Arrival to Puerto Natales and make your own way to accommodation. Check in and free afternoon. Take your time to study all the information you need to enjoy your adfenture that begins the following morning.
Day 1 of the W Trek. Arrival to Torres del Paine National Park - Trek to the Base of the Towers
After having breakfast at the hotel or hostel, you must go to the bus terminal to take the 7:00 am bus (we recommend being at least 10 minutes before departure) to go to Torres del Paine National Park. You will travel through beautiful landscapes until you reach the main entrance, Laguna Amarga, where you must register with CONAF (park rangers). Here you will transfer to “Las Torres” shuttle, who will take you to the Visitor’s Center. Check yourself iin at the Cerro Paine Reserve and, after about a 5 minutes’ walk, you will arrive at Torre Central where you must check in, either in refuge or camping, before starting your trekking.
Today’s hike begins through the Ascencio Valley, enjoying its extensive forests. During the final ascent, you will traverse an immense field of giant rocks until you reach one of the most emblematic viewpoints in the world, the famous Base of the Towers lookout. At 900 m.a.s.l., you will be marvel with the 3 granite towers (north, central and south) and the bright turquoise glacial lake at its feet. Take beautiful photos and enjoy your box lunch before returning along the same path back to Torre Central. After a long day and enjoying the Towers, delight yourself with the dinner at the refugio.
Distance: 21 km
Time: 8-10 hs
Level of difficulty: Demanding.
NIGHT 1 of W-Trek: Refugio Torre Central
Day 2 of the W Trek. Hike to Los Cuernos or Francés
Enjoy breakfast and then request your box lunch to start the walk in the depth of the park to Los Cuernos or Francés. During this hike you will pass through beautiful crystal-clear streams, and you can admire the snowdrifts of Almirante Nieto mount at 2,670 meters. You will be able to see the majestic condors gliding from the heights and go alongside the fascinating waters of the Nordenskjöld lake. Continue along the trail until you reach Los Cuernos or Francés refuge, where you will relax for the evening
Distance: 12,5 or 16 km
Time: 4-5 hs
Level of difficulty: Medium.
NIGHT 2 of W-Trek: Refugio Domo Frances or Cuernos.
Day 3 of the W Trek. Explore the French Valley (Valle del Francés)
We recommend to begin early! This hike will take you to the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast, ask for your box lunch and get ready for a day of amazing Patagonian landscapes. After 2 hours walking, you will pass through the Francés campsite, and you will
arrive at the entrance of the French Valley. You can leave your backpack at the Italiano camp, where there is a park ranger outpost, and start your journey up to the French Valley.Climb through a massive boulder field and follow a tree-lined ridge until reaching the French plateau. Here, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Los Cuernos (the Horns), turquoise glacial lagoons and amazing blue hanging glaciers cascading down the east face of the Paine Grande Mountain (3,050 m.a.s.l.). If you are lucky, you will hear the thundering sound of water and ice crashing down, as it is very common to witness avalanches. Take some photos, enjoy your box lunch and a well-deserved rest. Descend through the same path back to the Italiano camp (remember to grab your backpack). From here walk to Refugio Paine Grande (about 2.5 hrs). Take it easy as it is practically flat. In the evening you will enjoy a delicious dinner at the refugio
Distance: 14 or 17 km
Time: 6-7 hs
Level of difficulty: Demanding.
NIGHT 3 of W-Trek: Refugio Paine Grande.
Day 4 of W Trek: Hike to Refugio Grey (optional hiketo the hanging bridges)
After breakfast, remember to ask for your box lunch and start today’s trekking. The hike begins through a narrow and winding valley that leads to Los Patos lagoon. As you continue, you will get glimpses of the immense Southern Ice Field, as well as the icebergs in the Grey lake. After passing the sometimes very windy viewpoint, the path descends through a mountainous forest until it reaches the Grey refuge. From here, you can continue your walk for about 10 minutes until you reach the Grey glacier lookout, where you will be facing the bluest glacier in the world. Dinner will be served in the refuge between 6:00 and 9:00 pm
Distance: 11 km
Time: 4-4,5 hs
Level of difficulty: Medium
NIGHT 4 of W-Trek: Refugio Grey
OPTIONAL Hike to Hanging Bridges
For an unforgettable panoramic view of Grey glacier, set off for an extra 3 - 4 hrs (round trip) past the refuge in the direction of the famous hanging bridges. It is by far the best viewpoint of the glacier. In addition to contemplating the impressive ice, you can see the depth of the ravine formed by the rivers and waterfalls that come from the Olguín Range. If luck is on your side, you may catch ice calving into the deep, freezing waters of Grey lake
Distance: 4 km
Time: 3-4 hs round trip
Level of difficulty: Medium
Day 5 of the W Trek: Hike to Paine Grande –Catamaran Pehoe - Return to Puerto Natales
In case you did not have the chance to visit the hanging bridges the day before, you can use the
morning to explore the spectacular panoramic views of the Grey glacier. Then, continue the same path back to Paine Grande to take the catamaran at 6:35 pm to Pudeto, where you will take the bus back to Puerto Natales. The estimated time of arrival to Natales is 21:30 pm. Go on on your own to your accommodation and check in
Distance: 11 km
Time: 4-4,5 hs
Level of difficulty: Medium
Ferry Itinerary PM / AM:
-Registration time at the pier: 6.00pm/ Departure: 6.30pm/ Approximate arrival time to Rodoviario Natales: 9.30-10pm.
-It is possible that due to physical and climate conditions you prefer to return on the first ferry. If taking advantage of this option, registration time at the pier is: 11am/ Departure: 11.30am/ Approximate arrival time to Rodoviario Natales: 4.30pm.
-It’s important that on this day you effectively calculate walking times in order to be on time for the ferry departures.
Check out. Don´t forget your things if you have left behind to go lighter to the national park. End of adventure!
