W trek circuit in Torres del Paine (short version)
Torres del Paine W trek in 4 days
Reservations for the 2024-25 season now available!
Briefing
W trek circuit in Torres del Paine (short version) is designed for travelers who have less time to complete the W trek in Chilean Patagonia. During this 4 day self-guided route you will hike most of the W trail. The first day you will start walking to Base Torres and stay in Sector Central, the second day you will walk to Sector Francés or Cuernos, the third day you will walk the Francés Valley and stay again in Francés or Cuernos. Finally, the last day you will hike to Paine Grande. Some travelers manage to get to Grey sector, but the distance is very long. There are some differences compared to the classic route Torres del Paine W Trek: being 4 days instead of 5, the first day you will arrive a little later to the park, so during the trek to Base Torres there will be a lot more people. The last night you will not stay in Paine Grande, so it is very difficult to get to the Grey sector.
The tour includes everything you need: transfers from Puerto Natales, entrance fees to the Park, accommodation in camping or refuge and full board. In addition, you will receive a welcome kit with some gifts.
Tour details
Included
- Park access ticket
- Transfer by bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (round trip).
- Catamaran ticket (Paine Grande - Pudeto)
- 1 night of lodging in Central Sector
- 2 nights of lodging in Francés Sector or Cuernos
- Full board (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners)
- Welcome Kit (towel + liner + refillable bottle + notebook + map)
Not included
- Breakfast day 1
- Dinner day 4
- Beverages
- Guide (available as an extra)
- Luggage porter (available as an extra)
Important information
Lodging options:
Camping: includes all camping equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent already set up. They are tents with capacity for 2 people and you will be assigned a tent just for you in case you are a single person.
"Refugio": these are shared rooms with 4 or 6 beds at "mountain hostel" and includes sheets and blankets or sleeping bags, depending on the "refugio".
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation!
If you cancel at least 60 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount paid. If you cancel between 59 and 45 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 50% refund of the amount paid. After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refund will be made and it will not be possible to modify the reservation.
Reservation modifications are subject to the cancellation policies indicated, applying the corresponding penalty in each case depending on how far in advance the cancellation is requested.
Tour itinerary
W Trek 4 Days
Welcome W Trek 4 Days
We know that a 4-day mountain route needs a good planning, that's why a briefing (explanation of the tour) is done in person or online.
In addition, a few days before your arrival in Puerto Natales you will receive an email with instructions to pick up your welcome kit (which includes tickets, map, metal bottle...) and solve any last minute doubts you may have.
DAY 1 Puerto Natales - Trekking Base Torres del Paine
Difficulty: Medium - High
Distance: 13,67 mi. (22 km) (returning to Central Sector) / 10,5 mi. (17 km) (ending in Chileno Sector)
Total approximate time: 9:00 hours
Positive difference in altitude: 3517,06 ft. (1.072m)
Lodging: Central or Chileno Sector
✨ Highlights: Base Torres Lookout Point
Access to Torres del Paine National Park
The first day of the Torres del Paine 4 Days tour will start early. You will have to go to the bus station in Puerto Natales, where you will take the bus to the park departing at 07:00 in the morning.
The bus will take you to the Laguna Amarga welcome center. There you will register as a visitor and enter the park.
Torres del Paine Base Trekking
Once inside the park, you will take a minibus that will take you to the Welcome Center and from there you will start the Base Torres del Paine trekking.
The route of the first day will be the iconic ascent to the Base Torres viewpoint. 22 km of route divided in 3 parts: initial slope, descent and final ascent.
The trail will start flat for 2 km. You will cross the Ascencio River Valley until you reach the first steep section of the route. This will be followed by 3 km of trail until you reach the Paso de los Vientos.
Lenga Forest - La Morrena - Base Torres Lookout Point
You will continue along a flat stretch of 4 km that passes through the Chileno Sector. You will enter a totally different ecosystem when the trail crosses a lenga forest and ends at the beginning of the third section. We recommend that you stop here and fill up your water bottle before facing the final stretch.
