Our W Trek is an ideal choice for anyone who is keen to experience and trek the awe-inspiring wilderness of Torres del Paine but doesn't have the time or energy to do the O Trek Circuit!
To maximise your experience in the area, we begin this journey in Argentina’s El Calafate, taking the opportunity to see one of the World’s only expanding glaciers: Perito Moreno. The journey ends in Puerto Natales, Chile, but we can transfer you back to El Calafate in Argentina if you need.
For this experience, we take you deep into the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, famed for its awe-inspiring mountains and iconic granite peaks. This circuit can be completed either as a self-guided tour or in small groups with a private guide. With or without a guide, you can enjoy some of South America’s most dramatic Andean scenery. With a guide, you can enjoy deeper insights into this wilderness area.
This trek takes you up close to the massive granite towers that give Torres del Paine its name. You will also walk along the breathtaking Cuernos del Paine and amongst the stunning shapes of the Francés Valley. The magnificent scenery of the Grey Glacier is another breathtaking element of this trek, taking you to the southernmost tip of the Chilean Patagonia’s southern ice fields, where the ice blends into the clouds on the horizon.
You will trek a vast 55 miles across this unchartered territory, seeking out stunning views of glaciers, turquoise water filled lakes and snow-capped mountain tops. This journey will test your strength, but the incredible scenery makes it worthwhile. As you meander through the different trails, you’ll keep an eye out for Pumas, Huemuls (deer), Darwin’s Rhea, Guanacos, Condors, Magellanic Woodpeckers and many more species as you delve deeper into this untamed wilderness. This will certainly be an adventure holiday to remember.
Our standard accommodation on the W-Trek is camping in tents provided. You can alternatively opt for mountain hostels (refugios) with a cabin option available in the Cuernos Sector or a very comfortable modern hotel (available for the first two nights only). Please Contact Us for details.
Itinerary
W Trek in Torres del Paine
Please contact us if you would like any assistance arranging flights, additional hotel nights, transfers or day trips within El Calafate or if you are simply looking for some inspiration. The Perito Moreno Glacier is not to be missed!
Day 1: Arrive El Calafate
Today you will arrive in El Calafate, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will be staying in this lovely city for the next two nights of your holiday.
Day 2: Perito Moreno Glacier Day Trip
After breakfast in your hotel, this morning you will be picked up in a small bus from your hotel at around 08:30 to visit the renowned Perito Moreno glacier, unique on the planet in its constant forward movement. Along the 85 km (53 mi) that you will drive to get to the park, you will discover many Andean pre-cordillera sites that are worth sight seen or recording on camera and by the Argentino Lake you will access the National Park "Los Glaciares".
Along Brazo Rico River you will start to spot the floating icebergs until you finally are able to grasp in all its awe this natural wonder considered World Heritage by the United Nations. You will have a few hours to yourself to explore the walkways and observe the glacier from an array of different angles. In the afternoon you will be transferred back to your hotel.
You may also choose to go hiking on Perito Moreno or include a boat navigation. Please contact us for further details.
Day 3: El Calafate to Puerto Natales
This morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the bus station to take you from El Calafate in Argentina, to Puerto Natales in Chile. The journey takes about 4 ½ hours.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Puerto Natales – Las Torres Base Lookout Point
Today you will have the morning at your leisure to explore Puerto Natales.
This afternoon, you will be met at the bus station with your welcome kit, and you will board the 2:15 bus from Puerto Natales bus station to Torres del Paine National Park. This journey will take about 2.5hrs. You will arrive later in the afternoon. Dinner will be available at your accommodation, and you will spend the night in the Central Sector.
Accommodation here is based on camping in the Central Sector with the opportunity to upgrade to a mountain hostel or modern hotel.
Departure from Puerto Natales: approx. 2.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 8 – 10 hours / 19.5km
Difficulty: High
Altitude: Initial 120m / Highest 870m
Lodging: Central Sector
Day 5: Hike to Base Torres lookout
Today you will start your day early as you head to one of the most emblematic places in the park, the Base Torres Lookout. During the first leg, you will hike through the pampa and cross the Ascencio River, then climb about 3 km until you reach Los Vientos Pass for spectacular views of the valley and lakes. You will keep going until you reach Chileno Camping, where you will then enter a Lenga Forest and continue on until you reach the moraine, where the hardest part of the trek begins. A rocky trail will lead you to the magnificent Base Torres lookout. Later, start your descent to the Central Sector, where you will be spending the night.
