Getting to and from your trip
This trip starts and finishes in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate.
Transfer IN from Puerto Natales to EcoCamp:
- Morning: Pick up from hotel 12:30pm, or from airport 3pm.
- Depart for EcoCamp 3:30pm. Arrive at EcoCamp 5:30pm.
- Afternoon: No pick up from hotel; pick up from airport 4:50pm. You need to arrive at Puerto Natales airport by 4:30pm.
- Check-in at EcoCamp office 6pm. Depart for EcoCamp 6:30pm. Arrive at EcoCamp 8pm.
Transfer IN from Punta Arenas to EcoCamp:
- Morning: Pick up from hotel 9-11am, or from airport 11:30am.
- Arrive at EcoCamp 5:30pm.
- Afternoon: Pick up from hotel 12:30-1pm, or from airport 3:30pm. You need to arrive at Punta Arenas airport no later than 3pm.
- Arrive at EcoCamp 8pm.
Transfer OUT from EcoCamp to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas
On your final day you will depart from EcoCamp at between 7:30am and 9:30am (depending on flight times).
You will arrive at Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas at the following times:
- Puerto Natales airport, docks or hotels at 10:15am at the earliest for onward travel.
- Punta Arenas Airport at 12:30pm at the earliest and we would advise flights no earlier than 2pm.
- Punta Arenas docks you will arrive at the docks at 2-3pm.
- Punta Arenas city centre will arrive at their hotels at 2-3pm.
Note: For flights departing from Punta Arenas Airport earlier than 2pm, a private transfer must be booked for an additional cost.
Transfers from/to El Calafate:
The public bus connection from/to El Calafate is included in the trip price but must be booked in advance and is subject to availability. You can upgrade to a semi/fully private transfer at an extra cost.
Please let us know your planned travel arrangements so we can help further if required.
Packing list
Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and be prepared for four seasons in one day during your hikes. Read all our tips about what to pack.
You will only need to carry a daypack during your hikes. On arrival at EcoCamp, you will be provided with a drybag which will be carried for you on days 2 and 3 and will be at the refugios when you arrive. We recommend packing the drybag with any clothes you would like for the evening, plus toiletries and a spare pair of shoes/sandals/flip-flops. Your drybag will be carried ahead of the group, so you won't have access to it during the day.
Base layer
Underwear
Long-sleeved thermal shirts
Form-fitting thermal pants
Long socks (thick and warm material; at least one pair per day)
Mid layer
Polar fleece
Trekking pants
Cold weather hat (non-wool recommended)
Warm gloves
Outer layer
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof pants
Waterproof hiking boots
Light shoes for rest areas
Buff or bandana
Beanie
Travel accessories
Daypack (20-30l)
Waterproofing equipment for backpack
Refillable water bottle
Trekking poles (recommended)
Headlamps
Plastic bag to store trash and keep your clothing dry
Toiletry kit (toothbrush, hairbrush, personal care products, soap - ideally biodegradable)
Any necessary medications (prescribed or general, eg. aspirin, etc)
Moisturising lotion
Sunscreen (SPF 30 of higher)
Sunscreen lip protector (SPF 30 or higher)
Sunglasses (lens category 3 or 4)
Quick dry towel
Your accommodation
Welcome Dome, EcoCamp Patagonia
EcoCamp Patagonia community domes
Yoga Dome at night, Torres Del Paine
There is no mobile/cell phone signal in Torres del Paine and very limited WiFi available during your time in the park.
The EcoCamp
At EcoCamp you will stay in a private dome and there are some wonderful communal domes to socialise and where guides will brief you on your trek.
Meals
Expect a colourful array of juice, muffins, granola, yoghurt, fruit, eggs and more! EcoCamp lays out an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet each morning.
You prepare your lunch from a selection of sandwich fillings, salads, fruit and trail snacks.
Dinner is a three-course meal, always new and experimental. You will order your evening meal from a few choices in the morning before you head off.
Facilities
Standard domes: There is no heating in standard domes but the domes are well insulated and have lots of fleece blankets to keep you warm. The standard domes are arranged in a circle around the communal bathrooms and you will have to walk a short distance outside between your dome and the bathroom.
Superior Domes: Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet.
Suite Domes: Have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet. Your fire will be laid for you so that you can light it OR it will be lit whilst you are eating your evening meal.
All domes have a strong box to store your valuables.
Camping
The refugios have pre-pitched tents where you will spend the night with an occupancy of two people per tent.
