Embark on the visually stunning “W” Trek, a journey that encapsulates the best of Torres del Paine. From the majestic Gray Glacier to the awe-inspiring French Valley and the iconic Torres Base, this trek offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Accompanied by our highly experienced and knowledgeable guides, you’ll traverse one of the world’s most renowned treks. After a day of adventure, unwind in cosy lodges or at the revolutionary EcoCamp Patagonia, a renowned alternative hotel that blends an ecological way of life with delectable food, yoga, and great company.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – PUNTA ARENAS / TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
In the morning, you’ll be picked up from the airport or your hotel in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. The journey is scenic and highly atmospheric, featuring many wild birds and incredible Patagonian landscapes. The land trip ends with our arrival at EcoCamp Patagonia, nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and with a prime view of the majestic Towers. We will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the surroundings and admiring the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.
DAY 2 – HIKE TO FRENCH VALLEY & OVERNIGHT AT PAINE GRANDE HUT
After breakfast, we will transfer to Pudeto dock, where we will board a catamaran for 30-minute ride across to Pehoe Lake, arriving at Refugio Paine Grande. From here, we’ll begin the trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a trail leading to the heart of the Paine Massif. A brisk walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, nestled at the foot of the southeastern face of the Massif. Here, we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the valley, a sight that will surely leave you in awe. As we continue our journey towards the upper section of the valley, you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the vast mass of the valley’s geological formations. After our upward trek, we’ll pause for a delightful picnic, surrounded by the stunning views. This day’s trek will conclude as we descend through a picturesque terrain of mixed grassland and light forest, guiding us to the tranquil shores of Lake Pehoe and our accommodation at Refugio Paine Grande.
Hiking time: 8-9 hrs. round trip Meals: Breakfast, Packed-Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande
DAY 3 – GREY GLACIER TREK & BOAT RIDE
On this day, we will hike from Refugio Paine Grande to the northern side of the glacially beautiful Lake Grey. We will enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails right to the huge, crystalline facade of Glacier Grey, where we will have plenty of time to marvel at the calving glacier. From the southern end of Lake Grey, our reliable private transport will be waiting to pick us up and take us to EcoCamp, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
*Please note that boat trips may be subject to cancellation if the minimum number of 10 passengers has not been met. In such a scenario, we have a backup plan. We will trek up to the sightseeing point, offering panoramic views of the glacier. After this, we will return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to the dock. From there, we will be picked up and driven to EcoCamp, ensuring our journey continues smoothly.
The goal of our fourth day will be to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine National Park! It’s a challenge but worth it! We’ll walk from the campsite towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests, and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge is the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which leads us to that iconic base view of the Towers, three gigantic granite monoliths that are the remains of a great cirque sheared away by glacial ice. After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting next to this beautiful view, we’ll backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp for a well-deserved dinner and a glass of Chilean wine.
After breakfast we will board our vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales in time to catch the evening flight or enjoy one more hotel night. Alternatively, transportation to El Calafate can be arranged too.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Not Included
ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
While it is our intention to adhere to the route itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary. On occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary can be modified due to weather conditions or other unpredictable factors in the mountain regions.
Dates & Prices
his adventure takes place every day from November 1st to March 30th, in private adventure.
Prices are per person, guiven in USD Dollars.
Book to see dates on "Book"
Gear Tips
As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. Bring only the equipment that is necessary.
The key to staying comfortable during this trip is dress layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation, and weather protection.
Each item on the list below is required, regardless of the weather forecast, to ensure your safety and well-being, as weather and conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
Provided by WhiteFox Adventures
All group camping equipment, cooking gear and stoves.
All technical equipment that you need for this activity (ropes, crampons, ice axes, helmet, safety systems, etc.).
On the first day, our regular (shared) transport will pick you up from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and take you to Torres del Paine National Park. The drive is approximately three hours. On day two, there is a short transfer to Pudeto Dock, to take the catamaran on the Pehoe Lake. The next day, our private transport will be waiting at the southern end of Lake Grey to pick us up and take us to EcoCamp. On the last day, we return for a 3-hour regular vehicle transfer to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas hotel or airport in time for connecting flights to your next destination. For days one and five, private transfers are at an extra cost.
Our Guides
We’re proud of the fact that our guide’s team is among the most talented and experienced in the country. They can lead a group on the highest mountain as few can.WhiteFox Adventures’ success was due in massive part to having an exceptional guides team.They have become our friends, and WhiteFox Adventures has become a vehicle for all of us.We believe that if we don’t enjoy the people we work with, our clients won’t either.Teamwork works; together, we develop our climbing itineraries to be safer and more flexible.Every WhiteFox Adventures guide is experienced and familiar with our ethics, standards, and operations, from the technical skills of our guides to our risk management.Apart from the mountain guide, we provide an assistant guide for every six passengers to provide individual attention for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Lodgings
You will spend three nights in double occupancy at EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. The program includes a standard category, but you can request an upgrade to a superior or suite category at extra cost.And one more night on day two, in tens at Campsite in Paine Grande. All the camping gear will be provided for our company (tents, sleeping mattress, sleeping bag). The campsite provides satisfactory bathroom facilities. Meals will be served inside the refugio. An optional upgrade to the shared dormitories inside Refugio Paine Grande can be requested.
Meals
During the trek, we will provide all meals mentioned in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Packed-Lunch if you are moving, and Dinner).If you need a special diet, please let us know. We will be pleased to prepare a special menu for you. This service has an extra cost.
Much more services
Entrance tickets to Torres del Paine National Park. Navigations to Gray and Pehoé lakes.Transportation for luggage within the park: you will only carry your day backpack during trekking.
What’s not included
The following items are not included in this program:
– Personal gear – Single accommodations. – All fees incurred for an early departure from the scheduled itinerary (whether private or medical). – Charges were incurred because of delays beyond WhiteFox Adventures’ control. – All the services that are not specified in this program. – Voluntary tipping to guides and staff. – Trip cancellation insurance.
Let’s start planning your Patagonian dream!
We will be happy to answer all the inquiries that you may have without any commitment from your part. We are simply here to discuss different possibilities, ideas or dreams related to Patagonia.
