Introduction

The famous Cape Horn (“Cabo de Hornos”) is in Chilean territory and named after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands (actually named “Kaap Hoorn” by the Dutch, then referred to as Cape Horn by the English). It is the southernmost point of the “Tierra del Fuego” archipelago and of South America. It is a small piece of rock, or island, among others that make up the Horn Islands, around which the oceans from the southern Atlantic and Pacific converge.

The sea passage around Cape Horn (the Drake Passage) is notorious for its huge seas, violent winds, strong currents, and general danger. It is the graveyard for many tall ships that took this route when sailing from one side of the Americas to the other until the discovery, in 1520, of the natural sea passage further north (passing by Punta Arenas) connecting the Southern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan.

Named after Magellan, the Straights of Magellan enabled ships to take the more protected passage and take on supplies at Punta Arenas, cutting out the need to go around Cape Horn, although many Clipper-class ships still rounded the Horn because the narrow Magellan Straight did not offer enough width for necessary navigational maneuvers. In 1914 when the Panama Canal opened, both the passages around Cape Horn and the one through the Magallanes Straight became redundant for most shipping.

For yachtsmen, the challenge of sailing around Cape Horn is often irresistible and many conquer their fear when participating in one of the major yachting races that takes in this passage. Likewise, many people who look at the World Atlas often dream about being able to see Cape Horn and wonder what it must be like to “go around” it.

The Actual Cape Horn Island

The Horn Islands archipelago, as previously mentioned, lies within Chilean territorial waters and the Chilean Navy maintains a station on an island close to the real Cape Horn, but not on the island itself because it is so difficult to access.

On Horn Island (not on Cape Horn Island), there is a residence, utility building, chapel, and lighthouse. A short distance away from the main station is a memorial, including a large sculpture featuring the silhouette of an albatross, in honour of the sailors who died while attempting to "round the Horn".

On the real Cape Horn there is a 4m (13ft) fiberglass light tower with a focal plane of 40m (131ft) and a range of about 21km (13mi). This is the authentic Cape Horn lighthouse. There are no trees on the island.

During your visit to the Park you will be seeing many different types of animals as well as flowers, trees and other plants, mostly for the first time. Therefore, here is a summary of what you may see with regards to wildflowers and vegetation.

Introduction

With regard to vegetation, Torres del Paine can be divided into different zones that relate to the different environments and conditions in the area. These, microclimates, in turn, determine what plant life can flourish and what cannot.

The vegetation in Torres del Paine is remarkable. Different types of shrubs, flowers and trees can be found in areas throughout the Park as well as on the trails and valleys of this natural sanctuary, where plants have had to adapt according to the prevailing conditions, available water, prevalence of winds, soil type and altitude.

Patagonian Steppe / Estepa Patagónica

This is the region that occupies most of the surface of Patagonia, for example about 730,000 km². It is characterized by vast plains, low-rise mountains, stepped plateaus, river valleys and canyons. The soils are a stony-sandy mix, and poor in organic matter.

The climate is temperate-cold, rainfall is scarce, concentrated mainly in the coldest months, between April and September. In spring and summer strong winds from the west predominate.

Magallanic Tundra / Tundra Magallanica

The Magallanic Tundra is a type of biome. This refers to a community of plants and animals that show common characteristics to the environment they exist in, wherever that environment has been created. For example, such areas and plants can be found on different continents. In the case of Patagonia this means a sub-glacial environment.

The Magallanic Tundra is flat terrain, whose main characteristics are that of an extremely cold climate, little rainfall, strong winds, poor nutrients in the soil, a short growing season and simple vegetation. The soil is often frozen and there is an absence of trees, although there are some plants of low dimensions with up to 400 types of flowering vegetation, but much of the land is covered by moss and lichens. Overall, the low biological diversity results in a “polar desert”.

On the drive between Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales this typical Patagonian landscape can be clearly seen on either side of the road, often right up to the horizon.

Pre-Andean Scrub Land / Matorral Pre Andino

This is typically the land on the banks of rivers and on the edges of lakes.

