Trip Overview

The W name comes from the formation of a perfect W when joining the trails that access to the 3 highlights in the Circuit: Base Torres, French Valley and Grey Glacier. 

Make your ascent to the base of Torres del Paine with its monumental peaks towering over glacier lakes and a rocky moraine. Trek through the stunning French Valley to reach Grey Lake, with spectacular views of the Grey Glacier. Sleep in ‘Refugios’ or campsites amongst superb mountain sceneries, and absorb the peaceful vibe of this pristine national park with vibrant flowers and crisp mountain air. Repeatedly on your hike, you will get fantastic views over the green Lake Nordenskjöld. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Transport from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (Regular Bus) (D)

Meet at Puerto Natales bus station at 14:00 and catch a 14:30 bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Travel by bus to Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Amarga Main Entrance), with a short stop at Cerro Castillo Village. After reaching the Laguna Amarga Main Entrance at 16:30 pm and pay the entrance fee, take the shuttle that will be waiting for you to take you to Las Torres sector where the Refugio Torre Central is located. Have a good night's sleep before starting your trek the next day.

Overnight in Refugio Central Sector OR Camping Central Sector depending on the package.

*Note: you must arrive at the Puerto Natales bus station before 14:00 to take the 14:30 bus.

Day 2: Trekking to "The Base of Torres del Paine" (8-10 hours; 13km; Difficult) (B/L/D)

We recommend having an early breakfast and start hiking by 9:00 am. Walk during 1 hour through an ancient Lenga forest until you reach the base of “The Moraine”. Then a challenging 45-minute ascent will follow to reach one of the most impressive lookouts in the park; "The Base of Torres del Paine" where you will have amazing views of the glacier lake and the 3 well-known monumental towers rising over 2,600 meters in height. (Torre Sur 2850 meters, Torre Central 2800 meters, Torre Norte 2600 meters, and Cerro Nido de Cóndor). 

Overnight at Refugio Central Sector OR Camping Central Sector depending on package.

Day 3: Trekking from El Chileno to Los Cuernos, Hike Francés Sector (4.5-6.5 hours; 11km; Medium) (B/L/D)

Again, we recommend starting off at 9:00 am today. After hiking for about 30 minutes, you will see the sign to take the "shortcut" that leads to Refugio Los Cuernos and follow this path. The trail goes through the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain, which is part of the Paine Massif, and offers great views of Nordenskjöld Lake. In December, look for vibrantly colored flora like the "Ciruelillo or Fire Bush" with vivid red flowers. After about 4 to 5 hours of hiking today, you will get to the Base of Los Cuernos where you will stay the night in the Frances Sector.

Overnight at Refugio Frances Sector OR Camping Frances Sector depending on package.

Day 4: Trekking to The French Valley (8-10 hours; 25.3km; Difficult) (B/L/D)

We recommend waking up early this morning starting off around 8:00 am. Get ready for a long day of scenic ups and downs. Hike for 2 hours along a rolling trail until "Campamento Italiano", with picturesque views of Nordenskjöld Lake. Pass by Campamento Italiano again this afternoon. From here, the ascent goes for about one hour and a half until the French Glacier lookout, from where you will be able to see its hanging glacier and possibly some small avalanches. The trail continues until "Campamento Britanico" and then after another 20 minutes of hiking you will reach the lookout point "Mirador Britanico", which is considered by many as one of the most overwhelming points in the Circuit. From there you can admire panoramic views of the valley with its breathtaking mountains; "Paine Grande", "Cerro Hoja", "Cerro Mascara", "Cerro Catedral", "Cerro Aleta de Tiburon" and "Cuerno Norte". You will return back to Campamento Italiano along the same path, and then go until the Pehoe sector, with wonderful views of Lake Pehoe and Paine Grande.

Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande OR Camping Paine Grande depending on package.

Day 5: Trekking to Grey Glacier (8-9 hours; 22km; Medium) & Return to Puerto Natales (B/L)

We recommend you to start off at 9:00 am, following the trail that goes through the western side of the Paine Massif, with spectacular views of the mountains and the famous Grey Glacier in the distance. After one hour and a half of walking, you will reach the first lookout point, and after another 2 hours you will get to the main lookout right in front of the glacier. You will return to Refugio Paine Grande along the same path. Be ready at 18:00 pm to take the Catamaran that crosses Pehoe Lake until the Pudeto sector, where your bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Puerto Natales (arrival time at Puerto Natales bus station around 22:00 pm).

