Four-day W Lodging

Highlights

• Sail up to the vertical face of a towering valley glacier
• Hike above the ice of Grey Glacier with its dramatic views
• Hike past the unbelievably blue waters of Nordenskjold lake
• Walk the classic trail to the base of the Towers
• Observe soaring condors with their awesome wing span
• Listen to the sound of ice calving off hanging mountain glaciers
• Hike up into the granite ampitheatre of the French Valley
• Enjoy a pisco sour in the bar at the Hosteria Las Torres
• Sleep in private wood cabins close to the horns of Paine
• Relax after hiking in a roof top jacuzzi at the contemporary Hotel Indigo

Day by Day

1. After an early breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and we will make an start for the drive to Grey Lake situated in the west of Torres del Paine. We will arrive at Grey Lake where we will board the Grey III launch which takes us through the iceberg-choked waters of Grey Lake and up to the disembarkation point close to Grey Glacier, our entrance point for the W hike.

   After a coffee in the nearby Grey Refugio we can explore the area and admire the dramatic views of Grey Glacier. Time and weather permitting, we can walk a little further north to the lofty suspension bridges that link the canyons high up above Grey Glacier, these bridges are normally accessed by hiking the full Circuit trail but you can visit one or two of them and admire this feat of engineering and the views of the glacier from up high. We will then hike south to continue the W trail as it skirts Grey Lake before heading through the pretty forested trail towards the seemingly impossibly blue waters of Lake Pehoe. Throughout the morning you will enjoy dramatic views of the immense Grey Glacier and the Paine Massif on this moderate trail, a chance to find your walking legs prior to the more challenging trails. On arrival at the lake we will settle in for the night. Dinner will be eaten in nearby refugio.

   Night Refugio Paine Grande with meals in refugio (sleeping bags with liners included).
   Meal basis: Packed lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks available at extra cost).

   Hiking details: 7 miles/11 km; with around 1,000 elevation gain as you hike out of the Valley. Approximately 3-4 hours hiking depending on pace and photo stops, fairly moderate trail with great views and birdlife. Some rocky sections and rough trails.

   Refugio/Camping Paine Grande: located close to Lake Pehoe with beautiful views of the Horns and Cerro Paine. The refugio is the Park’s largest and it has capacity for 100 guests in bunk beds in mixed dorm rooms and space for 250 people in the campsite. Bathrooms are shared with male and female bathrooms with cold running water and hot showers. There is a large restaurant on site, a small shop and a cafeteria

2. After breakfast, we will pack our day packs with cameras and packed lunches and head out towards another W highlight, the famous French Valley. Our trail starts gently as we walk along the lake shores and through some forested areas before we arrive in the foothills of the French Valley. We will then start our more challenging ascent along the rocky, wooded trails and dry river beds as we make our way up into the valley itself. As we approach the valley we will see the French Glacier to the west, from here the trail gets steeper and at times it feels like we are walking along a river as we weave through the forests as we ascend. A little further and we will benefit from the breathtaking views of this natural amphitheatre of granite peaks, many draped with snow, and the thick forests below. To the east we will see the jagged peaks of Los Cuernos (the Horns), a truly magnificent mountain-scape. After some time enjoying the scenery we will have a picnic lunch before returning along the same trail to the foothills where we will bear east along the W trail along the lakeshores to Refugio Cuernos. This campsite and refugio occupies a beautiful location nestled between the mountain face and the lake.

   Night Refugio Los Cuernos (or Refugio Domos Frances) with dinner in nearby refugio (sleeping bags with liners included).
   Meal basis: All meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost). Facilities include hot showers and bathrooms.
   *Ask about an upgrade to the private 2-person cabins

   Hiking details: 13 mi/21km. The first part of the hike to the foothills of the French Valley takes around 2 – 2.5 hours. From the French valley floor to French glacier is 750 ft elevation gain with another 1,000 ft elevation gain to camp Britannica so another 5-6 hours to make the ascent and return. The trail can be very wet and slippery depending on the time of year, the ascent is challenging but there are various viewpoints to enjoy along the way. *Distance is for Camping/Domos Frances. Add 3.5 mi/5.5 km to reach the Los Cuernos

