4-Day Patagonia: W Trek Express 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.)

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.

• 6:30am Registration time at Rodoviario Puerto Natales Bus Station (Av. España #1455)
• 7:00am Departure
• 9:00am Arrival to Porteria Laguna Amarga (park entrance)

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 give you your Welcome Kit and direct you to your first accommodation: Refugio or Camping. Leave your luggage and take a small backpack on your hike.

Hike to Torres Base:

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 to Refugio El Chileno. Here, the traveler will go through check-in, recharge energies and leave his/her main luggage before initiating the climb with a small rucksack. From here, and for about an hour, the traveler will cross a millennium-old forest of lenga trees before arriving to the base of the "Morrena". At this point, he/she will ascend for about 45 minutes in order to arrive to one of the site's most magnificent areas, "Base Torres Lookout", from where 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 9 hours - 12 miles
• Highest elevation: 2870 feet
• Lowest Elevation: 443 feet
• Level of difficulty: High

Meals included: 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 Frances

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 Frances

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.

• 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