Torres del Paine W Trek Tour (Patagonia)
Book Torres del Paine W Trek tour with all services included, the most iconic hike in Patagonia
🗓️ Limited availability, we recommend booking in advance.
Briefing
The W Trek is the most famous route in the iconic Torres del Paine National Park. The Torres del Paine W Circuit Tour is a 5-day self-guided trek. The tour includes everything you’ll need to enjoy this experience: transfers to & from Puerto Natales, four nights of lodging in camps, refugios (mountain hostel), or refugios + hotels (according to your choice), full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), an entrance ticket to the National Park, a welcome kit with material for the trek, and free drinks at the refugios.
During the W Circuit, you’ll hike to the most iconic locations in the park: Base Torres, the French & British Lookouts, and Grey Glacier. The first two nights will feature a stay in the Central Sector or Chileno Campsite (near Base Torres), the third night in Cuernos or French Sector, and the final night in the Paine Grande Sector.
Not one for surprises? Keep reading to see the entire itinerary and book the Paine W Trek with confidence 😉.
Tour details
Included
- Park access ticket
- Bus transfer from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (round trip)
- Catamaran ticket (Paine Grande - Pudeto)
- 2 nights acommodation in Central Sector or Chileno Sector
- 1 night acommodation in Fancés Sector or Cuernos Sector
- 1 night acommodation in Sector Paine Grande
- Full board (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
- Welcome kit (towel + liner + refillable bottle + map)
- 4 Welcome drinks
Not included
- Day 1 lunch
- Day 5 dinner
- Luggage porter (available as extra)
- Guide (available as extra)
Important information
W Trek lodging options:
Camping: includes an assembled tent, sleeping bag, and mattress. In the Central, Chileno, Cuernos, and Francés Sectors, the tents provided are a "safari" type, while the Paine Grande Sector has more traditional tents. All tents have a capacity for two people. Single visitors will be assigned a tent for themselves.
Refugios: are mountain hostels akin to dorms consisting of several small cabins or huts. The rooms sleep four to six people and include sheets, blankets/sleeping bags (depending on the refugio).
Hotel + Refugio: the first two nights stay are at Las Torres Patagonia Hotel. Either a single, double, or triple room will be provided depending on the group size. The remaining two nights will be at Refugio Francés or Cuernos, located in Paine Grande.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellations!
- If you cancel at least 90 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount paid.
- If you cancel between 89 and 60 days before the start of the tour, you will receive an 80% refund of the total cost.
- If you cancel between 59 and 45 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 50% refund of the total cost.
After this time or in case of a no-show, no refund will be provided.
*The same policies apply to reservation modifications.
Tour itinerary
TOUR BRIEFING
Torres del Paine W Trek Briefing
A 5-day trek will require a lot of good planning but don’t stress, we’ve got you covered! Via an online brief, we’ll give you all the important information before you set out on your adventure. The brief includes access tickets, a packing list, and detailed information about your itinerary.
Also, we are always available to answer any questions or concerns you might have 😉
DAY 1 Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park
Lodging: Central or Chileno Sector
Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park
The classic 5-day Torres del Paine W Trek starts after lunch. You’ll need to be at Puerto Natales bus station, where you will take a bus to the park departing at 2:15 pm. Make sure to get there 15 minutes before departure.
The bus will take you to the park access point, Laguna Amarga, where park rangers will register you as a visitor.
Central or Chileno Sector
Once inside the park, you’ll be taken to the Welcome Center via transfer. After picking up a welcome kit, you’ll start the first hike to a sector. Depending on your reservation, you'll either hike to the Central Sector (no more than 10 minutes) or the Chileno Sector (4 miles or 6 km to the campsite).
Upon arriving at your sector, you will complete check-in, when a dinner and breakfast schedule will be assigned to you.
Afterward, you’ll have free time until dinner. Some travelers take a stroll around the area, while others have a drink at the bar’s terrace and enjoy the scenery.
💬 Breakfast and dinner are always served in the dining room of the "refugio", even if you’ll be staying at the campsite.
DAY 2 Base Torres Trekking
Difficulty: Medium-High
Total distance: 14 miles (22 km) from Central / 10.5 miles (17 km) from Chileno
Total approximate time: 9 hours
Positive elevation gain: 3,517 ft (1,072m)
Lodging: Central Sector or Chileno Sector
✨ Highlight: Base Torres Lookout Point
Breakfast at "Refugio"
Day one starts with breakfast at your assigned time between 7:30 am and 8:30 am (given to you during check-in). After breakfast, pick up your lunch box before heading out to start the day’s hike. Today you’ll be coming back to this sector so you’ll only have to carry a daypack. Luggage will remain at your accommodations.
