Have you ever dreamed of trekking through one of the most famous and beautiful protected areas in the world? If so, then this quick seven-day itinerary is for you. In just a week, you can jet off to Chilean Patagonia and partake in the famed “W” circuit trek—a multi-day hike that covers the furthest reaches of the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine National Park. Be sure to get in shape beforehand, because this is the very definition of an active adventure.
- 07 Days/ 06 Nights
- December to March
- Moderate
Difficulty
Condition
Included meals:
B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
Travel Program
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago de Chile
Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival at Santiago International Airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure.
Suggested activities include:
- Hike to the top of Cerro San Cristobal, the most magnificent viewpoint in Santiago. When visiting any new city it’s a good idea to get your bearings by surveying the area from a high vantage point. Pathways lead 850 meters (2,788 feet) up this central hill to a series of lookouts that offer wraparound views of Santiago. Enjoy the reconnoitering, and if you aren’t the hiking type not to worry: you can catch a scenic gondola to the top.
- Stroll the cobblestone streets of Barrio Bellavista. On the north side of Santiago, you’ll find this trendy enclave, at once fashionable and bohemian. Brightly painted old houses adorned with graffiti art sit alongside modern shopping complexes featuring an eclectic array of eateries and bars. It’s a great place to come for dinner out, a glass or two of Chilean red, and people watching from a patio table.
- Visit the Plaza de Armas, located in Santiago’s historic center. There’s a lot of history within the four corners of this expansive stone plaza, as it was founded all the way back in 1541. Also here is the impressive Catedral Metropolitana, a neoclassical church dating to 1748 and whose towering twin bell towers dominate the north side of the plaza.
- Snap pics in front of the Palacio de la Moneda. Chile’s opulent Presidential Palace (known simply as “La Moneda”) is just a short stroll from the Plaza de Armas, and like the plaza, it’s filled with history. It was here in 1973 that Chile’s armed forces, backed by the U.S. government, overthrew President Salvador Allende, kicking off a brutal right-wing military dictatorship that would last for 17 years. Today the country is under democratic rule, and visitors are welcome to visit the palace.
Overnight
Hotel
Flight
Arrival to Chile
Hiking/Tour
1 Hours approx.
Meals
-/-/-
Driving
1 Hours approx
Day 2: Santiago to Puerto Natales
After breakfast, a driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport, at which time you’ll catch a flight to the city of Punta Arenas, in Chilean Patagonia. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, you’ll hop a bus for a three-hour trip north to Puerto Natales. When you arrive, you’ll transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the evening to relax and explore the town.
This small port city is the main base for excursions into Torres del Paine National Park. It’s far less touristic than many other Patagonian hubs and thus retains its air of small-town tranquility. Puerto Natales offers simple pleasures like strolling its waterfront promenade, which sits on the Ultima Esperanza Sound. Facing north from here you’ll see the peaks of Cerro Benitez and Cerro Toro, and the view is phenomenal at sunset.
Overnight
Hotel
Hiking/Tour
1 Hour approx
Meals
B/L/-
Driving
2 Hours approx
Day 3: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine - W Trek Day 1/4: Mirador Base Torres
In the morning, you’ll hop a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Amarga Main Entrance). The total distance is 70 miles/112 km, and the drive takes about two hours, with a short stop at Cerro Castillo Village. The scenery along the way will be incredible, as you’ll get your first glimpses of Torres del Paine’s massive peaks as well as some of the local fauna, like guanacos.
You’ll arrive at the Laguna Amarga main entrance and register yourself with the park office (the entry fee is already included). Then it’s a quick shuttle ride to the Las Torres sector. From here you’ll hike up Mt. Almirante Nieto, which features stunning views of the Asencio Valley below and Lake Nordenskjold. After two hours of hiking, you’ll reach Refugio Chileno, where you’ll overnight. You’ll leave your heavier bags here and, after a brief rest, continue trekking up the mountain.
It’s another hour of hiking past ancient lenga forests until you arrive at a moraine. The next part is a challenging steep ascent for 45 minutes until you reach the top, which is known as Mirador Base Torres. “Mirador” in English means “viewpoint,” and this little section of the mountain, with the Cuernos Del Paine (Horns of Paine) looming over a green lagoon, is the best view in the park. From here you can also marvel at the towering peaks of nearby Torre Sur, Central Tower, North Tower, Condor’s Nest, and Glacier Torre, all set amidst the sweeping backdrop of the Patagonian highlands.
After spending some time enjoying the views at Base Torres, you’ll then hike back to Refugio el Chileno to rest up for the evening.
