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Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek

Stay in the best accommodation on each night of this self-guided hike through Torres del Paine. Trek to Las Torres (The Towers), Los Cuernos (The Horns), the French Valley and Glacier Grey at your own pace, then relax in total comfort at the end of each day. Ice hiking and kayaking are also available on this trip, tailored to discerning travellers with a taste for adventure.

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Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek

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Trip type

Independent

Trip length

5 Days

From

$1,795

Location

Torres del Paine

Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek - 5 - $1,795

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

Day 1: Trek to Las Torres (The Towers) lookout; Hotel Las Torres 

Day 2: Trek to Los Cuernos (The Horns) lookout; Refugio Los Cuernos 

Day 3: Trek to the French Valley; Refugio Paine Grande 

Day 4: Trek to Glacier Grey; optional kayaking; Refugio Grey

Day 5: Optional ice hike, kayak or trek; Puerto Natales

Start from Puerto Natales and end at Puerto Natales

Landmarks visited on Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Trek to Las Torres (The Towers) lookout; Hotel Las Torres

You'll be collected from your hotel in Puerto Natales at 7am and driven to Torres del Paine National Park. The route passes grand estancias and flat pampas, where you'll spot Darwin's rheas (ñandus), guanacos, and a variety of bird species.

At Laguna Amarga, the main entrance to the Park, you will collect your park entrance permit (included in your trip), then board a shuttle bound for your Refugio Las Torres. Here, you’ll leave your backpack and take your packed lunch (provided during your trek briefing in Puerto Natales held the day prior). Now you're ready to begin the W Trek’s first highlight: the trek to the Towers lookout.

An initial ascent follows the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley. At a lookout point, about an hour into the trek, pause to take in the beauty of the valley's rich beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls.

After this point the path continues climbing through lush beech forests before ascending a gigantic terminal moraine (the ridge formed at a glacier’s end point). It's here, at an altitude of 900m, where you’ll be rewarded by the stunning sight of Las Torres. Stay a while to soak up the amazing views, take photos and have lunch.

You'll then retrace your steps back to Hotel Las Torres where dinner will be served and you can rest for the evening.

Private transfer: 2hrs 

Length of hike: 8-10hrs, 22km

Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Double room at Hotel Las Torres


Day 2: Trek to Los Cuernos (The Horns) lookout; Refugio Los Cuernos

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before leaving behind the crowds who are entering the park just to see Las Torres. Follow a route via Inge Lagoon – condors and other birds of prey may be circling the skies above you. The well-marked trail climbs 200m from the base of Mt Almirante Nieto (2750m) and crosses the Bader River with the magnificent turquiose-hued lake a constant to your left until you reach your finishing point and accommodation for the night – Refugio Los Cuernos.

Here, settle in, enjoy a good meal among fellow travellers, and rest beneath the immense moraine. Enjoy sleeping in the comfortable double cabins which, while rustic, are perfect for a good night's sleep in privacy and with tremendous views, especially at dawn over the plains.

Length of hike: 4-5hrs, 13km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Double cabin at Refugio Los Cuernos


Day 3: Trek to the French Valley; Refugio Paine Grande

A challenging trek to the heart of the Paine massif awaits you today. After breakfast, take the meandering path that leads you to the French River. On entering the French Valley – a glacial moraine surrounded by peaks and hanging glaciers – we’ll hike over sometimes challenging terrain and catch our first sight of the hanging glacier atop the valley.

From here you ascend for an hour through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at the French Valley viewpoint (the 'Plateau'). Your reward is a stunning bird’s eye view of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. On one side is the French Glacier and Paine Grande (3050m); while on the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara and the main and north 'horns' of Los Cuernos arch upwards. In the upper section of the valley, Mt Catedral and Mt Fortaleza loom like turrets above the landscape. You'll have plenty of time to rest and have lunch at the viewpoint, surrounded by these imposing peaks and open skies.

Your descent is via the same path until you reach the valley’s entrance, from where you’ll continue around the south-west side of Torres del Paine’s highest peak, Paine Grande. This final stretch passes through native firebush and evergreen beech forests to Refugio Paine Grande, by the shores of Lake Pehoe. You'll have dinner and rest here for the night.

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 18km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Private dormitory room at Refugio Paine Grande


Day 4: Trek to Glacier Grey; optional kayaking; Refugio Grey

Start early after breakfast, ascending 200m on the winding trail to Lake Negra. It's here where we’ll see sections of the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a geological phenomenon that still guards many unexplored peaks.

Continuing on to Glacier Grey's lookout point (7.5km trek), you pass forests and rivers, with possible sightings of the spectacled and flightless steamer ducks. Have lunch at the lookout point with the monumental Glacier Grey at your feet. You might catch sight of ice calving from its huge walls into the freezing waters below.

