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Guided W Trek Alternative
The most adventurous alternative to the classic W along the unknown paths of Torres del Paine with a professional guide
Refugio Torre Central
Refugio Torre Central
Refugio Torre Central
Refugio Torre Central
Torre Central Campsite
Refugio Los Cuernos
Refugio Los Cuernos
Los Cuernos Campsite
Refugio Grey
Refugio Grey
Refugio Grey
Grey Campsite
Grey Campsite
Guided W Trek Alternative tour information
Starts
At the Puerto Natales Bus Station at 06:30 a.m.
Ends
To the Puerto Natales Bus Station at 9:00 p.m.
Included
- Access ticket to Torres del Paine National Park
- Bus transfer from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (round trip)
- Transfer in Catamaran from Pehoe Lake to Pudeto
- 1 night's accommodation in Sector Central
- 2 night's accommodation in Los Cuernos Sector
- Welcome kit: liner; microfiber towel; stainless steel water bottle; a map and a notebook
- Food every day (breakfast + dinner in the dining room and lunch-box)
- Bilingual guide
- Activity Horseback ride or guided climbing activity on day 2
- 1 night's accommodation in Sector Grey
Not included
- Other meals
error_outlineImportant information
In order to access the Torres del Paine National Park it will be mandatory to present the negative PCR and the Sanitary Passport. Request yours at https://www.c19.cl/. This documentation is nominative and not transferable.
The order of the visits could be altered, but it will not affect the content of the program. The schedules of the tickets and transports could be subject to modifications.
SAFE ADVENTURE – Covid 19
This activity includes the appropriate protection measures to ensure your safety. In addition, our excursions are outdoor and in small groups to reduce the risk of contagion. Remember to follow the instructions of the staff during the development of the excursion.
restoreCancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you cancel 31 days before the start of the tour, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, no refunds will be given. In some cases, free date changes will be offered until April 2022 or April 2023 at an additional cost of 20%. The cases to qualify for the change of dates are the following: 1- In the event of a situation of COVID19 re-emerging in Chile or the traveler's country of origin that implies the closure of borders, total quarantine, or cancellation of land and/or air transfers. 2- In the event of contagion of the traveler (presenting a medical certificate that proves it) If you do not request a change of dates or not show up at the beginning of the tour, no refunds or rescheduling will be made. Bookings are nominative and non-transferable.
bookmark_borderBriefing
If you are looking for an alternative to the classic W of Torres del Paine, we present you the Alternative W Circuit, the unknown route of Torres del Paine National Park. Did you think we didn't have any trails left to walk? We're happy to say that you were wrong. We invite you to enjoy the impressive granite towers that give the name to the park from another perspective. To walk by the impressive Cuernos del Paine and to be surprised by the little known Bader Valley in Torres del Paine in the company of a professional mountain guide. Choose the type of accommodation that best suits you: camping or shared room in the refuge. Both located in the different sectors of the Park. You will spend the first night in the Central Sector, the following two in the Cuernos Sector, and the last one in the Grey Sector.
The 5-day Alternative W Circuit is a guided tour in a small group through the still unknown and little-traveled trails of Torres del Paine National Park. The tour includes everything necessary to enjoy a complete experience: transfers, accommodation, food, bilingual guide...and adventure activities! Choose between Horseback Riding or Rock Climbing and get immersed in the Patagonian culture. And there's more! If you are in the mood to have a knees-up, you can add an extra activity to your reservation: Kayaking on Grey Lake or Ice Walking on Grey Glacier. Which will be the lucky one?
Come on! Get your poles ready, we're off! Ready to discover the alternative to W Trek? Read on, and find out the full itinerary of the Alternative W Trek:
The 5-day Alternative W Circuit is a guided tour in a small group through the still unknown and little-traveled trails of Torres del Paine National Park. The tour includes everything necessary to enjoy a complete experience: transfers, accommodation, food, bilingual guide...and adventure activities! Choose between Horseback Riding or Rock Climbing and get immersed in the Patagonian culture. And there's more! If you are in the mood to have a knees-up, you can add an extra activity to your reservation: Kayaking on Grey Lake or Ice Walking on Grey Glacier. Which will be the lucky one?
