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Map of Patagonia: Torres del Paine Classic W Trek including Chile

Challenge yourself with the W Trek in Chilean Patagonia – one of the best hiking spots in the world

Immerse yourself in the Patagonian wilderness, on this 6-day hiking trip in the Torres del Pain National Park of Chile. Coined one of the most beautiful and popular treks in the world, the W Trek traverses through rolling grasslands and mountainous peaks, alongside the breathtaking blues of lakes, rivers and streams. You’ll stay in Refugios by night (backcountry huts or lodges with all the comforts of home) and walk the ever-changing landscape by day. Along the way, witness jagged icebergs on Lake Grey, diverse flora and fauna (look out for Andean condors and grazing guanacos) and the famous Los Cuernos del Paine (The Horns of Blue) and Torres del Paine (Towers of Blue) distinctive to Patagonia. If you’re looking for a challenge, this multi-day hiking trek is perfect for you.

Start
Puerto Natales, Chile
Finish
Puerto Natales, Chile
Destination
Chile
Style
Basix
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
GPXW
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 14

Why you'll love this trip

  • Immerse yourself in the sheer majesty of Chilean Patagonia – one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth with its vast mountain ranges, glacial lakes, grasslands and beech forests.

  • Explore French Valley, Lake Grey and the famous Towers of Blue (Torres del Paine) on an actioned-packed multi-day hiking trip. This part of the world is widely considered one of the best for hiking.

  • Witness this raw, untamed landscape on a low-altitude trek that takes you through a designated UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Keep your eye out for Andean condors, flamingos and guanacos.

  • Stay in Refugios with fully serviced kitchens and bathrooms, comfortable beds and all meals taken care of – so you don’t need to worry about anything other than the experience.

  • Hike the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park West to East, saving the crown jewel (the three peaks of Torres del Paine) for last. What a way to cap off the perfect hiking trip!

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a hiking trip, so it does require a good level of fitness, but no previous experience is needed. The longest day will see you hiking for 24 km with 1100 m of elevation gain.

  • Please read the packing list carefully and come prepared, as you may not have a chance to buy any missing parts of equipment or trekking clothing.

  • You will need to carry your luggage on the trek as porter services is not included. Your fully packed trekking backpack should not exceed 12kg total weight.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. Despite rigorous planning and research, new itineraries can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a welcome surprise, but every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Lake Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile, Patagonia
Travellers in Torres del Paine, Chile
Hikers in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
French Valley, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
hikers in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
hikers in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024.
 View the 2023 itinerary

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Puerto Natales, in Chilean Patagonia. A private transfer from the Puerto Natales airport to your hotel is included in your trip fare. If you are arriving early, just speak to your hotel staff about where to meet later tonight. This port city is famously the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park – the centre of your 6-day hiking trip. Depending on when you arrive, you may want to acquaint yourself with the city on foot, taking in the snow-capped mountainous horizon, or maybe you’ll pop into the Municipal Historical Museum in the city centre to brush up on some local history. You’re free until 6 pm when there is a welcome meeting with your group. After, you may want to head to a restaurant or bar to get to know your fellow trekkers a little better and taste some classic Patagonian flavours.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Puerto Natales airport to hotel arrival transfer
  • Full W Trek guided hike West to East
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Please note your Tour Leader will not stay in the same accommodation as the group for tonight, and will re-join you in the morning of Day 2.

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll take a transfer from the hotel to the Grey Sector of the W Circuit in wild Patagonia. This is the most famous and well-travelled hiking trail in the park because although it can be challenging, the trail can be completed by anyone of any fitness level (as long as you are reasonably active and able to walk long distances). First, take a boat ride from Hotel Grey to the trailhead and explore a landscape, which you will soon trek, from a different perspective. Then, from your starting point, the path is quite flat for the first hour, passing through beech-lined woods and crossing over some small streams. Along the way, you’ll have multiple opportunities to see the beautiful Lake Grey, with its electric-blue icebergs that jut from the water like small, otherworldly mountains. As you start to ascend, you’ll see a marvellous view of the Grey Glacier in the distance. Along the way, you’ll stop for a packed lunch, where you can keep your eye out for the Patagonian fox and the Andean condor. Eventually, make your way downhill once more and reach your accommodation for the night – Refugio Paine Grande. Refugios are backcountry huts or lodges that are along the trail, with full-service kitchens, beds and bathrooms. After a nice warm shower, cap off your first hiking day with a group dinner.
Accommodation
  • Refugio Paine Grande (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Paine Grande refuge overnight stay (fully equipped)
  • Lake Grey boat ride
  • Grey Trek guided trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The trekking time for today will be about 4 hours or 11 km. There is no experience required for this trip, however, you do need to be reasonably fit and accustomed to long walks.

