7 days · Base Torres · French Valley · Grey Glacier
Self-Guided W Trek
From US$2,949 per person
Trip at a glance
- Duration 7 days · 5 hiking daysArrival and departure days in Puerto Natales
- Difficulty Moderate to challengingUp to 20 km / 12.4 mi and 700 m / 2,300 ft of climb in a day
- Accommodation Hotel + camps in the park2 hotel nights, 4 camp nights; refugio beds on request
- Trip style Self-guided, fully arrangedCamps, meals, transfers, catamaran and poles booked before you land
Inside the experience
Our travelers, on these trails.
Trip overview
You walk the W on your own, while our team in Puerto Natales books the camps, the meals and every transfer.
Five days on the trail link Base Torres, the French Valley and Grey Glacier, with four nights inside the park.
Is this trip right for you?
One bar per day: hours on the trail, the climb, and where you sleep.
- About 71 km · 44 miin five days
- 2,300 m · 7,500 ftof ascent in total
- 4 nightsin a tent, 2 in a hotel
- Day 1: Puerto Natales, Arrive, night in a hotelDay 1
- Day 2: Base Torres, 7–8 h, about 700 m (2,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 2
- Day 3: Los Cuernos, 5–6 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 3
- Day 4: French Valley, 7–8 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 4
- Day 5: Grey Glacier, 4–5 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 5
- Day 6: Back to Natales, 4–5 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a hotelDay 6
- Day 7: Airport or bus, DepartDay 7
Hours on the trail and elevation gain are estimates and may vary.
Five days on the trail, carrying your own backpack and walking at your own pace. Check the distance, estimated hiking time and elevation gain for each day above: only you know how that effort will feel.
Prefer to hike with a local guide? The Guided W Trek follows the same route with one certified bilingual guide for every six guests.
The Self-Guided W Trek, day by day
The trek begins and ends in Puerto Natales, with a hotel night on each side and four nights in camps inside the park. Choose a day to see its route, distance, hiking time, meals and where you sleep.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Terrain from open elevation data
What’s included
Everything on the trail is arranged before you arrive. Optional extras and what’s not included are listed separately.
Accommodation
- 2 hotel nights in Puerto Natales, with breakfast
- 4 camp nights in Torres del Paine: Central, Los Cuernos or Francés, Paine Grande and Grey
- Pre-set camping gear: two-person tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag
Transport and logistics
- Airport or bus terminal transfers in Puerto Natales, both ways
- Transfers to and from Torres del Paine
- Catamaran across Lake Pehoé
- Park entrance fee
- Secure luggage storage in Puerto Natales during the trek
Briefing, meals and field support
- Pre-trek briefing with a local specialist in Puerto Natales
- All meals on the trail, as listed day by day
- Trekking poles
- Local support before and during your trip
Optional
- Refugio beds instead of tents. A bunk in a shared room at the mountain huts. Bedding varies by hut. Price per night on request.
- Ice hike on Grey Glacier, US$365 per person. Crampons on the ice with a specialist glacier guide, from the Grey camp on day 5.
- Kayak on Grey Lake, US$289 per person. Paddling among the icebergs, also from the Grey camp on day 5.
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Bus tickets between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales (we check that your flight and bus times match)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
What travelers say
Traveler reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and WeTravel
Our experience with Do Patagonia was perfect. Natty was so helpful and thought of all the details for us. Her itinerary was thoughtful and worked for us perfectly.
From the very beginning, I felt safe, cared for, and completely supported. Their professionalism and kindness exceeded every expectation. The itinerary was perfectly tailored to our needs.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get by email, answered before you ask.
How do I get from Punta Arenas airport to Puerto Natales?
By bus, in about two and a half hours. Several companies run the route through the day, and the timetable changes with the season, so we check the current departures against your flight before you book, in both directions. Bus tickets are not included in the program. Still piecing together the flights? We mapped every way into the region in getting to Patagonia.
Do I need hiking experience for the self-guided W Trek?
Good fitness and some day-hiking experience are recommended; previous multi-day trekking is not required. You walk 11 to 20 km (7 to 12.4 miles) a day on marked mountain trails, and the pre-trek briefing in Puerto Natales goes through the route day by day.
Can I start the W Trek on any date?
Start dates depend on campsite availability and the park’s seasonal rules. Tell us your preferred dates and we will check what is possible. December to February fill up first. What each month actually feels like, wind and daylight included, is in our month-by-month guide.
What should I pack?
Waterproof hiking boots, thermal and insulating layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, sun protection, a 40 to 50 liter backpack, a reusable water bottle and any personal medication. A detailed packing list is sent before departure. Our packing list for Torres del Paine goes through it item by item.