- Hike distance: 15.5 km/9.6 miles
Overnight
Hotel
Hiking/Tour
5 Hour approx.
Meals
B/L/-
Driving
5 Hours approx
Day 4: W Trek Day 2/4: Refugio el Chileno to Refugio Los Cuernos
After breakfast, you’ll depart Refugio el Chileno for a more moderate day of hiking. After passing by the Paine Massif you’ll pass the base of Mount Almirante Nieto. Then it’s more hiking for 4.5-6 hours, during which you’re treated to views of Lake Nordenskjöld’s emerald waters, impressive hanging glaciers, and fascinating local flora. Eventually, you will reach the Cuernos sector of the park and spend the night in Refugio Los Cuernos, a welcoming refuge nestled on the hillside in the heart of Torres del Paine.
Overnight
Hotel
Hiking/Tour
5 Hour approx.
Meals
B/L/-
Driving
5 Hours approx
Day 5: W Trek Day 3/4: The French Valley to Refugio Paine Grande
Prepare for the longest, most arduous, but also the most rewarding day of trekking on the W circuit. The morning starts with a two-hour hike around Lake Nordenskjöld. Upon reaching the Campamento Italiano sector, you’ll leave your bags at the camp and carry on with a small daypack containing the day’s necessary food, water, and extra clothing.
Then it’s a 1.5-hour ascent beginning at the French River Valley, passing the French Glacier, and finishing at the “British camp,” which is a group of primitive log shelters once used by English hikers. Nearby you’ll find the Mirador Britanico (British Viewpoint), which features one of the most amazing panoramic views in the park. The mountains of Cerros, Paine Grande, Catedral, Hoja, Máscara, Espada, Aleta de Tiburón, and Cuerno Norte Horn can all be seen from this viewpoint.
Afterward, you’ll return on the same path to Campamento Italiano and pick up your bags. You’ll then continue on to Refugio Paine Grande, on the shores of Lake Pehoé, and settle in here for the evening.
- Hike distance: 17.3 km/10.7 miles
Overnight
Hotel
Hiking/Tour
5 Hour approx.
Meals
B/L/-
Driving
5 Hours approx
Day 6: W Trek Day 4/4: Glacier Grey to Puerto Natales
In the morning, you’ll depart from Refugio Paine Grande on a hike through native forest and along Lago Grey. After about two hours you’ll get your first glimpses of Glacier Grey, the giant mass of ice that feeds the lake, and the peaks of the Cordon Olguin.
You’ll cap your Torres del Paine adventure by hopping aboard the Grey III catamaran and taking a tour of the lake as well as getting up close to the glacier. The catamaran will then leave you at the shore in the Pudeto sector of the park, where a vehicle awaits to transport you back to Puerto Natales. In the evening, you can relax in your hotel and rest after a long day.
- Hike distance: 11 km/6.8 miles
Overnight
Hotel
Hiking/Tour
5 Hour approx.
Meals
B/L/-
Driving
5 Hours approx
Day 7: Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas & Departure
It’s time to say goodbye to Torres del Paine and Chile. In the morning, you’ll take a bus from Puerto Natales to the Punta Arenas airport. There you’ll catch a domestic flight to Santiago and transfer to the international terminal for your flight back home. ¡Buen viaje!
Here’s several reasons why you should book with us:
- Best Price & Value
- Comfortable Accommodation
- Have a Big Group? We can help.
- Top Notch Customer Service
- Trip designed for Your Family
Overnight
Hotel
Flight
Go back home by plane.
Hiking/Tour
1 Hours approx
Meals
B/L/-
Driving
1 Hours approx
What's Included
Included
- Return Bus tickets between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National park
- 2 Nights Accommodation in Puerto Natales (Breakfast Included)
- Airport Transfers
- Four nights in Torres del Paine National Park (Camping/Refugios)
- All camping equipment when required (Tents, sleeping bags and pads)
- Catamaran ticket Pehoe Lake
- All meals as described on the itinerary
- English speaking guide
Not included
- International and domestic Flight tickets
- Insurance (appropriate insurance is mandatory)
- Voluntary tipping to guides and staff
- Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bring cash to buy extra drinks, snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine National Park.
