Day 1: Arrive in Torres del Paine, Self Guided Round-Trip HIke to the Towers Lookout
By 6:45AM you must be at the Bus Terminal in Puerto Natales where you will board the 7AM public bus which will take you straight to Torres del Paine National Park.
The route passes grand estancias (ranches) and flat pampas, with many possibilities of spotting ñandus (Patagonian ostrich), guanacos, and a variety of bird species.
At Laguna Amarga, the main entrance to the Park, you will show your QR code park entrance which is included in your program, then board a shuttle bound for your Refugio (Las Torres Sector).
Here, you’ll leave your backpack at your accommodation and take your packed lunch (provided during your trek briefing in Puerto Natales held the day prior).
Now you’re ready to begin the W Trek’s first highlight: the hike to the Towers lookout. A challenging trek – you’ll ascend following the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley. Here, take a moment to stop and observe the first glimpses of this gorgeous valley, complete with beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls.
Continue uphill before beginning your ascent of the gigantic terminal moraine, 900 meters (2,952 ft.) above sea level. At the top, you’ll be rewarded by the remarkable sight of the three Towers themselves. Rest a while, take photos and have lunch.
Once ready, your descent is along the same path, taking you back to Las Torres where dinner will be served in your refugio and where you will rest your first evening.
*Upgrade to a Private Room in Hotel Las Torres (based on availability) – Ask us!
Day 2: Self Guided Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout through Condor Territory
Starting today’s trek, you’ll arrive at Inge Lagoon where chances are you’ll catch condors and other birds of prey circling the skies above you.
The well-marked trail ascends 200 meters (656 ft.) from the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain (2,750 m / 9,022 ft.) and crosses the Bader River to today’s destination – Refugio Los Cuernos or Domes Frances (depending on availability).
Here, settle in, enjoy a good meal among fellow travelers, and rest beneath the immense moraine.
*Upgrade to a Private Cabin in Los Cuernos (based on availability) – Ask a Trip Specialist to Reserve Your Accommodation!
Day 3: Self Guided Trek of the Dramatic French Valley & Pehoe Lake
Today’s hike is a challenging trek to heart of the Paine massif. The French Valley is a spectacular natural basin surrounded by peaks and hanging glaciers.
After breakfast, request your packed lunch at the refugio and set off on a 2-hour hike through a winding path to the French River (one hour if your accommodation was at the French Domes).
At the entrance to the French Valley – a glacial moraine – you’ll scramble over huge boulders and catch the first sight of the hanging glacier atop the valley.
From this point, you’ll ascend for an hour through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at the French Valley viewpoint (the “Plateau”).
Your reward is a heart-stirring bird’s eye view of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. To one side, the French Glacier and Paine Grande (3,050 m / 10,006 ft.); while to the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara and the main and north “horns” of Los Cuernos arch upwards. In the upper section of the Valley, Cerro Catedral and Cerro Fortaleza loom like turrets above the landscape.
Take your time to have lunch at the viewpoint, surrounded by these imposing peaks and open skies.
If time and energy levels allow, you can continue hiking for an additional hour through the Valley to the British Camp for yet another spectacular cirque (amphitheater-like formation) of mountains.
You’ll descend via the same path until you reach the valley’s entrance, at which point you’ll continue around the south-west side of Paine Grande, Torres del Paine’s highest peak.
This final leg passes through native firebush and evergreen beech forests to the shores of Pehoe Lake.
Day 4: Trek to Grey Glacier
Set out early after breakfast, ascending 200 meters through the narrow winding path to Laguna Los Patos.
Here, you’ll see sections of the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a geological phenomenon that still hides many unclimbed mountains.
From here you’ll continue to Grey Glacier’s lookout point, passing forests and rivers, with possible sightings of the spectacled and flightless steamer ducks that call them home.
Pass by your Refugio beforehand, so you can drop off your backpack and head to the lookout to eat your packed lunches with the mammoth Grey Glacier at your feet.
In the afternoon you will have the option to take part in a 2.5 hour kayak excursion on Grey Lake (USD$ 100 per person, advance booking required).
Dinner will be served at the Refugio followed by an evening of rest in this spectacular area.
Day 5: Hike to Paine Grande – Catamaran – Public Bus to Puerto Natales
This morning is yours to enjoy at leisure! Options include a 5 hour ice trek on Grey Glacier (USD$ 240 per person), 2.5 hour kayak excursion in Grey Lake (USD$ 180 per person) or an additional hike (8 km / 5 mi, about 3 hours return) to the hanging bridges for a magnificent view of Grey Glacier (independent hikers without guides are only permitted to go to the second hanging bridge).
Please remember that you must book your optional excursion in advance with one of our travel specialists. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll later walk back along the same path to Paine Grande to catch the last catamaran across Pehoe Lake (check catamaran and walking times with Refugio staff in the morning to ensure you arrive in time).
While hiking, take in views of Paine Grande and the powerful, almost muscular granite walls of Cordon Olguín. At the other side of Pehoe Lake, a public bus will be waiting to drive you to Puerto Natales.
Since you will be arriving in town around 22:00 hrs (10:00PM) you should consider spending the night in Puerto Natales.
*Optional Morning Ice Hike or Kayak (must book in advance) or Trek to Bridges
