Torres del Paine W Trek Self-Guided (5 Days)

Chile
5 Days
4B 5L 4D
From$1,728 USD

Discover the stunning Torres del Paine National Park on a 5-day self-guided "W" Circuit at your own pace. Explore breathtaking valleys and natural wonders in this beautiful corner of the world.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Torres del Paine National Park - Trek to the Base of the Towers

Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel and request your packed lunchbox. At 7:00 AM, board a bus for Torres del Paine National Park (be at the terminal at least 10 minutes before departure).

After arriving at the park's Laguna Amarga entrance, register with CONAF and transfer with "Transporte Las Torres" to the welcome center. Register at Estancia Cerro Paine before taking a 5-minute walk to the Central Refuge.

From here, begin your trek through the Ascencio Valley, enjoy the forests, and hike through a field of large rocks to reach the famous Mirador Base de las Torres. Marvel at the 3 towers of granite and the turquoise glacial lake at its feet.

After lunch, trek back to the Torre Central Refuge and enjoy a warm dinner.

Distance: 14 miles / Time: 8-10hrs / Difficulty: Demanding / Accommodation: Camping Central / Meals: Box lunch & dinner.

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Day 2: Hike to Camping Cuernos or French Dome

Enjoy breakfast, grab your lunchbox, and set off on a walk to the deepest part of the park, the middle zone of the W.

During your trek, admire the crystalline streams and glaciers hanging from Mount Almirante Nieto. Keep an eye out for the majestic Condors and walk around the fascinating waters of Lake Nordenskjold. The path leads directly to the Cuernos Camp where you'll relax for the night.

Distance: 7 or 9 miles depending on accommodation / Time: 4-5hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Cuernos or Frances / Meals: breakfast, box lunch & dinner.

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Day 3: Explore the French Valley

Start early with breakfast and pick up your packed lunch before heading towards the heart of Torres del Paine Park.

Pass by a park ranger shelter and leave your backpacks before ascending to the French Valley. Climb up large rocks, walk through the forest, and reach the Plateau (French Viewpoint). Be rewarded with incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and impressive hanging glaciers.

From here, walk to the British Lookout, take time to rest, and enjoy your lunch. Return to the park rangers' shelter, then walk to Refugio Paine Grande. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the refuge.

Distance: 10.5 miles / Time: 6-7hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Paine Grande / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch & dinner.

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Day 4: Grey Glacier (optional suspension bridges)

Today, you embark on a moderate hike through a winding valley to Laguna de Los Patos. Here, you'll see the immense Southern Patagonian Ice Field and ice floes of Lago Grey.

Descend through a mountainous forest to the Refugio and continue for 10mins to the Grey Glacier Viewpoint for a close-up view of the blue ice.

Plan an extra 3-4hrs for a round trip to the famous hanging bridges. Here you'll get an unparalleled view of the glacier and the Olguín cord.

Distance: 6.8 miles / Time: 4-4.5hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Grey / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch & dinner.

(Optional: Distance: 2.5 miles / Time: 3-4hrs (round trip) / Difficulty Level: Moderate).

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Day 5: Hike to Paine Grande Refuge + Catamaran + Return to Puerto Natales

Spend the morning ice walking or kayaking between the icebergs of the glacier. Continue hiking through the same path back to Paine Grande Lodge and take the catamaran to Pudeto for your bus to Puerto Natales.

N.B. These are extra activities. Extra: Ice hike: US$264 or Kayak Grey Lake: US$187

Distance: 6.8 miles / Time: 4-4.5hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast & box lunch.

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What's Included

Included
  • Briefing talk.
  • 5 days & 4 nights of camping accommodation.
  • Pitched tent, sleeping bag & mat in each camp.
  • Ticket for the catamaran.
  • Return transport from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine.
  • Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine park.
  • Connection transport between Laguna Amarga and Sector Las Torres.
  • Meals (full board).
Not Included
  • Accommodation in Puerto Natales.
  • Drinks during the trip.
  • Flights.
  • Travel & accident insurance.
  • Ice Hike on Day 5 (US$264).
  • Kayak Grey Lake on Day 5 (US$187).
Have a question?

If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.

We're ready to help.

