We started our day at 6:30 a.m. from Puerto Natales, heading into Torres del Paine National Park under a mostly cloud-covered sky with cool winds blowing from the ice fields. Our first stops were at Sarmiento and Amarga Lakes, both closed alkaline lakes filled with bacterial life and surrounded by mountains covered with fresh snow.
The Paine massif remained mostly hidden in the morning, with just hints of the rugged peaks visible through the clouds. We began our mid-morning hike passing by the impressive Paine Grande waterfalls and continuing on a two-hour trek towards Lake Nordenskjöld where strong winds added an extra challenge. As we moved along, the clouds started to thin, giving us glimpses of the Paine Horns emerging slowly as the sky cleared.
We ended our excursion with a lunch by the Río Serrano, enjoying views of the massif. On our return to Puerto Natales, the clouds had almost entirely lifted, giving us a clear view of the Paine Horns, a perfect farewell from the mountains.
