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Oct 08, 2021
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The stunning mountain scenery of Torres del Paine National Park is unparalleled in the world and is considered one of the most impressive wonders of the Nature. The gem of Chile's national parks is so magnificent that few parks in the world can match its splendor. The famous peaks of Patagonia can be seen on advertising brochures and book covers all over the world.
But this park is not only mountains. The park is recognized all over the world as one of the most beautiful, unique places on our planet, a [;ace that has preserved its flora and fauna untouched by human activity.
The territory of the park is 2,422 hectares and this territory contains almost all the landscapes of Patagonia - the Patagonian steppe, Magallanes subpolar forests, the Andean desert.
Although the park is located next to the Andes, Torres del Paine is a separate geological formation. Millions of years ago, a huge stream of molten magma burst from the bowels of the earth and formed a high mountain range in the middle of the Patagonian steppes.
Glaciers and harsh climatic conditions have weathered the soft rocks and over the past several thousand years have formed a beautiful relief, the characteristic features of which are Los Cuernos (translated from Spanish for 'horn') and the unique of its kind Las Torres - three pinkish granite towers, from which the national park got its name. Payne in the language of the Tehuelche Indians means 'blue'. This color is reflected in various shades in the lakes, rivers and glaciers that abound in this mountain range.
One of the main attractions of the park is a wide variety of fauna: 118 species of birds (15 species of carnivores) and 26 mammals (including guanacos, puma, Andean deer, South American fox). Some of these species are very common (guanacos), others are endangered (Andean deer).
One of the main attractions of the park are the most famous peaks 'Los Cuernos' (horns) and 'Las Torres' (towers), each of which has three peaks. Rising from the steppe plains of southern Patagonia, the summits of Los Cuernos and Las Torres are some of the most photographed sites in South America. Their shape was largely 'modeled' by the movement of glaciers and the force of the wind.
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Valle del Francés. French Valley
The French Valley is located in the southern part of the Paine mountain range, right between the Cerro Paine Grande peak in the west and the famous 'horns' in the east. It is part of the W-Track, a 5-day route, which runs along the southern slopes of the ridge. Usually, the ascent to the valley takes place on the third day of the route.
The French Valley trail through the leads through picturesque forests and mountains and ends at the viewpoint (Mirador Británico). This point is considered the highest in the French Valley and corresponds to the upper bend of the Latin letter W, thanks to the similarity with which the W-track got its name. After admiring the views, visitors return back via the same route to Camp Italiano, from where they continue to the Pine Grande or Camp Frances.
Gray Glacier
Grey Glacier is part of the South Patagonian Ice Field, the third-largest on the planet after Antarctica and Greenland. From above, the glacier looks like a huge paw, stretching towards the lake. The blue Gray Glacier (although it is called the Gray, in reality, it is blue) delights tourists with its beautiful azure hue. This is because dense compressed ice absorbs all colors in the spectrum except blue. Millions of tourists come to Patagonia every year for fantastic views and photographs that amaze everyone who sees them.
Lake Gray is located right at the foot of the glacier, was formed, which is fed by the melting ice of the Gray Glacier.
From time to time, icebergs are breaking away from the glacier and
Las Torres
The Torres del Paine Nature Reserve is a towering mountain of the most fantastic forms (it is the local massifs of the Towers or the Horns that are adorned with countless souvenirs sold throughout the country). Most tourists explore the reserve on foot, either along the easy week-long Circuito route or the shorter but more intense 4-5 days route called 'W '.