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Patagonia W Trek Tour & Trips Packages
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About Patagonia W Trek
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Want to challenge yourself? Pack your bags, tie your shoes, and head for one of the most rewarding treks in the world — Patagonia W Trek.
Located right in the heart of Southern Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, W Trek Patagonia boasts some of the best scenic trails in South America. The trek gets its name from the W-shaped route that takes you through three famous attractions in the park:
Base of the Towers - You will trace the eastern arm of the Patagonia W Circuit in Ascencio Valley to reach Mirador Base de las Torres (Base of the Towers). At the end of the trail, you’ll discover the iconic Torres del Paine (Towers of Blue). These towering granite peaks stand proudly beside a quaint turquoise lake, creating an otherworldly view. It is this iconic view that the park derives its name from.
French Valley - This is one of the most picturesque parts of the park. You will hike through mountains, lakes, forests, and waterfalls to witness the breathtaking views of hanging French Glaciers cracking and crumbling against Paine Grande.
Grey Glacier - Hike alongside the Lago Grey — a serene lake reflecting the mountains, takes you to the view of Grey Glacier. The stunning ice field on the western side of the park splits into three by two fiery rocks and melts into the lake. You’ll even discover a few small pools of blue water melted from the glacier.
Patagonia W Trek Trip Itineraries
More on the Patagonia W Trek Tour
Distance Covered: 80 kilometers (50 miles) Trekking Duration: 4 - 5 days Highest Elevation: 2950 feet (900 meters) at Mirador Las Torres Difficulty Level: Moderate Accommodation Options: Camping, Refugios, Glamping, Luxury Lodges
Patagonia W Circuit Location
Patagonia is located at the southern end of South America, governed by both Argentina and Chile. This beautiful region shares its border with the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The nearest city is Puerto Natales which is about 112 kilometers away from the park.
Patagonia W Circuit Weather
The climate around the Patagonia W Trek can keep you on your toes. The weather here is highly variable and can change quickly without a warning. In summer (October to April), the weather is warmer. And you can expect daytime temperatures ranging from 5°C to 20°C. This is the time when the trekking season is at its peak. Although this is the best time of the year to trek thanks to the pleasant weather, you can expect sudden rains and occasional snowfall.
The trek is also known for strong winds, with the windiest months being from November to January.
Winters (May to September) are a bit challenging yet rewarding for W Circuit Patagonia tours. Due to lower temperatures (-3°C to 5°C) and shorter daylight hours, many of the trails are closed. You can even expect more frequent rains and snowfall during this season.
Best Months to Hike Patagonia W Trek
The best months to hike in Patagonia are from November to March. This is the time when Patagonia boasts some cool summers. Even the rains and snowfall are less frequent during these months.
However, if you want to enjoy the trek with a smaller crowd and lower prices, you can go during the shoulder season of April–May or the off-season from June to September. But, remember, at this time, you will need a licensed guide to visit the park.
No matter which part of the year you are planning your Patagonia W Trek tour, always check the latest weather updates before heading out for your journey.
Overview of the Torres del Paine National Park
Strategically nestled between the Magellanic subpolar forests and the Patagonian Steppes, Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most stunning and popular destinations in South America. This iconic park is part of Chile’s National System of Protected Areas. And it got its name from its most famous attraction—the three soaring granite peaks of the Paine Massif.
The park’s beauty is not just limited to its peaks. It even boasts a diverse landscape. From mountains and glaciers to lakes and forests, waterfalls and rivers to rugged paths and rich wildlife.
Why is it one of the most iconic trekking routes in the world?
Torres del Paine National Park is home to some of the most picturesque trails at the southernmost end of the world. And the W Circuit Patagonia tours bring you closer to this breathtaking scenery. What you’ll gain on these tours is more than lasting memories. You will walk away with transformative experiences among the breathtaking granite walls, glaciers, and local flora and fauna.
