The W Trek in Torres del Paine
Days
6+
Activity Level
Moderate/
Advanced
Host City
Santiago, Chile
From
$2,350 USD
W Trek Adventure in Patagonia
Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on the adventure of a lifetime to the world-renowned region of Patagonia! The W Trek zigzags through the heart of Chile’s iconic Torres del Paine National Park, a captivating land where the mountain peaks form stunning granite towers and the glacier-fed lakes glisten turquoise blue. This wild Patagonian region will draw you in and undoubtedly make it very hard for you to have to go back home at the conclusion of your trip!
Trip Highlights
Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:
TRIP COST
From $2,350 USD per person
Our W Trek trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.
*More info. on pricing
More questions? Read more about pricing here
Start dates
Custom dates are available to hike the W Trek all year round.
To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!
Duration
Starts at 6 Days / 5 Nights (minimum hiking in Torres del Paine is 4 full days / 3 nights)
Accommodations
Relax in comfort & luxury
*Various Options
In cities/towns, choose between 3.5 / 4 Star or 4.5 / 5 Star hotel options. While hiking in Torres del Paine National Park, choose between mountain huts, camping tents, hotel or geodesic domes (hotel/domes in Central Sector only), and/or cabins (in Cuernos Sector only).
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate/Advanced*
Primary activities:
Multi-day hiking on the W Trek route (total trekking distance: ~88 kms / ~55 miles)
*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide for more information
Sample Trip Itinerary
This map corresponds with the itinerary’s 4 full days of hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. The 5 day trekking option is very similar, except that it splits the final day [Paine Grande to Grey and back] in half, into two days of equivalent distance. A 6 day trekking route is also a possible option.
Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.
Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!
Day 1: Arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile
Welcome to Punta Arenas! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a member of our team and transferred to your hotel. Later, we will provide you with a 2.5 – 3 hour guided private tour of this southernmost Chilean city, which has been shaped by a multitude of cultures – leaving a valuable historical and cultural legacy that endures to this day. The city’s population descends mainly from Croatian, Spanish, Italian, German, and English immigrants.
The tour begins with a visit to Cerro Mirador, where you get a panoramic view of the city and the Strait of Magellan. You will explore main streets and avenues, various monuments, as well as the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum. This museum features a unique ethnological and natural history exhibit with a collection of flora and fauna specimens from Chile’s Magallanes Region, handicrafts and artifacts from the region’s indigenous Yaganes, Onas, and Alacalufes people, and information on the history and lives of the first European settlers. The tour concludes in the Muñoz Gamero main square.
Day 2: Magdalena & Marta Islands, then Puerto Natales
Early this morning you will be heading to Magdalena Island with a guide to spend an hour with South America’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins! Next, you will continue through the Strait of Magellan to Isla Marta to see sea lions, imperial cormorants, and hundreds of southern gulls. You may even spot some dolphins! After you return to Punta Arenas, you will board a bus north to Puerto Natales. You are one step closer to your journey to Torres del Paine National Park!
For dinner, feel free to explore the town’s various options.
Day 3: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
After breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Natales, you will have the morning to explore the town a bit more. Later, you will travel by bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy dinner in the Central Sector as the excitement builds for the days ahead, where you will have the rare privilege of exploring one of the planet’s most striking national parks!
Day 4: First Day of W Trek (to Las Torres Lookout)
Day 5: Second Day of W Trek (Nordenskjöld Lake & Francés Sector)
Day 6: Third Day of W Trek (French Valley)
Day 7: Fourth Day of W Trek (Grey Glacier & Pehoé Lake)
Day 8: Return to Punta Arenas
Customizing Your W Trek
Are you interested in another activity or destination in Chile and/or Patagonia? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Prefer to start and end your trip in Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, or Santiago? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:
Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Chile!
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Trip Accommodations
5+ Star Accommodations
La Yegua Loca | Punta Arenas, Chile
La Yegua Loca Boutique Hotel is a charming gem in Punta Arenas, located just below the iconic Cerro de la Cruz city viewpoint, which offers panoramas of the Strait of Magellan and the city. Situated in a lovingly-restored 1920s house, the hotel is a tribute to the rich heritage of Patagonia; through their design and decor, the 15 themed rooms pay homage to the region’s traditions. Each room features central heating, private bathrooms, king or twin beds, Wi-Fi, and modern amenities. La Yegua Loca also hosts La Cocina de la Nonna Restaurant, which serves a blend of Croatian-influenced and regional Patagonian dishes. The hotel’s bar is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy signature drinks, such as a Potro Sour or a Ruibarbito.
The Singular Patagonia | Puerto Natales, Chile
Located just north of Puerto Natales in the small town of Puerto Bories, The Singular Patagonia is a world-class hotel overlooking the Señoret Channel. All of the hotel’s spacious, sophisticated rooms offer water views that allow guests to appreciate the nature surrounding them, as well as unique details such as heated floors. The Singular Patagonia features an on-site restaurant, bar/lounge, spa with sauna and hot tub, and a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool.