For almost 2 km you will find your own path between big rocks. The slope is hard but the reward is amazing: you will reach the viewpoint Base Torres del Paine.
Torres del Paine Base Viewpoint
From this viewpoint you can enjoy views of the famous granite towers that give the national park its name and the Torres del Paine Lake.
Central or Chileno Sector
After the break, you will start your way back along the same trail, until you reach the Central or Chileno Sector, where you will have to check-in at the reception of the lodge and you will be assigned your time for dinner and breakfast the next day. Afterwards you will have free time to rest, shower, have a drink at the bar and have dinner.
💬 Note that the Chilean Sector is located 5 km away from the Central Sector, so if you stay in the Chilean Sector your route on day 1 will be shorter. Accommodation in Sector Chileno is assigned when Sector Central is full and only camping is available.
DAY 2 Francés Sector Trekking
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 8 mi. (13.2 km) to Cuernos Sector / 10,5 mi. (17 km) to Francés Sector.
Total approximate time: 4:30 hours to Cuernos Sector / 6:30 hours to Francés Sector.
Positive vertical drop: 1115,49 ft. (340 m.) up to Cuernos Sector / 1706 ft. (520 m.) up to Francés Sector.
Lodging: Francés Sector or Cuernos Sector
✨ Highlights: Lake Nordenskjöld
Lake Nordenskjöld
After breakfast, the second day in Torres del Paine begins with the least demanding stage. In this section there is very little elevation gain and the trail is in very good condition. During this day you will walk along the Nordenskjöld lake, cross a small river and walk some stretches along the beaches that form next to the lake.
Almirante Nieto Mountain - Cuernos del Paine
During most of the route the background scenery is Cerro Almirante Nieto and the Cuernos del Paine. Patagonia in all its splendor as a backdrop.
Francés Sector in Torres del Paine
Without a doubt, this is the best day to enjoy the scenery without rushing, as you will walk for 4:30 - 6:30 hours (depending on the location of your accommodation). So you can take it easy and enjoy the views.
Both the French and Cuernos Sectors have the smallest and coziest lodges and campsites. Some travelers prefer to stay in the Francés Sector to take a few kilometers off the next day's route, while others prefer to enjoy the Cuernos Sector, our favorite sector because of the lodge’s atmosphere.
💬
Please note that if you stayed in the Chileno Sector the night before, your route will be 5 Km longer.
The Torres del Paine 4 Days tour includes the second and third night of lodging in the Francés Sector or Cuernos Sector depending on availability. Both are good options. If you have a preference, please let us know when you make your reservation and we will do our best to adapt your program.
DAY 3 French Valley Trekking
Difficulty: Medium-High
Distance: 11,18 mi. (18 km) from Cuernos Sector / 9,32 mi. (15 km) from Francés Sector.
Total approximate time: 9 hours from Cuernos Sector / 8 hours from Francés Sector.
Positive elevation gain: 3215,22 ft. (980 m.) from Cuernos Sector / 2624 ft. (800 m.) from Francés Sector.
Lodging: Francés Sector or Cuernos
✨ Highlights: French Lookout + British Lookout.
Italian Camp - French Lookout
The penultimate day of the route w in 4 days is one of the most demanding due to the cumulative elevation gain to reach the French and British viewpoints.
If you start from the Cuernos Sector, the first stretch until you reach the Francés Sector will be a flat 4 km. It continues with a stretch of 1.4 km to the intersection where the trail splits in two. One trail ascends to the French and British lookout and the other continues to Paine Grande.
You will take the road that goes up to the viewpoints and walk 1 km to "Campamento Italiano". This camp is for the exclusive use of CONAF park rangers and offers a "nursery" service. Many travelers leave their large backpack here in order not to carry it during the climb to the viewpoints, and only carry a small backpack with water, warm clothes and snacks.
