Torres del Paine & Milodon Cave tour from Punta Arenas

Two of Patagonia's most remote landmarks in one long day

This full-day shared tour from Punta Arenas visits Torres del Paine National Park and Milodon Cave with a certified guide in English or Spanish and park admission included. You hike 20 minutes to Grey Glacier's ice floes at Lake Grey, stop at Mirador Lake Sarmiento and the Big Jump waterfall, pass Lake Pehoé, then walk about 40 minutes into Milodon Cave to see the fossil site of the extinct ground sloth. The tour departs early and returns around 8:30 p.m. All stops depend on weather and road conditions. You'll need to bring your own lunch and arrange transportation to the meeting point in Punta Arenas.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Torres del Paine National Park7h
2. Milodon Cave40m

Explore Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave

• Depart from Punta Arenas
• Visit Mirador Lake Sarmiento and hike to waterfall
• Stop at Lake Pehoé for views
• Hike near Lake Grey to see ice floes
• Walk to Milodon Cave main cave
• Return to Punta Arenas

The experience

You leave Punta Arenas early and drive south toward Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Inside the park, the route hits three main stops: Mirador Lake Sarmiento, where you stand above the Paine horns and hike to the Big Jump waterfall; Lake Pehoé, one of the park's most photographed views; and Lake Grey, where a 20-minute walk crosses a suspension bridge and follows a trail to the shoreline where icebergs calve off Grey Glacier. (Note: the glacier itself sits inland and is not visible from the beach, so the walk takes you to the ice floes that drift in the water.) A certified guide leads the group and explains the geology and wildlife as you move through the landscape.

After the park, the tour heads to Milodon Cave, a limestone cavern about 40 minutes' walk from the entrance. The walk itself is moderate and takes you deeper into the cave system to the main chamber, where paleontologists found the remains of a giant ground sloth that lived thousands of years ago. The cave is the reason this site became a national monument, and the walk gives you time to absorb the scale and the history. You return to Punta Arenas by approximately 8:30 p.m.

Park admission is included in the tour price, though you can buy tickets in advance online to skip lines at the gate. Bring lunch and water for the day. There are no restaurants at the stops. All activities and timing depend on weather and road conditions, which can change rapidly in Patagonia. The group is shared, so you'll travel with other visitors. The certified guide speaks English or Spanish depending on the group composition.

What’s included

• Certified guide in English or Spanish.
• admission to Torres del Paine National Park and Milodon Cave.
• pickup from Punta Arenas and return transport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Senior (81 to 95 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turismo Viento del Sur

Is this one for you?Book this shared tour if you want to see both landmarks in one day and don't mind a long departure: the fixed schedule and included guide mean the route holds together without you arranging the stops, timing or park logistics yourself. A group setting keeps the cost down and connects you with other travelers interested in the same two sites.

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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: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Can I buy the park tickets before the tour starts?

Yes. Torres del Paine National Park and Milodon Cave both allow advance ticket purchase online, which lets you skip the lines at the entrance gates on the day of the tour. Park admission costs $37 for foreigners. Milodon Cave entrance ranges from $5,200 to $11,400 depending on nationality.

What is the Grey Glacier stop actually like?

At Lake Grey, you walk for 20 minutes across a suspension bridge and along a trail to reach the shoreline where ice floes drift in the water after calving off Grey Glacier. The glacier itself sits inland and is not visible from the beach, but the icebergs in the lake are the main sight at this stop.

How much walking is involved in Milodon Cave?

The walk from the cave entrance to the main chamber takes about 40 minutes and is moderate in difficulty. You'll move through the limestone passages to reach the fossil site where the extinct ground sloth was discovered.

What should I bring for a 16-hour tour?

Bring your own lunch and water, as there are no restaurants at the stops. Wear layers and waterproof clothing: Patagonia weather changes fast. Comfortable hiking boots are essential for the walks at Lake Grey and inside the cave.

What happens if the weather is bad?

All stops and the route itself are subject to weather and road conditions. The tour may be shortened, rerouted or rescheduled if conditions become unsafe. Check with the operator about their weather policy before booking.