Patagonia: Torres del Paine Classic W Trek

Intrepid Travel · 6 days

5.0

3 Reviews

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Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Demanding

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Immerse yourself in the Patagonian wilderness, on this six-day hiking trip in the Torres del Pain National Park of Chile.

Highlights

Trek the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park West to East, saving the crown jewel (the three peaks of Torres del Paine) for last. What a way to cap off the perfect active trip!
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Chilean Patagonia – one of the most incredible landscapes on Earth with its vast mountain ranges, glacial lakes, grasslands and beech forests.
Explore French Valley, Lake Grey and the famous Towers of Blue (Torres del Paine) on an actioned-packed multi-day trek trip. This part of the world is widely considered one of the best for hiking and trekking.
Trek past the most beautiful waterfalls and glaciers of Torres del Paine National Park and spot wildlife like guanacos, flamingos, foxes, Andean condors and rhea birds along the way.
Witness this raw, untamed landscape on a low-altitude trek that takes you through a designated UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Trip Details

Duration

6 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,boat

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Puerto Natales, Chile

Finishes

Puerto Natales, Chile

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Walking & Trekking

Physical Rating

Demanding

Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Natales

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Puerto Natales, in Chilean Patagonia. This port city is famously the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park – the centre of your trekking trip. If you arrive early, see the city on foot, taking in the snow-capped mountainous horizon, or maybe pop into the Municipal Historical Museum in the city centre to brush up on some local history. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight with your group. After, you may want to head to a restaurant or bar to get to know your fellow trekkers a little better and taste some classic Patagonian flavours.

Included Activities:

Full W Trek guided hike West to East

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Torres del Paine National Park Lake Grey

After breakfast, take a transfer from the hotel to the Grey Sector of the W Circuit in wild Patagonia. This is the most famous and well-travelled hiking trail in the park because although it can be challenging, the trail can be completed by anyone of any fitness level (as long as you are reasonably active and able to walk long distances). From your starting point, the path is quite flat for the first hour, passing through beech-lined woods and crossing over some small streams. Along the way, you’ll have multiple opportunities to see Lake Grey, with its electric-blue icebergs that jut from the water. As you start to ascend, you’ll see the Grey Glacier in the distance. Along the way, stop for a packed lunch, where you can keep your eye out for the Patagonian fox and the Andean condor. Eventually, make your way downhill once more and reach your accommodation for the night – Refugio Paine Grande. Refugios are backcountry huts or lodges that are along the trail, with full-service kitchens, beds and bathrooms. After a nice warm shower, cap off your first day with a group dinner.

Included Activities:

Paine Grande overnight stay Refugio or camping (fully equipped)
Lake Grey boat ride
Grey Trek guided trek

Accommodation:

Paine Grande (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Torres del Paine National Park French Valley

After breakfast at your Refugio, you’ll embark on a full-day trek through the French Valley. From here, the well-trodden path leads towards the jagged peaks of the Cuernos of Paine. Passing through woods and over small streams, you’ll have a beautiful view of Lake Nordenskjold. You’ll arrive at a rickety-looking hanging bridge, like something out of an Indiana Jones movie (don’t worry, it’s completely safe). Head on into the French Valley, where your path is a steady, uphill trail that reaches an altitude of around 900 m. If the weather is clear, the views are spectacular. After traversing rivers and forests of beech trees (or lenga trees), the skyline is dwarfed by towering granite spires and the famed Paine Grande – the highest mountain peak in the park, sitting at 3050 m above sea level. The return trek (along the breathtaking Lake Nordenskjold) will eventually lead you to your accommodation and dinner spot for the night – Refugio Domos Frances.

Included Activities:

French Valley guided trek
Frances overnight stay Refugio or camping (fully equipped)

Accommodation:

Domos Frances (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Torres del Paine National Park Lake Nordenskjold

Pack up your gear ready for another beautiful day. Today’s trek passes through beech tree woodlands and continues along the northern shore of Lake Nordenskjold, with its amazing dark-blue hues. On your left, the incredibly tall granite spires of Los Cuernos del Paine (The Horns of Blue) impose on your track. The Horns are one of the distinctive features of the park and part of the overall Paine massif – which sits within the heart of the southern Andes. Along today’s trail, look out for grazing guanacos, swooping eagles, Magellanic ducks and the diverse flora of the area. On the lake, you may even see black-necked swans and pink flamingos! Today’s hike will come with a fair few rolling hills and potentially steep climbs, but after every incline, you’ll be met with stunning scenery that reminds you why you’re there. Tonight, you’ll arrive at Refugio Torre Central where you’ll enjoy a group dinner and a restful night’s sleep under the stars.

Included Activities:

Central Valley guided trek
Central overnight stay Refugio or camping (fully equipped)

Accommodation:

Torre Central (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park Base Las Torres

Arise nice and early, ready for your last full day of trekking this spectacular trail. Once you turn the final bend of today’s hike, you’ll witness the spectacle of the giant towers of Torres del Paine (Towers of Blue) – the gem of the park. This trail follows the W Circuit backwards, meaning you’ll finish your trip off with the highlight of this incredible view. Take a moment to appreciate the massive vertical structures with the reflective milky-blue lake at the base. You’ll have about half an hour to relax and take photos, have some lunch and enjoy the view. This scene is at a high altitude, meaning it will be windy and cold. When the time is right (when everyone’s noses start to turn pink) turn around and head back the way you came. You’ll have the option of stopping off at Refugio Chileno to stretch and refuel. Once past Refugio Chileno, head back to the French Valley and then downhill towards the buildings of Hotel las Torres. Eventually, you’ll reach the ECO Camp, where you’ll meet your private transfer back to Puerto Natales.

Included Activities:

Base Las Torres guided hike

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Puerto Natales

This morning after breakfast, your trip will come to an end. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,825

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 6 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Demanding

Immerse yourself in the Patagonian wilderness, on this six-day hiking trip in the Torres del Pain National Park of Chile.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 03 Jan 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

John

Traveled, November 2023

11/29/2023

Our guide Javiar was superb. Took great care of us. Food was also very good. The itinerary was well planned and went off without a hitch. I highly recommend Intrepid Tours.

5.0

Antonio

Traveled, October 2023

10/29/2023

It was amazing! Pack some things for travel diarrhea xD

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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