Come on! Get your poles ready, we're off! Ready to discover the alternative to W Trek? Read on, and find out the full itinerary of the Alternative W Trek:
Tour itinerary
todayWelcome kit Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
access_time6 : 00 PM
The day before the start of the W Trek Alternative in Torres del Paine, you must pick up your welcome kit and all your tickets and permits in our office. You can pick it up between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Also, a few days before the start of your adventure, we will send you an email with all the technical information you need to prepare your trip to Torres del Paine.
todayDAY 1 Cerro Paine Trekking
Difficulty: High - 15 km (8-10 hours)
Initial altitude 120 masl.
Maximum altitude 1508 masl.
Accommodation: Central Sector
access_time6 : 30 AM
Puerto Natales
The Patagonian adventure begins!
Today will start early, but don't worry, sometimes getting up early is worth it. You must be at the Puerto Natales bus station at 6:30 a.m. where we will take the 7:00 a.m. bus to Torres del Paine National Park.
access_time9 : 30 AM
After 2 and a half hours, we will arrive at the Welcome Center of the Torres del Paine National Park where we will register as visitors with the help of our guide and enter the Park. And let the route begin!
Our goal today, one of the most impressive viewpoints of the Torres del Paine National Park located at 1,508 meters high: the Cerro Paine Viewpoint.
access_time10 : 00 AM
Cerro Paine Viewpoint
We will start the walk through the lush forest of the Ascencio Valley. The trail will then ascend by Agostini's route, where explorer and documentary filmmaker Alberto de Agostini took the famous photo of the Towers in the 1940's. Prepare your camera, with luck we will be able to take the same snapshot ;)
And as every effort has its reward, we will arrive at the Cerro Paine Lookout!
From the Cerro Paine viewpoint, we will see how the Mirador Base Torres through which the classic W passes will be at our feet. Travelers who are not doing the Alternative W Circuit will look like ants from here!
Below us will be the Towers to the west, the Paine River Valley and the Blue Lagoon to the east, and Lake Nordenskjöld and Lake Sarmiento to the south.
A unique panorama that includes granite towers, glaciers, lakes, forests and pampas in a single 360° view. Only by going through the Alternative W Circuit we can access the Cerro Paine Viewpoint.
access_time1 : 00 PM
Lunch - Back to Central Sector
In front of these impressive views, we'll make a rest stop for lunch. Full belly, happy heart!
With a full belly and charged batteries we'll start our way back to Central Sector, where we'll have dinner and spend this first night.
todayDAY 2 Horseback riding or Rock climbing - Trekking to Sector Cuernos
Difficulty: Medium - 11 Km (3'5 hours)
Initial altitude 120 masl.
Lodging: Sector Cuernos
access_time7 : 30 AM
Breakfast at Refugio Central
Good morning from Torres del Paine National Park!
The second day of the route, will undoubtedly be the most complete of all. The day will start early. We will have breakfast with the rest of the travelers in the common dining room of the Refugio.
Breakfast will be served between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. every day. When we finish our breakfast we will pick up our lunch-box and, together with our guide, we will set off.
access_time9 : 00 AM
Adventure activities
In the morning, adventure awaits. To start this second day of the alternative route to the W Trek you can choose between two activities included in the tour.
*If you don't want to do the activities and prefer to take advantage of the morning to recover your strength, don't worry! Take your time and rest in the common areas of the Refugio Sector Central, take a little walk in the surroundings, and enjoy this unique landscape.
Option 1: Horseback riding on the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld
The first, an unusual Horseback ride on the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld by professional riders.
This sounds like a postcard scene, doesn't it?
Option 2: Rock climbing in the Puma Cave
The second, for lovers of adrenaline, is a rock climbing session in the Puma Cave with professional instructors. The Puma Cave has magnificent climbing walls with 4 routes of 3 levels of difficulty.
Do you know which of these two activities you'll take? We can't decide!
access_time1 : 00 PM
Lunch - Start of route to Cuernos del Paine
After this first part of the day, and with the adrenaline levels recharged, we will take a break to eat the lunch-box we picked up at breakfast. And now, let the second day's route begin!
In the afternoon, we will make a 11 km trek along the Nordenskjöld Lake and the Almirante Nieto Hill until we reach the impressive Cuernos del Paine.
Los Cuernos Sector
During the journey, the views of the Cuernos del Paine will accompany us in the background at all times. But that's not all! We will also observe hanging glaciers, lakes and corners where we will appreciate the flora and fauna of the area.
Until we reach the Cuernos Sector, where we will have dinner and spend the night. We’re going to sleep like babies tonight, aren’t we?
todayDAY 3 Trekking Bader Valley Torres del Paine
Difficulty: High - 7 Km (10 hours)
Initial altitude 84 masl.