💬 The lunch box includes specific food to fuel you up for the day’s physical activity: nuts, cereal bars, fruit, a sandwich, and some sweets.
Trekking to Base Torres lookout
Today's route is the climb to the iconic Base Torres Viewpoint. The total route covers 13.7 miles (22 km) and consists of three parts: initial slope, descent into the Chileno Sector, and the final ascent.
The hike starts out flat for about 1.2 miles (2 km) and crosses the Ascencio River Valley. Next, the steady ascent begins as you climb for about 1.8 miles (3 km) of trail until reaching the Paso de Los Vientos. The stunning views will be well worth the effort.
Lenga Forest - La Morrena - Base Torres Lookout Point
Continue along the trail for a 2.5 mile (4 km) flat stretch that passes through the Chileno Sector. Suddenly you'll find yourself entering a completely different ecosystem: the Lenga Forest.
The third portion of today's hike is the most challenging due to a number of large boulders, a steep slope, and no marked path (this part is called the moraine). You’ll get through it! Finally, after 1.5 miles (2.5 km) you’ll reach the Base Torres del Paine Lookout. Enjoy!
💬 Many travelers staying at Central Sector stop at Chileno Sector on their way up and down the path to refill their water bottles, have a drink, and rest for a while. Of course, if you’re already staying in the Chileno Sector your route will be shorter today.
Views of Torres del Paine
Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Breathe in the fresh air and take in the landscape featuring the granite towers that lend the national park its name.
Central Sector
Once you’re ready, start your way back along the same trail, until reaching your accommodations. After arriving, use your free time to rest, have a drink at the bar, or chat with other travelers. Before you know it, dinner is served and day two comes to a close.
💙 Howlanders Tip
For a better hiking experience, we recommend starting the route early in the morning to avoid the large groups arriving from Puerto Natales to do this hike in a full-day tour.
DAY 3 Lake Nordenskjöld Trekking
Difficulty: Medium
Total distance: 8 miles (13.2 km) to Cuernos Sector / 10.5 miles (17 km) to Francés Sector
Total approximate time: 4.5 hours to Cuernos Sector / 6.5 hours to Francés Sector
Positive vertical drop: 1,115 ft (340 m) up to Cuernos Sector / 1,706 ft (520 m) up to Francés Sector
Lodging: Francés or Cuernos Sector
✨ Highlight: Lake Nordenskjöld
Lake Nordenskjöld
Today is the day! Without a doubt, Day 3 is the best day of the Paine W Trek. You’ll have ample time to enjoy the scenery without rushing (you’ll walk between 4.5 to 6.5 hours depending on your accommodations). Take it easy and enjoy the views.
After breakfast, your third day of the Torres del Paine W Trek begins. This is the least demanding portion of the trek due to very little elevation gain and the trail is in very good condition, making it easy to follow. You will circle Lake Nordenskjöld and hike on a trail through the forest that crosses over small rivers. Eventually, you’ll walk along the beaches of the lake as well. While on the trail you’ll see Almirante Nieto Mountain and Cuernos del Paine from a distance. This is truly Patagonia in all its splendor!
Francés Sector in Torres del Paine
The Francés and Cuernos Sectors are the most remote regions of the W Trek due to their inaccessibility by boat and bus. For this reason, many travelers never get to see them, however, with the Howlanders tour, this exclusive experience is standard.
Some travelers prefer to stay in the Francés Sector to hike 3 miles (5 km) less the following day. In contrast, with its great atmosphere and exceptional cuisine, many travelers prefer the Cuernos Sector.
DAY 4 Francés Valley trekking: Francés and Británico Lookouts
Difficulty: Medium-High
Total distance: 17 miles (27 km) from Cuernos Sector / 14 miles (23 km) from Francés Sector
Total approximate time: 10 hours from Cuernos Sector / 8 hours from Francés Sector
Positive elevation gain: 3,215 ft (980 m) from Cuernos Sector / 2,624 ft (800 m) from Francés Sector
Lodging: Paine Grande Sector
✨ Highlight: French Lookout + British Lookout
Francés Lookout
Day 4 presents the most demanding hike to either the French (Francés) or British (Británico) lookouts.
If you spent the night in Cuernos, you’ll have to walk the 2.5 miles to the Francés Sector, ( an easy flat trail).
From the Francés Sector, it’s about a mile walk to the first intersection on the trail (0.9 miles/1.4 km) The trail splits with one ascending to the French valley, and the other continuing to Paine Grande.
