Torres del Paine
W Circuit in Refuge (4 days)
Torres del Paine National Park
- Accommodation
Mountain Refuge (Sleeping bag + pillow). - Season
September to April. - Nearest city
Puerto Natales 2 hours of distance. - Skill level
Demanding (40 miles). - Duration
4 days and 3 nights.
Overview
Discover the stunning beauty of Torres del Paine National Park with our 4-day self-guided "W" Circuit in refuges. Take your time to explore the most beautiful valleys at your own pace and witness the awe-inspiring granite towers that give the park its name. Don't miss the chance to experience the natural wonders of this corner of the world.
*Departure: Day 1 at 7:00 at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal. - End of the program: Day 4 at 9:00 p.m. at the Puerto Natales Bus Terminal.
Itinerary
Distance: 14 miles / Time: 8-10hrs / Difficulty: Demanding / Accommodation: Refuge Central / Meals: Box lunch and dinner (Extra).
Start your day off right with a delicious breakfast, and don't forget to grab your box lunch for your Torres del Paine National Park day hike. Catch the 7:00 a.m. bus to the park and take in the beautiful landscapes of Patagonia on the way. Register with CONAF at Laguna Amarga's main entrance and then take a ride with "Transporte Las Torres" to the welcome center. Register at Estancia Cerro Paine and take a 5-minute walk to the Central Refuge before beginning your trek. Today's hike begins through the Ascencio Valley and its lush forests. During the final ascent, pass through an immense field of large rocks until you reach the famous Mirador Base las Torres, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the world. Marvel at the 3 granite towers and a turquoise glacial lake at their feet, take some beautiful pictures, and enjoy your box lunch before heading back to Torre Central Refuge. End your day with a warm dinner and unforgettable memories.
Distance: 7 miles / Time: 4-5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Refuge Grey / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
After breakfast at Refugio Torre Central and picking up your packed lunch, you must take the Las Torres shuttle at 8:15 a.m., which will take you back to Laguna Amarga. You will board the Bus Sur bus from Puerto Natales, which will transport you to Pudeto. At 10:30 a.m., you will board the Hielos Patagónicos catamaran for approximately 35 minutes of navigation across Lake Pehoé, arriving directly at Refugio Paine Grande. From this point, the trek to Camping Grey begins.
The route goes through a narrow valley leading to Laguna Los Patos. As you progress, you will catch glimpses of parts of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, as well as the icebergs of Lake Grey. After passing the sometimes windy viewpoint, the path descends through a mountainous forest until you reach Refugio Grey. From here, if you walk for about 10 more minutes, you will reach the Mirador del Glaciar Grey, where you will come face to face with one of the arms of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Dinner will be served at the refuge between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Optional: To enjoy an unforgettable view of the Grey Glacier, visit the well-known hanging bridges. This spot stands out as the best viewpoint of the glacier, offering an incomparable view. In addition to contemplating the impressive ice, you can admire the depth of the gorges carved by the rivers and waterfalls flowing from the Cordón Olguín. If you're lucky, you may witness chunks of ice breaking off and falling into the icy waters of Lake Grey.
Distance: 7 miles / Time: 4-5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Camping Paine Grande / Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner (Extra).
Start your day with a delicious breakfast in the dining room of Refugio Grey and don't forget to request your packed lunch. If you didn't have the chance to explore the hanging bridges the previous afternoon or to visit the glacier up close, take the morning to visit and marvel at the spectacular panoramic views of the Grey Glacier. Today, you'll have the opportunity to follow the same trail back to Paine Grande. Take your time to rest and enjoy a tasty dinner in the dining room of the refuge.
Extra: Ice Hike: $264 or Kayaking Grey Lake: $187
Distance: Paine Grande 13.6 miles / Time: 7hrs / Difficulty: Moderate / Accommodation: Puerto Natales / Meals: Breakfast and box lunch (Extra).
The walk will take you to the heart of Torres del Paine Park. Just a few minutes after starting your walk, you'll pass a park ranger shelter, right at the entrance to the valley. From this point, begin the ascent to the French Valley. Climb up large rocks and continue through the forest until reaching the Plateau (French Viewpoint). Here the reward is the incredible views of Los Cuernos, turquoise glacial lagoons, and impressive hanging glaciers that tumble down the east face of Paine Grande Mountain, which stands tall at 10,000 feet. With a bit of luck, you'll hear the thunderous noise of the glaciers and the falling water, as it is very common to witness an avalanche. Take your time to rest and enjoy your Box lunch with that view. Then, go down the same path. When you arrive at the park ranger's refuge, take the path toward Camping Paine Grande. Descend through the same trail and head back to Paine Grande campground. Remember to calculate your hiking times well so as not to miss the departure of the Catamaran at 18:30 PM.
Included
- Briefing talk.
- 4 days - 3 nights of Refuge accommodation.
- Sleeping bag and pillow.
- Ticket for the catamaran.
- Transport from Natales to Torres del Paine.
- 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!
Starting place
The departure will be from the Puerto Natales bus terminal, at the bus leaving at 7:00 a.m., to take the transport that will take us to the Torres del Paine National Park.
Policies
Read our Terms and Conditions where our cancellation policies and changes are defined. Always remember to plan your trips in advance.