   Refugio, Cabins and campsite at Los Cuernos Located in a stunning site on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold roughly 4 hours from Las Torres this refugio is surrounded by southern beech forests and scrub vegetation and it is one of the nicer locations in the park. Flanked by the impressive granite walls of the famous Horns of Paine the refugio has space for 32 people in four shared-mixed dorms for 8 people in each (there are bunk beds in each room). There is also a restaurant, shared bathrooms (separate for men and women) and a nearby campsite with 50 pitches. There are also 8 twin share cabins at this site which are very popular for those wanting more privacy. Each cabin has a double or twin beds, wood burning stove, small deck to enjoy the incredible views and separate bathrooms located nearby. Ask about upgrades

3. Today our destination is the lively refugio Chileno which is set below the imposing peaks of the Towers themselves. Beautiful day’s hike with dramatic mountain vistas and trails through southern beech forests and past pristine lakes. Arrive at Refugio Chileno (or Refugio Las Torres) and spend the night and have meals in the refugio (sleeping bag with liners included).
   Meal basis: All meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost). Facilities include hot showers and bathrooms
   *Ask about an upgrade to the very comfortable Hotel Las Torres
   
   Hiking details: 10 mi/16.5km; gentle hiking with some ascents but no significant elevation gain, Approximately 6-7 hours walking (to Las Torres, add roughly 2 hours if you continue to Refugio/Camping Chileno)

   Refugio/Camp Chileno, this refugio is located further towards the Towers at the top of the Ascending Valley and owing to its position it can get particularly busy with both resident and passing hikers. Staying here gives easier access to the Towers meaning there would be a couple of options to make the ascent; either on arrival or the following morning.

4. Today’s hiking is our most arduous but worthwhile as we climb to the Towers themselves (this hike is shorter if we slept at Chileno last night). A roundtrip hike we will climb up into the Ascending Valley and through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the towers. A steep climb over the moraine will reward us with one of the most spectacular views in the park and weather permitting we will enjoy our last trail lunch at this amazing vantage point. 

   Hiking details: 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 and we recommend hiking poles. Approximately 8-9 hours walking. DEDUCT: 2 hours if you slept last night at Chileno

   On return to the trailhead, we will meet our driver for the transfer back to Puerto Natales where you will be dropped at the comfortable Hotel Costanera for a well earned rest (or upgrade to the waterside Weskar Lodge)

   Meal basis: Breakfast and packed lunch included. Dinner at leisure in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants (we can make recommendations/reservations).

5. Drop off at the bus station or airport for onward travel.Breakfast only.

   Price notes:
   1. This trip is priced from US$2,399 per person for a group of 8 hikers to US$3,099 per person for a group of 2 hikers. The price includes round trip private transfers from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine, the Grey III Boat from Grey Beach to Grey Refugio, all hiking stated of the full W trail, English speaking Park certified guide (extra guide for groups of 6+ hikers), sleeping bags with liners as required, accommodation detailed (3 x nights Refugio with meals in refugios, 1 x night comfortable hotel in Puerto Natales); all meals while hiking from packed lunch on Day 1 through to lunch on Day 4 + breakfast on the morning of Day 5;  Park entrance fees; ground support provided by our experienced logistics team in Puerto Natales.
   2. For a camping-based hike refer to our Four Day W with Camping
   3. Porters are not included but can be added at a cost of US$155 per day (strict maximum of 15 kilos weight limit).
   4. If you would like to upgrade from the Hotel Costanera to the Weskar Lodge in Puerto Natales, the cost is US$99 per night in a superior room.
   5. If you would like to upgrade to the private cabins at Los Cuernos and/or the Hotel at Las Torres ask for prices.
   6. If you would like to include the catamaran (instead of the Grey Boat) and hike both ways to Grey, there is a cost reduction of US$90 per person.
   7. This trip can be arranged on request for 2+ hikers. Groups of 2+ can either be kept private or opened up to other interested hikers. If you are a solo traveller, ask us about confirmed departures that are available for additional hikers.
   8. This a fairly intensive hike of the Torres del Paine W trail. You should be fit and capable of walking for 6-8+ hours on varied terrain day after day with some challenging ascents and varied changing weather conditions. The ground is uneven with lots of rocky sections, occasionally requiring you to use your hands to balance yourself. The final section of the hike to the Towers is a clamber over glacial moraine. Please ask us about suitability. We highly recommend you hike with poles, if you prefer not to bring these we can rent them to you.