NOMADIC
ADVENTURES

Torres del Paine Trek

Along the W and O circuits

TREK TORRES DEL PAINE W TRAIL

Torres del Paine National Park comprising mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. The landscape of the park is dominated by the Paine massif

Torres del Paine

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Torres del Paine National Park comprising mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. The landscape of the park is dominated by the Paine massif, which is an eastern spur of the Andes located on the east side of the Grey Glacier, rising dramatically above the Patagonian steppe. Small valleys separate the spectacular granite spires and mountains of the massif.


The W trek and O-circuit in the Torres del paine are two of the best hikes in Patagonia. The park is famous for the 'torres;'  three magnificent granite towers are the centerpiece of the park and are an awe-inspiring sight. 

The W-trail can be walked either direction starting at Paine Grande and finishing at Hotel Las Torres or the other way around. Most hikers start at Paine Grande. The park has a lot of infrastructures with designated campsites, good facilities, hotels with restaurants and small shops. Most people complete the W hike in 3-5 days 

The O-trek can be completed in the O Trek in 6 nights/7 days.  You can only hike the Circuit in a counter clockwise direction starting at either Hotel Las Torres or Paine Grande.

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AT A GLANCE
  • 8 day tour 
  • Puerto Natales and Esperanza Bay
  • Hiking to the base La Torres
  • Hike along Lake Nordenskold
    French Valley and Lake Pehoe
  • Hike to Glacier Grey 
  • Great views of the Southern Ice Field
OTHER CHILE TOURS

Day-1: Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

On arrival a transfer will take you to Puerto Natales through the typical Pampa Steppes of the Magellan Region. You will encounter various animals like sheep, ñandus and a variety of birds. Shortly after leaving the airport you will continue to the charming town of Puerto Natales, situated on the banks of the UIltima Esperanza Bay. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day-2: Puerto Natales -Hiking Base La Torres

After breakfast you will leave Puerto Natales for a two hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park, the starting point of your trek. It will be a spectacular walk to the base of the amazing "Towers" of the Paine Massif, the view onto the three pink granite towers that made the park famous, will fascinate you. Dinner and overnight at Hostel Chileno in the Ascencio Valley. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner) 

Day-3 Refugio Chileno - Refugio Los Cuernos 

Today you will hike along Lake Nordenskold below the imposing hanging glaciers of the Paine Massif to your hostel at Los Cuernos. Dinner and overnight at hostel. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-4 Refugio Los Cuernos - French Valley - Lake Pehoe 

After breakfast you will start a great trek into the most beautiful valley of the park - Valle Frances. The natural setting is magnificent; on your way up you will be surrounded by high peaks, huge granite walls and hanging glaciers on all sides. In the afternoon you will descend to Pehoe Lake to rest and spend the night. Dinner and overnight at Paine Grande Lodge. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-5 Hike to Glacier Grey 

Today you will enjoy a relatively easy hike to the immense Glacier Grey. You will trek along the eastern shoreline of the Lake Grey through a beautiful landscape. Enjoy impressive views of the lake with its numerous giant icebergs. In the afternoon you will arrive at the glacier lookout to see the glacier wall and vibrant blue icebergs close up. Overnight and dinner at Hostel Grey. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

 Day-6 Boat trip on Lake Grey - Rio Serrano 

In the morning you will cross the Lake Grey by boat and land on the beach at the southern end of the lake. Here you will disembark and hike along the beautiful beach to the Hostería Lago Grey where you can take a rest and have a coffee. From the hostería you will be transferred to the western side of the park to arrive in the sector Serrano River in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the cabins of Cabañas del Paine. (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-7 Rio Serrano & Boat trip to Puerto Natales 

After an early breakfast you will leave Torres del Paine and start your navigation down the Serrano River to Mount Balmaceda. On the way you will have great views of the Southern Ice Field. Go for a short hike below the towering Mount Balmaceda and have lunch before embarking the boat back to Puerto Natales in the early afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day-8 Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas 

A transfer will take you to the airport of Punta Arenas or a downtown hotel in due course. (Breakfast)

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Day-1: Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

Upon arrival at the airport of Punta Arenas, a transfer will await you to take you to Puerto Natales leading you through the typical Pampa Steppes of the Magellan Region. You will encounter various animals like sheep, ñandus and a variety of birds. Shortly after leaving the airport you will continue to the charming town of Puerto Natales, situated on the banks of the UIltima Esperanza Bay. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day-2: Puerto Natales -Hiking Base La Torres

After breakfast you will leave Puerto Natales for a two hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park, the starting point of your trek.

Starting at Refugio Torre or Paine Grande, you'll hike the full trek anticlockwise, visiting the three valleys of the W Trek as well as the quieter trails across the north. We will trek to the base of The Towers (7 hours roundtrip), a spectacular hike to view the three pink granite towers that make the park famous. Overnight at Refugio Nash (B/L/D) 

Day-3: Seron

Today we start our trek around the Paine Massif. In the morning we will meet our porters, load up our gear and head out across ancient glacial moraines on the way to Camp Seron. The trail goes through Lenga forests where we often see Austral parakeets, several species of geese and the occasional guanaco and fox (trekking time 4 hrs). Overnight at Camp Seron.  (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-4 Dickson

Early breakfast for the hike to Lago Dickson , a glacial lake on the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. We hike past bright blooming Notro bushes and make a stream crossing along the lake. A beautiful, leisurely hike (trekking time 6 hrs). Here we can take hot showers at the refugio. Overnight at  Refugio Dickson.  (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-5 Peros

Today is our biggest day of hiking as we climb over Paso John Garner and down through thick forest directly above the massive Glaciar Grey. Once on the pass we look out over rugged, glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap – a view not to be missed! The Grey Glacier stretches out below us like a huge white highway 5 hours. 

