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Torres del Paine
W Express Self-guided Circuit
Torres del Paine National Park
- Skill level
Demanding (40 miles). - Season
October to April. - Nearest city
Puerto Natales 2 hours of distance. - Accommodation
Camping or Shelter.
Overview
Short on time and a tight budget for your trip to Torres del Paine? Then this is your best option to do the 4-day self-guided "W" Circuit. Come see up close the imposing granite towers that give their name to the Park, walk alongside the impressive "Cuernos del Paine" and be amazed by the incredible shapes of the "Valle del Francés". Come and enjoy the majesty of the Grey Glacier, the southernmost point of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields where the ice merges with the clouds on the horizon. A place that will leave you breathless!
*Start of the program: Day 1 at 7:00 at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal - End of the program: Day 4 at 21:00 at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal.
Itinerary
Distance: 22km / Time: 8-10hrs / Difficulty: Demanding / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Box lunch and dinner (Extra).
After breakfast at your hotel, remember to request your box lunch to head to the bus terminal to catch the 7:00 am bus (we recommend being at least 10 minutes before departure) to go towards Torres del Paine National Park. You will travel through beautiful landscapes until you reach the main entrance at Laguna Amarga, where it is necessary to register with CONAF (park rangers). From here, you transfer with "Transporte Las Torres" which takes you to the welcome center. You register at Estancia Cerro Paine and then walk a very short distance of 5 minutes to Refugio Central. Here, you must register at the shelter before starting your trek. Today's hike begins in the Ascencio Valley, enjoying the extensive forests. During the final ascent, you will pass through a vast field of large rocks until you reach one of the most iconic viewpoints in the world, the famous Mirador Base las Torres. At an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, marvel at the 3 towers (north, central, and south) of granite and the brilliant turquoise glacier lake at their feet. Take some beautiful photos and enjoy a well-deserved rest before returning the same way back to Refugio Torre Central.
Distance: 12 km / Time: 4 - 5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Refuge / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
After breakfast, you should take the Las Torres transfer at 8:15 a.m., which will take you back to Laguna Amarga. There, you must board the Bus Sur bus from Puerto Natales, which will transport you to Pudeto. At 10:30 a.m., you will board the Hielos Patagónicos catamaran to sail for approximately 35 minutes across Lake Pehoé, arriving directly at Refugio Paine Grande. From this point, the hike to Grey begins.
The route crosses a narrow and winding valley that leads to Laguna Los Patos. As you progress, you will be able to glimpse parts of the immense Southern Ice Field, as well as the icebergs of Lake Grey. After passing the sometimes windy viewpoint, the path descends through a mountainous forest until reaching Refugio Grey. From here, if you walk about 10 more minutes, you will reach the Mirador del Glaciar Grey, where you will come face to face with one of the arms of the Southern Ice Field.
Optional: To enjoy an unforgettable view of the Grey Glacier, remember to visit the famous hanging bridges. This place stands out as the best viewpoint of the glacier, providing an incomparable view. In addition to contemplating the impressive ice, you can admire the depth of the gorges sculpted by the rivers and waterfalls that flow from the Cordón Olguín. If you are lucky, you may witness icefalls falling into the icy waters of Lake Grey.
Distance: 12 km / Time: 4 - 5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
Start your day early and take advantage of exploring the hanging bridges or visiting the Grey Peninsula. Marvel at the spectacular panoramic views of the Glacier and its beautiful evergreen forest.
Today, you will have the opportunity to walk the same trail back to Paine Grande. Take your time to rest and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Grey and Peohé.
Distance: Valle del Frances 20 km / Time: 7hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Puerto Natales / Meals: Breakfast and box lunch (Extra).
After breakfast, get ready for a day of amazing Patagonian landscapes. Within minutes of starting your hike, you will pass by a ranger station, right at the entrance of the valley. From this point, your ascent to Valle Francés will begin. Climb up large rocks and then continue through the forest until you reach the Plateau del Francés (Mirador Francés). The very heart of the Paine mountain. Here, you will be rewarded with incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lakes, and amazing hanging glaciers that fall on the east face of the Paine Grande mountain (3,050m above sea level). If you are lucky, you may hear the thunderous noise of the glacier and the water falling, as well as it is very common to witness an avalanche. Take the time to rest and enjoy that breathtaking view. Descend along the same trail and head back to camping Paine Grande. Remember to calculate your hiking times well so you do not miss the Catamaran departure at 18:30.
Included
- Briefing talk.
- 4 days - 3 nights accommodation.
- Camping: Tent set up, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.
- Shelter: Bed with sleeping bag and pillow.
- Ticket for the Catamaran.
- Transport from Natales to Torres del Paine.
- Entry to Torres del Paine.
- Transport from Laguna Amarga to Las Torres.
Not included
- Full board (meals) - EXTRA.
- Travel and accident insurance.
- Air transportation.
- Accommodation in Puerto Natales.
FAQs
The programs for the circuits in Torres del Paine are highly sought after and have limited spaces. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible. Availability changes minute by minute. Therefore, if you have availability one day, perhaps the next day you won't.
This program is self-guided, so you will walk individually and autonomously along the park's trails. This does not mean you will be alone. There are always people on the circuits, and all the park's trails are properly marked. Additionally, the day before starting the circuit, you will receive a technical briefing where we will provide you with all the necessary documents and a detailed explanation of the park and your program's route.
Any of the two options has certain important considerations to take into account:
1) The rooms in the shelters are shared, with capacity for 6 to 8 people in bunk bed format.
2) The tents and sleeping bags are designed for the weather conditions of Torres del Paine. Even so, it is recommended to bring additional warmth, such as a thermal liner.
3) All meals are served in the shelters' restaurants.
4) Both the campgrounds and the shelters have bathrooms equipped with showers and hot water.
5) Both types of accommodation have internet access points.
Breakfast consists of coffee, tea, milk, bread, eggs, cheese, ham, jam, juice, and fruit. The box lunch is typically a cold sandwich with a cereal bar, chocolate bar, dried fruits, and fruit. Finally, dinner is a set menu with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and water.
We offer menus adapted for vegetarians, vegans, or celiacs. If you have any food allergies, please indicate them in the passenger information when making the reservation.
In most of the circuit, there is no coverage. Only in some specific points of the park (which you will identify immediately), there might be some signal. However, all refuges offer satellite internet service for an additional cost, which can vary from CLP$ 10,000 for 1 hour, and is paid with a credit card.
Yes, in the common areas of the refuges there are outlets to charge your electronic devices. Remember that in Chile, 220V and 2-pin are used. We recommend bringing a power strip to share the charge of devices with your friends.
Yes, along all the trails you will have access to drinkable water, which comes from the park's natural springs. IMPORTANT: Pay attention to signs of farm animals (e.g., horses) that could contaminate some areas.
The weather is very variable throughout the year, even in summer. In one day, there can be sun, clouds, rain, and wind. Therefore, we recommend being prepared for any type of weather.
Absolutely! Trekking poles are a fundamental tool for multi-day hikes. If you don't want to use them, don't use them, but take them with you for when you need them. *Trekking poles can be rented in Puerto Natales.
At the time of booking on our platform, you can add as an extra, an Ice Hike or Kayaking among the icebergs. Absolutely recommended!
The single supplement extra cost only applies to individuals traveling alone. It is a fee that you need to pay to use a double tent spot by yourself.
Starting place
The departure will be from the Puerto Natales bus terminal, at the bus leaving at 7:00 a.m., to take the transport that will take us to the Torres del Paine National Park.
Policies
Read our Terms and Conditions where our cancellation policies and changes are defined. Always remember to plan your trips in advance.