The hike to the French lookout begins, a 2.5 km walk with 300 meters of elevation gain.
Torres del Paine British Lookout
Once at the French viewpoint you can continue to the British viewpoint, 4 km long with 280 meters of elevation gain. When you reach the viewpoint you will find a rocky area that you can climb to take the best picture of the British viewpoint and enjoy the best views.
Skottsberg Lake
To finish the route, you will return along the same path and pick up the backpack from the "nursery". Afterwards, you will continue walking the remaining km to the Francés or Cuernos Sector with a slight negative slope that your legs will be grateful for.
If you are staying in the Cuernos Sector on the third night of the tour, you will have to add another 3 km to the route.
DAY 4 Trekking to Paine Grande or Grey and return to Puerto Natales
Difficulty: Medium-High
Distance: 19,57 mi. (31.5 km.) from Francés Sector / 21,43 mi (34.5 km). from Cuernos Sector
Approximate time: 9 hours from Francés Sector / 10 hours from Cuernos Sector.
Positive elevation gain: 885,82 ft. (270 m.) from Francés Sector / 1476,38 ft. (450 m.) from Cuernos Sector
Lodging: not included (return to Puerto Natales)
✨ Highlights: First Grey glacier viewpoint.
Mount Paine Grande
The last day of the Torres del Paine tour in 4 days is a 14 km route to the Paine Grande sector. During the route some sections have wooden walkways to promote the revegetation of an area that suffered a fire. In addition to crossing a river by a suspension bridge and enjoy the views of both the lake and the Cerro Paine Grande.
First viewpoint of Grey Glacier
Only a few well-trained travelers manage to reach the first viewpoint of the Grey Glacier on this day, as the route is more than 30 km long. This viewpoint is so popular because it allows you to admire the magnitude of this glacier and see its ice floes floating on Lake Grey.
Paine Grande 🚢 Pudeto 🚌 Puerto Natales
Once in Paine Grande you will have to go to the pier to take the catamaran that will take you to Pudeto (the catamaran ticket is included in the price of the tour). In Pudeto you will board the bus that will take you back to Puerto Natales, where you will arrive at 09:30 PM.
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Please make sure you calculate your walking time well, as you will need to arrive at the pier at least 20 minutes before the departure of the catamaran.
What to bring to W trek circuit in Torres del Paine (short version)
- Passport
- PDI: Migratory card (foreign travelers not residing in Chile)
- Accommodation reservation ticket
- Hiking pants: thin or short.
- Long hiking pants for extra warmth
- First layer: thermal T-shirt
- Middle layer: fleece or similar
- Outer layer: waterproof jacket
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Cap or hat
- Mountain footwear (waterproof boots if possible)
- Resting slippers
- Sandals (for showers)
- Personal hygiene products
- Flashlight and battery (especially useful in campgrounds)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Walking sticks
- Cash (USD or CLP)
- Medium trekking backpack (40 liters approx.)
- Small trekking backpack (15 liters) for use in the sections with return to the same sector.
- Long/short sleeve T-shirts
Where does the tour W trek circuit in Torres del Paine (short version) start
The tour starts in the city of Puerto Natales. If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile the best option is to fly directly to Puerto Natales or take a flight to Punta Arenas, and from there you can take a bus that in only 3:15 hours will take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales or book a private transportation service with us.
If you are traveling from El Calafate (Argentina), there are buses that connect directly to Puerto Natales in a 5 hour trip or you can book with us the transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales or the direct transfer between El Calafate and Torres del Paine.
Questions & Answers
My dates are not available, is there an alternative?
Yes, Howlanders will do everything possible to help you do this route, offering you different dates, itinerary modifications, etc... do not hesitate to contact us.
Can I do the 4-day W Circuit tour in the opposite direction?
Yes, it is possible to start in Paine Grande and the Grey Glacier area and finish in Base Torres, just contact us to request this modification.