Maximum altitude 1551 masl.
Lodging: Sector Cuernos
access_time7 : 30 PM
Breakfast at Cuernos Refugio
We will wake up in the Cuernos Sector, in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. What a view to start the day!
We will have breakfast in the common dining room of the Refugio along with the rest of the travelers and pick up our lunch-box. Since we are going back to sleep at the same refuge today, you will only have to carry in your backpack what you need to spend the day, the rest of the luggage you can leave here.
access_time8 : 30 AM
Bader Valley Torres del Paine
During this third day of the Alternative W Circuit, we will explore one of the less visited corners of Torres del Paine National Park. Get ready to feel the real tranquility of nature far from the crowds with this alternative to the W Trek.
The route will start from the Cuernos Refuge, from where we will turn to the Bader Valley in Torres del Paine.
Along the route we will cross forests and a base camp for climbers. The path will become more difficult as we advance further.
Coming up a rather loose and sloping stone moraine. At all times, we will be accompanied by our mountain guide who will give us the necessary directions to follow the Alternative W Circuit.
Viewpoint Bader Valley Torres del Paine
If the physical and climatic conditions of the day allow it, we will reach our peak today: the viewpoint of Valle Bader Torres del Paine.
A glacial lagoon with an incomparable landscape. Did you know this unusual place in Torres del Paine National Park?
access_time1 : 00 PM
Lunch - Return to Cuernos Sector
We will make a stop for lunch and enjoy the lunch-box we will have picked up in the morning at the Refuge. And we will return by the same way we came until we arrive again to the Cuernos Sector.
Where we will also have dinner and spend the night. It's time to recharge the batteries, the circuit is still going!
todayDAY 4 Trekking Grey
Difficulty: High - 22 km. (8-10 hours)
Initial altitude 120 masl.
Maximum altitude 320 masl.
Lodging: Sector Grey
access_time7 : 30 AM
Breakfast at Refugio Cuernos
After having breakfast with the rest of the travelers, we will start our way with our professional mountain guide by the alternative route to the W Trek.
Today we will reach the third milestone of the Alternative W Circuit, the unforgettable postcard of the Park: the wonderful Glacier Grey.
access_time8 : 30 AM
Lago Nordenskjöld
The route will start passing a big waterfall where we will be able to fill the bottle with the purest water of Patagonia. How fresh!
Afterwards we will border the beautiful beach of the Nordenskjöld Lake where we will be able to observe the tranquility of its water. We will continue the way having a beautiful view of the French Glacier in the background.
Grey Lake Viewpoint
We will follow the trail along the Cerro Paine Grande, the highest point of the Massif with 3,050 meters high, in front of incredible views towards its hanging glaciers.
Walking between Ñirres, Coigües and Notros, we will reach the viewpoint of Grey Lake, where we will observe numerous ice floes floating as if it was magic. You won't know which one to photograph for your Instagram!
access_time6 : 00 PM
Refugio Grey
The Alternative W Circuit will continue with the impressive view of the Grey Glacier in front of us, until we reach the Grey Refuge, where we will have dinner and sleep.
Have you ever imagined spending the night on a stage like this? We may come to live here for a while…
todayDAY 5 Trekking to Hanging Bridges - Kayak or Ice Walk (optional) - Return to Puerto Natales
Difficulty: Medium - 18 Km (6-8 hours)
Initial altitude: 80 masl.
Maximum altitude: 340 masl.
access_time7 : 30 AM
Breakfast at Refugio Grey
Last breakfast in the mountain paradise.
On this fifth and last day of the Alternative W Circuit, we will have breakfast once again in the common dining room of the Refuge, with our friends and our guide. With our stomachs full, we will prepare our things and start our way.
access_time8 : 30 AM
Hanging Bridges
During the morning we will walk to the Hanging Bridges of Torres del Paine National Park that will offer us an impressive view of the southern ice fields. Selfie moment!
And now, if you are looking for a more extreme adventure to culminate this experience, we have something for you!
Optional activity: Kayak in Grey Lake or Ice Walk on Grey Glacier
Complete this experience by adding an extra activity that you will enjoy during this fifth day of the circuit.
You can choose as an extra the kayak excursion in Grey Lake or the ice walk on Grey Glacier. The Kayak activity has a duration of 2 and a half hours, while the Walk activity has a duration of 5 hours.
