Overview
The W Trek – Torres del Paine’s most famous hike, has made its name for a good reason – it’s unforgettable! Now there is a W Trek that offers the classic highlights – French Valley, Las Torres, & Grey Glacier – with exclusive nightly accommodations in our Riverside Glamping. This W Trek includes the main attractions of Torres del Paine while exploring some of the national park’s unique, lesser-known trails and activities. During this 5 day guided W Trek you’ll hike from an authentic Patagonia estancia where views of the Paine Massif and Andean condors soaring high above accompany you to the Lago Toro Lookout which offers a breathtaking 360° view of the Paine River, Southern Patagonia Icefield, & endless mountain peaks. Trek into the hidden Pingo Valley where the park’s most elusive animal, the huemul, is often sighted and take a boat navigation across Grey Lake up-close to the incredible Grey Glacier. Spend a full-day tracking the pumas of Torres del Paine before visiting the enchanting wetlands of Laguna Azul. Each night you’ll rest and relax in the comfort of a private lotus belle tent along the shores of the Serrano River far away from the crowds and refugios. With spectacular views of the Paine Massif, this ideal camp is just another highlight of this once-in-a-lifetime W Trek experience!
Trip Highlights
• Visit an Authentic Patagonia Estancia
• See Los Cuernos & the Paine Massif
• Hike to Lago Toro Lookout with 360° Views of Torres del Paine
• Trek the Immense French Valley
• Explore the Pingo Valley & Navigate up-close to the Grey Glacier
• Enjoy a Full Day of Puma Tracking
• Visit the Wetlands of Laguna Azul
• Hike to the Base of the Iconic Three Towers
• Escape the Crowds & Travel Along Unseen Landscapes
• Glamp each night in our exclusive Riverside Camp!
DOWNLOAD YOUR MAPS:
• TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK MAP
• MAGALLANES & ANTARCTIC REGION
• PUERTO NATALES
DOWNLOAD YOUR PACK LIST:
• W TREK PACK LIST (ENGLISH)
• W TREK LISTA DE COSAS RECOMENDADOS
Itinerary
Day 1
Transfer from Natales – Hike Estancia Lazo to Weber Bridge
- 2 Hour Private Transfer
- 5 Hour Hike/13 KM
- 30 Minute Private Transfer
- Night at Chile Nativo Riverside Camp, Single/Double Deluxe Tent (BL-D)
Our journey begins from Puerto Natales as we travel 2 hours to Estancia Lazo, a 13,000 hectare cattle ranch founded over a century ago and still operating today beneath striking views of the Paine Massif on the shores of Laguna Verde. From here we’ll hike into Torres del Paine National Park along a generally flat trail through peaceful stretches of native beech and coihue forests teeming with wildlife. As you walk, watch for condors and caranchos circling the skies; guanacos grazing on the hills; and woodpeckers, owls, and lesser-known species such as the cachaña (Austral parakeet), peeking out from the leafy trees. We’ll reach Honda Lagoon and continue on to the Toro Lake lookout (559 m), where 360 degree views of mountains, rivers, lakes and glaciers await. Take a moment to identify the Grey, Serrano and Paine Rivers, Serrano Valley, Mount Balmaceda and the Geike and Tyndall Glaciers. After our short descent to the Weber Bridge, our private transfer awaits to take us to our campsite located on the shores of the Serrano River where we are greeted with a freshly prepared welcome dinner and stunning views of the Paine Massif.
