trip

5 Days$2390USD

Activities
  • 4 day full pack trek
Accommodation
  • 4 nights camping or refugio
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts
5
Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

 
 

Trip highlights


  • Hike one of the world's greatest treks at your own pace with a full pack
  • Marvel at the peaks of Torres del Paine
  • Experience the dramatically beautiful Patagonian Pampa
  • Journey on a boat trip in front of the magnificent Grey Glacier
  • Walk with incredible views of the hanging glacier of the French Valley

Why Book With Us

  • Walk the famous W-Trek in Torres del Paine at your own pace and stay at pre-booked mountain refugios (or camping if refugios are not available)
  • Camping equipment incl sleeping bag will be provided if needed
  • All meals are provided during the trek
  • Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Grey with stunning views of the Grey Glacier

For those travellers ready to start an adventure on their own, this self guided Torres del Paine W Trek gives you maximum flexibility as you travel at your own pace with a full pack. The Torres del Paine W is one of the world's great treks. An astonishing landscape of twisted volcanic peaks, tumbling glaciers and aquamarine lakes, it zigzags across the Cordillera del Paine like a giant W. This is a wonderful option for those wanting to hike the complete W trek, without having to join a group or hire a guide. The trip is designed so that you visit the three main valleys of the park that make up the W and include hiking to the lookout point to the famous Towers, the rushing French river and the hanging glacier of the French Valley and ends with a boat trip in front of the magnificent Grey Glacier.

Trip Code: STW

Starting from Puerto Natales early this morning around 7am we will take a public bus (approx 3 hours) all the way to Torres del Paine National Park. Please make your own way to the bus station. We will drive through open pampas and huge ranches (estancias), and chances are we will be able to observe one of the most typical animals in this area, the ñandu, (rare South American ostrich). The bus arrives to Laguna Amarga the main entrance to the park where you connect with a shuttle to the Refugio Torre central. Today is a big walk (8 - 10hrs round trip, 22km) to the base of the Torres del Paine (or towers). Start the trek to the base of the Towers, following the Ascencio River to enter the Ascencio Valley. The walk will be uphill for one hour before stopping to observe the first glimpses of the valley surrounded by unbelievable beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls. You’ll continue through the valley for another hour and a half before ascending a huge terminal moraine to a lookout (900m), excellent for picture taking. This amazing view will be accompanied by lunch to add to the enjoyment. After being awed by the towers you’ll start the descent, following the same path back to Refugio Las Torres. Dinner will be served in the Refugio. Distance: 22km, 8-10 hours (You will only need to carry your day pack, you can leave your main luggage at the refugio.) Overnight: Refugio Las Torres or camping. PLEASE NOTE: You will need to arrive in Puerto Natales the day before the start of the trip and attend a trip briefing around 5. 30 to 6pm at our local partner's office.

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast at the Refugio you request your packed lunch and start the hike to Refugio Los Cuernos. As we leave the hut we will arrive at Inge lagoon. Chances are high on this path that you may see the flight of an Andean condor or eagles hunting hares or small rodents. You follow a well marked trail ascending around (200m) the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain (2750m), crossing the Bader River to arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos where you will stay overnight. Distance: 13km, 5-6 hours (You will need to carry your main pack and day pack.) Overnight Refugio Los Cuernos or Domos Frances or camping.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a breakfast in the Refugio and once you have request your packed lunch you will start the day with a 2-hour walk going to an undulating path until reaching the French River for your first glimpses of the hanging glacier. Then you will ascend (300m) for one hour through a surreal Japanese garden landscape, crossing beech forests, to reach the French valley viewpoint gifting us with a magnificent view of both mountains and lakes. Your way back will be the same until you reach the entrance of the valley where you will continue on a different path around the South-West side of Paine Grande, the highest peak in the Park, through native forests of Chilean fire bush and evergreen beech, up to the shore of the Pehoé Lake. Dinner will be served in the Refugio. Distance: 18km, 8-9 hours (You will need to carry your main pack and day pack.) Overnight: Paine Grande Refugio or camping.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will begin early this morning with the hike to the Grey Glacier. Initially ascending 200m up a winding narrow path leading to Laguna Los Patos, where you will observe the first glimpses of the South Patagonia Ice Field with its many unclimbed mountains. Continue through forests and rivers, with possible sightings of spectacle and flying steamer ducks, up to the glacier viewpoint. Optional Ice Hike or Kayak (we suggest to book this in advance, additional cost applies). Distance: 11km, 4-5 hours (You will need to carry your main pack and day pack until Refugio Grey. You can leave your main pack there and continue with a day pack to the Grey Glacier lookout point.) Overnight: Refugio Grey or camping.

Meals:  B,L,D

The morning is at your own leisure. Options include an additional hike to the hanging bridges for a magnificent view of Grey Glacier (8km, 3 hours), an ice trek on Grey Glacier or kayaking on Lake Grey (both at an additional cost). At 1pm you will take a boat in front of the glacier in the hope of seeing icebergs calve (2 hour boat ride). The return journey offers views of Paine Grande with its impressive ice mushrooms and we sail through icebergs of different tones of blue. A private transfer will be waiting for you to drive back to Puerto Natales on a different road with great views of the Paine Mountain from a different perspective. The trip concludes on arrival in Puerto Natales (accommodation in Puerto Natales not included). Please don't book flights or transfers to your next destination before the following day. PLEASE NOTE: During shoulder or low season, the boat on Grey Lake operates based on the number of bookings and may not run daily. In all seasons, including high season, it may also be affected by weather conditions, such as strong winds in the summer months, which could result in temporary closures. If the boat is not operating on day 5 of your trip, we will walk back to Paine Grande Refugio today and take a ferry from there. It crosses Lake Pehoe in 35 minutes and arrives in Pudeto where a car transfer will be waiting for you (4 hours hiking, 11km, 35 minutes by Catamaran, 2 hours transfer back to Puerto Natales). We will confirm your final itinerary at the trip briefing the day before the start of the trip.

Meals:  B,L


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 4 breakfasts, 5 box lunches and 4 dinners
  • Four nights lodging in mountain lodges (Refugios) on a multishare basis or camping if refugios are not available
  • Camping equipment if refuguios are not available
  • Public bus transfers
  • Boat trip on Lake Grey to view the Grey Glacier
  • Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park

  • International or domestic airfares and departure taxes
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Visa costs if applicable
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)

Departure dates

Departs daily between mid October and April

Notes

H
High Season
Note:
A single supplement is not available on this trip.
Note:
Christmas and New Year surcharge.
Note:
We have the flexibility to accommodate daily departures, subject to availability.

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$2390USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Traveller Surcharge Self-guided W-TrekUSD$90
  • Kayaking on Lake GreyUSD$220
  • Ice Trek on Grey GlacierUSD$300
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Torres del Paine W-Trek - Self Guided trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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Why travel with us

Award Winning Adventures

Enhancing your journey with authentic experiences, genuine cultural exchange and real exploration are the focal points on all of our adventures. In 2019, we were crowned by our peers as the best in adventure travel at The Travel Awards in Sydney.

Thoughtful Travel

Our vision is to leave the world a better place by following our sustainable active outdoor travel charter. All our adventures are 100% carbon offset and our Regenerative 2030 Project aims to integrate ‘regenerative’ projects into every one of our global operations by 2030.

Ultimate Value

 When you book one of our adventures, you will receive quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions. There are no hidden costs, single travellers don’t pay more and you’ll enjoy many ‘extra touches’ that ensure your holiday is excellent value for money.

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