Hiking highlights
- Visit the inimitable Torres del Paine in winter and experience solitude
- Hike among snow capped granite spires and jagged peaks, cloaked in snow
- Spend time with Patagonian locals out of the main tourist season
- Observe exotic animals in their winter habitat
- Step outside your lodge into crisp white snow under clear skies
- Walk out onto Grey Beach to see the immense Glacier Grey
- Pick a Full Moon departure for a truly mystical experience
Day by day
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Arrive into Puerto Natales in the far south of Chile’s southern Patagonia region.
We will collect you from the airport or bus station and take you to your hotel.
There will be a welcome briefing with the guide this evening at around 18.00 hours.
Dinner is at leisure in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants, we can make suggestions and reservations on request.Night Hotel Costanera (or similar) in standard twin/double rooms
No meals included. -
After breakfast you will be transferring into Torres del Paine to start your adventure in a private transfer.
Our destination is the trailhead at Las Torres, the eastern gateway to the W trek. After packing day packs, you will embark on this challenging hike all the way to the base of the famous Towers after which the Park is named. Tackling this steep climb across mountain trails, winding rivers, deep valleys and glacial moraine will reward you with unimaginable views. Once the steep slopes have been conquered, enjoy your lunch in this dramatic setting, while watching icebergs drift slowly across glacial pools.
Truly an amazing sight, you will remember your time here as one of the highlights of your trip to southern Patagonia. After lunch in a spectacular setting, head back to the trail head to meet your waiting vehicle to take you back to west across the Park to the Hotel Grey, the only hotel in the Park with glacier views.
Distance: 11.8 mi/19km; roundtrip with 3,291 ft elevation gain. Challenging ascent at the start, final steep climb over glacial moraine. Long descent on return. Approximately 7-8 hours walking. Note, this is a there-and-back trail for the most part which can be cut short if required or in the event of bad weather.
Night Hotel Grey in standard double/twin room
Packed lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks available at extra cost). -
After packing your day packs you will be heading out on the trail across the pampas via Las Carretas to Lake Pehoe. The trail is fairly moderate for the most part as you follow the shores of the Grey River towards the imposing granite peaks of the Paine mountain range. As the trail veers north away from the river you will approach the Mirador Pehoe with dramatic views of the turquoise waters of the lake with the mountains in the horizon. Continue to the northern shores of the lake where you will be spending the night in the Refugio Paine Grande with magnificent views in every direction.
Distance: 17 km/10.5 miles, moderate elevation gain, some rocky sections and mild undulation.
Night Refugio Paine Grande in mixed dorm rooms with shared bathrooms*
Breakfast packed lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
*You will sleep in made up beds but we will also provide high quality sleeping bags to ensure your warmth and comfort -
Today we will be taking a trail northwards following the contour lines of the valley before the immense Grey Glacier comes into view. We will continue walking with the huge mass of ice to our left for the majority of the morning as we make our way along the top of the ridge with its dramatic views. Eventually the trail takes us high above the glacier with magnificent views of Grey Glacier and Grey Lake. Lunch will be taken in a suitable location before we head back on the same trail to Lake Pehoe.
Distance: 22km/13.5 miles, rocky trail with some ascents/descents and clambers over rocks
Second night Refugio Paine Grande in mixed dorm rooms with shared bathrooms
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner included. -
After breakfast we will continue along the shores of Lake Pehoe before we ascend on a trail passing Lake Skottsberg as we head through the forests towards the magnificent French Valley.
The scenery starts to change with the trails becoming wetter and boggy with the forests getting richer as we hike in front of the magnificent wall of granite that forms the Paine mountain range. We will then start to ascend as we hike into the dramatic and beautiful French Valley to the look-out point of Campamento Britanico.
Throughout the day you will witness magnificent views of this natural amphitheatre of the enclosed valley comprised of towering granite peaks with breathtaking waterscapes below, including lakes Pehoe, Skottsberg, Toro, and Nordenskjold.
The trail itself can be boggy and wet as you make your way up a dry river bed through the forests with moraine and other natural hazards along the way.
After a full day hiking and exploring your many privileged vantage points you will return on the same trail to the Refugio Paine Grande for a third night.
Distance: 15.2 km / 5 hours approx from Paine Grande to Campamento Italiano and back OR 26.2 Km / 10 hours approx from Paine Grande to Mirador Britanico and back. Note, this is a there-and-back trail for the most part which can be cut short if required or in the event of bad weather.
Third night Refugio Paine Grande in mixed dorms with shared bathrooms
Al meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost). -
After breakfast you will be hiking back via Las Carretas to meet your driver and transfer that will take you back to Puerto Natales. You will be dropped off at your hotel and will have the evening at leisure.
Distance: 17 km/10.5 miles, moderate elevation gain, some rocky sections and mild undulation.
Night Hotel Costanera (or similar) in standard double/twin rooms
Breakfast and packed lunch included.
Transfer to airport or bus station depending on your onward travel.
Breakfast only included.
Notes:
1. The closest airport is Puerto Natales and flights will be offered with Sky Airlines throughout the winter. Check the airline’s website for the schedule.
2. The Catamaran across Lake Pehoe and the Grey Boat across Grey Lake will only run with a minimum number of passengers through the winter so for that reason we have designed the hike without the use of either boat in case they are not running. In the event either boat does run, we can discuss changes to the itinerary to accommodate this and let you know in the event this results in extra costs.
3. Porters are not included so you will need to carry your gear for the hike in to Pehoe on Day 3 and the hike back on Day 6. If you prefer porters, the extra cost is US$170 per porter per day (US$510 for the trip). The maximum weight carried by the porters is 15kg.
4. We have included a good quality sleeping bag with liner and hiking poles so you do not need to bring these.
5. Accommodation in Puerto Natales is included on a bed and breakfast basis.
6. The above itinerary includes the full W hike with the exception of the part of the trail between the French Valley and Las Torres. This is due to there being no refugio available in these sectors this winter.
7. In the event you wish to extend the hike to Grey a little further to visit the hanging suspension bridges (located a couple of miles north of Grey refugio) this is possible by extending the itinerary by one day, but only if the Grey Boat is running – if you would like to include this, let us know and we will see what is feasible.
8. Single supplements can be quoted on request.
9. This trip is available on request for 2+ hikers, please ask us for details of any confirmed departures.
10. As with any time of the year in southern Patagonia, weather can play a part in our ability to follow the itinerary as published. Safety will always come first and you should prepare yourself for any itinerary changes that may be necessary according to weather conditions during your trip. The guides (who are in constant contact with our logistics team in Puerto Natales) will make the decision on itinerary changes according to their considerable experience of working in the area.