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
- Arrive into Puerto Natales in Patagonia’s far south. Meet the guide for dinner and a briefing.
- Private transfer to Torres del Paine to start the adventure; our destination The Towers, the eastern gateway to the Paine W trek. Embark on one of the Park’s most popular trails to the base of these granite monoliths and watch icebergs drift across glacial pools. Return to trail head and take the road across the heart of the Park with jaw dropping views. Night Hotel Grey, the only hotel in the Park with glacier views, and one of the oldest.
- Set out on the hike via Las Carretas to Lake Pehoe, another stand out location on the W made all the more dramatic under the winter light. Night Refugio.
- Today’s hike will take us north into the mountainous interior of the park where jagged peaks tower above the grey waters of Grey Lake and the sea of ice behind it; Grey Glacier. Return to Refugio.
- Today’s hike will take us into the dramatic French Valley and the hanging glacier of the same name. After a challenging ascent the views of the immense granite rock faces that encircle the wooded valley make the effort worthwhile. Return to Refugio.
- Hike back via Las Carretas to the trailhead and take a comfortable transfer back to Puerto Natales. Trip ends.
Notes:
1. The closest airport is Puerto Natales with flights offered through the winter.
2. The catamaran across Lake Pehoe and the Grey Boat across Grey Lake run with a minimum number of passengers through the winter so for that reason we have designed the hike to avoid having to use either boat crossing in case they are not running. In the event either boat is running, we can discuss changes to the itinerary.
3. It is only possible to hike the W trail in winter with a certified Torres del Paine guide (all our guides have this certification).
4. Porters are not included but can be added on request.
5. Quality sleeping bags with liners and hiking poles are included.
6. Accommodation in Puerto Natales can. be booked on request.
7. In the event you wish to extend the hike to Grey a little further to visit the hanging suspension bridges north of the refugio this is possible by extending the itinerary by one day, but only if the Grey Boat is running. Ask for details.