- Personal items
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, climbing or mountain expeditions tours is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
Equipment trekking
- Hiking backpack for hiking 50 to 60 liters
- Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
- Medium weight socks
- Sleeping bag (-15º to 20ºC)
- Small daypack for one day hiking 30 liters
- Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Medium weight parka with fiber fill or down
- Rain poncho (or rain gear)
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
- Lightweight pants
- Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
- Water bottle for hiking or trekking
- Strong waterproof duffel bag
- Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
- Towel for personal hygiene each participant
- First-aid kit
- Regular and long underwear
- Knife or multi-tool
- Light cap and wool hat
- Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
- The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
- Grooming and personal hygiene kit
- One Hiking Buff per person
Equipment Mountain
- 3 Locking carabiners, we recommend per person
- We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
- 1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
- 2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommend GRIVEL company
- 1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
- 2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
- Gloves (Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000 meters
- Harness for climbing
- Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
- Crampons, we recommend GRIVEL company
- Walking sticks – Trekking Poles (optional), a pair per person, we recommend GRIVEL company
- Down Jacket for expedition
- Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GORE-TEX certification
- First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
- Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
- Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
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- Single Supplement (I want my own room and tent) – $000 on request.
Please note: Insurance for emergency evacuation is required for this trip. Call for more details.
» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
| 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | 8 PAX | 10 PAX | 12 PAX | 14 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9000 USD | 4500 USD | 4350 USD | 4250 USD | 4150 USD | 4050 USD | 3950 USD | 3850 USD |
Deposit for reservations
— USD (– EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: 
*Available
Trip-code: Number ►CL-000
Duration: 07 days
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 15
Members: We don’t have an open group to join – We can open a new group – Contact us!
Country / Location: Chile
Mountain Guide: Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2024
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.
Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Expert guide certified by AGOMP
General Sales Manager of Peru Expeditions
- WhatsApp: +51 943 081 066
- E-Mail: office@peru-expeditions.org
Hans Honold | Certified Mountain and Ski Guide
For a trip with a Professional Certified Mountain Guide from abroad with your own language that you speak, please request us to get in touch. We have guides working for our company from all over the world who are members of IVBV/UIAGM/IFMGA Certified Guides.
- Tel: +49(0)7344 929144-0
It is very important to have accident coverage for trekking and climbing mountains, more if you go a technical mountains over 6 thousand meters, we oblige and recommend buying travel insurance with our partner Global Rescue, you get the peace of mind that the finest medical, security evacuation, field rescue, intelligence and telehealth.
- Tel: +1 (617) 459-4200
book
fee
Accommodations
Scroll through our exclusive accommodations for this trip below. Although very unlikely, we will be able to make substitutions when necessary. The comfortable accommodations that guests stay in every night offer comfort, the level that these options are are 3 stars and some hostels in some towns of first class quality to make your stay very pleasant.
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some cases, alternative accommodation of similar quality and location can be used.
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
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Suggested FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
For our mountain climbing trips: If they are easily accessible mountains: For easy-climb mountains, well, you don’t need much experience, but if you already want to climb mountains above 6,000 meters and the conditions become more difficult, we recommend if you already want to go through mountains above 6,000 meters, have a basic or intermediate course for a good preparation. It is very important to be physically, technically and psychologically prepared.
Regarding the preparation of children: Everything will depend on which mountain you want to climb with your children, once you are clear on which of our tours or mountains you want to go with your children, we can give you some advice or see how to prepare them before going with they.
Regarding older people: It all depends on the condition of experience and how well the person is in health, on many occasions older people are the best to walk in the mountains because they have more experience, so it is always good to ask and find out about their experience of older participant. If you have any other questions, please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
In all our trekking or mountaineering trips we do not include personal equipment in our prices, so you have to have your own equipment: Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc. ) and also within each page of the trips that we sell is a small list so you can see it on our website.
Our company can also rent the materials that you would need for your trip, see the list here on our website: https://peru-expeditions.org/equipment-rental/ . For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Safe and effective vaccines are available that provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Billions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19, help end the pandemic and stop new variants emerging.
We also recommend having accident insurance, we always recommend. We are Partners –Global Rescue. If you have any other questions about the trip we can schedule a date for a calling via WhatsApp. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
To do long-distance hiking you need to at least train or do some tours such as visiting lagoons to get the experience and feel comfortable with what you do, it is always good before doing a long-distance hiking tour to test yourself so as not to be with the problems of altitude sickness during the trekking, and if you travel with children it is good to first train them before taking them, if they are accompanied by an adult of legal age, they must do a good acclimatization before going on the long-distance tour or with high altitude camps If you want to know or learn more advice, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
The preparation is according to what type and what technical level you want to go and climb a trek or mountain, the preparation will always gain experience little by little.