What are the lodges in Torres del Paine National Park like?
The lodges are very well equipped, with large communal areas where you can rest and have a drink. All of them have a large dining room that is also used by travelers staying at the campsite. They also have a bar where travelers meet to chat and have a drink. Finally, the showers in the lodges are better and do not have schedules, as the showers in the campsites have a schedule of use. We have created a post in our blog for you to get to know the different shelters in the park.
Do I have a private room in the lodges?
Normally all the rooms in the lodges are shared with approximately 6 people, have good beds, reading light and plug next to the bed. Although there are some private options in some sectors, such as the cabins in Sector Cuernos.How are the campsites in Torres del Paine National Park?
There are two types of camping depending on the sector. In some sectors they are tents mounted on wooden structures, in others they are "glamping", a large tent raised off the ground, very similar to those used in safaris to install on top of the 4x4. In addition, all campsites have their own toilets and showers (with limited hours) and a common kitchen, which you will not have to use, as the tour includes all meals served in the dining room of the lodge. You can see the different types of camping in the pictures of the tour, also in the following link you can see the campsites in each sector.
Is lunch included and where do you eat at lunchtime?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge, even if you are staying at a campsite. A "lunchbox" is provided for lunch that you will pick up at breakfast time and that you will be able to enjoy along the tour.What food is included in the lunch-box?
The lunchbox consists of specific foods for physical activity: nuts, cereal bars, fruit, a sandwich and some sweets.To make a reservation as a Chilean traveler or foreigner residing in Chile, what documentation do I need to present?
The reservation can be processed normally and then you will be asked to present a valid passport or identity document proving nationality or residence. If this documentation is not presented, it will be necessary to pay the difference in price with the non-resident foreign traveler rate in Chile.What documentation do I need to bring to access Torres del Paine National Park?
To access Torres del Paine National Park, you must present your valid passport, as well as the park entrance ticket and the documentation to reserve lodging in the different sectors, which will be given to you the day before at the Puerto Natales office, and if you are a foreign traveler not residing in Chile, you must present the immigration card that is given to you when you enter Chile at each lodging.Do I have to carry all my luggage to Torres del Paine?
No, from Howlanders we recommend you to take only what you need to do the trek for 6 days and leave the rest of the luggage in the luggage room of your accommodation in Puerto Natales.Do I have to carry my backpack for the entire tour?
During most of the route you must carry your backpack, except in the 3 areas where you return by the same route: ascent to Torres base, ascent to British/French viewpoints and ascent to Grey glacier.Where do I leave my luggage in that case?
You can leave your luggage either in your accommodation or in the "nurseries", which despite not being guarded are considered safe because travelers are respectful and there are no security problems or theft. However, we recommend that you take your valuables with you.Can I do the W Circuit 6 days with a guide or porter?
Yes, if you want to walk the W circuit trails with a private professional mountain guide (exclusively for your group) or a porter to help you carry your backpack, just contact us.
Is the porter service only offered for 3 days?
Yes, since the first day is not necessary because you are not moving to another sector.
What is a self-guided tour?
It is a route in which you do not have a guide and you will walk at your own pace. This self-guided tour is very easy to follow, since the paths are very well indicated and a map is provided explaining both the route and the areas where it takes place.Where does the bus to Torres del Paine National Park leave from?
The bus leaves from Puerto Natales station, which is known as 'Terminal Rodoviario'. Puerto Natales is a small town, so you can walk there in less than 20 minutes or take a cab.Do I have to carry a lot of water?
No, just make sure you bring a refillable bottle, the one provided in the welcome kit, for example. Drinking water is available at the refuges and campsites and during the tour you can refill your bottle directly from the rivers, as it is drinkable and cool 😊.Do I have to carry my camping equipment during the tour?
No, the tents are set up at the campsites and upon arrival you will be told which tent you have been assigned, which will already be set up and equipped with a mat and sleeping bag.
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