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W Trek: Heart of Torres

This trip turns the W Trek into a series of shorter day hikes, with a perfectly-located hotel in the heart of the the national park as your base. Experience the three main W Trek hikes as an integral part of this programme – it's one of the most comfortable ways to experience the famous W Trek in Torres del Paine.

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W Trek: Heart of Torres

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Trip type

Property Based

Trip length

5 Days

From

$4,500

Location

Torres del Paine

W Trek: Heart of Torres - 5 Days - $4,500

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

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

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

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

Day 4: Lake Grey hike; Hotel Las Torres

Day 5: Depart from Torres del Paine National Park

Landmarks visited on W Trek: Heart of Torres

Operator's Itinerary

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

You'll be picked up from the airport, or your hotel, in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate and transferred to Torres del Paine National Park. If coming from Punta Arenas, we'll stop en route for a traditional lamb BBQ at Estancia Cerro Negro. You'll then arrive at 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 (Lunch, if transfering from Punta Arenas in the morning) 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres


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

Today's goal will be to complete the most famous hiking trail in all Patagonia – the hike 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: 8-10hrs, 21km/13 miles

Difficulty: High

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres


Day 3: Hike 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, hike 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 amazing 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 hike 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: 10-12hrs, 20km/12 miles

Difficulty: High

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres


Day 4: Lake Grey hike; Hotel Las Torres

Today you'll be driven from the hotel to Grey Beach where you'll board the first boat sailing of the day up Lake Grey to Grey Refuge. From here you'll then start the hike towards Paine Grande Refuge, along the shore of Lake Grey. You'll reach a viewpoint from where you'll have a wonderful view of Glacier Grey and the lake, filled with centenary icebergs. The hike passes through rocky areas, evergreen and deciduous forests. We'll stop for a picnic lunch along the way.

When we reach Refugio Paine Grande, we'll take a catarmaran across Lake Pehoé to the dock at Pudeto and return by road to Hotel Las Torres.

Note: The order of the day's itinerary may be reversed if weather conditions require.

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 12km/7 miles

Difficulty: Medium

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 have time for a stroll around the hotel grounds before you take a transfer to your next destination: Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, or El Calafate in Argentina.

Meals: Breakfast

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What our customers think of W Trek: Heart of Torres

W Trek: Heart of Torres trips scored 4.2/5 from 40 reviews

There are too many to pick one! The sights of the mountains of Patagonia and the desert of Atacama are forever in my memory bank.

Travelled: February 2024

Warren -

The landscapes and Hiking in Torres.

Travelled: February 2024

Kevin -

Full Paine excursion with Joaquin and Alejandro -- stunning scenery, terrific background info from Joaquin about the park, its history, geology, wildlife, etc., and lovely, end-of-day surprise snacks and drinks with both guides.

Travelled: February 2024

Mary -

The all day tour of the park with Joaquin. We saw a lot of wildlife and learned a lot.

Travelled: January 2024

Grace -

In Torres del Paine, it is a toss up between the first day with Joaquin & the driver (who was super but I don’t remember his name) and our last hike with Matthias. Bothe experiences were fantastic. The guides were excellent. It was mind-blowing.

Travelled: January 2024

Leslie -

Experiencing the enormity of Patagonian landscape

Travelled: January 2024

Kuyilan -

Our hikes and interaction with our guides.

Travelled: January 2024

Kim -

Reaching the peak of the Base of the Towers trek! It was a tough trek but so worth it!

Travelled: January 2024

Janice -

The hikes and the beauty nature so close

Travelled: January 2024

Johnny -

Surreal feeling to watch up to 100 King Penguins in the Pinguino Rey Natural reserve! Watching Puma and Guanacos in their natural habitat in Torres del Paine National Park

Travelled: December 2023

Kalyan -

I wish I could say I had one memorable moment, but I can tell you this one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, with such a wonderful community.

