Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas: Full day with Milodon Cave

Milodon Cave and the granite towers of Patagonia in one day

A full-day tour from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine National Park includes a professional guide in English or Spanish, hotel pickup, and stops at Milodon Cave (a natural monument where Ice Age mammal remains were found) plus scenic lookouts and wildlife viewing. The itinerary reaches Cascada Paine, a waterfall many operators skip because of the detour, and covers Lake Grey and Sarmiento de Gamboa viewpoint. Moderate fitness is needed for trekking sections.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Torres del Paine National Park9h
2. Milodon Cave30m

Torres del Paine full day tour

• Depart from Punta Arenas
• Visit Milodon Cave natural monument
• Explore Torres del Paine National Park
• See Cascada Paine waterfall
• Visit Mylodon Cave
• View Lake Grey
• Stop at Sarmiento de Gamboa lookout
• Observe local fauna and flora
• Return to hotel in Punta Arenas

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and a drive south into Torres del Paine National Park, where the granite towers rise above the steppe. Your guide leads you through scenic lookouts and short walks to spot condors and guanacos in their habitat. The route includes Lake Grey, where icebergs drift from the glacier, and Sarmiento de Gamboa, a high vantage point over the park's core landscape.

Milodon Cave sits an hour off the main park road, a detour most tour operators skip, but the site is worth the extra time. The natural monument holds three caves where paleontologists found remains of milodons, large herbivorous mammals that went extinct at the end of the Pleistocene. Walking through the caves and learning their history from your guide adds a layer of deep time to the day that the park's dramatic geology alone does not give.

Cascada Paine, a waterfall tucked into the park's terrain, rounds out the stops. The full route takes 17 hours from pickup to return, so the day is long but packed with distinct landscapes and two very different reasons to be there: the living wildlife and geology of the park, and the extinct world the cave preserves.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• round-trip hotel transfer from Punta Arenas.
• stops at Milodon Cave, Lake Grey, Cascada Paine and Sarmiento de Gamboa lookout.
• wildlife viewing and scenic trekking throughout Torres del Paine National Park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

AgesAdult (20 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 70 years) · Youth (14 to 19 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by TOURS PUNTA ARENAS

Is this one for you?The 17-hour day and trekking at multiple stops suit travelers with moderate fitness who want to see both the park's iconic granite peaks and the Milodon Cave's Ice Age history in one outing. Early mornings and a full schedule are built into the route, so come ready for a long day on foot and in the vehicle.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 19 years); Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Milodon Cave and why is it included on this tour?

Milodon Cave is a natural monument made up of three caves where remains of milodons (large herbivorous mammals that became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene) were discovered. The tour includes it because it offers a rare look at Ice Age Patagonia, though the detour adds an hour to the day.

Will I see wildlife in Torres del Paine on this tour?

Yes. The park's distinct fauna includes condors and guanacos, which your guide will point out during scenic lookouts and trekking sections throughout the day.

Does the tour include entry to Torres del Paine National Park?

Park entry tickets are not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately. Your guide will direct you through the entry process.

How much walking and trekking is involved?

The tour includes trekking and scenic walks at multiple stops: Lake Grey, Sarmiento de Gamboa lookout, Milodon Cave and Cascada Paine. Moderate physical fitness is required to comfortably complete the day.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is included, and the full tour lasts 17 hours from pickup to return, making it a full-day commitment. Exact start times depend on your hotel location and operator scheduling.