Will you keep charging the adrenaline counter by adding any of these two activities to your reservation?
If you don't want to add any of the extra activities, we will keep walking quietly with our guide through the W Trek alternative.
access_time6 : 30 PM
Pehoe Lake Pier - Return to Puerto Natales
Both those who have added the extra activity to their reserve, and those who prefer to enjoy the last day of the route in a more relaxed way, in the afternoon, we will all arrive together with our guide to the Paine Grande Sector.
From the Lake Pehoe pier we will take the catamaran that will take us to Pudeto. There our bus will be waiting for us to take us to Puerto Natales.
Puerto Natales
We will arrive at the Puerto Natales bus station around 9:00 p. m. And we will put an end to this adventure through the most unusual Chilean Patagonia.
Undoubtedly, the Alternative W Circuit, the alternative to the classic W of Torres del Paine, will be a unique way to know the Torres del Paine National Park through its still unknown trails.
What to bring to Guided W Trek Alternative
The climate in Torres del Paine hike is very variable. The period when you do this is spring and summer, therefore you will have less rain and temperatures can range between 5º and 25º degrees (Celsius). In this zone, the climate is very changeable and during the same day you can suffer cold, heat and even strong winds. For that reason, it’s important to take good equipment and many layers of clothes to be able to regulate your temperature. We recommend you to take with you:
- Passport
- Immigration form (foreign travelers not resident in Chile)
- Sanitary Passport (https://www.c19.cl)
- Hygienic mask (obligatory use in closed areas; transport; toilets and viewpoints)
- Long hiking trousers
- Hiking shorts
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Cap or hat
- Mountain shoes (if possible waterproof boots)
- Resting shoes
- Raincoat/waterproof poncho
- Sandals (for showers)
- Personal hygiene products
- Flashlight and battery (especially useful in campsites)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Photo camera
- Walking poles
- Cash (USD) as no card payments are allowed in the area and there are no exchange houses or ATMs.
- Medium trekking backpack (30 liters aprox.)
- Long/Short Sleeve T-shirts (one for each day)
Where does the tour Guided W Trek Alternative start
The Guided W Trek Alternative tour starts in the city of Puerto Natales. If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile the best option is to take a flight to Punta Arenas. And from Punta Arenas take a bus to Puerto Natales (3:15 hours). If you are traveling from El Calafate (Argentina), there are buses that connect directly to Puerto Natales in a 5 hour trip. Check out the requirements for entry into Chile at: https://chile.travel/planviajarachile.
Questions & Answers
What COVID-19 sanitary measures are mandatory in Torres del Paine?
During your stay in Torres del Paine, the use of masks in closed areas, transport, toilets and viewpoints will be mandatory. On the trails, the use of a mask is not obligatory as long as you can maintain a safe distance from other travelers.
The number of travelers per group cannot exceed 25 people. And it is recommended to avoid touching handrails and signs throughout the Park.
The number of travelers per group cannot exceed 25 people. And it is recommended to avoid touching handrails and signs throughout the Park.
Do I have to wear the mask while doing the W Circuit?
The use of masks will not be mandatory while hiking the trails of Torres del Paine National Park as long as you can maintain a safe distance from other travelers. It is also recommended to avoid touching handrails and signs throughout the Park.
What documents do I need to bring to access Torres del Paine National Park?
To enter Torres del Paine National Park you must present your valid passport, the negative PCR and the Sanitary Passport. You can request yours at https://www.c19.cl. You must also present the tickets and all the documentation that will be given to you the day before at the Puerto Natales office.
In addition, if you are a foreign traveler not resident in Chile, you must present the migratory card that you are given when you enter Chile.
In addition, if you are a foreign traveler not resident in Chile, you must present the migratory card that you are given when you enter Chile.
To make a reservation as a Chilean or foreigner resident in Chile, what documentation do I have to present?
In order to make a reservation as a Chilean or foreigner resident in Chile it is mandatory to present a valid passport that proves nationality or residence. This documentation is nominative and not transferable. If this documentation is not presented, it will be necessary to pay the difference in price with the rate for foreign travelers not resident in Chile.
Also, remember that to enter Torres del Paine National Park you must present your valid passport, the negative PCR and the Sanitary Passport. You can request yours at https://www.c19.cl.
Also, remember that to enter Torres del Paine National Park you must present your valid passport, the negative PCR and the Sanitary Passport. You can request yours at https://www.c19.cl.
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