One of the most memorable moments was when my cousin and I finally reached Base Torres. We looked at each other and both burst into tears. We’d been dreaming of this trip for 10 years, and we’d finally made it!

Life changing

Overall, my experience at EcoCamp was very good. The dome was comfortable, although we did have some issues with the heating. On our first night, I felt quite cold because the heater wasn't working. When we returned to EcoCamp later in the trip, we were given the same dome, and I mentioned the issue to the staff. Unfortunately, the heater still didn't work, so I ended up sleeping in my thermal layers. Thankfully, that kept me warm enough! During the day, the dome could also get quite hot, which made it difficult to relax there after a long day of trekking. I ended up spending most of my time in the common areas instead. I think checking that the heating and ventilation systems are working properly would make a big difference to guests' comfort. Having said that, the W Trek itself was absolutely amazing, and I genuinely enjoyed every part of it! One thing I would have loved was the opportunity to continue all the way to Valle Británico. I hadn't realised beforehand that this wasn't included in our itinerary, so I think it would be helpful to make that clearer when booking. We were also informed that our itinerary had to change due to roadworks, meaning we wouldn't be visiting Laguna Azul and would be doing a different trek instead. I understand that unexpected changes can happen, but clearer communication about these adjustments would have been appreciated. Finally, I really want to highlight our wonderful guides, Katy and Nadia. They were absolutely amazing! They taught us so much about the park, its plants, wildlife and natural environment. They made a fantastic team and were always encouraging, supportive and enthusiastic, helping everyone enjoy the trek and do their best. They truly made the experience even more special. Despite the few things that could be improved, the W Trek was an unforgettable experience, and I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to do it. The landscapes, the challenges, the people and the memories made along the way were absolutely worth it!

Torres del Paine… (sighs) hahaha, where do I even begin? I had already done the Base Torres trek back in 2021, but doing the W Trek with my cousin was a completely different and unforgettable experience. We'd been dreaming of doing this trip together for 10 years, so finally making it happen was incredibly special. We were also unbelievably lucky with the weather! Sunshine every single day, barely any wind and not a drop of rain, which, if you know Patagonia, is almost unheard of! Base Torres and Valle Francés were definitely the highlights for me. The landscapes were absolutely breathtaking, and no matter how many photos you see, nothing really prepares you for experiencing them in person. Grey Glacier was another highlight, although a bittersweet one. Seeing how much the glacier has retreated over the years was quite heartbreaking and a worrying reminder of how fragile these incredible places are. Torres del Paine absolutely lived up to my expectations, and even exceeded them in many ways. It's one of those places that makes you feel incredibly small in the best possible way. The mountains, glaciers, lakes and ever-changing landscapes are simply spectacular. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves nature and adventure. It's physically challenging at times, but every single step is worth it. And getting to share that experience with my cousin made it even more meaningful. It's something I'll treasure forever!

As I mentioned before, Katy and Nadia were absolutely amazing guides! They were knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging throughout the entire trek, and they really helped make the experience even more enjoyable. I actually enjoyed the trekking much more than I expected! Even though I hike quite regularly, I was a little worried about how physically demanding the W Trek might be. Surprisingly, I found it quite manageable. The most challenging part was definitely the last day, when we hiked to Base Torres. That was a tougher one, especially after several days of walking, but reaching the top made every step worth it! I would absolutely recommend the W Trek to anyone who's willing to give it a go. You don't have to be the fastest or the most experienced hiker. Just take it nice and steady, go at your own pace and enjoy the journey! That being said, I would strongly recommend preparing yourself both physically and mentally, and making sure you have the right gear. I saw quite a few people struggling because they didn't have proper hiking shoes or trekking poles, and some ended up with sore knees or feet. My advice would be to train beforehand, invest in comfortable, appropriate footwear and definitely bring trekking poles! They can make a huge difference, particularly on the descents. Overall, it was such a rewarding experience. The scenery, the sense of achievement and the people we shared it with made it truly unforgettable. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!

My biggest advice would be to come prepared, but also be flexible! Patagonia is absolutely stunning, but the weather can be very unpredictable. We were incredibly lucky to have sunshine throughout our entire trek, with barely any wind or rain, but that's definitely not something you should count on! If you're planning to do the W Trek, I'd strongly recommend preparing yourself physically and mentally, even if you're already used to hiking. You don't need to be an expert, but having a reasonable level of fitness will make the experience much more enjoyable. Also, don't underestimate the importance of proper gear! Good hiking boots, comfortable layers, waterproof clothing and trekking poles can make a huge difference. I'd also recommend doing your research before booking. Make sure you understand exactly what's included in your itinerary, the type of accommodation you'll be staying in and whether there are any optional activities or upgrades available. That way, you can avoid unexpected surprises. Most importantly, take your time and enjoy every moment. Don't focus too much on reaching the destination. Some of the most beautiful moments happen along the way, so stop, look around and take it all in. And one last thing: don't underestimate Patagonia, but don't be intimidated by it either! With the right preparation and attitude, it can be one of the most incredible experiences of your life.

Absolutely! I think this experience has given me even more confidence in what I'm capable of. I was a little worried about how challenging the W Trek would be, but I ended up enjoying it so much more than I expected. It reminded me that sometimes we underestimate ourselves and that we're capable of more than we think. And now I feel like I could take on the O Circuit next! Hahaha. Who knows? Maybe that's my next adventure!

Overall, I'm really grateful for the experience and the opportunity to finally do the W Trek with my cousin. It was a trip we'd been dreaming about for 10 years, and I'm so happy we made it happen! My main recommendation for Swoop would be to improve communication and transparency during the booking process, particularly regarding pricing, additional taxes and accommodation options. As a Chilean travelling with my Australian cousin, I was surprised by the additional taxes I had to pay, as I hadn't expected such a significant amount. I think these costs should be clearly explained from the beginning, especially when dealing with travellers from different countries. I'd also recommend providing more detailed information about the accommodation. Since the trip was advertised as a glamping experience, we expected a certain level of comfort throughout the trek. However, some nights felt more like traditional camping, and we weren't aware that upgrading our accommodation at Paine Grande was even an option. Having that information beforehand would have helped us make a more informed decision. We chose Swoop because it made organising the trip easier for my cousin and her travel agent, and we appreciated that convenience. However, considering the overall cost, I do wonder whether booking directly with EcoCamp might have been more affordable. Having said that, the experience itself was absolutely incredible, and our guides, Katy and Nadie, were outstanding. They were knowledgeable, supportive and genuinely passionate about what they do. I hope this feedback is helpful because I truly believe that clearer communication, more transparency and better management of expectations would make an already amazing experience even better. I'd also like to give a special mention to Christian from the Swoop team. He was very kind and helpful throughout the process, and I really appreciated his assistance. My suggestions for improvement are mainly about the information provided during booking, rather than the people we dealt with. Christian was lovely, and I genuinely appreciated his support! At the end of the day, I wouldn't change the memories we made for anything!

I was incredibly excited! My cousin and I had been dreaming about doing the W Trek together for 10 years, so finally knowing it was happening felt almost surreal! In terms of preparation, I felt pretty confident. I hike quite regularly and had done some challenging treks before, but I was still a little nervous about how demanding the W Trek might be, especially doing several days of hiking in a row. I also spent quite a bit of time making sure I had the right gear and was physically prepared. Living in Patagonia, I know how unpredictable the weather can be, so I wanted to be ready for anything! I think I was a mix of excitement, nerves and anticipation, but once we started trekking, I realised I was more prepared than I'd given myself credit for. And honestly, the whole experience turned out to be even better than I'd imagined!

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Within 12 months