Chile
Torres del Paine
Welcome to Chile's Patagonia! Torres del Paine is a national park famous for its three giant granite towers, icy blue glaciers, and turquoise lakes, all surrounded by windswept mountains at the tip of South America.
Why is it special?
Its three tall granite towers, called the 'torres,' shoot straight up into the sky and can be seen from miles away.
It protects one of the wildest and most beautiful landscapes in Patagonia, with glaciers, forests, and lakes all in one place.
How does it live?
The towers were carved by huge glaciers over millions of years, which slowly shaped the solid granite into sharp, pointy peaks.
Powerful winds and shifting weather sweep across the park constantly, which is part of why the landscape looks so dramatic.
Amazing facts
The three towers stand about 8,200 feet tall, made of solid granite rock.
The park is home to guanacos, wild cousins of the llama, along with condors and even pumas.
Quick facts
- The three towers stand about 8,200 feet tall, made of solid granite rock.
- The park is home to guanacos, wild cousins of the llama, along with condors and even pumas.
- Grey Glacier in the park is so massive that chunks of ice regularly break off and float in Grey Lake.
- Lake water here can look bright turquoise blue because of tiny rock particles called 'glacial flour' mixed into the water.