What really sets this hotel apart are its facilities’ historical significance, situated on the grounds of the former Puerto Bories Cold Storage Plant, a National Monument since 1996 and one of Patagonia’s most important agricultural and industrial facilities. Guests can explore the plant’s preserved antique machinery on a guided tour, delving into the rich story of the Sociedad Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego and the role it played in shaping the region’s history and culture.
4.5 / 5 Star Accommodations
Hotel Cabo de Hornos | Punta Arenas, Chile
Located in the heart of the historic district of Punta Arenas and immediately adjacent to the city’s iconic Plaza de Armas, Hotel Cabo de Hornos blends avant-garde interiors, cozy ambience, and contemporary guest rooms with marvelous views of the cityscape and the Strait of Magellan. Each of the recently-renovated rooms are decorated in Patagonian style and include breakfast and wi-fi. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, a well-equipped fitness center, and elegant social areas including a bar with a welcoming fireplace.
Remota | Puerto Natales, Chile
Remota is a world-class refuge overlooking the Última Esperanza Sound, just a few minutes north of Puerto Natales. The lodge is designed very deliberately to connect with the nature around it – not to compete with it – and offers excellent views of Chilean Patagonia. Its 72 contemporary rooms are remarkably spacious and showcase natural features such as rustic wood beams. The hotel features a pool, sauna, bar, wi-fi enabled common areas, as well as an on-site restaurant that serves fine meals crafted with local products. Remota is an excellent starting point from which to begin your W Trek adventure!
3.5 / 4 Star Accommodations
Hotel Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas | Punta Arenas, Chile
The Hotel Diego de Almagro is located in a privileged location on the waterfront of the Strait of Magellan, offering magnificent views as well as proximity and easy access to the city’s downtown area. Each room features free wi-fi and TVs. The hotel has a heated pool, a sauna, a gym, a business center, and included breakfast buffet. El Estrecho Restaurant is located on site as well.
Hotel Diego de Almagro – Punta Arenas website
Hotel Natalino | Puerto Natales, Chile
Natalino is a contemporary hotel in Puerto Natales, with some of the most striking designs of any hotels. It is an excellent launching point before heading into Torres del Paine National Park! The hotel has a terrace, indoor pool, fitness center, and guests can also enjoy a drink at the bar. Breakfast and wi-fi are included for all rooms.
While experiencing the W Trek in Torres del Paine, you can choose to stay in mountain huts or camping tents (and/or, Hotel Las Torres or geodesic domes in the Central Sector). These accommodation sites feature bathroom facilities with showers, personal lockers (*in huts only), and some even have pay-as-you-go internet available in common areas. Drinks (including beer and wine) and snacks are available for purchase at these sites along the trail. See below for more information:
Mountain Huts | Torres del Paine
Huts on the W-Trek route offer communal dorm-style accommodation with bunk beds, comparable to many other mountain huts or lodges in other parts of the world. These huts can be rustic but comfortable (especially after long days of trekking!), though the best part are the warm communal dining areas where you can meet and mingle with other fellow adventurers. The mountain huts are a perfect accommodation for anyones adventure!
Camping Tents | Torres del Paine
If you’re seeking a more streamlined experience while tackling the W Trek, consider opting for tent camping in Torres del Paine. This hassle-free option allows you to focus on the adventure ahead without the burden of setting up camp. At each designated site, tents are pre-pitched and ready for your arrival, so all you need to do is make your way there. Each tent is equipped with comfortable sleeping bags and sleeping mats, ensuring a restful night’s sleep amidst the stunning Patagonian landscape. This setup allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of Torres del Paine with minimal fuss, making your trekking experience both enjoyable and convenient.
Hotel Las Torres | Torres del Paine
Located in the park’s Central Sector, Hotel Las Torres has the very best location in Torres del Paine National Park, strategically placed at the entrance to the world-famous trekking circuits: the W and the O. With your adventure base at the hotel, you will feel immersed in the pure nature and mountains of Patagonia, and will be able to enjoy your time to the maximum.
Cabins | Torres del Paine
If your route has you stopping for a night in the park’s Cuernos Sector, cabins (cabañas) can be your home for the evening. Located at the base of Los Cuernos Mountains, just slightly retired from the camping and hostel sector, these cabins will be one of your favorite memories from your time in Torres del Paine. The cabins are perfect spaces to rest and refresh, with a little space and privacy from other trekkers. Each cabin offers room for 2-3 people, with fully-made beds and towels, and shared bathrooms with hot water. The firewood heaters and comforts of cabin life add a special touch as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for something?
Check here for our Frequently Asked Questions for the W-Trek, and if you can’t find the answer you are looking for then send us a message.
Click the button below to access our general FAQ section!
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Trip Support
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.
Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip
We get very involved with our travelers before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip. We also provide comprehensive packing lists, pre-adventure checklists, and other detailed information.
Staff Support & Logistics
We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of your trip, so that you can focus exclusively on experiencing all that Chile and Patagonia have to offer. Our knowledgeable support staff takes care of the details of your in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, tours, Torres del Paine park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
Additional Trip Information
Check out our detailed educational content on the W Trek, written by our adventure team. The article provides a complete overview of everything that you need to know about this amazing journey to Patagonia.
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