Puma: An estimated 32 adult pumas live in the park, covering hundreds of kilometers in a territory of some 20,000 hectares, and 90% of their diet consists of guanacos. You may catch a glimpse if you’re lucky, more likely at sunrise and sunset.

Huemul: The huemul or southern Andean deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is an endangered mammal belonging to the deer family that inhabits the Andes mountain range. They are found in Torres del Paine Park, but are extremely rare.

Guanaco: The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a species of artiodactyl mammal of the camelid family native to South America. It is a wild animal, unlike the llama, which is domesticated (Lama glama).

The Gray Fox: The gray fox, also known as the chilla (Lycalopex griseus), is a carnivorous mammal of the canidae family that lives in South America, on the mountain slopes of the Andes. They’re often to be found around campsites, and be careful with your shoes – some are quite thieves…

The Patagonian Polecat: The Patagonian polecat (Conepatus humboldtii) is a species of carnivorous mammal in the Mephitidae family. It is found in southern Patagonia, Argentina and Chile. You’re sure to smell it on your trip…

The Dwarf Armadillo: The dasipodidae (Osman), commonly known as armadillos, are a family of placental mammals in the order Cingulata. They are characterized by a dorsal carapace made up of juxtaposed plates, generally arranged in transverse rows, a fairly long tail and short limbs.

The Andean Condor: The Andean condor, also known as the Andean condor or simply condor (Vultur gryphus)2 is a species of bird in the Cathartidae3 family that inhabits the Andes and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America. The Andean condor is the world’s largest flying bird in terms of weight and wingspan. It has a maximum wingspan of 3.3 m and weighs 15 kg.

Magellanic Woodpecker: The Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) is a species of piciform bird in the woodpecker family (Picidae). It is the largest woodpecker in South America and one of the largest in the world. The male has a red head, making it easier to see in our forests. The female is black with a small white spo

Calafate: The calafate (Berberis microphylla) is a thorny shrub endemic to Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia, whose edible fruit is considered a symbol of great heritage value. The fruit is very tasty, and according to legend, if you eat a calafate, you’ll always come back to Patagonia…!

Notro: The Notro produces dark red flowers (sometimes pale yellow) grouped in corymbs; flowering takes place in spring, followed by a second flowering in February-March. Their intense red color is a highlight of the park’s valleys.

Lenga: This species is representative of Patagonia’s Andean forest. You’ll see 3 different types of tree that look very much alike. All 3 belong to the same family, the false beech, and to tell them apart I invite you to look at the shape of their leaves. The leaves of the Lenga are cut in the shape of little hearts, and fall off in winter.

Ñirre: The Nirre belongs to the same family as the Lenga (above). It loses its leaves in winter, and these are cut much more finely. The aroma of this tree is fascinating, and you should pay close attention when you come across a Nirre forest…!

Coiguë: Coiguë belongs to the same family as Lenga and Nirre (above). But this one is evergreen, which means it doesn’t lose its leaves in winter. It brings a little color to Patagonian winters.

Neneo Macho: This is a cushion-shaped shrub about 50 to 60 cm high and up to 1.20 m in diameter. Flowering in spring, this shrub changes the color of the valleys. The red of its small flowers is very intense, and I hope you’ll have the chance to admire them.

Chaura: Chaura (Gaultheria mucronata) is a shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to southern Argentina and Chile. It reaches a height of 2 m, with sturdy branches and serrated leaves. Its fruit, which is edible, is a berry that turns from white to pink and finally to dark purple when ripe.

Murtilla: Ugni molinae, also known as murta, murtilla, murtina and mutilla, is a shrub in the Myrtaceae family, native to central and southern Chile. Its fruits have a very pleasant taste and aroma. Not to be confused with our local blueberry!