Team Images
Team Images
Team Images

FAQs

Before you go

The W trek isn't technically difficult because you don't need a harness or rope, and you don't have to cross a wall or glacier. However, you walk 6–10 hours a day, up and down valleys, along trails with big and small rocks, which slow down and complicate walking. If this is your first multiday hike, if you haven't hiked in a long time, if you usually don't hike more than 15 km, or if you have knee issues, it will be physically challenging. You can definitely do it! But you will feel tired (but hopefully happy!) at the end of the day.

Once you've booked your space, your local Host will send you a complete list of all the necessary equipment.

Ice hiking or kayaking among the icebergs at Glacier Grey is highly recommended! After booking, you can message your local Guide from your dashboard to add extra activities.

The price of this program is based on double occupancy (two people sharing a tent). If you're traveling alone, you'll need to pay a single supplement of an additional US$333. If your program falls on Christmas or New Year, there is an additional supplement of US$95 for a special dinner.

Torres del Paine campsite bookings need to be made in advance. We make this booking as soon as we have your reservation. For this reason, the trip deposit is non-refundable and we can't usually offer a date change. If you do need to cancel or change dates for some reason, please message us as soon as possible and we will discuss your options.

On your trip

This program is self-guided, so you will walk individually and autonomously along the park's trails. This does not mean you will be alone. There are always people on the circuits, and all the park's trails are properly marked. Additionally, the day before starting the circuit, you will receive a technical briefing where we will provide you with all the necessary documents and a detailed explanation of the park and your program's route.

Yes, you do need to carry all of your own kit on this trip - there is no porter and no luggage transportation. Every night you stay at a different campsite, so it's not possible to leave your stuff in camp either. Note that you only need to carry your personal belongings, clothing, lunch, snacks, and water (see packing list). The local Hosts will set up camp for you every night and provide a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat. They also provide all your meals each day.

Yes, in the common areas of the refuges there are outlets to charge your electronic devices. Remember that in Chile, 220V and 2-pin are used. We recommend bringing a power strip to share the charge of devices with your friends.

- Breakfast consists of coffee, tea, milk, bread, eggs, cheese, ham, jam, juice, and fruit. - The box lunch is typically a cold sandwich with a cereal bar, chocolate bar, dried fruits, and fruit. - Dinner is a set menu with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and water. Important: All meals are prepared in the kitchens of the shelters located in each campsite, following all the standards required by the Ministry of Health of Chile.

The program based on Camping Includes: Pitched tent, sleeping bag, and mat in each camp (you don't carry the equipment).

Yes, along all the trails you will have access to drinkable water, which comes from the park's natural springs. IMPORTANT: Pay attention to signs of farm animals (e.g., horses) that could contaminate some areas.

The campsites are generally associated with a shelter and a restaurant, where meals are prepared. They have bathrooms with hot water, internet, and grocery store.

Absolutely! Trekking poles are a fundamental tool for multi-day hikes. If you don't want to use them, don't use them, but take them with you for when you need them. *Trekking poles can be rented in Puerto Natales.

The programs are between the months of September to April. This is when the wind blows strongly in Patagonia, leading to very changeable days where you can experience all four seasons in one day. In a single day, there can be sun, clouds, rain, snowstorms, and wind. Therefore, we recommend always being prepared for any type of weather. It's important to always protect yourself from solar radiation with sunscreen, clothing, and sunglasses.

In most of the circuit, there is no coverage. Only in some specific points of the park (which you will identify immediately), there might be some signal. However, all refuges offer satellite internet service for an additional cost, which can vary from CLP$ 10,000 for 1 hour, and is paid with a credit card.

The briefing talk takes place the day before you depart to Torres del Paine. You'll meet the local Hosts at their offices in Puerto Natales.

Other FAQs

Yes! The base reservation is for camping, and after purchasing, you can upgrade to a Refuge (shared rooms, with sleeping bag and pillow). *Important: Subject to availability.

Yes, we sure do. You can join a small-group trek led by an expert local guide. Check out the trip link here: https://www.skyhookadventure.com/trips/guided-w-trek-patagonia

The programs for the circuits in Torres del Paine are highly sought after and have limited spaces. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible. Availability changes minute by minute. Therefore, if you have availability one day, perhaps the next day you won't.

The single supplement extra cost only applies to individuals traveling alone. It is a fee that you need to pay to use a double tent spot by yourself.

We offer menus adapted for vegetarians, vegans, or celiacs. If you have any food allergies, please indicate them in your trip form after booking.

Your head guide is Matías

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Outdoor Index, based in Puerto Natales.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Matías