In Torres del Paine, you will find it near the Sarmiento lake, Salto Grande and at the Nordenskjold viewpoint. The plants found in these areas have developed the ability to store water and survive fierce weather conditions, such as the intense Patagonian wind.

Plants such as the Mata Varrosa, Messophyte Scrub Zarcilla, Calafate Enano and Chaura can be found growing in these areas. One plant, the Arvejilla, looks like Lavender because of its purple and mauve-coloured flowering. It blooms in November and December and bears fruit in February and March. Typically found in the Pre-Andean Scrub land and the Andean Steppe. It can also be found in the French Valley and on the trail to Grey Lake and Sarmiento Lake.

Magellanic Deciduous Forest / Bosque Magallanico

The Magellanic forest, Magellanic Taiga, Magellanic subpolar forest or cold forest is an ecological region of the extreme southwest of South America, which covers sectors of the extreme south of Chile and Argentina. The climate of this area is influenced by the Andes mountains, which traps moisture from prevailing winds coming from the Pacific. This creates a favourable, humid environment within which the trees can grow. Moreover, the air currents originating from the Southern Ocean provide the moisture for the Magellanic Subpolar Forest to thrive. The average annual temperature ranges from 6° C in the north to 3 ° C in the south, and the annual rainfall ranges from about 5,000 mm in the west to 450 mm in the east. In Torres del Paine the average, annual rainfall is around 600mm.

In Torres del Paine National Park these woods comprise the native trees such as Lenga (Nothofagus) and Coigue. Typically, the wooded areas in Torres del Paine are around Lago Grey, specifically on the slopes adjacent to Glacier Grey, in Valle Pingo (west of Grey Lake), in the Valle Frances (middle of the W Trek), Valle Los Perros, Ascencio Valley and near Laguna Azul.

In addition to the native trees there are other trees, shrubs and lichens, that make up the forested areas, each with their own special qualities.

Calafate / El Calafate

The Calafate (the Argentine town El Calafate has its name derived from this plant). It is found mainly in open and humid places, and can reach up to 3m in height. Flowering takes place between the months of October through to January whereupon yellow flowers will be produced.

The fruit produced is in clusters of small, dark-blue, berries that are used locally to make jams and other food products.

An evergreen plant, it can be seen mainly on the path that connects the Las Torres sector to the Serón camp.

Notro / Chilean firebush

This tree is known as the Chilean “fire” tree, because it produces a deep, red flower, when it blooms in the spring. Usually it grows in sandy soil where there is humidity. It can grow up to 15m tall and up to 20cm in diameter. The bark of the tree has the reputation as being easy to work with and having a beautiful appearance. Typically, it will grow among thickets and can be seen on the trail between the Las Torres sector to Cuernos and the Pingo Valley.

Capachito / Calceolaria morisii

This is a grass shrub that produces orange-coloured flowers in the shape of a “slipper”. It is small, leafy and with many branches. It can reach a height of 70cm and 1cm in diameter.
Usually found on rocky terrain such as around the base area of Las Torres.

Armeria / Thrift Armeria

Known for its medicinal qualities this is an easily visible plant that produces a voluminous pink flower.

Usually found around the Park entrances Laguna Amarga and Sarmiento.

In and Around Torres del Paine there are 105 Species of Bird. Here, we mention 13 of the more common species.

Rheas / Ñandu

This bird looks like a small ostrich and that is because it is part of the same family of the African ostrich. The Rhea is a flightless bird that lives in the Southern Cone of South America. It is smaller than the typical ostrich measuring 1.5m to 1.8m in height and has three claws on each foot, while the ostrich has only two.

It can be seen in various places of Torres del Paine, especially in the eastern sector. They group together to form large “herds” in search of fruits, insects and reptiles for food. Although it has small wings, which it will flap, the bird cannot fly, but can run at a fair speed, up to 80km per hour, for example, to escape predators and can swim if it needs to cross a river.