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Day 2
Round Trip Hike of the Pingo Valley – Glacier Grey Boat Navigation
- 30 Minute Private Transfer
- 3 Hour Hike/10 KM
- 3 Hour Round-Trip Boat Navigation
- 30 Minute Private Transfer
- Night at Chile Nativo Riverside Camp, Single/Double Deluxe Tent (B-BL-D)
Following a plentiful and freshly made breakfast, our private transfer takes us along a 30 minute drive to the trailhead of our day’s trek of the Pingo Valley. This 3-hour hike in the valley takes us to a breathtaking viewpoint at “Cascada los Salmones”, a waterfall where salmon are sometimes seen. Be alert as we return – you may see the elusive huemul (Andean deer) hiding nearby! After a picnic lunch on the shores of the Pingo River we’ll make our way through a woodpecker-inhabited beech forest to our boat’s departure point. The 3 hour-long boat trip takes us around blue-hued icebergs to the immense face of the Grey Glacier, where we’ll stay for a while to admire its textures, lines and colors. If we’re lucky, we’ll witness a glacial calving, where chunks of ice break off and plummet spectacularly into the freezing waters. On your return journey you’ll see the wind-sculpted “ice mushrooms” atop the massive peaks of Paine Grande. Later, we’ll drive to the Serrano River area where a gourmet meal and good night’s rest await us at our riverside camp.
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Day 3
Round Trip Hike of the French Valley
- 30 minute private transfer
- 35 minute catamaran each way
- 7-8 hours hiking/17 KM
- 30 minute private transfer
- Night at Chile Nativo Riverside Camp, Single/Double Deluxe Tent (B-BL-D)
After a energy-packed breakfast admiring the sunrise on the Paine Massif from our dining lodge, a private transfer will take us to Lake Pehoe where we will take a short 35 minute catamaran to Refugio Paine Grande. Here we begin our hike to the the entrance to the French Valley – a huge glacial moraine where we follow undulating trails over boulders to catch the first sight of incredible hanging glaciers atop the valley.
From this point, we ascend for an hour through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at the French Valley viewpoint (the “Plateau”).
We are rewarded with a heart-stirring bird’s eye view of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. To one side, the French Glacier and Paine Grande (3050 m); while to the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara and the main and north “horns” of Los Cuernos arch upwards. In the upper section of the Valley, Cerro Catedral and Cerro Fortaleza loom like turrets above the landscape.
We’ll take our time to enjoy lunch at the viewpoint, surrounded by these imposing peaks and open skies. Our return hike is along the same track back to Refugio Paine Grande & Lake Pehoe where we will take the short catamaran ride back across the lake where our private transfer awaits to take us back to our Riverside Camp.
A deliciously prepared dinner welcomes us at the dining lodge before turning in for the evening in your private double deluxe dome on the shores of the Serrano River.
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Day 4
Full Day Puma Tracking & Picnic Lunch at Laguna Azul
- 8-10 Hour Guided Tracking
- 6-8 KM total hiking
- Night at Chile Nativo Riverside Camp, Single/Double Deluxe Tent (B-BL-D)
Early in the morning after a hearty breakfast, we head out to meet up with a local puma tracking guide. Our destination today will depend on where the pumas were last spotted, but generally they are found near a nature trail along the border of Lago Sarmiento & Juncos Lagoon.
Once spotted, we will take advantage to capture photos – but not for too long! – in order to respect the puma and to not alter too much their daily life and routine. We’ll continue to track these spectacular felines while hiking in particular sectors of the park, making our way in vehicle to Laguna Azul, taking some pictures along on our way.
Once we arrive to Laguna Azul, we will enjoy this special place walking along the wetlands and beach where we will see a number of different water fowl and bird species who inhabit this area.
We will be treated by exceptional views of the iconic towers in the distant, the changing Patagonia sky and surrounding mountain peaks that make this area picturesque.
After an exceptional picnic lunch and our final photos, we make our way back to the Serrano sector to our camp. Dinner in the dining lodge is served before another night’s rest in out lotus belle tents.
Day 5
Transfer to Las Torres – Round Trip Hike to the Base of the Towers Lookout
- 2 Hour Private Transfer
- 8-10 hour hike/ 22 KM
- 2 Hour Private Transfer (B-BL)
Today, we begin early with a energy-boosting breakfast to prepare us for our final trek – the base of the iconic Towers. Along with our guide, we take a 2 hour transfer to the Las Torres Sector of the park where our trek begins with an ascent, following the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley.
