ITINERARY
TORRES DEL PAINE – W CIRCUIT PROGRAM
About the W Circuit:
- The W Circuit takes place in 03 Days and 02 Nights within the Torres del Paine National Park, with accommodation in an equipped campsite and meals included
- Approximate total distance: 54 km spread over three days of trekking
- Activity difficulty: Medium / High
- Format: shared excursion with a bilingual local guide certified for high mountain terrain
- Circuit operating season: October to April
- The success of each day depends on the physical condition of the group and on the weather conditions at the time
Luggage during the circuit:
- During the three days of trekking each passenger carries their own backpack, so we recommend bringing only what is essential
- Recommended backpack: at least 40 litres, enough for personal items and clothing while still allowing comfortable walking
- The rest of the luggage can be stored at the accommodation in Puerto Natales or at the office in Puerto Natales
What to bring:
- Layered trekking clothing: base layer, mid layer and waterproof (windproof) outer layer
- Trekking shoes, preferably waterproof
- Gloves and hat
- Sun protection: sunscreen and sunglasses
- Personal water supply (mandatory)
- Camera or phone with a charged battery
- Personal items and regular medication
Restrictions and recommendations:
- Be physically fit to complete full-day treks on consecutive days
- In case of any illness, always keep your medication within reach
- Report in advance any previous injury, physical restriction or dietary restriction
Not included:
- Meals not specified
- Any other expenses not mentioned
- Any other services not specified
- Personal insurance or travel insurance
- Technical clothing or suitable attire for the activity, unless otherwise stated for each excursion
Flight: Santiago – Punta Arenas
Transfer: Punta Arenas Airport – Punta Arenas Bus Terminal
Bus: Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
Transfer: Puerto Natales Bus Terminal – Accommodation in Puerto Natales
Check In – accommodation: From 15:00
Briefing: In the afternoon the briefing is held for the W Circuit at the offices in Puerto Natales
The first day of the W Circuit begins with the Base of the Towers Trek, the most emblematic hike in the Torres del Paine National Park and one of the most renowned in the world, located in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region, in the south of Chile.
The day begins with departure from your accommodation in Puerto Natales, heading for the Torres del Paine National Park along the Route 9. After approximately an hour and a half of travel you reach the Portería Laguna Amarga, where registration takes place at the facilities of CONAF, before continuing on to the Reserva Las Torres Welcome Centre. There the guides give the briefing while the group gets ready for the first activity.
The trek covers approximately 22 km round trip over 8 hours, along a medium-to-high difficulty trail that gradually introduces the group to mountain terrain. The route runs through the Ascencio Valley and a lenga beech forest, before facing the final ascent alongside the glacial moraine. Once you reach the Mirador Base Torres, at 870 m above sea level, you enjoy the box lunch included, facing a spectacular view of the towers Sur, Central y Norte (De Agostini, Central y Monzino), next to the Laguna Torres and Torres Glacier.
The descent follows the same trail back to the Welcome Centre, where the vehicle is waiting for the transfer to Camping Serrano, located at the western entrance of the park. On arrival, the campsite host welcomes the group with a snack and drinks made from regional produce, and dinner is served in the evening, with three main-course options to choose from. Accommodation is in an equipped campsite, with tents already pitched.
The second day of the W Circuit is dedicated to the French Valley Trek, a formation that bears witness to the intense glacial activity of the past and one of the most impressive areas of the Torres del Paine National Park.
After breakfast, the day starts at 07:00 with departure by vehicle from the Camping Serrano to the Pudeto sector, where you board the catamaran for an approximately 25-minute crossing of the Lake Pehoé heading for the pier at the Refugio Paine Grande, enjoying excellent views of the Paine Massif and the Salto Grande.
Once ashore, a trek of approximately 22 km round trip over 8 hours begins, along a low-to-medium difficulty trail that skirts Lake Skottsberg. On reaching the Campamento Italiano sector there is a short stop to eat something and rest, before heading into the French Valley, where you get unique views of the Paine Massif from its south-west face, until reaching the viewpoint that looks out over the French Glacier in all its splendour.
After lunch with the box lunch included and a rest, the return begins along the same trail to board the catamaran again towards the Pudeto sector, where the vehicle is waiting for the transfer back to Camping Serrano. After a snack and dinner, the night is spent at the equipped campsite, getting ready for the final day.
The final day of the W Circuit combines the Grey Glacier Trek with the boat trip on Lake Grey, closing the route in front of one of the most imposing glaciers in Chilean Patagonia.
After breakfast, at 07:00 you leave the campsite in Serrano River heading for the Pudeto sector, to wait for the catamaran crossing to the Paine Grande sector and begin the route towards the Refugio Grey.
The trek covers approximately 11 km one way over 4 hours, along a medium-difficulty trail that crosses a lenga beech forest and offers various views of Paine Grande and the Lake Grey, until reaching the Refugio Grey, where lunch is the box lunch included, followed by a rest.
From there there is a walk of about 1 hour to the Grey Glacier viewpoint, then descending to the beach to wait for the catamaran Grey III, which lets you see head-on the three faces of the Grey Glacier before disembarking at Grey Beach, in the Pingo sector. At that point the vehicle is waiting with the luggage to begin the return to Puerto Natales, where you return to the accommodation.
Check Out – accommodation: 11:00
Transfer: Accommodation in Puerto Natales – Puerto Natales Bus Terminal
Bus: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas Airport
Flight: Punta Arenas – Santiago
End of our services.