IMPORTANT: Be sure to arrive on time for the Catamaran departure as delays will require you to stay one extra night at Refugio Paine Grande at your own cost. The departure is at 18:30 pm from Pehoe pier (next to Refugio Paine Grande). Please be present at the pier by 18:00 pm.

Included

  • Roundtrip Regular Bus Transportation: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
  • Catamaran for Lake Pehoe Crossing until Pudeto sector
  • 4 Nights Dorm-Style Accommodation in Refugios (with a sleeping bag or made up bed depending on availability) OR Camping Accommodation in Tents, depending on package purchased
  • Meals: Full Board (breakfast, box lunch & dinner, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with box lunch on Day 5)
  • Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine NP

Excluded

  • Guide (this is an independent trek)
  • Porter (please check availability & cost)
  • Mandatory Christmas & New Year's Eve Dinner Supplement: $32 USD
  • Beverages
  • Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off in Puerto Natales (please make your own way to/from meeting point)
  • Services not indicated in the program
  • Medical insurance of any kind

Good to Know

Physical rating: You must have a high level of fitness to take part in this trek. You will be walking at high altitudes every day and it will be physically demanding.  In the months leading up to your trek, try walking with your daypack, climbing long staircases and add a couple of bricks to it for real training. Undertake regular aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling. The more preparation you have done in advance, the more you will enjoy it.

Suggested Packing List: Backpack (10 - 15 liters), sleeping bag (if desired-- sheets & blankets are provided), hiking poles, rain pants, plastic rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals/flip flops, thermals (socks, t-shirts, sweater), windbreaker, hiking trousers, shorts, wool hat/beanie, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sunglasses, flashlight/torch, camera (with extra batteries & memory card), personal medications, reusable water bottle, water purification tablets, toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toilet paper, towel).

Food Budget: Please expect to spend at least 20 USD per day on food and beverages. Please note that food costs will vary depending on the number of portions consumed, location and availability.

Gratuity: Tipping is by no means mandatory, but is customary. For a job well done, we recommend tipping 10% to your guide, porter, and driver.

First Aid: All guides for this tour have completed first aid training

Itinerary

Day 1: Transport from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (Regular Bus) (D)

Meet at Puerto Natales bus station at 14:00 and catch a 14:30 bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Travel by bus to Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Amarga Main Entrance), with a short stop at Cerro Castillo Village. After reaching the Laguna Amarga Main Entrance at 16:30 pm and pay the entrance fee, take the shuttle that will be waiting for you to take you to Las Torres sector where the Refugio Torre Central is located. Have a good night's sleep before starting your trek the next day.

Overnight in Refugio Central Sector OR Camping Central Sector depending on the package.

*Note: you must arrive at the Puerto Natales bus station before 14:00 to take the 14:30 bus.

Day 2: Trekking to "The Base of Torres del Paine" (8-10 hours; 13km; Difficult) (B/L/D)

We recommend having an early breakfast and start hiking by 9:00 am. Walk during 1 hour through an ancient Lenga forest until you reach the base of “The Moraine”. Then a challenging 45-minute ascent will follow to reach one of the most impressive lookouts in the park; "The Base of Torres del Paine" where you will have amazing views of the glacier lake and the 3 well-known monumental towers rising over 2,600 meters in height. (Torre Sur 2850 meters, Torre Central 2800 meters, Torre Norte 2600 meters, and Cerro Nido de Cóndor). 

Overnight at Refugio Central Sector OR Camping Central Sector depending on package.

Day 3: Trekking from El Chileno to Los Cuernos, Hike Francés Sector (4.5-6.5 hours; 11km; Medium) (B/L/D)

Again, we recommend starting off at 9:00 am today. After hiking for about 30 minutes, you will see the sign to take the "shortcut" that leads to Refugio Los Cuernos and follow this path. The trail goes through the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain, which is part of the Paine Massif, and offers great views of Nordenskjöld Lake. In December, look for vibrantly colored flora like the "Ciruelillo or Fire Bush" with vivid red flowers. After about 4 to 5 hours of hiking today, you will get to the Base of Los Cuernos where you will stay the night in the Frances Sector.

