5-Day Patagonia: Traditional W Trek in Torres del Paine

*** We recommend that you arrive in Puerto Natales the day before and spend the night before starting the trek. You will get an online briefing that will help guide you on the trek.

Arrive at the bus station by 2:00pm (taxi or Uber). There will be a representative from "Las Torres," who will assist you. They will give you a Welcome Kit.

• 2:00pm Registration time at Rodoviario Puerto Natales Bus Station (Av. España #1455)
• 2:30pm Departure
• 4:30pm Arrival to Porteria Laguna Amarga (park entrance)

Transfer in a regular bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. The journey lasts approximately 2 hours (112 Km.), passing through Cerro Castillo, a small border town situated along the route to the park and 54 Km from Puerto Natales.

Upon arrival to Laguna Amarga (park entrance), all travelers must get off of the bus and visit the CONAF Administration Office where they will follow all protocol necessary to enter the park. The park entrance fee is included in the cost of the program.

You then board the transfer vehicle that belong to "Transportes Las Torres," which will take you to the Welcome Center. Here, they will direct you to your first accommodation: Refugio, Camping, or Hotel Las Torres.

Meals included: Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio/Camping Torre Central

Recommended time to begin the trek: 7am

You will hike to the start of the trail just past Hotel Las Torres. The first stage includes an ascent for about 1.5 hours with beautiful views of the surrounding lakes and Mount Almirante Nieto's hanging glacier (2670m), until arriving at Refugio El Chileno. You can stop here on your way up or down to rest and have a snack or drink. For the next hour, you will go through a millennium-old forest of lenga trees before arriving to the base of the "Morrena". At this point, you will ascend the steep hill for about 60 minutes arriving at one of the site's most magnificent areas: "Base Torres Lookout". The imposing Torre Sur (2850m), Torre Central (2800m), Torre Norte (2.600 m), Nido de Condor and Glacier Torre can all be appreciated.

• 8 to 10 hours - 12 miles / 19.5km
• Highest elevation: 2870 feet / 870m
• Lowest Elevation: 400 feet / 120m
• Level of difficulty: High

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio/Camping Torre Central

Recommended time to begin the trek: 9am

This is a moderate trek around the Macizo Paine, circling the base of Mount Almirante Nieto. From Refugio Central, and after a 30-minute walk, you arrive at the "Atajo", a path on the right that continues towards Refugio Los Cuernos. Along the journey, you can take in the incredible views of Lake Nordenskjold, the hanging glaciers and local flora, including the "ciruelillo" or "notro" trees, which delight in displaying their characteristic red flowers from December onwards. After a 4-5 hour walk, you arrive to the area of Los Cuernos, which is considered by many as one of the most welcoming spots along the entire circuit. You will spend the night at Cuernos or Frances depending on availability. The two areas are fairly close.

• 5 to 6.5 hours - 8.5 miles / 13.5km
• Total Altitude: 650 feet / 200m
• Level of difficulty: Medium

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio/Camping Los Cuernos

Recommended time to begin the trek: 8am

The first two hours are fairly light with views of Lake Nordenskjold until arriving at Camp Italiano. Then the climb begins from the valley of River Frances and continues all the way up to the Frances Glacier Lookout (1.5 hours). From there, the climb continues along the path until arriving at the Britanico Lookout, which offers one of the national park's most impressive landscape views. The peaks that can be seen from this lookout are Paine Grande, Catedral, Hoja, Mascara, Espada, Aleta de Tiburon and Cuerno Norte. The return trek follows the same path down to "Camp Italiano" and then onwards to the sector known as Paine Grande, where the shelter is located.

• 8 to 10 hours - 12.5 miles / 20.5km
• Highest elevation: 2500 feet / 762m
• Lowest Elevation: 400 feet / 120m
• Level of difficulty: High

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio/Camping Paine Grande

Recommended time to begin the trek: 9am

This hike is a roundtrip to the Grey Glacier Lookout. You can leave extra luggage at Paine Grande and just hike with a day pack to Grey Glacier.

After about 1.5 hours, you will reach the first lookout, where it is possible to observe the glacier at a distance. From there, you follow a path that circles the west bank of Lake Grey. After about 1.5-2 hours, you will reach the main lookout with spectacular views of Grey Glacier, Cordon Olguin and the ice floes. The return journey follows the same path back to Paine Grande. At the pier, you will board a ferry and take a trip across Lake Pehoe, disembarking at Pudeto where you will board a bus back to Puerto Natales (Buse Base Torres).

The ferry for Lake Pehoe picks up at Paine Grande at 6:30pm. Be in line for the ferry at 6:00pm. Plan your hiking day to return in time!

You will arrive in Puerto Natales around 10:00pm. (Grab an early dinner at the refugio before the ferry or pack some food for the trip.)

• 7-8 hours - 13.5 miles / 22km
• Highest elevation: 1030 feet / 313m
• Lowest Elevation: 140 feet / 43m
• Level of difficulty: High

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch