Main Info
• Complete W Trek
• Optional Camping or Refuges for lodging
• Independent Hike – Enjoy at Your Own Pace!
• Trek to the Three Towers Base Lookout
• See Hanging Glaciers in the French Valley
• Get Close to the Immense Grey Glacier
• All logistics & reservations organized for you, including meals
Main Info:
If you are looking for a budget option to visit Torres del Paine National Park, our W Trek Self-Guided experience is for you.
One of the best hikes in the world!!
The W Circuit is the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine, and includes hiking in 3 mountain valleys and the most epic viewpoints and attractions in the Park. You will see Las Torres, Los Cuernos (the Horns), Paine Grande and the Grey Glacier. As you hike along the trail you will be amazed by colossal mountains, native woods, crystal clear rivers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls and incredible glaciers.
The W Circuit will make you to fall in love with Chile’s Patagonia. The pictures speak for themselves but could never do justice to the sights, feelings, excitement and pure awe that you will experience while hiking the W Circuit. Hiking through unbelievably big mountains, deep valleys, and dense, mysterious forests will leave you grateful for life and the exact moment you’re living.
The W Circuit is the most popular hike in Torres del Paine National Park for a reason – it’s stocked with all the highlights including Las Torres Base Viewpoint, Los Cuernos Mountains, Frances Valley, Paine Grande and Grey Glacier .
You can choose your adventure style, from camping immersed in nature to full room and board in shared mountain hostels or private hotel rooms. While still remaining a physically and mentally demanding experience, the W Circuit offers luxuries like comfy beds, hot showers, warm, hearty meals, and stock-up points along the way.
The W Circuit gets its name from the way it starts at one end of the Park, winds up and back down two spectacular mountain valleys, and then comes to a close at the other end, forming a W from a bird’s eye view.
The 5 day/4 night W Circuit option gives you the first day to relax and thoroughly explore the numerous sights of the Las Torres sector.
Book your W Trek Self-Guided tour by sending an email to – info@ecotours.cl
Combine this Trek with a visit to Atacama Desert
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Itinerary
Before the adventure begins, you will get an email with information to help you fully prepare for your Torres del Paine trip. Our sales executives will contact you about the Welcome Kit and vouchers. The day your trip begins you will take the 2:30 p.m. bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park. The journey takes about 2 1/2 hours (112 kms). You will reach the park in the afternoon and have time for dinner before spending the night in the Central Sector. Remember that the camping program includes all the equipment you need.
Departure from Puerto Natales (about 2 1/2 hours)
Overnight in Central Sector
The day begins with a slowly ascending hike through the Patagonian pampas and begins to steepen as you enter the Ascencio Valley, until you reach Los Vientos Mountain Pass - with its spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and lakes.
You will continue hiking, past the Chileno Mountain Hostel and through a native Lenga forest before approaching the final stretch of your adventure. This part of the hike takes about an hour and is over rocky terrain, lined with enormous boulders. Awaiting at the end is the most awe-inspiring view of the three iconic granite towers and glacial lagoon.
Distance: 8 / 10 hours - 19.5 kms
Total altitude: 750 mts
Level of difficulty: High
Overnight in Central Sector
Walk along the quiet mount shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, at the base of the magnificent Mount Almirante Nieto and its hanging glaciers. You will be drawn to the beauty of these enormous summits looming over the turquoise lake below and will want to capture the incredible scenery forever in a photo. The lake is surrounded by amazing geographical contrasts, home to many birds, so we recommend you look out for condors overhead. You will then continue along the Arriero River, which offers great places to relax and refill your bottle with fresh running water. Once you reach the highest viewpoint you will be able to see the lake, in its full glory, and the French Glacier hanging from the Paine Grande Mountain.
Distance: 4.5 / 6.5 hours, - 13.5 kms
Total altitude: 200 mts
Level difficulty: Medium
Overnight in French Sector
The day begins with a wonderful hike into the Frances Valley. Along the way you will enjoy the peace and quiet of pure nature, be surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and feel totally immersed in wild vegetation.