If you decide to hike along the French Valley, you’ll walk 0.6 miles (1 km) to "Campamento Italiano." Park rangers use this camp (CONAF) as a luggage storage station. You can leave your large packs and take a smaller daypack, to hike lighter. The hike to French Lookout is 1.5 miles (2,5 km) each way, including 985 ft (300 m) of elevation gain.
💬 The distance and difficulty of today's route can be adapted. You can skip the hike along the Frances Valley and go directly to the Paine Grande Sector. In this case, the route will be 8 miles (13 km) shorter and mostly flat. Another alternative is to hike only to the Francés Lookout.
British Viewpoint
Once you’ve reached the French Viewpoint, you can continue to the British Viewpoint. It’s 1.9 miles (3 km) long with 920 ft (280 m) of elevation gain. When you reach the viewpoint you will find a rocky area that you can climb to enjoy the best views and take remarkable photos from the British Viewpoint.
Afterward, leave the viewpoint on the same trail, passing by the park rangers' campsite to pick up your large backpack before heading onto the next sector.
Arrival at Paine Grande Sector
The last portion of the route is 5.6 miles (9 km) and features a slight negative slope that your legs might appreciate. Later, you’ll cross an area that suffered a fire a few years ago, the tree trunks here create a somewhat gloomy landscape.
Finally, welcome to Paine Grande Sector! The largest "refugio" in Torres del Paine, with a unique location smack in front of Lake Pehoé. Admire the landscape featuring the majestic Cerro Paine sitting tranquilly in the distance.
DAY 5 Grey Glacier Trekking - Puerto Natales
Difficulty: Medium-High
Total distance: 13.7 miles (22 km) to Grey Refugio
Approximate time: 9 hours
Positive elevation gain: 2,296 ft (700 m)
Lodging: not included (return to Puerto Natales)
✨ Highlight: Grey Glacier Viewpoint and suspension bridges
*This information takes into consideration the route to the Grey Lodge: some travelers decide to continue another 1.5 miles (2.5 km) (each way) to reach the first suspension bridge.
Cerro Paine Grande
The route on your last day in Torres del Paine features an ascent in the direction of the Grey Glacier. You’ll get to hike with Lake Grey on one side and Cerro Paine Grande on the other. The route length depends on you, the more you hike, the closer to the glacier you get. Many travelers reach the Grey Glacier Viewpoint, some continue further up to the Grey Refugio, and others even reach the first suspension bridge.
💙 Howlanders Tip:
To get closer to Grey Glacier, we recommend leaving your backpack at Paine Grande and hiking with a daypack. It’s important to monitor the time and your walking speed to ensure you don’t miss boarding the catamaran that leaves the park.
Grey Glacier Lookout
The first stop: Grey Lake Viewpoint, located 3.7 miles (6 km) away from Paine Grande. From here, you can see the Grey Glacier and the comparatively tiny icebergs that have fallen from the glacier wall.
Grey Refugio
To get to the Refugio from the viewpoint the hike is almost 7 miles (11 km) making the total length about 14 miles (22.2 km), many travelers end their Paine Grande Circuit here.
First suspension bridge:
Although the experience of crossing this bridge is as good as its views, we only recommend attempting this portion of the hike to the most experienced hikers. In total, its about 16.6 miles (26.8 km). This portion of the hike is possible if: you leave early in the morning, the weather conditions are good, and you calculate your time very well to ensure you can return in time to take the catamaran.
Catamaran on Lake Pehoé
The way back to the Paine Grande Sector is downhill, a very easy hike to close out your trip. It is important to keep an eye on the time on this route because at 6:30 pm you’ll have to take the catamaran back to Pudeto. You’ll sail across Lake Pehoé to Pudeto and after arriving, a bus will take you back to Puerto Natales (you’ll arrive around 9:30 pm). A perfect end to an epic adventure in Chilean Patagonia.
What to bring to Torres del Paine W Trek (Patagonia) tour
The weather in Patagonia changes considerably throughout the day, with travelers sometimes experiencing all four seasons in a single day. The summers commonly (when the tour takes place), have strong winds. Therefore, we advise bringing clothing for different climates and wearing a 3-layered system. We also recommend keeping the weight of your backpack under 10% of your body weight. Below is a guideline of recommended essentials:
- Passport
- PDI: Migratory card (foreign travelers not residing in Chile)
- Reservation ticket: accommodations
- 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
- Hat
- Mountain footwear (if possible waterproof boots)
- 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 a return to the same sector.
