Torres del Paine
W Circuit in Camping (5 days)
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
- Skill level
Demanding (aprox 47 miles). - Duration
5 days and 4 nights. - Accommodation
Camping (Pitched tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad). - Nearest city
Puerto Natales 2 hours of distance. - Season
September to April.
Overview
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. Departure: Day 1 at 7:00 at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal. - End of the program: Day 5 at 9:00 p.m. at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal.
*Prices are based on double occupancy (2 people per tent).
Itinerary
Distance: 14 miles / Time: 8-10hrs / Difficulty: Demanding / Accommodation: Camping Central / Meals: Box lunch and dinner (Extra).
Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel and don't forget to request your box lunch. We'll leave for the Torres del Paine National Park on a bus at 7:00 a.m. (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: 7 or 9 miles depending on accommodation / Time: 4 - 5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Cuernos or Frances / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
Enjoy breakfast and don't forget your box lunch before embarking 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 border the fascinating waters of Lake Nordenskjold. The path leads directly to the Cuernos Camp where you'll relax for the night.
Distance: French Lookout 10.5 miles / Time: 6-7hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Lodging: Camping Paine Grande / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
Start early with breakfast and a box 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 box lunch. Return to the park rangers' shelter, then walk to Refugio Paine Grande. Enjoy dinner at the refuge in the evening.
Distance: 6.8 miles / Time: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Lodging: Camping Grey / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
Embark on a moderate hike through a winding valley to Laguna de Los Patos, where 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 10 minutes to the Grey Glacier Viewpoint for a close-up view of the blue ice. Plan an extra 3-4 hours for a round trip to the famous hanging bridges for an unparalleled view of the glacier and the Olguín cord. Distance: 2.5 miles / Time: 3-4hrs (round trip) / Difficulty Level: Moderate.
Distance: 6.8 miles / Time: 4-4.5 hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast and box lunch (Extra).
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.
Extra: Ice Hike: $264 or Kayaking Grey Lake: $187
Included
- Ticket for the catamaran.
- Tent, sleeping bag and mat in each camp.
- 5 days - 4 nights of camping accommodation.
- Transport from Natales to Torres del Paine.
- Briefing talk.
- Entrance ticket to Torres del Paine park.
- Connection shuttle to Las Torres.
Not included
- Full board (meals) - EXTRA.
- Travel and accident insurance.
- Air transportation.
- Accommodation in Puerto Natales.
FAQs
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.
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.
The answer will depend on your budget and the level of comfort you prefer while traveling. The refuges offer shared rooms with made beds (or with sleeping bags) and a pillow, with shared bathrooms (hot water). The camping option includes a private tent for two people, which includes a sleeping bag and mattress, with shared bathrooms (hot water). IMPORTANT: Each time you arrive at a campsite, you will be provided with a set-up tent, sleeping bag, and mattress. This means you only carry your personal backpack between campsites.
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. Finally, dinner is a set menu with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and water.
We offer menus adapted for vegetarians, vegans, or celiacs. If you have any food allergies, please indicate them in the passenger information when making the reservation.
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.
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.
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 weather is very variable throughout the year, even in summer. In one day, there can be sun, clouds, rain, and wind. Therefore, we recommend being prepared for any type of weather.
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.
At the time of booking on our platform, you can add as an extra, an Ice Hike or Kayaking among the icebergs. Absolutely recommended!
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.
Starting place
Our program begins and ends in Puerto Natales. From there, the bus will take us to the National Park to begin the circuit.
Policies
Read our Terms and Conditions where our cancellation policies and changes are defined. Always remember to plan your trips in advance.