Want to know more? Here are a few highlights along the route that make it an attractive trekking destination:
Towering Peaks: The trek offers close-up views of the park’s most iconic landmarks, the three granite peaks (Torres del Paine), rising dramatically from the surrounding landscape.
Shimmering Glaciers: You'll come across the stunning Grey Glacier, a massive ice formation that flows into Grey Lake.
Serene Lakes and Rivers: The trek takes you through stunningly blue lakes, like Lake Pehoé, and rushing rivers.
Diverse Landscapes: From lush forests and arid steppes to alpine meadows and rugged mountains, the trek gives a closer look into the park's varied environments.
A Strong Presence of Wildlife: While trekking through the park, you may come across guanacos, foxes, and a variety of bird species, including the Andean condor.
Best Routes for Patagonia W Trek
There is just one route to hike the Patagonia W Trek that begins in the park at Refugio Torres and ends at Refugio Paine Grande if you take the trek from east to west. You can even trek in the opposite direction, from west to east.
Here, we outline the west-to-east W trek route that ends at the majestic granite peaks.
1. Lago Grey to Refugio Grey
The trek often begins at the entrance of the park. From there, take a 3 to 4-hour hike along the Lago Grey — a beautiful lake at the base of Grey Glacier, to reach Refugio Grey. You can even take a ferry across the lake. Camp at night at the Refugio.
Highlights: Enjoy the spectacular sight of the Grey Glacier. This area offers some of the park's most dramatic scenes, with panoramic views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.
2. Glacier Grey to Paine Grande
Distance: About 11 km
Walk along the Grey Glacier and enjoy its stunning views before heading to your campsite at Paine Grande. You can even spot some wildlife along the way.
Highlights: Lago Pehoé, another serene lake offering breathtaking views.
Optional: Hike to Paso for an extra thrill.
3. French Valley to Los Cuernos
Distance: Roughly 18 km
From your camp, head to Campamento Italiano. The journey takes around 2 hours. And then take a short trail to Mirador Valle del Frances (French Valley). This is the middle leg of the Patagonia W Trek. The scenic valley is encircled by steep cliffs and has a raw, natural beauty with the iconic hanging French glaciers.
Then, hike through a forested valley to reach Los Cuernos, known for its distinctive horn-shaped peaks and beautiful views overlooking Lake Nordenskjold.
Highlights: Mirador Frances viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the glaciers and surrounding cliffs.
Optional: Hike to Mirador Británico (about 6 km from Campamento Italiano). This viewpoint offers some of the best panoramic views of the park.
4. Los Cuernos to Chileno
Distance: Around 20 km
This part of the W Trek route takes you along the northern shore of Lake Nordenskjold and through beautiful Patagonian landscapes. As you climb to scenic Ascensio Valley, get ready to witness rich flora and fauna. Camp at Refugio Chileno.
Highlights: The route offers stunning views back towards the French Valley and forward to the upcoming ascent towards the base of the Torres.
5. Chileno to Las Torres Base
Distance: About 4.4 km to the base viewpoint
This is the final leg of the Patagonia W Trek. Hike for about an hour to reach the camp at Torres. Relax for a bit and head for a 45-minute journey to witness the most iconic sight in Torres del Paine – the view of Las Torres. The sight of the sun rising over the sharp granite towers beside a glacial lake is a reward worth every step of the trek.
After the light show at the Base of the Towers, head to Hotel Las Torres to call an end to this unforgettable trekking tour.
Patagonia W Trek Route Tour Package Price
The cost of W Trek Patagonia tour packages depends on many factors:
Trek Duration
Your Group Size
Time of the year (climbs are expensive during peak season in November-March)
Service level and facilities, like accommodation type
Usually, the cost of Patagonia W Trek tours varies between $2400 to $4800 per person. You may be able to do this trek even cheaper if you were to do it self-guided.
Alternatively, you could have the most luxurious experience of staying in a private lodge as you cover the highlights of the trek, which will cost you close to $10,000 for 5 days.
Most of these prices are all inclusive, but they do not cover international flights, travel insurance, and visas.
