W Trek Torres del Paine National Park 01 Oct, 2025

Independent/Tailor-Made / Chile

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Amazing Experience

Overview

Trip Overview

Patagonia is a region at the southern end of the South American continent that is shared by Argentina and Chile. It encompasses parts of the Andes mountain range, the Atlantic Ocean, the Tierra del Fuego peninsula and more. The Torres del Paine National Park, with mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers, has become an incredibly popular hiking destination. This trek is shaped like a W, hence the name. 

Start your trek with a drive from Punta Arenas to the EcoCamp Patagonia in the Torres del Paine National Park. Alternately, you can start from Calafate. En route, stop at Puerto Natales, a small lively town for lunch and also at Cueva de Milodon, a prehistoric cave. The scenery is amazing on your journey and you will see many wild birds. Overnight at the camp. 

The next morning brings a pleasant walk through the Cuernos Trail which follows alongside the beautiful Lake Norfdenskjold. You will see some exquisite flora and fauna as well as have amazing views of the park’s central lakes.  Eventually arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos, a cozy mountain refuge and your overnight accommodation.

The next day is a challenging trek to Valle Frances in the heart of the Paine Massif.  You will have awesome views here of the valley. Ascending further, you will experience the extensive mass of the valley’s geological formations. Then it is time for a picnic after which descend to your next overnight stop at the Refugio Paine Grande.

Hiking the following morning takes you along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the glacial Lake Grey.  Have a picnic lunch then board a boat that sails right up to the façade of Glacier Grey.  From here, sail on to the EcoCamp for 3 nights’ accommodation. If the weather prevents the boat from sailing on the lake, you will trek up to a sightseeing point and still enjoy exceptional panoramic views of the glacier. 

Now you come to a trek on the most famous trekking trail in the Torres del Paine National Park.  You will walk from the campsite and ascend to Ascencio Valley via mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers which line the scenic walk. A big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a mass of boulders which eventually lead to the base view of the Towers, three gigantic granite monoliths. After a tough uphill climb, the Towers come into view with the glacial lake below. After a picnic here, you will backtrack along the trail back to the EcoCamp. 

The next day is less strenuous starting with a leisurely car ride to Laguna Azul passing by Canadon Macho pausing to admire the wonderful views of the Patagonia steppe and the Towers from a different viewpoint. On arrival at Laguna Azul, you hike to the lookout point for views of the lagoon and the Towers. Later, drive to the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake where the Fauna Trail begins. Start your hike here and pass by the charming Goic Lagoon followed by reaching the Laguna Amarga ranger station from where you drive back to the camp. 

The next morning, drive back to either Punta Arena or Calafate.

Highlights

Departures

Monday, October to April

 

Trip Includes

  • All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary
  • Regular bus tickets Calafate to Natales and vice versa if starting/finishing in Calafate 
  • Boat crossing on Grey Lake
  • Accomodation as listed on Itinerary
  • Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park
  • One expert English speaking trekking guide
  • Sleeping bag for refugios if needed
  • Transportation for luggage within the Park: while trekking you will carry just your daypack
  • Meals as indicated on the Itinerary

 

Trip Excludes

  • Travel insurance
  • International, domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
  • Gratuities
  • Optional excursions
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees, if applicable

 

 

Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are “from” per person and based on twin share. Single rates available on request. Subject to availability, limited seats available, seasonal surcharges may apply.

The trip begins with you being picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. Alternatively, you can start your trip in Calafate. En route there will be a couple of stops - First in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of 'Seno de Ultima Esperanza', where you will enjoy a hearty local lunch, and second at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890's. The journey is scenic and highly atmospheric, featuring many wild birds and wonderful Patagonian landscapes. The day ends with arrival at EcoCamp Patagonia (optional) for an overnight stay. The EcoCamp is nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and with a prime view of the majestic Torres. Sunset is usually around 11pm during the summer months, meaning that there will still be enough daylight for you to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon once you arrive.

Meal

Dinner, Lunch

 

EcoCamp Patagonia

In this world of vanishing wilderness, we invite you to explore our remote Patagonia with the least ecological impact possible; to trek in virgin beech forests; to admire colossal calving glaciers; to think and wonder about humankind while standing at the foot of the towering granite peaks of the Torres del Paine; to sit in total silence under the Southern Cross; and to share a glass of wine with new friends.