For this type of demanding or technical climbing sports, it is recommended to do some summits above 5 thousand meters beforehand and have good knowledge of high mountain technical equipment such as the use of technical ice axes, ice screws, correct use of crampons, and of course all the technical material. For more information, we can schedule an appointment to be able to explain in more detail everything about the mountain equipment and the preparations prior to joining our outings. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Every day we have active walks around approximately 4, to 5 sometimes 6 hours of walking, everything is according to your pace and physical condition of each person, in each of our travel programs you will find more detailed information, and if If you need more information about each day of the travel program, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts or questions, for this please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
In our trips, either hiking or mountaineering: Depending on the type or destination of the trip that you are going to book, in some parts of the treks you go with mules or donkeys or sometimes with horses, and within the mountain trips, the approach camps are also They go with mules or donkeys, but there are some stretches where pack animals can no longer reach. In this part, our logistics is fully supported by the porters.
Who are the porters? They are people from the area who were born and live in the heights of the towns, they are very strong and are very acclimatized, the reason is that after the tourist season ends they dedicate themselves to agriculture and livestock for that reason they are people They are used to the altitude and have lived in nature all their lives and they are happy to be in the mountains together with our expeditions. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
About accommodation or meals during the tour: Well, depending on the type of tour, when the tour is a classic cultural tour or a city tour, we eat during the route in tourist restaurants and sleep in category hotels that the client has requested.
If the tour is with camps and trekking: During the activity, logistics we include the service of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with traditional and typical meals of the region where you are going to travel with us, during the night we stay in tents, and we have a special tent for the kitchen and another for the dining room.
If the trip is at altitude or in the mountains: We bring special high mountain food, It are quicker meals to cook and we provide complete logistics such as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and we sleep in special 4-season high mountain tents, with the best tents. If you have any questions or concerns, we can schedule an appointment via Whatsapp to clarify all your doubts and give you better information so that your trip is an unforgettable tour.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
In mountains above 5000 meters: A local guide takes a maximum of 3 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide
In technical mountains: In large-big mountains we manage the travel policy, a guide and a maximum of 2 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Do I have what it takes to succeed on this expedition?
In the interest of the team’s enjoyment and success, we work with every single guest to ensure they are properly prepared and ready for this expedition. We pride ourselves on vetting every member to make sure that the team can bond and succeed together. It really sucks to be grouped with members that are much faster, or much slower, than you are. No one wants to the weakest link on a trip like this. By setting expectations and a solid training plan, we work to insure maximum cohesive success. Use this trip as an exercise motivator, and we will succeed together with style.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
For the pick-ups of each trip, depending on the place or the trip that you are going to make with us, the meeting point is always at our office, in one of our trips we pick you up where you are staying or staying, or in some cases a A representative of our company will pick you up and then ship you to your transport to continue with your destination of the tour or trip you have booked with us. If you wish to request more information, do not hesitate to contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What happens in the event of bad weather?
About the meteorological conditions of the climate, we try to organize the trips of each tour in the best season to have the best views and enjoy the selected trip but sometimes even is good season we can have bad weather, in this case on hiking or treks trips The complications are minimal, but when this happens during high-altitude climbing expeditions, the complications can become very difficult, that is why the bosses or leaders of the local guides must always make the most correct decision for the safety of our passengers, so we always recommend listening to the best advice from the local guide assigned for each tour. If you have any other questions please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Can I join a group?
We as a local company and connoisseurs of tours have departures on different dates. The best thing to do is to join a travel group to take care of your budget, and of course you can join our groups, but on trips like mountaineering we recommend going in small groups. To join a group, ask us for the dates and we will send you the necessary information to be able to join any of our trips.
Why go in a private trip: For trips whether trekking or high mountains, going privately is the most recommended option, but the costs are more expensive. So, if one joins a group, the prices will be more reasonable. In the mountains, the only disadvantage is if you are in a wall with another partner and if one of the participants gets tired or gets sick. In this case, you have to abort or cancel the summit and return together. For more information, contact us. We can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify all your questions.
In a mountain, for example, if 3 people go and one of the participants falls ill on the route, for security reasons they have to cancel or abort the summit or return all together. The same in a technical mountain if the climbing partner gets sick they all have to return, for these reasons sometimes it is better to go private only because for a single person the costs are more expensive for the same reason that the trip would already be private .
For more information please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
The company Peru Expeditions Tours has the most experience in organizing commercial ascents and complex high-altitude expeditions. 
We have the most experienced and qualified guides for cultural trip, climbing tours, MTB tours, Ski tours, including famous climbers.
We always give away team jerseys-T-shits, buffs, or a cap as a gift
Good own personal tents to live in height and special big tents to dine inside the trekking or mountain.
The highest percentage of successful ascents.
We provide the best living and eating conditions. We take into account the peculiarities of nutrition (you can order a vegetarian menu).
Free conferences in the office with own videos material and photographs
