Chile: Torres del Paine W trek (5 days)
The 5 day W trek explores the Torres del Paine mastiff from East to West including the most famous trekking routes areas within the newly acclaimed 8'th Wonder of the World.
This trip can be self-guided or fully guided.
2019 Departures Dates and Costs
Daily departures based on 2 or more persons
Tour Cost per person from Puerto Natales:
Self-guided: $785 USD
Fully guided per person based on group size of 2: $1,325 USD
Fully guided per person based on group size of 4+: $1,090 USD
Single Supplement $ 90 USD
Itinerary
Day 1: Transport to Torres del Paine National Park (Bus) (D)
Public bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Amarga Main Entrance), the trip lasts about 2.5 hours (112 Km), with a short stop at Cerro Castillo Village. Departure: 2:30pm / Arrival 4:30pm. On arrival, you will have to acquire your entrance ticket and board the awaiting shuttle to take you to the Las Torres region for your overnight.
Accommodation at Refugio Torre Central
Day 2: Trekking to “BASE TORRES” (7 - 8 hours; 13 Km) (B,BL,D)
Morning departure starts with a 1.5 hour steep hike with fantastic views of Lake Nordenskjöld and Almirante Nieto Mn (2.670 m.s.n.m) with its hanging glacier. When you reach Refugio El Chileno, rest and drop off your luggage. Carrying just a small pack, you continue the trail through a millenary Lenga forest (1 hour) to the base of “the moraine”. Here a challenging ascent (45 min), takes you to one of the most impressive lookouts in the park: “Base of Torres del Paine” where you will have the view of Torre Sur (2,850 m.s.n.m.), Torre Central (2.800 m.s.n.m), Torre Norte (2.600 m.s.n.m) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor.
Accommodation: Refugio El Chileno or return to Torre Central for overnight
Difficulty Level: High
Day 3: Trekking from El Chileno to Los Cuernos Refugio (4 - 5 hours, 11 Km) (B,BL,D)
About 30 minutes into today’s hike you will notice a sign to take the “shortcut” that leads to Refugio Los Cuernos. The trail goes through the Base of Almirante Nieto Mtn., part of the Paine Massif, with great views of Nordenskjöld Lake. Beginning in December the flora presents different colours specially the Ciruelillo or “Fire Bush” which take its name from the red colour of its flowers. After about 4-5 hours you will get to the Base of Los Cuernos, considered by many, one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest and recover for the next day’s challenging trek, “The French Valley”.
Accommodation: Cabins Los Cuernos
Difficulty Level: Medium
Day 4: Trekking to French Valley (10 - 12 hours, 25.3 Km) (B,BL,D)
The first 2 hours are with some ascents and descents and views to Nordenskjöld Lake until “Campamento Italiano”. The ascent goes for about 1.5 hours, until French Glacier lookout, where you’ll be able to observe its hanging glacier and opportunities to observe small avalanches. The trail continues to “Campamento Británico” and after 20 minutes you reach the lookout considered by many as one of the most overwhelming spots in the Circuit: “Mirador Británico”, where you will admire “Paine Grande”, “Cerro Hoja”, “Cerro Máscara”, “Cerro Catedral”, “Cerro Aleta de Tiburón”, “Cuerno Norte”, etc. Return to “Campamento Italiano”, and then to Lago Pehoé.
Accommodation: Lodge Paine Grande
Difficulty Level: High
Day 5: Trekking to Grey Glacier (8 - 9 hours, 22 Km) (B,BL)
Trek to Grey Glacier lookout (roundtrip). The trail goes through the western side of the Paine Massif with views to Grey Lake and Mountains. After 1.5 hours you reach the first lookout point, where you may observe Grey Glacier in the distance, then and after approximately 2 hours, you get to the Main lookout in front of the glacier. The return is the same way back until Lago Pehoé to take the catamaran that crosses the lake at 6.30pm. After arrival in Pudeto, the public bus will take you back to Puerto Natales (arrival time to Puerto Natales around 9pm).
Difficulty level: Medium
NOTE: For a more relaxed pace, the trip can be completed over six days.
Additional Information
Includes:
4 nights accommodation in Refugios with sleeping bag or made up bed with sheets & cover (depending on availability)
Transportation on public buses from Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – Puerto Natales
Shuttle from Laguna Amarga main entrance to Las Torres
Catamaran Pehoé (Lake crossing from Pehoé to Pudeto to connect with bus to Puerto Natales)
All meals at the Refugios (B: Breakfast, BL: Box lunch, D: Dinner)
Not included
Services not indicated in program
Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine National Park $38USD
Insurance
Lodge based trekking programs, pre and post trek options available on an individual basis.