You will savor in the serenity of the forests and the glacial streams, where you can fill your bottle with pure, fresh water. And you will marvel at the majestic Los Cuernos Mountains, looming overhead.
The grand finale of this trek is like no other, a lookout with incredible views of the Francés Glacier and the rest of the Paine Massif Mountain Range.
Distance: 8 / 10 hours, - 20.5 kms
Total altitude: 650 mts
Level difficulty: Medium-High
Overnight in Paine Grande Sector
On the final part of this amazing trekking circuit the trail undulates between rocky areas and native forests that are home to many species of birds. Walking along the base of the Park’s tallest mountain, Paine Grande (3,050mt / 10,000ft), the nonstop views of hanging glaciers spilling over the mountaintop will feel somewhat surreal. Leaving the tree cover, you’ll reach the first lookout over Lake Grey and slowly start seeing more and more pieces of floating glacier. The larger they get, the smaller you will feel.
Finally, you will see the breathtaking view of Grey Glacier and all her glory.
When your adventure comes to an end, a catamaran on Lake Pehoé and a bus will take you to Puerto Natales.
End of services.
Distance: 7 / 8 hours, - 22 kms
Total altitude: 280 mts
Level difficulty: High
Maps
Activities Includes
Trekking.
Dates
DATES - FROM OCT 2024 TO APRIL 2025
PRICES: $1390 USD AT PREMIUM CAMPING- FULLY EQUIPPED
PRICES: $1690 USD AT REFUGES
This Trek is restricted to availability at refuges and campsites; contact us to check availability based on your dates.
Other Information
REGARDING THE SCHEDULE
The schedules indicated above are subject to change due to weather conditions or unexpected circumstances beyond our control, but we will try our best to keep them unaltered
LODGING
Mountain Lodge (Refugio) Torres Central & North: All mountain lodges used by us for our trips are located in strategic places in the park and with fantastic views. There are 6 beds to each room (bunk-bed style) and have shared bathrooms with hot water.
The Mountain lodges of Torres Central and North are two comfortable refugios located at the base of the hike to the Towers lookout and part of the “W” and “Circuit” walks. They are within walking distance to the Hotel Spa at Las Torres for a variety of services including massage and saunas.
Mountain Lodge (Refugio) Los Cuernos: All mountain lodges used by us for our trips are located in strategic places in the park and with fantastic views. There are 6 beds to each room (bunk-bed style) and have shared bathrooms with hot water. Los Cuernos is found on the shore of lake Nordenskjöld nestled in a Coihue Forest lays Refugio Cuernos with 32 beds. This cozy lodge is located on the “W” circuit walking between the French Valley and the Torres del Paine lookout and base camp area.
Cabins optional: 8 cozy cabins for two persons each with shared bathrooms and showers exclusively foe people staying at the cabins. These cabins include the right to use the hot tub with a spectacular view to the Cuernos del Paine. The cabins are located next to the Refugio Los Cuernos and the all meals are taken in the Refugio.
Mountain Lodge (Refugio) Paine Grande: All mountain lodges used by us for our trips are located in strategic places in the park and with fantastic views. There are 6 beds to each room (bunk-bed style) and have shared bathrooms with hot water.
Paine Grande is a large and modern refugio set on the banks of the Lake Pehoe, including internet connection and full service bar. It’s the jump off point for the catamaran crossing Lake Pehoe and the walks to the French and Grey Valleys part of the “W” and “Circuit” hikes.
Mountain Lodge (Refugio) Grey: Ideally situated on the edge of Lake Grey, this refugio is in a forest of Lenga trees. A small and cozy hut, with a privileged access to the Grey Glacier and is part of the “W” and “Circuit” hikes.
WEATHER
The weather in Patagonia in an important factor that must be taken into account. The maximum temperature in summer is 20 C° and it drops to below 0° in winter. The wind-chill factor sometimes makes the ambient temperature drop 6 or 7 degrees. The temperature of the water is normally between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius.
