INFORMACION GENERAL
As temperatures drop and mountains and valleys sleep, trekkers in-the-know take to Torres del Paine’s trails. The W Trek in Winter connects Glaciar Grey, the French Valley y Towers lookout on five days of superb hiking fuelled by crisp air and still landscapes – minus the jostling crowds and cramped Refugios.
Aspectos destacados del viaje
• Have Torres del Paine almost to yourself!
• Trek to Grey Glacier, French Valley and Towers lookout
• Five days of beautiful winter hiking
• Peaceful, almost empty trails and Refugios
• Crisp, clean landscapes
• Stay in mountain refugios & a cozy cabin
Condiciones climáticas:
La Patagonia chilena es famosa por su clima impredecible y la posibilidad de experimentar las cuatro estaciones en un solo día. Por lo tanto, es importante estar preparado para cualquier cosa. El clima invernal es seco y frío, con temperaturas que oscilan entre -10º C y 10º C. Las condiciones climáticas son más estables entre mayo y octubre. Dado que los senderos pueden estar cubiertos de nieve y/o hielo, se recomienda encarecidamente que los excursionistas traigan el equipo adecuado para estas condiciones.
Por favor, recuerda: Este programa requiere cierta capacidad física para completarse con éxito. Ten en cuenta que cada miembro de un grupo guiado tendrá un ritmo diferente, pero los miembros del grupo deben seguir el ritmo indicado por el guía según la distancia y las horas de luz disponibles. Cada actividad diaria tendrá una cantidad mínima de kilómetros que se deben recorrer. Los tiempos de actividad son estimados y pueden ser más o menos dependiendo de las condiciones del sendero y del clima, así como del ritmo general del grupo. Alentamos a nuestros huéspedes a recordar que viajar en grupo guiado permite una experiencia única, creando vínculos con otros viajeros e interactuando con el guía y el destino que están visitando.
DESCARGA TUS MAPAS:
• TORRES DEL PAINE
• MAGALLANES AND ANTÁRTICA CHILENA REGION (ENGLISH)
• REGIÓN DE MAGALLANES Y ANTÁRTICA CHILENA (ESPAÑOL)
DESCARGA TU LISTA DE COSAS RECOMENDADOS:
WINTER W TREK PACK LIST
Itinerario
Día 1
Round-Trip Hike to the Base of the Towers Lookout — Transfer to Hotel Lago Grey
- 2 Hour Chile Nativo Transfer
- 8-10 hour hike, 22 km / 13 mi
- 1.5 Hour Chile Nativo Transfer (BL-D)
Early morning your private transfer will pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Natales and will take you to Las Torres area to begin our hike to the three Towers base.
The trail takes us through beech forests and past views of glaciers and waterfalls until we reach a gigantic terminal moraine (the ridge formed at a glacier’s end point).
We’ll ascend this boulder-strewn moraine and be rewarded by the arresting sight of the three Towers themselves. At this lookout point 900 meters above sea level, we’ll rest, take photos and have lunch.
Our descent is along the same path, then on to Estancia Las Torres where we’ll board the transfer to our accommodation: Hotel Lago Grey
*Chile Nativo Transfers allow us to continue our commitment to sustainability by minimizing our carbon footprint whenever possible. For this reason, there could be instances when a transfer in or out of the park is shared among other Chile Nativo clients who have the same start or finish date for their program. We will try our best to communicate these instances when a shared transfer will be shared with other Chile Nativo clients.
Día 2
Hike Las Carretas Trail to Paine Grande
- 2 Hour Chile Nativo Transfer
- 6 Hour Hike, 16 km / 10 mi
- Night at Refugio Paine Grande (BL-D)
Your private transfer will pick you up at Hotel Lago Grey early in the morning and drive you to Torres del Paine National Park’s administration area, where our first hike will begin.
This is a 6-hour hike along Las Carretas trail to the shores of Pehoe Lake, tucked at the base of the Paine Massif.
The Grey River will accompany us along the way and we’ll have a picnic lunch before arriving at our Refugio for the night, Paine Grande.
Once there, you’ll settle into your dorm before meeting again for dinner.