After breakfast at your Refugio, you’ll embark on a full-day trek through the French Valley. From here, the well-trodden path leads towards the Cuernos of Paine – look! You can see the jagged peaks in the far distance. Passing through woods and over small streams, you’ll have a beautiful view of Lake Nordenskjold, and later, the amazing sight of ancient sedimentary rock among the rolling hills. You’ll arrive at a rickety-looking hanging bridge, like something out of an Indiana Jones movie (don’t worry, it’s completely safe). Head on into the French Valley, which if you opt for the full round-trip, will take about 5 hours. Your path is a steady, uphill trail that reaches an altitude of around 900 m. If the weather is clear, the views are spectacular. After traversing rivers and forests of beech trees (or lenga trees), the skyline is dwarfed by towering granite spires and the famed Paine Grande – the highest mountain peak in the park, sitting at 3,050 m above sea level. The return trek (along the breathtaking Lake Nordenskjold) will eventually lead you to your accommodation and dinner spot for the night – Refugio Domos Frances.
Accommodation
  • Refugio Domos Frances (1 night)
Included Activities
  • French Valley guided trek
  • Frances refuge overnight stay (fully equipped)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The trekking time for today will be about 10 hours or 24 km (although you will have the option to cut your hike short).

Fuel up on brekkie this morning and pack up your gear ready for another beautiful day of hiking. Today’s trek passes through beech tree woodlands and continues along the northern shore of Lake Nordenskjold, with its amazing dark-blue hues. On your left, the incredibly tall granite spires of Los Cuernos del Paine (The Horns of Blue) impose upon your track. The Horns are one of the distinctive features of the park and part of the overall Paine massif – which is nestled within the heart of the southern Andes. Along today’s trail, look out for grazing guanacos, swooping eagles, Magellanic ducks and the diverse flora of the area. On the lake, you may even see black-necked swans and pink flamingos! Today’s hike will come with a fair few rolling hills and potentially steep climbs, but after every incline, you’ll be met with stunning scenery that reminds you why you’re there. Tonight, you’ll arrive at Refugio Torre Central where you’ll enjoy a group dinner and a restful night’s sleep under the stars.
Accommodation
  • Refugio Torre Central (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Central Valley guided trek
  • Central refuge overnight stay (fully equipped)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The trekking time for today will be about 5 hours or 13.5 km.

Arise nice and early and fuel up on brekkie, ready for your last full day of trekking this spectacular trail. As this is your last day in the park, it’s a good idea to remind yourself to be present, taking in all the majestic beauty of the area and the friendly faces who have been by your side along the way. Once you turn the final bend of today’s hike, you’ll witness the spectacle of the giant towers of Torres del Paine (Towers of Blue) – the gem of the park. This trail follows the W Circuit backwards, meaning you’ll finish your trip off with the highlight of this incredible view. Take a moment to appreciate the massive vertical structures with the reflective milky-blue lake at the base. You’ll have about half an hour to relax and take photos, have some lunch and enjoy the view. This scene is at a high altitude, however, meaning it will be windy and cold. When the time is right (when everyone’s noses start to turn pink) turn around and head back the way you came. You’ll have the option of stopping off at Refugio Chileno to stretch and refuel. Once past Refugio Chileno, head back to the French Valley and then downhill towards the buildings of Hotel las Torres. It’s time to say your goodbyes to the national park! Eventually, you’ll reach the ECO Camp, where you’ll meet your private transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Base Las Torres guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
The trekking time for today will be about 8-9 hours or 19 km.
Tour leader’s service will finish tonight in the evening after group is checked in the hotel in Puerto Natales.

This morning after breakfast your trip will come to an end. A transfer to the bus terminal or the airport is included in your trip fare. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Included Activities
  • Puerto Natales hotel to airport transfer
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Refugios (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Puerto Natales airport to hotel arrival transfer
  • Full W Trek guided hike West to East
  • Paine Grande refuge overnight stay (fully equipped)
  • Lake Grey boat ride
  • Grey Trek guided trek
  • French Valley guided trek
  • Frances refuge overnight stay (fully equipped)
  • Central Valley guided trek
  • Central refuge overnight stay (fully equipped)
  • Base Las Torres guided hike
  • Puerto Natales hotel to airport transfer

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Patagonia: Torres del Paine Classic W Trek trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance fees to Torres del Paine National Parks.
2. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1.
3. Tour leader is also a qualified Trekking Guide and will join the group for Welcome Meting and then on the morning of Day 2 for the start of the trek.
4. All overnight stays in Torres del Paine are booked in authentic refuges, with shared facilities and dorm style rooms.
5. You will need to carry your luggage on the trek (porter services is not included), so please read a packing list and our recommendations carefully. Your fully packed trekking backpack should not exceed 12kg total weight. Excess luggage can be stored in our hotel in Puerto Natales for the duration of the trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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