There is a fantastic opportunity to go on a 2.5-hour kayaking excursion on Lake Grey in the afternoon.

Accommodation for the night is at Refugio Grey, on the shore of Lake Grey.

Length of hike: 4hrs, 11km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Private dormitory room at Refugio Grey


Day 5 - Optional ice hike or kayak or trek; Puerto Natales

Enjoy this morning at leisure! Options include a 5hr ice hike on Grey Glacier, a 2.5 hour kayak excursion on Lake Grey or an additional trek (8km, about 3hrs return) to the hanging bridges for a magnificent view of Grey Glacier. Note that independent hikers without guides are only permitted to go to the second hanging bridge. You must book your optional excursion in advance so do get in touch to reserve.

After lunch you'll set off across Lake Grey by boat to reach the enormous facade of Glacier Grey. There'll be time here to observe the beautiful textures, lines and colours of the glacier and you might be lucky to see ice calving. On the return journey you'll sail past blue icebergs and see the wind-sculpted 'ice mushrooms' atop the massive peaks of Paine Grande. Once you leave the boat there will be a 20min walk along Grey Beach to pick up your private transfer to Puerto Natales.

Transfers: 2hrs by boat on Lake Grey, plus 2hrs private bus transfer

Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch

Customer review background image

What our customers think of Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek

Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek trips scored 4.3/5 from 6 reviews

I am so glad we did the W trek from site to site, as opposed to trying to do various hikes from other jumping off points. I liked the refugios and would definitely recommend doing it that way to others.

Travelled: December 2017

Alysha - Colorado, USA

The entire W trek was a highlight but Domo Francis was particularly special - it felt like you were sleeping in the trees. We did the trek self-guided which worked out great.

Travelled: November 2017

Sonia - Canada

The W trek was one of the most rewarding (and scenic) experiences of my life.

Travelled: November 2017

Sonia - Canada

After trekking Torres del Paine, I feel like most of the time you won't need a guide, as everything is well-prepared and scheduled for the self-guided tour. You will also meet other people on the way that are doing the same trek, so you won't be alone.

Travelled: December 2019

Ivo Correia - United States Of America

Every day of the trip was unbelievable. The highlight was definitely the W trek. The landscapes were beautiful and we were able to see many rare sightings of native animals such as huemul and puma. We met many like-minded hikers who were passionate and excited about experiencing Patagonia. The guides and locals were all extremely friendly and welcoming.

Travelled: January 2017

Andrea Lora - USA

My favourite day of the W Trek involved the hike into the French Valley. It provided excellent views up the valley and a nice lookout back towards the lakes. The hike exceeded my expectations as I was blown away by the landscapes. The refugios were very nice and the cabin was amazing.

Travelled: November 2017

Cameron - Australia

The W trek with the variety in the landscape and type of hiking each day was incredible. The hike was the right amount of challenge for us. The granite peaks and landscape exceeded our expectations!

Travelled: December 2017

Jami & Don - California, USA

Review:

Self-Guided Deluxe W Trek

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices for the 2022/23 season are:

6 people: USD $1,595 per person
4-5 people: USD $1,695 per person
2-3 people: USD $1,795 per person
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Departures can be set up on a date of your choice, subject to availability.

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Prices are likely to increase by at least 15% for the 2023/24 season. Rates are confirmed by refugios mid-way through the year. Book now and we will not charge you more than this 15% increase. If the price is eventually confirmed as lower than a 15% increase, we will charge you this lower rate.

Additional Notes

Joining & departure instructions – Please arrive in Puerto Natales on the afternoon before for your trip starts to finalise any details with our local partner. It is also recommended that you plan to stay in Puerto Natales when you finish your trek. If you would like help booking your pre/post-trek arrangements please just let us know.

Optional kayak excursion – The optional 2.5hr kayak excursion on Lake Grey costs USD $100 per person and must be booked in advance.

Optional Grey Glacier hike – The optional Grey Glacier hike costs USD $175 per person and must be booked in advance.

Private porter – A private porter (can be shared with other travellers) is available at a cost of USD $600. This must be arranged in advance.

Includes

  • Meals: 4 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 4 dinners
  • Accommodation: 4 nights in hotels and refugios on the trek
  • All private transportation indicated in the itinerary
  • Shuttle between Laguna Amarga and Refugio Las Torres
  • Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
  • Boat trip across Lake Grey

Excludes

  • Meals not indicated on itinerary
  • Drinks during lunch or dinner (except for drinks included in the menu)
  • Accommodation on any additional nights
  • Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Ice hike or kayak activity on Day 4 and/or Day 5
  • Porters (available, but must be reserved in advance)
  • ​Guide
  • Gratuities/tips for driver
  • International and domestic/in-country flights
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses

Questions about this Trip?