Overnight at Refugio Frances Sector OR Camping Frances Sector depending on package.

Day 4: Trekking to The French Valley (8-10 hours; 25.3km; Difficult) (B/L/D)

We recommend waking up early this morning starting off around 8:00 am. Get ready for a long day of scenic ups and downs. Hike for 2 hours along a rolling trail until "Campamento Italiano", with picturesque views of Nordenskjöld Lake. Pass by Campamento Italiano again this afternoon. From here, the ascent goes for about one hour and a half until the French Glacier lookout, from where you will be able to see its hanging glacier and possibly some small avalanches. The trail continues until "Campamento Britanico" and then after another 20 minutes of hiking you will reach the lookout point "Mirador Britanico", which is considered by many as one of the most overwhelming points in the Circuit. From there you can admire panoramic views of the valley with its breathtaking mountains; "Paine Grande", "Cerro Hoja", "Cerro Mascara", "Cerro Catedral", "Cerro Aleta de Tiburon" and "Cuerno Norte". You will return back to Campamento Italiano along the same path, and then go until the Pehoe sector, with wonderful views of Lake Pehoe and Paine Grande.

Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande OR Camping Paine Grande depending on package.

Day 5: Trekking to Grey Glacier (8-9 hours; 22km; Medium) & Return to Puerto Natales (B/L)

We recommend you to start off at 9:00 am, following the trail that goes through the western side of the Paine Massif, with spectacular views of the mountains and the famous Grey Glacier in the distance. After one hour and a half of walking, you will reach the first lookout point, and after another 2 hours you will get to the main lookout right in front of the glacier. You will return to Refugio Paine Grande along the same path. Be ready at 18:00 pm to take the Catamaran that crosses Pehoe Lake until the Pudeto sector, where your bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Puerto Natales (arrival time at Puerto Natales bus station around 22:00 pm).

IMPORTANT: Be sure to arrive on time for the Catamaran departure as delays will require you to stay one extra night at Refugio Paine Grande at your own cost. The departure is at 18:30 pm from Pehoe pier (next to Refugio Paine Grande). Please be present at the pier by 18:00 pm.

Included

  • Roundtrip Regular Bus Transportation: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
  • Catamaran for Lake Pehoe Crossing until Pudeto sector
  • 4 Nights Dorm-Style Accommodation in Refugios (with a sleeping bag or made up bed depending on availability) OR Camping Accommodation in Tents, depending on package purchased
  • Meals: Full Board (breakfast, box lunch & dinner, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with box lunch on Day 5)
  • Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine NP

Excluded

  • Guide (this is an independent trek)
  • Porter (please check availability & cost)
  • Mandatory Christmas & New Year's Eve Dinner Supplement: $32 USD
  • Beverages
  • Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off in Puerto Natales (please make your own way to/from meeting point)
  • Services not indicated in the program
  • Medical insurance of any kind

Good to Know

Physical rating: You must have a high level of fitness to take part in this trek. You will be walking at high altitudes every day and it will be physically demanding.  In the months leading up to your trek, try walking with your daypack, climbing long staircases and add a couple of bricks to it for real training. Undertake regular aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling. The more preparation you have done in advance, the more you will enjoy it.

Suggested Packing List: Backpack (10 - 15 liters), sleeping bag (if desired-- sheets & blankets are provided), hiking poles, rain pants, plastic rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals/flip flops, thermals (socks, t-shirts, sweater), windbreaker, hiking trousers, shorts, wool hat/beanie, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sunglasses, flashlight/torch, camera (with extra batteries & memory card), personal medications, reusable water bottle, water purification tablets, toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toilet paper, towel).

Food Budget: Please expect to spend at least 20 USD per day on food and beverages. Please note that food costs will vary depending on the number of portions consumed, location and availability.

Gratuity: Tipping is by no means mandatory, but is customary. For a job well done, we recommend tipping 10% to your guide, porter, and driver.

First Aid: All guides for this tour have completed first aid training