Travelled: November 2023

Gail -

The entire experience

Travelled: November 2023

Ruth -

There were numerous memorable moments, but likely the best was reaching the top of the trail to Torres del Paine. It was very empowering from a physical standpoint to know that the months of hiking had been culminated in this amazing hike up and up and then up some more through boulders to reach the view at the top!

Travelled: April 2023

Debbie -

I'll list two items: 1. Completing the Torres del Paine hike. This was a push for Debbie and I and we were very lucky with the weather. The whole day, all aspects were stunning but that combined with the effort involved yielded a sense of real accomplishment at the end of the day. 2. As a sailor, seeing Cape Horn. Even though we couldn't disembark with the wind howling 50 knots, to me this didn't matter. Cape Horn lived up to it's reputation and that was for me almost better!

Travelled: April 2023

Rob -

There's not just one memorable moment. Every part of our journey had wonderful and unexpected experiences. I usually don't care much for big cities but I found Buenos Aires to be a beautiful and interesting city. The Lake District was as beautiful as I expected. Hiking around El Chalten was easy because most of the hikes start right there in town. The cruise around the Magellan Straight was relaxing after several days of intense activity with car rentals and several flights inside Argentina and lots of hiking; we were able to disembark in Cape Horn which was fabulous. Torres del Paine was the best part of the trip!

Travelled: April 2023

Maggy -

All the various stops within Patagonia, both on the Chile and Argentina side. Torres del Paine, as well as El Chalten , El Calafate were spectacular. Various hikes in these regions added to our enjoyment, as well as the lodging, various towns / villages and meals. History of the cities, countries and the culture

Travelled: April 2023

Jeff -

Hiking the Gray Glacier trail in Torres del Paine. Also meeting such fantastic people on our hikes - we loved the whole trip!

Travelled: April 2023

Lanie -

The base of the Towers hike was fantastic and waking up the first morning to see the sunrise at hotel Las Torres was memorable.

Travelled: April 2023

Ben -

The story I tell first is the unsuccessful attempt to climb Laguna de los Torres because of the sideways wind, rain and cold. Just to take off my raincoat to add a down jacket was quite an experience.

Travelled: April 2023

Paul -

Hiking everywhere but particularly the three peaks in El Chaltén, the Towers in Torres del Paine and the French Meadow. While all our guides were terrific, Nino at Torres del Paine was such a remarkable young women that it was a joy to spend a rainy hike with her.

Travelled: April 2023

Daniel -

Review:

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

The 2023/24 season price of USD $4,500 per person is based on two people sharing a double room for four nights on an all-inclusive basis.

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Book now to guarantee your place for the 2024/25 season.

Prices from USD $4,730 per person.

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A departure can be set up on a date of your choice, subject to availability. Please enquire for more information.

Additional Notes

Seasons – Low season: Oct 15th-31st 2023 & Apr 2024. High season: Nov 1st to Dec 21st 2023 & Jan 4th to 31st Mar 2024. Holiday season: Dec 22nd 2023 to Jan 3rd 2024.

All-inclusive option – There's also the option to stay at Hotel Las Torres on their all inclusive program, as showcased in our Highlights of Torres del Paine trip.

Includes

  • Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 4 dinners
  • Open bar (not including premium drinks)
  • Accommodation: 4 nights in a superior room at Hotel Las Torres
  • Transfers from/to Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate
  • All boat trips listed in the itinerary
  • Hiking poles available if required
  • Visit and BBQ at estancia Cerro Negro, en route from Punta Arenas
  • Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
  • All excursions inside Torres del Paine National Park
  • English and Spanish-speaking guides (ask for quote of other languages)
  • 20% discount in the spa

Excludes

  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Premium wines, premium liquors and premium beer
  • Any extra/optional excursions
  • Transfers outside of regularly scheduled times 
  • Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuities/tips
  • International and domestic/in-country flights
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses

Questions about this Trip?