Torres del Paine is a 600,000 acre park declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. General views of the Paine massif appear as we approach the park. The Paine Massif is a truly spectacular nest of pinkish granitic mountains, capped with sedimentary rock. It is surrounded by a necklace of multicolored glacial lakes and deciduous southern beech forests. Paine possesses some of the most incredible mountain scenery to be seen anywhere. We will come across herds of guanacos (wild llamas) that allow us to get within a thrilling 15 yards. Among other species we find lesser rheas (American ostrich), red & gray foxes, and possibly mountain lions. The birdlife includes condors, crested caracaras, buff-necked ibis, Austral parakeet, Austral thrush, varieties of falcons, black-necked and coscoroba swans, flamingos and more.