Black-Neck Swans / Cisne de Cuello Negro

The Black-Neck swan says exactly what this bird is. In other words, a swan with a white body, and black-coloured head and neck. It inhabits lagoons, lakes and coastal waters. They feed on algae, aquatic plants, and sometimes on insects. As it floats on the surface of the water, where it lives for most of its time, rarely venturing on to the land, water gets filtered through its beak when it submerges its neck and head in search of the food it is seeking. These birds can be seen on many lagoons and lakes in the Park as well as by the shoreline at Puerto Natales.

Austral Parrot / Cachaña

The Austral Parrot, or Parakeet, inhabits the area from Torres del Paine down to the Tierra del Fuego, and is only found in this southern tip of South America. It is mostly green in colour with some red on the underbelly. Usually found in wooded areas, especially the Nothofagus forests and semi-open areas close to wooded sectors, often flocking together with other Parakeets that fly from tree-to-tree and swoop down as a group.

It feeds on seeds, fruits, sprouts, berries, and bulbous roots. It has a similar appearance in colour to the Choroy, but the Cachaña is smaller, with a hooked, short beak. This is the southern-most parrot in the World.

Flamingo / Flamenco Chileno

The Flamingo can be found in Patagonia and the Atacama Desert in northern Chile as well as Chiloe Island. Its usual habitat is that of shallow lakes, lagoons, muddy coastal areas and river mouths. Typically, it will be 1.1m to 1.3m in height, with a pretty pink plumage with darker pink near its tail. The beak is quite large, curved downward at the end, coloured black at the end part, but a lighter colour closer to the bird’s head. The tall, thin legs are straight except for the tarsal joint about halfway down. Eyes are yellow. It feeds mainly on algae and plankton. Typically it will have its head submerged under water and move it side to side whilst moving slowly on its feet in order to disturb the sediment and release its food, which is then filtered through its beak.

Flamingos can be seen in some of the lakes and lagoons in Torres del Paine as well as on a couple of water stretches beside the road from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales.

Ducks / Pato Anteojillo

This is a common duck that lives amid humid forests, usually not too far from a river. It is a large bird, with a height of around 55cm and weight of 1kg. It has white lines under each eye that look like it is wearing a pair of glasses, and also a white patch on its neck.

It will make a squawk sound, which is more like a bark. An omnivorous bird that feeds on seeds, herbs and insects, which is forages on the banks of rivers.

Merganetta Armata / Pato Corta Corriente

This duck, grows up to 46cm in length and is found along the length of the Andes from northern Chile down to Tierra del Fuego. It has a slender, but strong body, living exclusively in very fast-flowing rivers. It does not fly much and is more adept at flowing against the strong current of a river, resting where it can on a rock. It feeds on vegetables, small fish, larvae, worms and crustaceans.

Magellan Goose / Caiquen - Chloephaga Picta

The Caiquen goose is one of the most prevalent throughout the Magallenes and Aysen areas of Chile. The male has a white head, and breast but dark plumage on its wings, whereas the female has a brown neck and body. Each has black-stripped wings. Typically, in size both male and female grow to around 73cm in height. It lives in open plains where there is lots of grass to eat and nests both in low-lying areas, on plateaus and hills taking advantage of any natural holes or depressions in the ground, usually close to lagoons, rivers or estuaries. It will line the nest with its own, soft feathers.

There are usually many of these geese around the Serrano village, which is the western sector of Torres del Paine, the other side of the Serrano River.

Fish Martin / Martín Pescador

The Fish Martin lives in lakes, lagoons, estuaries, rivers and in calm water surrounded by trees. It mainly feeds on fish, hence its name, and grows up to 20cm in length, but sometimes consumes frogs, insects and crabs. It is easy to identify because it has a blue coloured body, red chest and white line on its neck and is generally found on the branches of trees on the edge of rivers and lakes. It also has a long beak.

Magellan Woodpecker / Carpintero Magallanico

The Magellan Woodpecker usually inhabits to area of Tierra del Fuego, up to the middle of Patagonia, living mainly in native forest areas. It is a large for a woodpecker, up to 45cm in height, completely black in colour except for red feathers that surround the beak, if female; and the male with a bright red head, crest, throat and neck making it impossible to confuse with any other woodpecker.

