'The 'W' trek'

What makes this trip special?

Granite towers of Patagonia

Granite towers of Patagonia

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine is one of South America's most dramatic national parks. Its focus is a colossal massif thrown up from deep in the earth beside the Andes and the Southern Ice Field. The tall towers of Las Torres are set in a complex of other dramatic peaks and glaciers, ringed by lakes, low hills and steppe. It is a great destination for dramatic scenery, stunning walks, and Patagonian wildlife.

Chile's southernmost city

Chile's southernmost city

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is a colourful relaxed town full of curiosities and tales to tell. Drive north to see Torres del Paine, board a cruise south into the fjords and channels that lead to Cape Horn, or take the ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego. There are good wildlife opportunities nearby, including the only King Penguin colony in South America.

Itinerary map for Chile 'The 'W' trek' holiday

Itinerary

  • Day      Overnight
  • 1 Punta Arenas
  • 1 Torres del Paine
  • 2 Torres del Paine
  • 3 Torres del Paine
  • 4 Torres del Paine
  • 5 Torres del Paine
  • 6 Torres del Paine
  • 7 Punta Arenas
  • For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'The 'W' trek'

DAY 1

Puerto Natales

You are met off your flight to Punta Arenas and driven north across the Magellan steppe to the small town of Puerto Natales by Last Hope Sound. You stay overnight in the town.

DAY 2
BD

You are picked up from your hotel for the drive north into Torres del Paine NP and up to a mountain refuge where you spend your first night in the park ready for the start of your trek.

DAY 3
BLD

Las Torres

A spectacular day on the park’s most famous trail. Start with a tough upwards hike on broken ground carrying your pack. As the trail levels you check-in your pack at El Chileno refuge. With your daypack walk by a mountain river, cross a bridge into a magical forested area, rising again across a difficult boulder field to crest a ridge to find the immense Towers facing you across a lagoon. Rest and revive before the return to overnight at El Chileno.

DAY 4
BLD

El Chileno to Los Cuernos

This moderate trek ending at Los Cuernos Refuge is one of the most scenic and varied on the route, with fantastic views throughout over Lake Nordenskjöld and of hanging glaciers.

DAY 5
BLD

The French Valley

A strolling start to Camp Italiano, leave your pack and continue with a daypack as you climb into the French Valley, with its hanging glaciers and spectacular look-outs at Frances Glacier and Britanico. Collect your pack on the return and continue to Paine Grande Lodge at the end of a long and beautiful day.

DAY 6
BL

Glacier Grey

Trek all the way to the look out in front of Glacier Grey–one of the most impressive glaciers in this part of Patagonia. There are great views around the halfway mark, then another 1½h to the most spectacular views of the glacier, Cordón Olguín and ice floes on the lake. Return to take a ferry across Lake Pehoé where you are met and driven back to Puerto Natales to stay the night.

DAY 7
B

You are taken to catch the bus to Punta Arenas to stay the night before moving on to your next destination.

DAY 8

Guide prices for 'The 'W' trek'

options based on all year low season mid season high season peak season other season
mid-range hotels 2 people sharing £1,725
Prices are per person and include:
  • all travel from Punta Arenas
  • all accommodation
  • meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Prices do not include:
  • international flights
  • travel insurance
  • airport and departure taxes
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
  • any optional excursions you may buy locally

Customer reviews for 'The 'W' trek'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'The 'W' trek'

Along this route in January

Day Location Max °C Monthly rainfall
1 Punta Arenas 15°C rainfall 36mm
1 Torres del Paine 10°C rainfall 65mm
2 Torres del Paine 10°C rainfall 65mm
3 Torres del Paine 10°C rainfall 65mm
4 Torres del Paine 10°C rainfall 65mm
5 Torres del Paine 10°C rainfall 65mm
6 Torres del Paine 10°C rainfall 65mm
7 Punta Arenas 15°C rainfall 36mm

Typical weather for January

rainchart

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'The 'W' trek'

Day 1

Altiplanico Patagonia

Puerto Natales
rating

Average rating 5.0 (1 ratings)

Altiplanico Patagonia