* On this day there is a chance to have the Grey III navigation towards Refugio Grey (departure depends on reaching the minimum number of required guests which will be confirmed by the local provider 2 days prior to the beginning of the trip). If navigation is confirmed, we will get onboard so this way we’ll have the opportunity to explore the Grey area in depth, and then continue our program as described. This upgrade has no extra costs for Chile Nativo travelers.
** Chile Nativo Transfers allow us to continue our commitment to sustainability by minimizing our carbon footprint whenever possible. For this reason, there could be instances when a transfer in or out of the park is shared among other Chile Nativo clients who have the same start or finish date for their program. We will try our best to communicate these instances when a shared transfer will be shared with other Chile Nativo clients.
Día 3
Round-Trip Hike to Grey Glacier
- 8 Hour Hike, 22 km / 13 mi
- Night at Refugio Paine Grande(B-BL-D)
Today our destination is Grey Glacier: a stirringly beautiful ice giant ending abruptly in the glacial lake of the same name. We’ll set out early, ascending 200 meters through the winding path that takes us to Laguna Negra.
Here, we’ll see sections of the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a geological phenomenon that still guards many unexplored sections.
You’ll continue on to Grey Glacier’s lookout point, passing forests and rivers, with possible sightings of the spectacled and flying steamer ducks that call them home.
Almorzaremos en el mirador con el gigantesco glaciar Grey a nuestros pies, y tal vez tengamos la suerte de ver el hielo partiéndose de sus enormes paredes hacia las heladas aguas.
We return along the same path, accompanied by views of Paine Grande and the muscled granite walls of Cordon Olguín, to our Refugio where we’ll spend a second night.
Día 4
Round-Trip Hike to the French Valley
- 7-8 Hour Hike, 18 km / 11 mi
- Night at Refugio Paine Grande (B-BL-D)
Today’s hike is a challenging trek to heart of the Paine massif. Our destination, the French Valley, is a spectacular natural basin surrounded by peaks and hanging glaciers.
After breakfast we’ll set off on a 2-hour hike through firebush and beech forests to the suspension bridge over the French River.
At the entrance to the Valley – a glacial moraine – you’ll scramble over huge boulders and catch the first sight of the hanging glacier atop the valley.
Desde este punto, ascenderá durante una hora a través de un paisaje de jardín japonés de ensueño antes de llegar al mirador del Valle Francés La Plateau.
Your reward is 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.
En la parte superior del Valle, el Cerro Catedral y el Cerro Fortaleza se ciernen como torreones sobre el paisaje.
We’ll have lunch at the viewpoint, surrounded by these imposing peaks and open skies, then return to our Refugio via the same route for our final night there.
This hike is demanding and many parts of the trail are steep. This trek is a minimum of 8 hours along challenging, rugged mountainous terrains. This trek is suitable for travelers with a strong physical stamina.
Día 5
Hike Las Carretas – Transfer to Puerto Natales
- 6 Hour Hike, 16 km / 10 mi
- 1H30 Minute Transfer
After enjoying breakfast with our last views of the Paine Grande mountain, we’ll hike back along the Las Carretas trail, allowing for plenty of opportunities for picturesque wintery photos of Torres del Paine’s landscapes.
Our transfer awaits at the trail’s end – taking us back to Puerto Natales.
INCLUIDO
- All the private transportation indicated in the schedule
- One night in Hotel Lago Grey, Superior Room (double basis)
- Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Three nights in Refugio Paine Grande (shared dormitories with bunk beds), Sleeping Bags, Heating, Shared Showers & Hot Water
- All meals indicated in the schedule (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
- Guide (English-Spanish)
NO INCLUIDO
- Any additional nights
- Medical expenses
- Seguro de cualquier tipo
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities for Guide & Porter
Alojamientos
REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE
Paine Grande es un refugio grande y moderno ubicado a orillas del lago Pehoe, que incluye conexión a Internet y bar de servicio completo. Es el punto de partida del catamarán que cruza el lago Pehoe y las caminatas hacia los valles Francés y Grey. Hay 6 camas en cada habitación (estilo litera) y tienen baños compartidos con agua caliente. No se proporcionan toallas y se recomienda a los huéspedes que traigan su propio saco de dormir.
