Luxury Camp W Trek - 7 - $1,423
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- You can be picked up from Punta Arenas. Puerto Natales or El Calafate, then launch straight into the adventure with a journey across vast Patagonian landscapes
- Take in the mesmerising Lake Nordenskjold and hike through a challenging trail to the very heart of the Paine Massif
- Marvel at the calving Glacier Grey and ascend the huge mass of boulders leading to the iconic Towers of Paine
- Enjoy the relaxed, community atmosphere of a comfy geodesic dome camp (four nights) and traditional refugios (two nights)
- Nourishing meals provided throughout the trip
Landmarks visited on Luxury Camp W Trek
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: The Patagonian Adventure Starts
The trip begins with you being picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to your accommodation. Alternatively, you can start your trip in El Calafate or Puerto Natales.
En route, you make a stop in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of "Seno de Ultima Esperanza", where you can enjoy a hearty local lunch. The journey is very scenic and atmospheric. Look out for wildlife as you travel through wonderful Patagonian landscapes.
The day ends with your arrival and overnight stay at your geodesic dome camp, nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and with a prime view of the majestic Torres. Sunset is usually around 11pm during the summer months, meaning that there will still be enough daylight for you to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon once you arrive.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Comfy dome camp
Day 2: Warming up in Los Cuernos
The first day of the official hike will see you set out through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads to the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this warm-up trek, you will have the opportunity to admire the park's exquisite flora and fauna, as you enjoy the magnificent views of the park's central lakes and the Paine's Horns - majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop grey granite which crown the centre of the Massif.
The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cosy mountain refuge located by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Alternatively, you can choose to end at Domo el Francés, which is located between Cuernos and Italiano camping sites and enjoys an amazing view of Nordenskjold Lake. The evening is set aside for relaxing over dinner.
Length of hike: 4.5 hrs, 12 km (or 5.5 hrs, 14 km to Domo El Francés)
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo El Francés (depending on availability)
Day 3: Step into the Paine Massif's Heart: Valle Frances
After breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, you will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far you go depends on your group's trekking rhythm. A swifter walk will lead you to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif, where you will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.
You will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where you will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburon (Shark's Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress).
After your upward trek, you will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's trek will end as you descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take you to Refugio Paine Grande.
N.B. An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is also available.
Length of hike: 10 hrs, 26 km
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande
Day 4: Glacier Grey
Today you'll hike from Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern side of the glacially beautiful Lake Grey. You'll feast on a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails right to the huge, crystalline facade of Glacier Grey, where you will have plenty of time to marvel at the calving glacier. Then, from the southern end of Glacier Grey, you will transfer to your geodesic dome camp.
Due to the temperamental weather of the region, boat trips across the lake may occasionally be cancelled if the required minimum of 15 passengers is not reached. If either is the case, you will trek up to the sightseeing point and profit from wonderful, panoramic views of the Glacier instead. Savouring the astonishing sights, you will return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to Pudeto's dock, where you will be picked up and driven to your camp.
Length of hike: 4 hrs, 11 km
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Comfy dome camp
Day 5: The Great Challenge: Mighty Torres del Paine
The goal of your fifth day of the 7-day trek will be to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park! You will walk from the campsite towards Hosteria Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley.
Your big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which will lead you to that iconic base-view of the towers - three gigantic granite monoliths which are the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before you, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, you'll backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to your camp for a well-deserved dinner.
Length of hike: 9 hrs, 22 km
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Comfy dome camp
Day 6: Relaxed walk in the Eastern Lakes
The sixth day will consist of a less strenuous trail in order to counter the exhausting efforts of the previous day. After breakfast, you will take a leisurely car journey towards Laguna Azul, passing Cañadón Macho, home to many wild guanacos and ñandúes, en route. You will pause occasionally to admire the views of the Patagonian steppe and the towers from a different perspective.
At Laguna Azul, you will hike to the lookout point where you will be treated to a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. After lunch, you will drive to the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake where the Fauna Trail begins. As you hike northbound, you will spot an impressive range of Patagonian fauna on the vast plains, including guanacos, ostrich-like nandus and maybe the occasional puma print!
You will pass the charming Goic lagoon and after approximately 5km of relaxed walking, we will reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station where we will be picked up and driven back to your camp to celebrate over our farewell dinner.
*Please note that if there are more than 6 travellers in the group there's an option to split into two groups, with one group (or the whole group if everybody fancies it) doing an alternative excursion to Laguna Azul.
Length of hike: 3 hrs, 6 km
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Comfy dome camp
Day 7: Adios Torres del Paine!
You will board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago. Or, alternatively, board an early morning vehicle to the border to continue your journey to El Calafate.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch
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Prices, Departures and Inclusions
This trip departs every Monday from 04-Jan-2021 to 27-Apr-2021 with prices varying per season.
(Base price of CLP 1,035,775 per person is based on two people sharing a Standard Double Dome in low season.)
Single Domes are available; a single supplement of CLP 415,000 applies.
Private group departures can be arranged on dates other than those shown. Please contact us to discuss.
| Start date | Price (pp) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2021 | ||||
| 25-Jan-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| February 2021 | ||||
| 1-Feb-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 8-Feb-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 15-Feb-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 22-Feb-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| March 2021 | ||||
| 1-Mar-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 8-Mar-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 15-Mar-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 22-Mar-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| 29-Mar-2021 | $2,639 | Provisional Date | ||
| April 2021 | ||||
| 5-Apr-2021 | $1,795 | Provisional Date | ||
| 12-Apr-2021 | $1,795 | Provisional Date | ||
| 19-Apr-2021 | $1,423* | Provisional Date | ||
| 26-Apr-2021 | $1,423 | Provisional Date | ||
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in CLP (CLP) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost CLP1,035,775
Additional Notes
- If refugios are unavailable, alternative accommodation will be provided in tents or domes with prior notice.
- Accommodation at the Refugio will be provided either in dormitories or in comfortable tents or domes, including a mat, sleeping bag and polar fleece liner; the team will set up and dismantle all this. The campsite provides satisfactory bathroom facilities. Meals will be served inside the Refugio.
- During Low & Shoulder Season (October and April) the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be cancelled, if this is the case you will be offered a good alternative excursion within the park.
- During Shoulder and Low Season (October and April), the Towers Trek excursion might be cancelled because of weather conditions and safety considerations.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
- If you choose a standard dome and you are traveling alone, you can share the dome with another person of the same gender and pay the double base price. If you want the dome to yourself, you need to pay a Single Supplement
- Youngsters who are 13 years of age or older are welcome and are considered adults.
- Children between 10 and 12 might be accepted onto this programme if their legal guardian sends a formal letter stating that the child is prepared for such an intense trekking trip and authorises the hire of a private guide in case the child cannot perform well during the trek.
- Children under 10 years of age cannot participate in this trip.
- This trip doesn’t offer a special discount for children.
Includes
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Accommodation: 4 nights in geodesic domes; 1 night at Refugio Paine Grande; 1 night at Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo El Francés (depending on availability)
- Tent for double occupancy
- All private transport included in the itinerary
- Boat crossing on Grey Lake on day 4 of the itinerary
- Bus from Calafate-Puerto Natales-Calafate if starting/ finishing in Calafate
- Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- An expert English/ Spanish speaking guide
- Sleeping bag for refugios if needed
- Transportation for your luggage within the park (whilst trekking you will only carry your day pack)
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Travel insurance
- Personal Equipment (request our recommended kit list for more details)
- Gratuities/Tips
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
- International and domestic/in country flights