After about an hour, we’ll stop to observe how the valley’s beauty unfolds with rich beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls.
Past this lookout point, we continue uphill and through lush beech forests before ascending a gigantic terminal moraine (the ridge formed at a glacier’s end point) where we’ll be rewarded by the arresting sight of the three Towers themselves.
At this lookout point 900 m above sea level, we’ll rest, take photos and have lunch. Our descent is along the same path, taking us back where our private transfer awaits to take us to Puerto Natales.
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INCLUDED
- All Private Transportation Indicated in Schedule
- Entrance Fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Four Nights Lodging in Chile Nativo Riverside Camp (Comfortable Double Deluxe Tents with Fresh Bedding, Linens, & Towels)
- Round-Trip Catamaran on Pehoe Lake
- Round-Trip Boat Navigation on Grey Lake
- All Meals Indicated in Schedule (B: Breakfast, BL: Box Lunch, D: Dinner)
- Local, Professional Puma Guide
- Guide & Chauffeur (English-Spanish languages)
NOT INCLUDED
- Any Additional Nights
- Medical Expenses
- Insurance of Any Kind
- Personal Expenses
- Gratuities for Guide/s & Chauffeur
Lodgings
Riverside Camp
Glamping at its finest! Perfect for families or groups, Chile Nativo’s Riverside Camp is a fully-equipped site located on the shores of the Serrano River away from the crowded refugios and campsites. Equipped with men’s & women’s restrooms, hot showers, and electrical outlets for charging and operating electronic devices. Delicious meals are shared in a dedicated dining lodge with views of the Paine Massif. A spacious lounge offers the perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying with great company!
Dates & Prices
Program prices are determined on the final number of confirmed guests in a group. The per person price lowers as more guests join the group. Chile Nativo operates with a maximum of 8 guests per departure which allows for a high level of individualized service and an unforgettable personalized experience.
PRICES FOR SEASON 2022/2023: (valid until April 2023)
2 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 2.895 per person
3 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 2.295 per person
4-8 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 2.095 per person
DEPARTURES AVAILABLE BY REQUEST!
FAQ's
Q: Where do I keep my luggage that I won´t need during my trek while I am hiking in the park?
A: The majority of the hotels and hostels will store luggage for their guests who are staying with them prior to and after their travels in the park. If not, we will happily store your luggage securely in our office until you arrive back from your trek and will deliver this to your hotel where you will be staying in Puerto Natales. We ask that you come to our Office between the hours of 09:00 – 13:00 or 15:00 – 19:00 to drop these off if you are not able to make it to the briefing the day prior to your trip.
Q: Should I tip my guide? If so – how much is appropriate?
A: Tipping can be a delicate subject and many different nationalities have different tipping cultures. Tips or ´propinas´ in Chile, are viewed as a reward for good service. When tipping your guide/s, they should be in Chilean pesos. If you do leave tips in US dollars – make sure the bills are unmarked and undamaged. A good guide who does the job well, has good English and provides a great service, can expect CLP 10,000 to 15,000 a day in total per day from the group. For a good assistant guide, each should get about half that of the guide per day, CLP 5,000 to 8,000 per day. It is usual to leave your driver or chauffeur a tip too. Normally around CLP 2,000 to CLP 3,000 per person. These amounts are merely a source to help you or give you a general idea of what is normal or typical. Of course, tipping is always at the discretion of the group members as to what they deem appropriate for the service they received.
Q: What time will we finish our trek on the last day and arrive back to Puerto Natales?
A: Upon completing the Grey III boat navigation on the last day of your trek, your private transportation will bring you all back to Puerto Natales arriving around 18:30hrs, in time to take the bus to Punta Arenas for a departing flight or onward travels.
