The ideal adventure for independent hikers wanting to experience the W Trek without guides, set dates or pre-departure planning. You’ll visit Torres del Paine’s three main highlights: the grandiose Towers, stirring French Valley and bewitching Grey Glacier. We prepare everything: briefing you beforehand, booking all services and providing a secure place to store your luggage.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Complete W Trek
- Independent Hike – Enjoy at Your Own Pace!
- Trek to the Three Towers Base Lookout
- See Hanging Glaciers in the French Valley
- Get Close to the Immense Grey Glacier
- All Logistics & Reservations Organized for You!
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Torres del Paine, Self Guided Round-Trip HIke to the Towers Lookout
- Day 2: Self Guided Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout through Condor Territory
- Day 3: Self Guided Trek of the Dramatic French Valley & Pehoe Lake
- Day 4: Trek to Grey Glacier
- Day 5: Hike to Paine Grande – Catamaran – Public Bus to Puerto Natales
There is an option to upgrade to Refugios. Ask us!
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
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
- Day 1: Arrive in Torres del Paine, Self Guided Round-Trip HIke to the Towers Lookout
- Day 2: Self Guided Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout through Condor Territory
- Day 3: Self Guided Trek of the Dramatic French Valley & Pehoe Lake
- Day 4: Trek to Grey Glacier
- Day 5: Hike to Paine Grande – Catamaran – Public Bus to Puerto Natales
| Dates | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 22 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 26 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 29 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 05 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 09 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 12 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 19 Feb 2025 - 23 Feb 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 23 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 26 Feb 2025 - 02 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 02 Mar 2025 - 06 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 05 Mar 2025 - 09 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 09 Mar 2025 - 13 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 12 Mar 2025 - 16 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 16 Mar 2025 - 20 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 19 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 23 Mar 2025 - 27 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 26 Mar 2025 - 30 Mar 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 30 Mar 2025 - 03 Apr 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 06 Apr 2025 - 10 Apr 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 13 Apr 2025 - 17 Apr 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
| 20 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025 | AUD$2825pp | Contact us |
- Price is based on 2 Guests or more. Please note there is a single supplement of approx. USD100 for solo travellers.
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Torres Del Paine | Camping or similar |
| Torres Del Paine | Refugio Grey or similar |
Whats included?
- All Public Transportation Indicated in Schedule
- Shuttle in Between Laguna Amarga & Refugio Las Torres
- Entrance Fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Four Nights Accommodation in Camping. Ask us for upgrade to Refugios
- Sleeping Bag, Mat, & Tent for Camping Accommodations
- Catamaran to Cross the Pehoe Lake
- All Meals Indicated in Schedule (B: Breakfast, BL: Box Lunch, D: Dinner)
What’s not included?
- Any Additional Nights
- Kayak or Ice Hike Excursion at Grey
- Medical Expenses
- Insurance of Any Kind
- Any Personal Expenses
- Dinner on Day 5 in Puerto Natales
- Any Alcoholic and/or Non-Alcoholic Drinks at the Refugios Except for the Drinks Included in the Menu
- Guide or Porters
Notes
- Price is based on 2 Guests or more. Please note there is a single supplement of approx. USD100 for solo travellers.
- Upgrade to Refugios based on availability. Ask us! (Mountain Lodges) based on availability (Refugios: Comfortable Rooms with 6 Beds & Shared Men's/Women's Bathrooms) (Sorry, No Singles Available)
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: South America
The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!
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