Hotel Lago Grey
Ubicado a orillas del Lago Grey, cuenta con una ubicación ideal y un hermoso diseño. Está rodeado de bosques de Lenga, Coihue y ñirres. Desde el comedor y las áreas de descanso, quedará asombrado con las impresionantes vistas de los témpanos que flotan en la tranquila superficie del lago y el inmenso Glaciar Grey a la distancia. Cada habitación ofrece una vista única y cuenta con modernas amenidades que hacen especial su estadía en la Patagonia.
REFUGIO GREY
Idealmente situado a la orilla del Lago Grey, este refugio se encuentra en un bosque de árboles de Lenga. Pequeño y acogedor, con acceso al Glaciar Grey este refugio forma parte de las caminatas “W” y “Circuito”. Las habitaciones tienen 6 camas (estilo litera) y se proporcionan sacos de dormir. Hay baños compartidos con agua caliente y dispensadores de champú/acondicionador disponibles. No se proporcionan toallas y los huéspedes deben traer un saco de dormir.
Fechas & Precios
Chile Nativo operates with a minimum of 2 guests and maximum of 8 guests per departure, which allows for a high level of individualized service and an unforgettable personalized experience.
PRICES FOR WINTER 2024 (valid from May to August 2024)
2 Personas en Grupo USD$ 2.995 per person
3 Personas en Grupo USD$ 2.595 per person
4-8 Personas en Grupo USD$ 2.295 por persona
Please check our fixed departures from May to August. For departures in September, please consider an increase up to 10% on rates, as the high season for most of the local providers starts from September, but the rates are not released yet.
***** Winter prices for season April – August 2025 will be released in January 2025*****
For departures upon request, please ask our sales team at info@chilenativo.travel
FAQ's
P: ¿Debería darle propina a mi guía? Si es así, ¿cuánto es apropiado?
R: Tipping can be a delicate subject and many different nationalities have different tipping cultures. Tips or popinas in Chile, are viewed as a reward for good service. When tipping, a good guide and guide assistance who does the job well, has good English and provides a great service, can expect 10 – 15 USD per person per day. It is usual to leave your driver or chauffeur a tip too. Normally around 5 USD per person. Please find below a tipping guide:
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Guides USD$ 10 to USD$ 15 per person, per day; to be given to your guides directly.
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Staff (waiters, chefs,Housekeeping USD$5 per person, per night
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Drivers: USD$10 per person, per day; given directly to your drivers.
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Porters: USD$10 per person, per day; given directly to your porter
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.
COMPLEMENTOS & UPGRADES
Day 4: Upgrade to a Private Room in Hotel (based on availability) – Ask a Trip Specialist to Reserve your Accommodation!
FD Puma Tracking on the day prior or after your program. Ask a trip specialist!
Reseñas
It was a wonderful and amazing experience with a great group of people – trekkers and guides. The late winter timing meant we virtually had the trials and sites to ourselves. One thing in particular is worth mentioning. When issues arose with trekkers, e.g., inability to keep up with the main group, muscle pulls, aches and pains, etc., the guides seamlessly and very expertly handled the issues with glee and pleasure never making anything a “big” issues; they almost made it seem as another fun thing to do. Perhaps it was personality or professionalism, but they were masterful accommodating everyone without unduly impacting (in spirit or labor) the other party members.
Edward Zywicz, USA
I am very happy with the service Chile Nativo provided. First of all, the experience during the trip itself was amazing, the accommodation was more than I could ask for, the snack was delicious and our guide was not only very friendly but also extremely intelligent – he could answer all kind of questions we threw him about the park, animals, and geography! But the best part of Chile Nativo came up when a crisis hit. I got on the wrong bus the day before the tour started which prevented me from getting to the tour in time as a result. Daniella and Johana from the team were incredibly resourceful and kind to help me out of this situation. They worked after hours to help me find a private car that was willing to drive me from El Calafate to Puerto Natales in Chile. Johana even came to the office early morning to greet me and attend to me. I was beyond grateful for their professional service that really goes the extra mile in making sure I get to make to my trip and enjoy it thoroughly. Highly recommend Chille Nativo to everyone visiting Patagonia!