5 Days Hiking
Hiking the W trek in Torres del Paine, Hut to Hut
OVERVIEW
Hiking the W trek in Torres del Paine, Hut to Hut hiking trip has become a “must do” for outdoor enthusiasts around the world when they think about Patagonia. The Towers of Torres del Paine made the area famous among climbers in the 1980’s. Since then, people have been doing more mountaineering in the national park. You can hike the W trail and admire the most eye-catching icons in Torres del Paine National Park. You will visit the Torres Lookout, the French Valley, the Cuernos, and Glacier Grey. Moreover, you will be able to observe granite formations imposing on sedimentary rocks, ancient glaciers and diverse flora and fauna.
Hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine in Refugio, Self-Guided
$1,880.00 (per person/based on 4*)
*Final cost depends on the number in your group. Additional cost for single. Contact us with any questions.
Travel Plans
Difficulty: Intermediate
Highlights: Views o Glacier Grey and the Southern Ice Field, the many lakes of Torres del Paine, the hanging glaciers of the French Valley, the granite towers which are the namesake of Torres del Paine
Day1: Puerto Natales – Las Torres Lookout – Chileno
Day 2: Chileno – Cuernos
Day 3: Cuernos – French Valley Lookout – Paine Grande
Day 4: Paine Grande – Grey
Day 5: Grey – Puerto Natales
- 4 Nights in Refugio* (shared, dormitory style)
- Trip briefing on arrival day (day zero) at Dittmar Adventures Office
- Bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park
- Shuttle from Laguna Amarga to Las Torres
- Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
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Catamaran from Paine Grande to Pudeto
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Bus from Torres del Paine National Park to Puerto Natales
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Breakfast on trek days 2, 3, 4, 5
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Lunch on trek days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Dinner on trek days 1, 2, 3, 4
Not Included
- Lodging not listed under “Included”
- Meals not listed under “Included”
- Airline tickets
- Travel insurance
- Personal trekking gear
- Sleeping bag
- Drinks during lunch or dinner
- Tips for staff or at dinners
Upper body
- Shirts/Jacket
- Wind proof and water proof jacket, such as Gore Tex or similar
- Fleece or pile coat
- Quick dry long sleeve t-shirt
- Quick dry or cotton short sleeve t-shirt
- Winter hat, beanie
- Light gloves
Lower body
- Quick dry hiking socks
- Quick dry, light weight long underwear bottoms
- Quick dry and breathable windproof pants
- Shorts
- Light trekking boots and/or gym shoes
Other necessary items
- Pajamas
- Sleeping bag (-5°C for Nov. – Mar. trips, -15°C for April – Oct. trips)
- Toiletries
- Water bottle (1.000cc)
- Sun glasses
- Sunscreen
- Chap Stick with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Backpack (big enough for all your personal things)
- Shower Shoes, flip flops
- Earplugs
- Head lamp and/or flashlight
- Camera
Full Itinerary
DAY 1: Visit the Famous Towers
Puerto Natales – Las Torres Lookout – Chileno
Early in the morning you will depart on a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. The trip to the park entrance at Laguna Amarga is approximately two hours. After arriving to and registering yourself in the park you will begin to hike up Almirante Nieto, a mountain with incredible views of Lake Nordenskjold and the Asencio Valley. After two hours of hiking steadily upward you will arrive to Refugio Chileno. This is where you will be spending the night. Here you can store your large pack before continuing onto the Las Torre lookout. You will hike about an hour through a dense Lenga forest. Once you leave the forest you will approach a moraine and climb to see the amazing granite peaks known as the Torres. After admiring the view you will return to Refugio Chileno to have dinner and sleep.
Hike: Hotel Las Torres – Las Torres Lookout – Chileno
Total Distance: 15.5 Kilometers / 9.6 Miles
Average Time: 6.5 Hours
DAY 2: Hike along Lake Nordenskjold
Chileno – Cuernos
In the morning you will have breakfast and then prepare to hike again. You will leave Refugio Chileno and walk for four hours towards Refugio Cuernos, located on the shore of Lake Nordenskjold and at the foot of the Cuernos. Along the way you will walk along the skirt of Almirante Nieto and pass by Lake Nordenskjold. There will be a few rivers you will pass over by hopping across rocks. As you hike you will catch glimpses of glaciers and the mountaintops hovering over you. Finally, you will see the monstrous peaks of the Cuernos. You will spend the night at the foot of them at Refugio Cuernos.
Hike: Refugio Chileno – Refugio Cuernos
Total Distance: 11 Kilometers / 6.8 Miles
Average Time: 4.5 Hours
DAY 3: Visit the French Valley
Cuernos – French Valley Lookout – Paine Grande
Shortly after breakfast you will begin hiking towards Campamento Italiano. This camp is 2.5 hours away. You will trek across a windy beach and finally escape into the valley where the wind is a little calmer. Once you arrive to Campamento Italiano you can leave your large pack and continue into the French Valley with just a small daypack. You will hike across a moraine and through a forest until you come to a clearing. Here you will be blown away by both the wind and the spectacular views of Lake Nordenskjold, Skottsberg and Pehoe behind you, the hanging French Glacier just ahead of you and by many other peaks. After leaving the lookout you will return to gather your large pack and continue onto Refugio Paine Grande on the shore of the beautiful Lake Pehoe.
Hike: Refugio Cuernos – Refugio Paine Grande
Total Distance: 17.3 Kilometers / 10.7 Miles
Average Time: 7 Hours
DAY 4: Admire Glacier Grey
Paine Grande – Grey
After a restful night and an energizing breakfast you will begin a four-hour hike through a small forest and then along Lake Grey. Most days this section of the park is very windy, due to openness provided by Lake Grey, Glacier Grey and the Southern Ice Field. After about two hours of hiking you will get your first glimpse of Glacier Grey. You will continue hiking for two more hours until arriving to Refugio & Camping Grey where you will spend the night. If you would like you can continue past the Refugio for a spectacular view of the glacier and a chance to cross one of the parks famous suspension bridges. There are two optional excursions you can take today in the afternoon or tomorrow in the morning while at Refugio Grey – ice hiking on Glacier Grey or kayaking on Lake Grey. Let us know if you are interested and we can make reservations.
Hike: Refugio Paine Grande – Refugio Grey
Total Distance: 11 Kilometers / 6.8 Miles
Average Time: 4 Hours
DAY 5: Return to Puerto Natales
Grey – Puerto Natales
This morning you’ll have a bit of free time in which you can hike up to the park’s suspension bridges, relax on the shores of Lake Grey or head out on a kayaking excursion (ask us about reservations!). At some point you will begin to hike again, doubling back on the same trail you hiked the day before. You’ll walk for about 4 hours to Paine Grande where you’ll head to the dock on Lake Pehoe. There you’ll board a catamaran that will take you to the opposite shore where you’ll catch your bus back to Puerto Natales.
Call: +56 61 2614201