Self-guided Torres del Paine W Trek Tour

Distance: 22 km / Duration: 8-10 hrs / Difficulty: Challenging / Accommodation: Camping Central / Meals: Box lunch and dinner

After breakfast at your hotel, don’t forget to pick up your box lunch before heading to the bus terminal for the 7:00 am bus (we recommend arriving at least 10 minutes before departure) bound for Torres del Paine National Park. You'll travel through beautiful landscapes until reaching the main entrance at Laguna Amarga, where registration with CONAF (park rangers) is required. From here, you’ll transfer to the "Transporte Las Torres" shuttle, which will take you to the welcome center. Register at Estancia Cerro Paine and walk a short 5-minute distance to Refugio Torre Central, where you’ll also need to check in at the campsite before starting your trek.

Today’s hike begins through the Ascencio Valley, allowing you to enjoy expansive forests. During the final ascent, you’ll cross an immense field of large boulders until reaching one of the world's most iconic viewpoints, the famous Base of the Towers Lookout. At an elevation of 900 meters (2,953 feet), take in the spectacular views of the three granite towers (North, Central, and South) and the brilliant turquoise glacial lake at their base. Capture some beautiful photos and enjoy your box lunch before retracing your steps back to Refugio Torre Central. After a long day enjoying nature, savor a warm dinner at Refugio Torre Central.

Distance: 12 or 15 km depending on accommodation / Duration: 4-5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner

Enjoy breakfast, and remember to request your box lunch. Today, you’ll begin the hike deep into the park, reaching the middle section of the W trail, right at the base of the grand mountain. Along the hike, you’ll pass beautiful, clear streams and admire glaciers hanging from Mount Almirante Nieto, at 2,670 meters (8,760 feet). You may spot majestic condors soaring overhead as you walk along the fascinating waters of Lake Nordenskjold. The trail is straightforward and will take you directly to the Cuernos campsite, where you can relax for the night.

Distance: French Lookout 17 km / Duration: 6-7 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Paine Grande / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner

Starting early is recommended. This hike takes you to the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast, request your box lunch and prepare for a day of breathtaking Patagonian landscapes. Just minutes into your hike, you’ll pass a ranger station at the valley entrance, where you can leave your backpack and begin the ascent into the French Valley. Climb over large rocks and continue through the forest until you reach the French Plateau (French Lookout). Here, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and impressive hanging glaciers spilling down the eastern face of Paine Grande Mountain (3,050 m/10,006 ft). If you're lucky, you may hear the thunderous sound of glaciers and waterfalls, and it’s common to witness avalanches in this area. Enjoy your box lunch and a well-deserved rest.

Descend along the same trail back to the ranger station, then continue your hike to Refugio Paine Grande (2.5 hrs). Take it easy on this section, as the trail is mostly flat. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the refugio.

Distance: 11 km / Duration: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Grey / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner

After breakfast, start the hike through a narrow, winding valley that leads to the Laguna de Los Patos. As you continue, you’ll start to see parts of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the icebergs of Grey Lake. After passing the sometimes (very) windy viewpoint, the trail descends through a mountainous forest until reaching the Refugio. From here, continue another 10 minutes to the Grey Glacier Viewpoint, where you’ll stand face-to-face with this massive expanse of blue ice.

OPTIONAL: For an unforgettable view of Grey Glacier, prepare for an additional 3-4 hours round trip beyond Refugio Grey to reach the famous hanging bridges. This is by far the best viewpoint of the glacier. In addition to admiring the impressive ice, you’ll see the deep ravines formed by rivers and waterfalls flowing from the Olguín Mountain Range. If you’re lucky, you might witness ice calving from the glacier into the cold waters of the lake.

Distance: 4 km / Duration: 3-4 hrs (round trip) / Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 11 km / Duration: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast and box lunch

This morning, you’ll have free time for optional activities. Choose between an ice hike or kayaking among the glacier’s icebergs. Whichever you decide, it will be an experience you’ll remember forever. Afterwards, you’ll follow the same trail back to Paine Grande to catch the catamaran to Pudeto, where your bus will depart for Puerto Natales.