Torres del Paine
Classic Self-guided W Circuit
Torres del Paine National Park
- Season
October to April. - Nearest city
Puerto Natales 2 hours of distance. - Accommodation
Camping or Shelter. - Duration
5 days and 4 nights. - Skill level
Demanding.
Overview
Experience one of the most impressive destinations in the world: Torres del Paine National Park. Walk alongside the imposing granite towers that give the park its name, marvel at the majestic Cuernos del Paine, and be amazed by the spectacular views of the French Valley.
Explore the incredible Grey Glacier, the southernmost tip of the Southern Ice Field, where the ice seems to merge with the clouds on the horizon. Simply unforgettable scenery.
Part of the famous Route of the Parks of Patagonia, this place invites you to disconnect, explore, and be inspired by the power of nature.
*Start of the program: Day 1 at 7:00 at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal. - End of the program: Day 5 at 21:00 at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal.
Itinerary
Distance: 22km / Time: 8-10hrs / Difficulty: Demanding / Accommodation: Camping or Refuge / Meals: Box lunch and dinner (Extra).
After breakfast at your hotel, head to the bus terminal to take the 7:00 a.m. bus (we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before departure) bound for Torres del Paine National Park. The journey will take you through beautiful landscapes to the main park entrance: Laguna Amarga, where you must register with CONAF (park rangers).
From this point, you will transfer to Transporte Las Torres, which will take you to the Welcome Center. There you will register at Estancia Cerro Paine and walk a short distance (approximately 5 minutes) to the Central Refuge, where you will check in before starting your hike.
Today's hike begins through the Ascencio Valley, surrounded by extensive forests. In the final stretch, you will cross a field of huge rocks until you reach one of the world's most iconic viewpoints: the Base Las Torres Viewpoint. At 900 meters above sea level, you can admire the imposing three granite towers (North, Central, and South), along with the turquoise glacier lake resting at their feet.
Take your time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and rest before starting the return journey along the same trail. At the end of this adventurous day, enjoy a well-deserved rest in the Central Tower area.
Distance: 12 or 15 km Depending on accommodation / Time: 4 - 5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
Today you will start the hike into the deepest part of the park, the middle area of the W, at the very foot of the great mountain. During this hike, you will pass by beautiful crystal-clear streams and be able to admire the glaciers hanging from Mount Almirante Nieto at 2,670 meters, you will see the majestic Condors soaring from the heights and skirt the fascinating waters of Lake Nordenskjold. The path is simple and will take you straight to the Los Cuernos sector where you can relax for the night.
Distance: French Lookout 17 km / Time: 6-7 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
It is recommended to start early! This hike will take you to the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, a journey full of amazing Patagonian landscapes. Within minutes of starting the hike, you will pass by a ranger shelter located right at the entrance of the valley. There you can leave your backpack and begin the ascent to French Valley.
The trail ascends through large rocks and then continues through forests until reaching the Plateau del Francés (French Lookout). At this point, you will be rewarded with incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lakes, and amazing hanging glaciers descending from the east face of Paine Grande massif (3,050 m above sea level).
If you are lucky, you may hear the thunderous crackling of the glacier or the sound of falling water, and it is common to witness an avalanche.
Enjoy the view and a well-deserved rest. Then, descend along the same trail to the ranger shelter and continue walking to the Paine Grande area (approximately 2.5 hours). Take it easy, as it is an easy and well-marked trail.
At night, enjoy a restful sleep.
Distance: 11 km / Time: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping or Shelter / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (extra).
After breakfast, start the hike through a narrow and winding valley that will take you to Laguna de Los Patos. As you progress, you will begin to see parts of the immense Southern Patagonian Ice Field, as well as icebergs floating in the waters of Lake Grey.
After crossing a viewpoint that can be (very) windy, the trail descends through a dense forest until reaching the shelter. From there, you can continue walking about 10 minutes to the Mirador del Glaciar Grey, where you will be face to face with this impressive mass of blue ice.
OPTIONAL: Take some extra time to visit the famous hanging bridges. They are undoubtedly the best vantage point to observe the Glacier Grey and the Southern Ice Field. In addition to the striking ice, you can contemplate the deep ravines formed by the rivers and waterfalls descending from the Olguín range. With a bit of luck, you may witness ice calving from the glacier into the cold waters of the lake.
Additional distance: 4 km / Time: 3-4 hrs (round trip) / Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 11 km / Time: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast and box lunch (Extra).
This morning you will have free time to do one of the extra activities of the trip. Ice trekking or Kayaking among the glacier icebergs. Whatever your decision, it will be an experience you will remember forever. Then, you will continue on the same trail back to Paine Grande to take the catamaran to Pudeto, where your bus to Puerto Natales will depart.
Included
- Briefing talk.
- 5 days - 4 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 warm clothing, 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!
Starting place
The departure will be from the Puerto Natales bus terminal, at the bus leaving at 07:00 am, 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.