AdventureTripr offers a number of the best Patagonia W Trek tours at affordable rates and also has premium as well as luxury offerings bookable via their platform - AdventureTripr.com.
How Long Does It Take to Hike Patagonia W Trek?
The duration of Patagonia W Trek Tours can vary depending on the attractions you want to cover and whether you opt for a self-guided or guided tour. A self-guided tour usually takes around 5 days to complete the trek.
Remember that getting to Torres del Paine National Park can involve complex logistics if you are unable to get a direct flight to Puerto Natales, the town closest to the entrance of the park.
To avoid the stress, you can opt for the W Trek Patagonia guided tours offered by AdventureTripr, which can extend from 7 to 9 days.
The guided tour packages include transfers from Punta Arenas and/or Puerto Natales, making it convenient for you to explore what the park has to offer without worrying too much about how to get there.
You can even book trips on AdventureTripr.com that are suitable for families and beginner hikers, where you’ll get more opportunities to leisurely explore the stunning landscapes and landmarks in the park while covering some of the highlights of the W Trek that are reachable by boat or easy hikes.
How to Reach the Starting Point of the Patagonia W Trek?
To start your Patagonia W Trek tour, you should begin from Puerto Natales, the closest town to Torres del Paine National Park.
1. Travel to Puerto Natales
By Air: Fly to Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport at Puerto Natales. Remember, sometimes no direct flights are available, especially in the off-season.
Alternatively, you can take a flight to Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport in Punta Arenas. From here, you can take a bus or rent a car for the roughly three-hour drive to Puerto Natales.
If you are starting your journey from Santiago in Chile, take a direct flight to Punta Arenas.
Alternatively, if you are starting your journey from Buenos Aires in Argentina, you’ll first have to reach El Calafate and then take a bus or car to get to the Chilean side of Patagonia.
By Bus: You can also take a bus to Puerto Natales from Santiago (long-distance), and even from El Calafate in Argentina.
By Car: You hire a private car from Santiago as well as from El Calafate to reach Puerto Natales.
We advise you to spend at least one night in Puerto Natales. Here you can pick up any last-minute supplies, attend a trekking briefing, and prepare for an early morning start at the park.
2. Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park
Regular buses or rental cars will take you from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. These typically leave early in the morning to match the hiking schedule. Most of the tours on AdventureTripr.com are all-inclusive and will cover this transfer.
Fitness Level Recommended for the Patagonia W Trek
The Patagonia W Trek is moderately challenging. So, it demands a reasonable level of fitness.
Strength – The W Trek tour takes you through long distances while carrying backpacks, including food and gear. So, it’s best to have sufficient strength and stamina to carry on.
Cardiovascular Fitness – Every day you will have to cover about 6 to 8 hours of distance, including climbing steep terrain.
Endurance – For any multi-day trekking tour, you should have a good endurance limit. As the weather around W trek is quite unpredictable, you may encounter rain, snowfall, strong winds, or slippery roads. To successfully complete your trek without any setbacks, you should be able to endure through different challenges.
To ensure you conquer every challenge without worry and smoothly complete your trek, we recommend you go through some strength training and hiking practice a few weeks prior to the journey.
Don’t have the right resources for your training?
Don’t worry. AdventureTripr offers the right fitness training program to help you prepare for the upcoming trek. We are a team of experienced hikers who know everything from A to Z about hikes and challenging treks. So we will provide you with the perfect training you need for a seamless journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Does Patagonia W Trek booking with AdventureTripr include any other activities? Answer 1: Yes, with AdventureTripr, you can easily add extra activity to your itinerary. These include kayaking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
Question 2: Can I go for Patagonia W Trek alone? Answer 2: Yes. You can go for a self-guided tour if you have a good hiking experience. It will take around 4 - 5 days to complete the trek through the well-marked trails. We can even arrange self-guided W trek Patagonia tours for you which include accommodation and logistics. However, for a more fulfilling experience, we suggest you take a licensed guide who knows the route from inside and out.
