The Wilderness Explorer Hike (W)

8 days
Bernardo oHiggins | Chile | Hotels | Patagonia | Torres del Paine | Trekking | Trip | W Trek
Price on request
Hiking in Torres del Paine

Tour Summary

The full Torres del Paine W Trek but with a Bluegreen twist. The trip starts in Puerto Natales with a cutter ride across the fjords of Last Hope Sound to the southern tip of Bernardo O’Higgins. From there you will take a short walk to the Serrano Glacier that tumbles down the mountain into its own pristine meltwater lake before boarding Zodiacs for a boat trip along the Serrano River to enter the western edge of Torres del Paine. There follows a night in a comfortable hotel before boarding the Grey launch to take you across the iceberg waters of Grey Lake up close to the glacier of the same name. After a dramatic bonus hike to the lofty suspension bridges that link the canyons above the glacier you will start hiking the iconic W trail

 

 

Hiking highlights

  • Hike the renowned bucket-list Torres del Paine W trek, the world’s best multi day trek without high altitudes, according to Lonely Planet.
  • Hike the bonus hike from Grey to dramatic suspension bridges normally only accessed on the Circuit
  • Sleep in a mix of Park refugios and comfortable lodges and cabins, many  in awesome settings with jaw dropping views
  • Start your adventure with an icy cruise to the calving, vertical face of Grey Glacier.
  • Enter the French Valley, a secret valley hidden in a gigantic cirque of granite and ice.
  • Trek the classic hike to the base of the Towers, tall granite monoliths.
  • Join a zodiac/boat cruise into the Park with the chance to see the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers..
  • Watch, from Grey Mirador, Grey Glacier’s vast highway of ice flow out of the Patagonian ice cap.

Day by day

  1. Arrive into Puerto Natales. Guide’s briefing. Night hotel
  2. Early start for transfer to boat dock. Cruise across Last Hope Sound and visit the hanging Balmaceda Glacier. Walk to Serrano Glacier. Board zodiacs for an exciting entrance into Torres del Paine via the Serrano River. Hotel.
  3. Private transfer to Grey Lake. Take Grey Boat to area close to Glacier. Afternoon walk to hanging suspension bridges usually accessed only by hiking the full circuit. Night Refugio Grey
  4. Start W trail from Grey and walk to the impossibly blue waters of Lake Pehoe, the Paine Massif’s barbed peaks in the distance. Night Refugio Paine Grande.
  5. Continue along W to the French Valley. Explore this granite cirque before returning to the cool domes in the foothills above the lake. Night Refugio Domos Frances.
  6. Hike in the shadow of the Horns of Paine to the Refugio Los Cuernos, sleep in comfortable private 2-person cabins close to the refugio.
  7. Hike to Las Torres and spend a night in the comfortable Hotel Las Torres with an onsite spa
  8. Embark on the challenging finale hike to the base of the famous Towers. Meet private transfer to Puerto Natales for a night in a choice of comfortable hotels.

Extras

    • For extra ice play and kayaking, ask about our W+ multi-sport trip that includes an exploration of the gulleys and caverns of a massive valley glacier and a paddle out into remote glacial waters in kayaks.

    • If you are travelling in winter, you can still hike the W hike with a guide. Our Winter W hike offers fit walkers the opportunity to hike this magnificent trail in the off season. Full support provided with snow shoes/crampons if required, an experienced guide, private transfers, a cook and all accommodation and meals provided.

    • Tag on a soothing massage to the end of the trek, or stay at a hotel with a spa and pool and enjoy being pampered.

 Is this trip for me?

  • This BlueGreen take on the W trail is suited to fit walkers wanting to take their time on this famous and popular trail and enjoy some of the areas on the periphery.

  • There are some refugio nights which would involve sleeping in mixed dorm-style rooms but there are also some more comfortable nights in private rooms at the Serrano River, Los Cuernos and Las Torres. For those who prefer not to sleep in refugios, camping is an option and can feel more private (all gear provided).

  • The hiking is moderate-challenging and you should be fit and able to hike for multiple days on varied terrain. Hiking distances are detailed on the trip dossier which is available on request.

  • The final section of the hike to the Towers is a clamber over glacial moraine and hikers should be comfortable and prepared for this.

  • As with all hikes in Torres del Paine, you should be used to travelling in remote areas and prepared for potentially challenging weather conditions. Trip preparation and packing is very important and we provide a detailed packing list.

  • Age limit: we can accept clients between the ages of 12 and 70 on our longer hiking trips. Younger hikers are welcome but we will suggest a private custom departure. Older hikers are also welcome but we will require completion of our medical suitability questionnaire.

  • The trip is available on request for 2+ people. Solo travellers should contact us about joining confirmed departures

  • For those with limited time, ask about our intense 4-day W hike for fit hikers.