decide to stay overnight inside or outside the national park.
Glaciers, icebergs, and subpolar forests
Torres del Paine National Park has a variety of microclimates, for example, the West side with its Magellanic Deciduous Forest. This area is home to the beautiful Magellanic Woodpecker and the endangered South Andean Deer, the Huemul. This area borders the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and there is a boat trip that takes you closer to the impressive Grey Glacier. You can also do easy hikes here, like the Grey Beach hike to see the icebergs and the Grey Glacier viewpoint, or you can do the more uphill hike to the Ferrier hill that gives you a stunning view of the Pingo, Zapata, and Grey Glacier from a distance.
Patagonian steppe and the famous Base of the Towers hike
On the opposite side, the driest zone makes up the Patagonian steppe, an area dominated by pre-Andean scrub, tall grasses, and low trees. Guanacos, rheas, skunks, and armadillos live here. The landscape is similar to the Leona Amarga area, located in the East as well. Here, you find one of the park’s biggest waterfalls, Cascada Paine. If you are up for a challenge, you can do the Base of the Tower’s day hike. It takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, out and back.
Between the West and East sides of the park, there are views of the Paine Massif mountain range and many of its turquoise rivers and lakes, perfect for landscape photography. We recommend visiting the Salto Grande waterfall, and if you have time, walk from there to the Los Cuernos viewpoint, which takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
Accommodation inside the national park
There are several options inside the national park depending on your budget. On the West side, there is the Grey Hotel, located with a beautiful view of Glacier Grey. Then in the middle of the park, you have several options from the luxury hotel Explora, and the more budget-friendly and simple Hostería Pehoe, to the cheapest option inside the park; Camping Pehoe. On the East side, you can choose between the big Las Torres hotel, Eco Camp (domes), or the cheaper options like Refugio Torres Central or Refugio Las Torres.
Accommodation outside the national park
On the West side, you find the All-Inclusive luxury glamping, Patagonia Camp. A little closer to the park, the Serrano Village is located where there are several options like Pampa Lodge, Konkashken Lodge, Kau Serrano Lodge, and Serrano hotel among others. On the East side, there are the luxury hotels Awasi Patagonia, and Tierra Patagonia. 40 minutes drive from the national park, in the village of Cerro Castillo, we recommend the hotel Estancia El Ovejero.
Book your entrance and accommodation with anticipation
Today, you need to book and pay your entrance ticket before arrival. You can do it HERE, choose Torres del Paine National Park and fill out the form. Take a screen shot of the QR code, and show if at the entrance of the park. There is no internet or cellphone connection, so it is important that you do it before arrival to the park.
Do you need a certified guide inside the national park, let us know and we can help put you in contact with some guides we can recommend. Remember, if you are coming in high season between November and March, you have to book in advance.
Photo credit: John Estrada