Accommodation here is based on camping in the Central Sector with the opportunity to upgrade to a mountain hostel or modern hotel.
Departure from Puerto Natales: approx. 2.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 8 – 10 hours / 19.5km
Difficulty: High
Altitude: Initial 120m / Highest 870m
Lodging: Central Sector
Day 6: Hike Cuernos Sector
Today will be another early start as you set out to walk about 13.5 km along the shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, Mount Almi-rante Nieto and the impressive Cuernos. During the hike, take in the beautiful views of the Cuernos, hanging glaciers, lakes and areas where you can enjoy the abundant flora and fauna in the area.
At the end of your trek today, you will dine and spend the night in either the Frances or Cuernos Sector.
Accommodation here is based on camping, with the opportunity to upgrade to a mountain hostel or mountain cabin.
Hiking Distance: 4.5 – 6.5 hours / 13.5km
Difficulty: Medium
Elevation Gain: 200m
Lodging: Cuernos or Francés Sector
Day 7: Francés valley hike
Today begins exploring one of the icons of the circuit: the Francés Valley. From here, you will hike along the beautiful shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, where you can observe this tranquil site and the stunning blue of the lake’s water. Once you reach Italiano Camping, you will begin your ascent (about 2 km) through forests in the Francés Valley. You will continue until you reach the Francés lookout, where you can take in one of the most breathtaking sceneries of the circuit. After this spectacle, you will begin your descent to your next accommodation in the Paine Grande Sector.
Accommodation here is based on camping, with the opportunity to upgrade to a mountain hostel.
Hiking Distance: 8 - 10 hours / 20.5km
Difficulty: High
Elevation Gain: Initial 120m / Highest 762m
Lodging: Francés Sector
Day 8: Hike to grey sector – boat trip across Lake Pehoe and return to Puerto Natales
Today you will trek to the third and final milestone of the circuit: the spectacular Grey Glacier. The trail begins along the edge of Mount Paine Grande, the highest point of the Massif (3,050 metres), with incredible views of its hanging glaciers. Walking among ñirres, coigües and notros, you will reach the first Grey Glacier lookout, where you will see numerous ice floes. Continue walking while enjoying the majestic view of Grey Glacier, until you reach Grey Hostel. From here, you will return to the Paine Grande Sector. At 6:40pm you will board a catamaran boat which will take you across Lake Pehoé to Pudeto. You will be transferred from the port to your hotel for the night where you will have a well-deserved rest.
Day 9: Puerto Natales
This morning you will be transferred to the bus station to catch the public bus to Punta Arenas which is where this journey ends.
Dates
9-days based on Camping along the W-Trek self-guided.
Add £440 per person sharing for Mountain Hostels in place of Camping where available (see itinerary)
Add £550 pp for first two nights in a hotel.
Please Contact Us if you would like a private guide for the whole trail.
Prices (based on 2 people)
Included:
• 2 nights B&B in El Calafate on Days 1 & 2
• 2 nights B&B in Puerto Natales Hotel on Days 3 & Day 8
• Return Transportation from El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park
• 2 nights of lodging at the Central Sector, and 2 nights at the Cuernos or Francés Sector (campsite includes tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad)
• All meals on days 3 - 6: breakfast, lunch (box lunch) and dinner. Breakfast and lunch on return day to Puerto Natales (day 5). Breakfast on day 6
• Pehoé Lake Catamaran
• Torres del Paine National Park entrance fees
• Welcome Kit: Includes sleeping-bag liner, microfiber towels, water bottle (stainless steel), a map and a journal notebook. This kit will be given once you take your program voucher at the main office in Puerto Natales.
Not included:
• Flights
• Any service not specified in the program
• Additional activities
• Health insurance
• Gratuities
• Drinks