It will eat worms, larvae and insects, which it will extract from tree bark by “hammering” on the tree with is beak.

Buff-Necked Ibis / Bandurria

This bird, reaching a height of around 75cm is found from Antofagasta in the far north of Chile down to the Tierra del Fuego, living mainly in swampy areas and on the shores of lakes and lagoons.

Its main feature is its elongated, black, curved, downward beak. It feeds on toads, tadpoles, insects and other small animals found on the shores of lakes, ponds or reservoirs. However, it is sometimes spotted in freshly- ploughed fields.

Patagonian Sierra Finch / Phrygilus Patagonicus / Cometocino Patagónico

This bird is found in the area between La Serena, in the north of Chile, down to Tierra del Fuego and can often be spotted on heavily vegetated slopes and gorges where there are seed bushes and rocky ledges.

It is between 15 – 16cm in height and has an orange-coloured tint on its back, which distinguishes it from the Cometocio de Gay species. It feeds on grass seeds and arthropods, fruit and flower nectar, often getting tree sap from the holes that a woodpecker has made.

Cinclodes Patagonicus / Churrete Comun

This bird lives in the southern part of Chile, from Tierra del Fuego to the Gulf of Penas. It can be seen in the canals near the coasts, as well as in the hills and plains, but also near towns and hamlets.

It measures between 18 and 20 cm in height and weighs between 37 and 54 grams. Its bill, legs and dorsal are a dark brown, and with a white line on its head. It feeds on invertebrates, insects, crustaceans and mollusks.

Leistes Loyca / Loica Comun

This bird lives in the area from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile down to the Magallanes in the Patagonia far south.

It prefers to live close to the earth, ideally on humid soil, but is also found in the mountains at around 2,500 meters. It has a length of 28cm. The males and female are different in appearance. The male head and neck are a dark brown, with a white line with a touch of red towards the forehead. Its tail, back and bottom, are a dark brown and the front part of his neck, chest and upper abdomen is hot-red colour. It has a pointed, dark-brown bill.

The female has different colouring on its throat and neck, which are white, and the the breast and abdomen are a pale red.

They feed on insects, fruits and seeds. The Loyca is easy to recognize by its characteristic red breast and can be found alone or in pairs. In winter they tend to gather in flocks.

There are 25 species of mammal in and around Torres del Paine National Park. Here we describe 6 of the those you will most likely spot during your travels.

Puma / Puma

The Puma, related to the Cougar family, is the largest wild, feline to inhabit the American continent and is found in more places than any other native, American mammal. Chile is considered to be home to the largest Puma’s with a typical body length of between 103cm to 197cm, not including its tail, and that alone can measure another 52cm to 82cm. With regards to its weight, usually a grown adult will be between 25kg to 55kg.

Many Puma’s live in Torres del Paine, where they are able to prey on the plentiful supply of Guanaco’s roaming within the Park. They are very shy and difficult to spot due to their excellent camouflage, but usually eat their kill just before the dawn.

Grey Foxes / Zorro Gris

The Torres del Paine Grey Fox is small and has an overall, general greyish-coloured fur, with areas of yellowish markings, edged in white closer to its head and on its legs. The ears are typically large, and the tail is long with a bushy fur. It is native to the Southern Cone of South America living mainly in the areas either side of the Andes, therefore, Chile and Argentina, but reaching as far north as Bolivia and Uruguay. Typically, the Grey fox will eat Mammals, birds, bird eggs, arthropods, reptiles, fruit and carcass. In Torres del Paine its favourite habitat is usually around the Laguna Azul, and the lakes Nordenskjöld, and Sarmiento. In some parts of the Park they have become “domesticated” due to tourists feeding them.

Fox / Zorro Culpeo

Known as the “Red Fox” because of the colour of its reddish fur on its head and legs, this fox lives anywhere it can burrow. This means near bushes, steppe, banks of streams and low, dense shrub vegetation. It can be often spotted around the Lago Grey area, Pehoé camping and close to the Conaf Park Administration. It will usually hunt for mammals, birds eggs, but even sheep.