- Long/short sleeve T-shirts
- Refillable water bottle (included in the welcome kit)
- Pillow (only for Paine Grande camping)
- Padlock for lockers use
Where does the tour Torres del Paine W Trek (Patagonia) start
The tour starts in Puerto Natales. If traveling from Santiago de Chile the most convenient option is to fly directly to Puerto Natales, or take a flight to Punta Arenas. From Punta Arenas, catch the 3.15-hour bus to the main bus station in Puerto Natales or hire a private transportation service with us.
If traveling from El Calafate (Argentina), direct buses to Puerto Natales are typically a five-hour trip. You can also book the transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales or the direct transfer between El Calafate and Torres del Paine with us.
Questions & Answers
My dates are not available, is there an alternative?
Yes, at Howlanders, we'll do everything possible to help you book your dream tour. We'll provide alternative dates, itinerary modifications, or modifications to accommodations, etc... please, do not hesitate to contact us.
Can I do the W Circuit in the opposite direction?
Yes, it is possible to start in the Paine Grande Sector and the Grey Glacier area and finish in the Central Sector, just contact us to request this modification.
What are the refugios in Torres del Paine National Park like?
The "refugios" are lodges or "mountain hostels" that are very well-equipped buildings with large common areas to rest and have a drink. They each have a large dining room that is available to all travelers, even those staying at the campsite. Refugios also have bars where travelers meet to chat and share a drink. Finally, the showers in the refugios are superior to campsite showers because they do not have schedules. We have created a post for you to get to know the different refugios in Torres del Paine.
Do I have a private room in the refugios?
Normally, all rooms in the lodges are: shared with approximately six people, have good beds, a reading light, and a plug next to the bed. However, some sectors offer private accomodations, such as the cabins in the Cuernos Sector.
How are the campsites in Torres del Paine National Park?
There are two types of campsites depending on the sector. In some sectors, campsites feature tents mounted on wooden structures, while others are closer to "glamping", accompanied by a large tent raised off the ground (similar to safari-style tents installed atop land cruisers). All campsites have toilets and showers (with limited hours) and a common kitchen (which you won’t have to use because the tour includes all meals served in the dining room of the lodge). You can see the different types of campsites in the tour album, or check them out here: campsites in each sector.
Is lunch included and where do you eat at lunchtime?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For this tour, breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge dining room, and are available to all trekkers staying at the campsite. For lunch, a "lunchbox" is provided, which you can pick up at breakfast and enjoy while on the day's trek. The lunchbox is packed with optimal foods for physical activity: nuts, cereal bars, fruit, a sandwich, and some sweets.
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?
After the reservation is processed, you will be asked to present a valid passport or identity document proving your nationality or country of residence. If this documentation is not presented, you’ll be required to pay the difference in price for the non-resident foreign traveler rate in Chile.
What documentation do I need to bring to enter Torres del Paine National Park?
To enter Torres del Paine National Park, you must present your valid passport, as well as the park entrance ticket, and proof of your reservations in each sector (which will be given to you the day before while at the Puerto Natales office), and if you are a foreign traveler not residing in Chile, at each lodging, you must present the immigration card given to you when entering Chile.
Do I have to carry all my luggage to Torres del Paine?
No, at Howlanders we recommend taking only what you need to do a five-day trek and leaving the remaining luggage at your accommodations 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 for the three sectors where you'll be returning via the same route: ascent to Base Torres, 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 accommodations 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 taking your valuables.
Can I do the W Circuit 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 two days?
Yes because a porter is not necessary for the other days. On Days 1 and 2 you will be in the Central Sector. Days 3 and 4 require moving luggage from the Central Sector to the Paine Grande Sector. Finally, on Day 5 your luggage will stay in Paine Grande while you complete the route to Grey Sector.
What is a self-guided tour?
It is a route in which you do not have a guide and walk at your own pace. This self-guided tour is very easy to follow; the paths are well-maintained and a map is provided explaining both the route and the surrounding areas.
Where does the bus to Torres del Paine National Park leave from?
The bus leaves Puerto Natales Station, also known as 'Terminal Rodoviario'. Puerto Natales is a small, walkable town (less than 20 mins walk or a few minutes cab ride to the station).
Do I have to carry a lot of water?
No but make sure you bring a reusable bottle (the one provided in the welcome kit, for example). Drinking water is available at the refugios and campsites. Throughout the tour, you can also refill your bottle directly from the rivers, as it is potable and refreshing 😊.
Do I have to carry my camping equipment during the tour?
No, the tents are assembled at the campsites, and upon arrival, you will be told which tent you have been assigned. Each tent is equipped with a mat and sleeping bag.
Where can I find additional information about the W Trek Tour in Torres del Paine?
To learn more about this tour we recommend reading our blog (written by our dear colleague) covering his experience walking the W Trek.
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