EcoCamp Patagonia

You will being your Patagonian adventure with a pleasant walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads alongside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this warm-up walk we will have the opportunity to admire the park's exquisite flora and fauna, as well as magnificent views of the park's central lakes and the Paine's Horns. The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refuge located by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Alternatively the trek ends at Domo el Francés, located between Cuernos and Italiano camping sites, with an amazing view of Nordenskjöld lake. The evening is free for relaxing and enjoying dinner.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Refugio Los Cuernos

Located at 4,5 hours trek from Las Torres sector, it is in the real heart of the "W" Circuit and generally is the second or third night during the itinerary. It is located between Las Torres Sector and the French Valley. From this sector you can visit the French Valley that has one of the best views in the park, the amphitheater formed by several granitic mountains and then continue to Pehoé Lake and Grey Glacier.

Refugio Los Cuernos

After breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, you will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in you go depends on the group's trekking rhythm. A swifter walk will lead to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif, where you will be treated to fantastic views of the valley. You will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where you will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark's Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After the upward trek, you will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's trek will end as you descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take you to Refugio Paine Grande.

N.B. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is also available.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Refugio Paine Grande

A new Mountain Lodge, with a new concept in quality of service and rooms in the Torres del Paine National Park, conceived from the start as an environmentally friendly building and infrastructure. It comfortably sleeps 60 people in shared rooms with 3 bunk-beds per room; all of them have a wonderful view of Lake Pehoé and Paine Grande. There are separate shared bathrooms for men and women and hot-water showers. The Lodge has reading rooms, lounges, a dining room for about 120 people, a top-class bar and a mini-market, where you can find all you need for your hikes.

Refugio Paine Grande

Today you will hike from Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern side of the glacially beautiful Lake Grey. You will feast on a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails right to the huge, crystalline facade of Glacier Grey, where there is plenty of time to marvel at the calving glacier. From the southern end of Glacier Grey you will transfer to EcoCamp.Due to the temperamental weather of the region, boat trips across the lake may occasionally be restricted during Shoulder Season (October and April) or cancelled if the required minimum of 10 passengers is not reached. If either is the case, you will trek up to the sightseeing point and profit from wonderful, panoramic views of the Glacier instead. Then you return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to Pudeto's dock, where you will be picked up and driven to EcoCamp.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

EcoCamp Patagonia

In this world of vanishing wilderness, we invite you to explore our remote Patagonia with the least ecological impact possible; to trek in virgin beech forests; to admire colossal calving glaciers; to think and wonder about humankind while standing at the foot of the towering granite peaks of the Torres del Paine; to sit in total silence under the Southern Cross; and to share a glass of wine with new friends.

EcoCamp Patagonia

The goal of your fifth day of the 7-day Trek will be to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park! You will walk from the campsite towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. The big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which will lead us to that iconic base-view of the Towers - Three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before you, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and your picnic, you will backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp for a well-deserved dinner.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

EcoCamp Patagonia

In this world of vanishing wilderness, we invite you to explore our remote Patagonia with the least ecological impact possible; to trek in virgin beech forests; to admire colossal calving glaciers; to think and wonder about humankind while standing at the foot of the towering granite peaks of the Torres del Paine; to sit in total silence under the Southern Cross; and to share a glass of wine with new friends.

EcoCamp Patagonia

The sixth day will consist of a less strenuous trail in order to counter the exhausting efforts of the previous day. After breakfast, you will take a leisurely car journey towards Laguna Azul, passing Cañadón Macho, home to many wild guanacos and ñandúes, en route. You will pause occasionally to admire the views of the Patagonian steppe and the towers from a different perspetive. At Laguna Azul, you will hike to the lookout point where you will be treated to a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. After lunch, you will drive to the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake where the Fauna Trail begins. As you hike northbound, you will spot an impressive range of Patagonian fauna on the vast plains, including: guanacos, ostrich-like ñandús and maybe the occasional puma print! You will pass the charming Goic lagoon and after approximately 5km of relaxed walking, you will reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station where you will be picked up and driven back to Ecocamp to celebrate over a farewell dinner.

*Please note that if there are more than 6 travelers in the group, there's an option to split into two groups, with one group (or the whole group if everybody's in the mood!) cycling to Laguna Azul!

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

EcoCamp Patagonia

In this world of vanishing wilderness, we invite you to explore our remote Patagonia with the least ecological impact possible; to trek in virgin beech forests; to admire colossal calving glaciers; to think and wonder about humankind while standing at the foot of the towering granite peaks of the Torres del Paine; to sit in total silence under the Southern Cross; and to share a glass of wine with new friends.

EcoCamp Patagonia

You will board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago. Or, alternatively, board an early morning vehicle to the border to continue your journey to El Calafate.

Meal

Breakfast, Lunch

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