Skunks / Chingue - Zorrillo

The Skunk, also known as the South American Skunk, is a solitary, nocturnal animal that lives in caves that it digs out or occupies from another animal. It is small and stocky in appearance with a long snout designed to enable it feed on beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets, but will also eat small rodents and animal carcass. It is omnivorous and measures around 70cm in length. When under attack it will emit a pungent scent as a defence mechanism to repel the attacker, therefore do not get too close to this animal! Easy to identify by its small size, black fur and white strip down its back from head to tail. Usually found around the Laguna Amarga entrance to the Park as well as the Laguna Azul and Lake Sarmiento areas.

Huemul /Huemul

The name huemul is from the Mapudungun wümul.

The Huemul is related to the cervidae species, he lives in the Andes and is illustrated as part of Chile’s national coat of arms. It is very shy, usually avoiding areas of population and humans. It is also, unfortunately on the extinction danger list. However, it is a resident of Torres del Paine, where it is protected. The mammal can be seen, if you are fortunate, in the western sector of the Park, but its excellent camouflage of brown makes it blend seamlessly into the natural background vegetation.

Guanaco / Guanaco

The Guanaco is an herbivorous mammal native to South America, belonging to the Camelid family group (Camel). Often reaching heights of up to 2m, they roam around Torres del Paine in large herds and are easy to see. They have a brown and reddish fur and white under belly. One of their surprising characteristics is the fact that they cab run fast, up to 60kl per hour – very handy to get away from a Puma, but not always.

You will see them in many areas, but especially around the Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul and near the Sarmiento Lake.

In and Around Torres del Paine there are 105 Species of Bird, including Fifteen Birds of Prey. Here we mention 8 of the birds of prey you will more likely see during your trip.

The Andean Condor / Condor

Found throughout Chile, this is the iconic bird of the Andes. The Condor can exceed 3mt from wing tip to wing tip, making it a massive bird. It can fly at 7,000mt high, gliding from thermal to thermal for hours on end as it scans, with laser-accurate eyesight, for food below. Usually a Condor will swoop down to feed on a carcass. However, if desperate it will eat eggs, small birds, and young animals. It is the largest, flying bird in the Southern Hemisphere and is easily recognisable from a white-coloured band of features around its neck, like a white collar. The life span of this bird is usually around 75 to 80 years.

American Kestrel
Falco Sparverius Cinnamonis / Cernícalo

This is a hawk bird lives in the area from the Atacama Desert down to the Tierra del Fuego, usually found in fields, meadows, and mountain areas. It is a solitary bird, but one of the most common in Chile, that feeds on insects and small vertebrates such as rodents and also small birds.

It is brick red in colour, agile and quick in flight and can stop mid air in order to observe. This hawk can also be quite aggressive and is capable of evicting any other raptor that enters its territory. It is adaptable to live in any area except a forest.

recognisable from a white-coloured band of features around its neck, like a white collar. The life span of this bird is usually around 75 to 80 years.

Black-Chested Buzzard-Eagle / Aguila Mora

This hawk is found all over Chile, but especially in the lower altitude zones of the Andes. It feeds on live animals, mainly mammals such as rabbits, mice, but also snakes and partridges. The bird will hunt by diving down on its prey and catching it with its claws. It can be identified in flight by its short, wedged-shaped tail.

Rufous-Tailed Hawk / Aguilucho de Cola Rojiza

This bird of prey is found mainly in Patagonia, in the low Andes, especially the temperate, Nothofagus Steppe and forest. Typically, its wingspan measures between 45-60cm. It will feed mainly on small birds as well as mammals such as mice, rabbits, and hares. Usually it will stalk its prey from a high point on land, or when it is gliding, and once it has established where the next meal is coming from it will swoop down and get it.

Cinereous Harrier / Vari

This Harrier is a species of Falcon, typically found throughout South America. The bird is “plain” looking with long legs, a long tail and slender body. They are usually around 50cm in length, with small beaks.