There are hot showers in the refugios which are generally cleanest and hottest earlier in the afternoon, or wait and have a shower after supper (you guide will be able to advise you of the best tactics).
You will be served a simple but nutritious evening meal and breakfast inside the refugio canteen. Please be prepared for this not to be more basic than meals at EcoCamp.
You will be given a box lunch by the refugios that you will carry with you in your day pack.
Camping at Paine Grande
Swoop says
Please be aware there is no phone signal or WIFI available at EcoCamp. You can walk around 500m to the Visitor Centre for paid WIFI access or 1km to Hotel Las Torres, where connection is possible if consuming something at the hotel bar/restaurant.
W Trek Glamping Highlights - Route and Elevation Map
W Trek Glamping Highlights
52km | 32 miles
3 days
Elevation gain: +7,003ft/2,135m
Elevation loss: -6,851ft/2,088m
Customer Tips
“ Invest in good layer clothing and test it out beforehand. The wind was quite strong, so it was cold, but when I walked I was too hot with my layers. Whereas the other lady hiking with me had a really good layering system that was lightweight but equally kept her warm without overheating. ”
Amanda Customer
“ Keep in mind that things are a long way apart. Getting from one place to another requires long drives or flights. ”
Bette & Klaus Customer
W Trek with EcoCamp - FAQs
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I am arriving later than the shared transfer. Can I get a private transfer from the airport to the national Park?
We’d always advise you to arrive earlier because as it is, the afternoon transfer arrives at EcoCamp at 8pm, but we can arrange a private transfer if you wish.
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I will be in El Calafate OR El Chaltén before this trip. Can you arrange transport from there?
You have several options: You can book a public bus from El Calafate. After your 5-6 hour bus trip, you will meet the EcoCamp transfer in Puerto Natales, lunch is included, and you’ll arrive at Ecocamp around 5:30pm.
Alternatively, there are direct shared transfers at extra cost from El Calafate to EcoCamp that we can book from USD $350 per person or a private vehicle transfer from USD $285 per person (based on four people sharing one vehicle). Both private and semi-private options get you to EcoCamp at around 2pm and include lunch upon arrival.
To travel from El Chaltén to Eco-camp in one day is time-consuming, and costly. We’d advise you to travel from El Chaltén to El Calafate, stay for a night, and then continue onwards to EcoCamp early the following morning.
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I need to travel to El Calafate after my trip. Can you arrange this?
On the last day, you can take an early shared transfer to Puerto Natales and connect with the public bus to El Calafate. Alternatively, you can take the included transfer a little later to Puerto Natales, which is a lovely town to spend a day exploring and take the public bus the following morning. Upon arrival at El Calafate a private vehicle will take you to your hotel.
Direct, shared transfers from EcoCamp to El Calafate cost from USD $350 per person, departing at 9am and arriving at the destination about 2:30pm.
A private transfer will be USD $285 per person (based on four people sharing one vehicle).
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How physically fit do I need to be for my trek?
You need to be able to hike up to 8hrs and climb up to 900m/3000ft in order to complete the hike to the towers. The beauty of the W Trek is it alternates challenging days with shorter flatter days.
We would advise that you start training with hikes of approx. 24km/15 miles, with plenty of elevation gain, as far ahead of this trek as possible.
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Are there any toilets on the trails of the W Trek?
The only toilets are at the refugios and campsites so you need to be prepared to go for wild toilet stops.
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Do I need to pay extra for the Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee?
No, this will be included in the price of your trip.
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Am I expected to tip and if so how much?
It is customary to leave a tip/gratuity for guides, drivers and staff that help make your trip an unforgettable experience in Patagonia. These are usually paid in USD cash, at your discretion, at the end of your services, and will vary depending on the logistics and level of service of your trip. Please see our tipping guidelines for more precise information.
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Can I borrow trekking poles?
Hiking sticks can be borrowed from EcoCamp at no extra cost. Please note that these are wooden sticks rather than adjustable poles. There are only a few of them so if you're used to hiking with trekking poles, we highly recommend you bring their own. Alternatively, there are trekking poles for rent at the EcoCamp store.
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Do I need to bring a sleeping bag for my dome?
Our partners suggest that you pack warm clothes to sleep in and they can provide all the blankets you ask for. So, no need to bring a sleeping bag.
What our customers think of Preparing for your W Trek Glamping Highlights trip
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