There are a few options for hiking the 5-Day W-Trek:
- EcoCamp
- Las Torres:
- Camping
- Refugios
- Hotel Las Torres (Hotel-Only or Hotel+Refugio)
A couple of basic differences between the options:
- EcoCamp is only guided and starts on Sundays (or a private trek/guide can start any day). The Camping/Refugio options are only self-guided, and you can start on any day (but a private guide can be arranged).
- EcoCamp and Hotel-Only includes scheduled transfers from/to Punta Arenas. The Camping/Refugio options only include a bus from Puerto Natales (private transfers can be arranged).
- The Las Torres itinerary includes the trek from the Central Sector to the French Sector (EcoCamp does not). The EcoCamp itinerary allows you to hike all the way to the end of the Grey Sector (there is not enough time in the Las Torres itinerary).
- EcoCamp includes luggage transfer (Paine Grande back to EcoCamp). Las Torres does not include luggage transfer, so you carry starting Day 3 (you can leave extra luggage in Puerto Natales).
Here is a map of the W-Trek. EcoCamp is right next to Hotel Las Torres (and Welcome Center) in the Central Sector.
ECOCAMP
The itinerary for the 5-Day Patagonia: Torres del Paine W Trek with EcoCamp is
- Transfer from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine, overnight EcoCamp
- Boat across Lake Pehoe, hike the French Sector, overnight Paine Grande Camping (tent on ground, equipment included)
- Hike the Grey Sector, boat across Grey Lake, overnight EcoCamp
- Hike Towers Base, overnight EcoCamp
- Transfer to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales
This trek includes:
- Accommodation in an EcoCamp Suite, Standard or Superior Dome for 3 nights. The Standard Domes do not have heat (but lots of blankets) and share a bathroom with one other Standard Dome. Standard and Superior Domes have heat and private bathroom.
- 1 night Camping
- Shared scheduled Transfers from/to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales
- English speaking guide. Guide ratio 1:6. Max. group size: 16 people.
- Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee.
- Boat ticket for crossing Grey Lake and/or Pehoe Lake.
- House wine during dinner at EcoCamp
- All meals: breakfast, lunch (box lunch) and dinner (dinner first day through box lunch last day).
LAS TORRES
The itinerary for the 5-Day Patagonia: Traditional W Trek in Torres del Paine is
- Bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine, overnight Central Sector
- Hike Towers Base, overnight Central Sector
- Hike to French or Cuernos, overnight French or Cuernos
- Hike the French Sector, overnight French or Cuernos
- Hike the Grey Sector and back, Boat across Lake Pehoe, Bus to Puerto Natales
The Camping option is Premium Camping (nicer than the regular camping option with EcoCamp) — see photo below. Most of the Refugios have dorm rooms that sleep 6 people, but the French Sector has domes that sleep 8 people.
This trek includes:
- Transport on a regular bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park and back (not from Punta Arenas). Bus leaves Puerto Natales at 2:00pm.
- 2 nights of lodging in the Central Sector, 1 night in the Francés Sector and 1 night in the Paine Grande Sector.
- Pre set-up mountain tent equipped with sleeping bag and sleeping mat (Camping)
- Bathrooms with hot showers (shared)
- All meals: breakfast, lunch (box lunch) and dinner (dinner first day through box lunch last day).
- Pehoé Lake Catamaran.
- Torres del Paine National Park entrance fees.
- Welcome Kit: Includes sleeping-bag liner, microfiber towel, water bottle (stainless steel), a map and a journal notebook.
This trek is self-guided. We recommend getting to Puerto Natales the day before and spending the night before starting the trek. There is a briefing that evening that will help you on the trek. If you fly into Punta Arenas there are buses up to Puerto Natales, or we can arrange a private transfer.
You can do the boat across Lake Grey instead of Lake Pehoe for an extra charge (around $120/person). There is a bus on the other side at 5:00pm to take you to Puerto Natales.
See Also: