W Trek: Heart of Torres

Day 1: Arrive in Torres del Paine National Park; Hotel Las Torres

On arrival in Torres del Paine National Park you will be taken to Hotel Las Torres where you'll be staying for the duration of your trip. Take some time to relax and familiarise yourself with the area with a gentle stroll before enjoying a tasty meal at the restaurant. If you're lucky with the timing of your journey, you may be able to take part in an afternoon excursion.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 2: Trek the Ascencio Valley to the Towers viewpoint; Hotel Las Torres

Today's goal will be to complete the most famous trekking trail in all Patagonia – the trek to the Towers, or Las Torres! Departing from Hotel Las Torres on foot, we'll enter the Ascencio Valley before following the river through scenic forest, along an undulating trail.

Our main challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine (a huge mass of boulders) which lead us to the base of the Towers – three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After a tough final ascent, the Towers eventually come into full view, soaring majestically before us. Here we'll stop at probably the best lunch spot in the world! After soaking up the view, we'll backtrack along the same trail through the Ascencio Valley and return to Hotel Las Torres for a well-deserved dinner.

If you enjoy horse riding, you could take the option to ride to El Chileno Lodge, which is located half way. You'll then continue on foot up to the viewpoint for the Towers.

Length of hike: 9hrs, 22km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 3:  Trek to the French Valley; Hotel Las Torres

After breakfast we'll transfer by vehicle through the national park to board our catamaran boat at Lake Pehoé.

The challenging, yet rewarding, trek into the French Valley (Valle Francés) begins by first bordering Lake Nordenskjöld and then entering the vast glacial terrain at the heart of the Paine Massif. How far we go will de dictated by the pace of the group as a whole, but a faster walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif. From here there are fantastic views of the valley.

We'll then continue our hike, uphill to the upper section of the valley where we'll take in the extensive views over the beautiful granite peaks of the Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedrál (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark's Fin) and the stunning Fortaleza (Fortress) – truly an amazin sight.

After all this ascent, we'll begin our descent and arrive back at Lake Pehoé for the return journey to Hotel Las Torres for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Note: The trek to the French Valley varies throughout the season, depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Lake Pehoé. In October and April the catamaran times mean the hike reaches the Italian Camp at the entrance to the French Valley. From November to March the boat departs earlier, allowing trekkers to reach further up the valley.

Length of hike: 10hrs, 26km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 4:  Trek to Glacier Grey viewpoint; Hotel Las Torres

Today you'll be driven from the hotel to Pudeto from where you'll board a catamaran for the 30min crossing of Lake Pehoé. You'll then start the trek towards the Glacier Grey viewpoint, along the shore of Lake Pehoé, walking through rocky areas, evergreen and deciduous forests until you finally get to the viewpoint with a wonderful view of Glacier Grey and the lake of the same name, filled with centenary icebergs. Here we'll tuck into a picnic lunch.

Due to the highly temperamental weather in the region, boat trips across the lake may occasionally be cancelled. This can also happen if the required minimum of 10 passengers is not reached. If either is the case, we'll trek up to the sightseeing point and from there will have superb, panoramic views of the Glacier Grey. From here we'll return on foot to Refugio Paine Grande and take a catamaran to the dock at Pudeto, where we'll be picked up and driven to our camp.

Length of hike: 4hrs, 11km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 5: Depart from Torres del Paine National Park

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you'll enjoy the views of the park one last time as you take a transfer to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast