Alternative W Circuit Self-Guided: 5 Days, 4 Night
Experience the iconic W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park
Highlights
- Accommodation in fully equipped campsites.
- Round-trip transportation between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine.
- Entry ticket to Torres del Paine National Park included.
- Catamaran ride across Lake Pehoé.
- Camping gear and bedding provided at all locations.
- Welcome drink at Camping Las Torres.
- Trek through the most iconic spots: Base Torres, Grey Glacier, and French Valley
Itinerary
After breakfast at the hostel, request your box lunch and head to the bus station to board the regular bus to Torres del Paine National Park. The journey takes you through beautiful landscapes until you reach the main entrance at Laguna Amarga, where you must register with CONAF (park rangers). From there, take the shuttle bus to the Welcome Center. After a short 5-minute walk, you’ll arrive at Torre Central, where your trek begins.
Today's hike takes you through the Ascencio Valley, surrounded by native forests. The final stretch involves a steep climb through a giant boulder field until reaching one of the world’s most iconic viewpoints: Base Torres. Sitting at 900 meters above sea level, enjoy the breathtaking view of the three granite towers (North, Central, and South) and the bright turquoise glacial lake below. Take amazing photos and enjoy your box lunch before hiking back the same way and boarding the bus that will return you to Puerto Natales.
- Distance: 22 km
- Duration: 8 to 10 hrs
- Difficulty: Very demanding
- Accommodation: Hotel Factoría – Puerto Natales
- Meals: Box lunch and dinner
After breakfast at the hostel, pick up your box lunch and head to the bus terminal. Take the 7:00 am bus to the Pudeto sector, where you'll board the Hielos Patagónicos catamaran for a scenic 35-minute navigation across Lake Pehoé, arriving directly at Paine Grande Refuge. From here, your hike to Grey begins.
Start your trek through a narrow, winding valley that leads to Laguna Los Patos. As you continue, you’ll catch your first glimpses of the massive Southern Ice Field and the floating icebergs on Lake Grey. After passing the sometimes extremely windy viewpoint, the trail descends through a forested area until you reach the Grey Refuge. From there, you can walk an extra 10 minutes to the Glacier Grey viewpoint, where you'll face one of the many arms of the Ice Field.
Dinner will be served at the refuge between 6:00 and 9:00 pm.
Later, return to Paine Grande by the same trail to take the catamaran back to Pudeto, where a private transfer will be waiting to take you back to Puerto Natales.
Enjoy breakfast at the Grey Refuge dining area and don’t forget your box lunch. If you didn’t have the chance to visit the hanging bridges the previous afternoon, you can take the morning to explore the spectacular panoramic views of Glacier Grey.
Today you’ll follow the same trail back to Paine Grande. Once there, rest and enjoy dinner at the campsite dining area.
- Distance: 11 km
- Duration: 4 – 4.5 hrs
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Accommodation: Camping Paine Grande
- Meals: Breakfast and box lunch
Today’s hike is an out-and-back route, starting and ending at Paine Grande Refuge — so we recommend starting early! After breakfast, request your box lunch and get ready for your final adventure before heading back to Puerto Natales.
Walk along the shores of the deep-blue Lake Skottsberg to reach Campamento Italiano (ranger station) after approximately 2.5 hours. From there, begin your ascent into the French Valley.
Climb over large rocks and continue through native forest until you reach the French Plateau (Mirador Francés), where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and hanging glaciers cascading down the eastern face of Mount Paine Grande (3,050 m.a.s.l.). If you're lucky, you might hear the roaring sound of calving glaciers or even witness a small avalanche.
Enjoy your box lunch and a well-deserved rest before heading back down the same trail to Campamento Italiano and finally to Paine Grande Refuge.
Once there, take the catamaran back to Pudeto and board the bus returning to Puerto Natales.
- Distance: 17 km (to French Viewpoint)
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner
Book with us and live this unforgettable adventure!
included with
- Accommodation in Camping
- Meals included according to the itinerary
- Tours and transfers as specified in itinerary
- Welcome drink at Camping Las Torres
- Taxes
* You must be in a good physical condition.
* We recommend you to bring: road map (that will be given at the entrance of the park), thermic water bottle (minimum 1 liter), first-aid kit, torch, compass o GPS, Anti-UV sunglasses, trekking shoes, impermeable clothes, solar cream, cargo trousers, tent and sleeping bag, windbreaker, hat, thick socks, gloves, polar sweaters
Restrictions
Rates NOT applicable for Holidays and Special Events