It will inhabit low, swampy terrain feeding on insects, reptiles, small birds, mammals and on a smaller scale on arachnids.

Both the male and female are able to puff out feathers around their necks to make them appear larger than they are, similar to what an owl will do. It will fly slowly and erratically, often remaining motionless in the air, gliding, as it searches for food.

Chimango Caracara / Tiuque

The Chimango is also part of the Falcon family, found throughout the southern half of South America, however, it has also been spotted as far east as the Falkland Islands. Typically it grows to between 37 to 40cm in length.

It is a sedentary bird, but with great ability to adapt to its environment. Usually it lives close to water, hills and in fields. It does not go into the mountains. It will feed on insects, slugs, worms and larvae, but will also consume small fish, toads and even the carcass of dead animals.

Magellanic Owl or Great Horned Owl / Tucuquere

The name “Tucuquere” alludes to its cry, which is notable for its deep hooting, consisting of a double-note followed by a loud, vibrating sound. This is the largest of the owl family to live in the region of Patagonia, reaching 45cm in length, and usually found living in forests.

Typically, during the day it will rest on a branch inside the forest. It then comes to life at night and with its incredible night vision it will seek out and feed on rodents, small mammals, birds, reptiles and some invertebrates.

Austral Pygmy Owl / Chuncho

This owl inhabits the Southern Cone of South America. It is a small bird that measures 20cm head to tail with a hooked beak, yellow legs and large, yellow eyes. However, its most distinguished feature is its pair of “fake” eyes that are drawn on the feathers of the neck and help to ward off attacks from predators. It is small in size and silent in flight. When it flies from branch to branch it will usually do so unnoticed.

The Chuncho has relatively diurnal customs, as does the Tucuquere, and can be quite aggressive and fierce with its prey. Furthermore, it will hunt larger animals than itself, quickly killing them with is small, but powerful claws. It feeds on birds, insects, mammals and reptiles.

Caracara Plancus / Carancho

You can find this bird throughout Chile, from Arica in the far north, down to Tierra del Fuego in the far south. It can be found specifically near forests, open fields or scrub land.
In Magellan it is quite common to find it standing on fences or light poles beside rural or interprovincial roads. It measures between 55 and 58cm in length and its height is 120cm. Typically it weighs up to 1.6kg.

On its head is a black crown of feathers, and its cheeks and neck are of a cream color. Then its loin and legs are dark brown and its breast also a dark brown, but with cross lines cream color. It has a yellowish bill with a bluish and orange base. This bird is carnivorous. The Carancho does not hunt in the same way as other birds of prey. Instead, it places itself at a certain distance from its prey, then it walks towards it and then charges at the prey as it gets closer. When live prey is not available it will feed on carcasses. Often it can be seen eating next to vultures and condors. It will eat mice, small birds, chickens, snakes, toads.

Eagle / Aguila Mora

The eagle lives in throughout Chile, from the Atacama to Tierra del Fuego. It lives anywhere but is seen more in the low areas of the mountain range, on vegetated slopes, shrubs and forests.

It is a large bird that measures up to 200cm in height and 80cm in length. Usually weighing around 2kg.

The upper part of its body is a bluish black. Its throat, abdomen and legs are white, but with thin dark veins. The wings are black with greyish parts. The Eagle has a hooked bill, which is bluish grey at the tip and yellowish at the base.

Females of this species are larger than males. The juvenile eagles have a different color to the adults such as dark almost black with reddish brown tones. However, when the young birds are about 4years of age they assume the color of an adult.

Its feeding is mainly based on live animals, such as small mammals (mice or rabbits), sometimes hunting snakes and partridges.

The hunting strategy is typical of birds of prey, which is to swoop down from above and catch the victim with its claws. Once in its clutches the bird will kill its prey by burying its talons into the body or pecking it to death with its beak. Once the prey is caught it will be taken to its nest where the young will be fed.
It is a bird very suspicious of anything getting close to it and will fly away if anyone tries to get near.