After breakfast we start the 5 hours hike which continues descending towards Lake Grey through lenga forest where every so often appears a terrace looking out over Glacier Grey and the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. Overnight at Refugio Grey.  (Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner)

Day-6 Pehoe

This morning we will cross a high plateau overlooking Lago Grey with its icebergs and the Grey Glacier on our way to Lago Pehoe, “hidden lake” in the Tehuelche language. 3-4 hours. The afternoon will be free to relax at Lodge Paine Grande and enjoy the area. Lodging and dinner is at Lodge Paine Grande where you can enjoy a pisco sour in the bar that overlooks Paine Grande & Los Cuernos mountains in the beautiful evening light.

Day-7:French Valley

Trek to the French Valley. This valley is the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world, its surrounded by hanging glaciers and an amphitheater of granite walls and spires. After we trek out of the valley, we will continue to the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjold, where Refugio Cuernos is located (trekking time 8 hrs). Overnight at Refugio Cuernos. 

After an early breakfast you will leave Torres del Paine and start your navigation down the Serrano River to Mount Balmaceda. On the way you will have great views of the Southern Ice Field. Go for a short hike below the towering Mount Balmaceda and have lunch before embarking the boat back to Puerto Natales in the early afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Puerto Natales. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day-8: Los Cuernos

Trek along Lake Nordenskjold and below the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto, to the reach Hosteria Las Torres (5-6 hours) ,our van is waiting at the parking lot. Transfer to Puerto Natales. Farewell dinner and lodging at Natalino hotel or similar.

Day-9 Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas 

A transfer will take you to the airport of Punta Arenas or a downtown hotel in due course. (Breakfast)

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Torres del Paine Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the W-Trek?

The W Trek is not a difficult or technical trek as you at low altitude. The highest point of the W Trek is the towers' base viewpoint, at 850masl or (2788 ft). The trek is around four to five days, covering 46 miles or 74 km on mainly gentle terrain, with more challenging days involving around the towers base point. The longest days are six to eight hours of hiking.

How difficult is the O-circuit Trek?

Compared to the W-trek, the O Circuit Trek is better for more experienced hikers as the areas are more remote and you will spend about 7-9 days trekking. You will also need to camp overnight in some places. It covers around 120 km or 74 miles.

What are the refugios like on the route?

The word refugio means 'refuge' in English and are essentially hostels or mountain huts. As they are not very big they have limited accommodation so they really need to be booked in advance which we would arrange. The accommodation at the Refugios is in shared – mixed dorms in bunk beds and in each Refugio there are shared bathrooms (rooms have not private bathrooms). Depending on the Refugio, rooms have a capacity between 6 to 8 people. All beds are twin-sized and a pillow is provided.  It is best to always bring your sleeping bag. All refugios have a men's and women's bathroom with anywhere from 3-6 toilet stalls and 2-4 showers.  There are power outlets in the refugios but they're only in the main common areas, not in the bedrooms.  

The refugios along the ‘W' trek are run by two different companies; Fantastico Sur and Vertice Patagonia. Fantastico Sur is family-owned on private land inside the park. These lodges include Refugio Torres (right by the base of the towers) and Refugio Cuernos. The other refugio company, Vertice Patagonia, owns and operates Refugio Paine Grande and Refugio Grey as concessions.

Do we need travel insurance?

Yes you do. We do not recommend travelling without it and require it for our tours. Accidents, medical emergencies, travel delays or other problems can occur in any country and the resulting costs can be significant. Here is  a link if you do not already have your own preferred provider. 


What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?

South America's iconic wildlife like the condor, guanacos, South Andean Deer or Huemul , armadillo, Rhea bird, which is very similar to the African ostrich and many other recognisable creatures are all found in Torres del Paine National Park. 

There is also a chance you may see a Puma or mountain lion. In the Park, you can find more than 120 types of birds, 250 types of plants, and 25 types mammals, all of them protected by the law. Another popular sighting is the South American Gray Fox or Chilla.

What is the best time for hiking in Torres del Paine?

Summer is the best time from December to February when it is the warmest time with day temperatures between 12°C and 15°C when the night temperature is between 9°C and 12°C. November – January, and March get quite a lot of wind which you get a lot of around the Towers and across the lakes. February is the least windy of the summer month and also has a lot less rainfall.

At all times you need to be prepared for unpredictable temperatures and changeable wind, sun, rain and snow conditions. 

What are the current entry requirements for Chile given COVID?
  • There are several requirements. As of 22 March 2022

    1-Negative PCR taken 72 hours before boarding. In flights with stopovers, the last boarding point is considered. In case of entering by land, it cannot be older than 72 hours from the taking of the sample. This requirement is for every person over the age of 2.

    2-Have health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 30,000 that includes coverage for any expenses arising from Covid-19.

    3-Complete the “Traveler’s Affidavit” form online up to 48 hours before boarding, where you will provide contact, health, and travel information. This form will provide a QR code as a means of verification and is available at www.c19.cl 

    4-To have completed a vaccination program (2 doses), which must be validated at mevacuno.gob.cl for travelers from 6 years of age before entering Chile. The vaccination approval period will be informed to the traveler at the time of making the request, procedure that may take up to 30 calendar days. Non-resident foreigners who comply with one or more of the special requirements in Decree 102 of the Ministry of the Interior may enter without a complete vaccination program. They must undergo a PCR test and a mandatory 7-day quarantine, even if the PCR result is negative.

    All information is subject to change so please check the current ruling on https://www.bcn.cl/portal/."