Duration(in days): 7
From: Punta Arenas
To: Punta Arenas
See more ideas for: Chile
Enjoy a self-guided trek in Chile with the famous Torres del Paine W Trek - one of the most famous and beautiful hikes in Chile and indeed, the world. From familiar jutting peaks and shimmering lakes to majestic glaciers – you’ll have the opportunity to discover the raw beauty of Patagonia and experience the purity of nature along this celebrated route.
You’ll need to come prepared as the treks can be long and challenging and a certain level of fitness is recommended, but we’ve included all meals and accommodation. Stays are pre-booked in mountain shelters and lodges, you’ll have time to share your day’s experiences with fellow adventurers on the trek.
If you’re looking for a challenge, what better route than the ‘W’ Trek to discover the sheer beauty of Chilean Patagonia?
This Chile itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements, please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
On arrival at Punta Arenas airport, you will need to board the public bus to Puerto Natales. Journey time is around 3 hours and once you arrive, make your way to your hotel where you will check in for a one night stay.
Today you’ll make your way to Torres del Paine, so after breakfast, board a public bus for the scenic 2.5-hour journey to the park. As you enter the park, you’ll head for Puerto Pudeto where you will cross Pehoe Lake by catamaran, towards Paine Grande.
The lake crossing offers impressive views of the wide-open wilderness. After crossing the lake, you’ll continue with a relatively easy, 4-hour hike on the eastern shoreline of the lake through beautiful landscapes and towards the immense Grey Glacier. Soon, you’ll reach a lookout point where you will witness the majesty of the glacier wall and the vibrant blue of the icebergs.
Dinner will be served at Refugio Grey where you’ll stay overnight.
Ten hours of trekking await you today! After breakfast, you’ll get to explore the beauty of the glacier in more depth before enjoying a packed lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll descend to Pehoe Lake and here you’ll have dinner and spend the night at Paine Grande Lodge.
After a hearty breakfast, you will start your amazing trek to one of the most beautiful valleys in the park, French Valley. During today’s 10-hour trek you’ll be surrounded by high peaks, huge granite walls and a hanging glacier. Your journey will take you towards the lodge and the path along the Nordenskjold Lake beneath the impressive stone walls of the Paine Massif.
You will have dinner and spend the night at Refugio Los Cuernos.
Today will be the longest, but probably most rewarding day with around 12 hours of hiking. You will trek to Base Las Torres, the most famous hike in the park – a route that’s challenging but spectacular. You’ll need to set off early in the morning to make the most of the extended daylight hours during the summer season. Once you arrive at the base, your sense of achievement will combine with beautiful will make it worth the effort! Enjoy a well-deserved break and carry on towards Refugio Chileno in the Ascensio Valley where you will spend the night. (A boxed lunch and dinner are also included today).
After yesterday’s trek, today is easy! Enjoy breakfast, then hike for 3 hours along the beautiful pathways towards the Las Torres lodge. Here you’ll have the opportunity to rest and relax, before catching a bus back to the park’s entrance, and then continue back to Puerto Natales where you will spend the last night.
After breakfast, take the public bus to Punta Arenas airport where you will connect with your onward travel plans.
This itinerary runs from 1 September to 30 April. The peak of the Patagonian summer is from late November to late February when the park receives the highest number of visitors and it is harder to find a place in the refugios. We recommend inquiring early to get on the waiting list as soon as possible. The trek can be done the other times of the year however, days will be much shorter and temperatures low. Also, the refugios will not provide the same services as in the high season. The company of a certified guide is mandatory during low season.
If you'd like to get a feel for this trip, read our blog post https://www.travelnation.co.uk/blog/southern-hemisphere-5-of-the-best-hikes-in-the-world - written by one of our consultants who has been there.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.