Hike the W Trek in Patagonia

Touch down in Puerto Natales and settle into your hotel before heading out to meet your guide and fellow adventurers. Get to know each other over dinner, then rest up before your adventure on the W Trek really begins.

Kick off your adventure with a journey into the legendary Torres del Paine National Park, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. En route, pass the tranquil waters of Sofia Lagoon and Lake Toro before reaching the park’s Serrano entrance. Your first stop is the Mirador Cóndor viewpoint, and if the weather plays nice, a short hike rewards you with breathtaking panoramas over Lake Pehoé. Next up, feel the raw power of Salto Grande, a thundering waterfall where the waters of Lake Nordenskjöld plunge into Lake Pehoé. From here, follow the trail to the Los Cuernos viewpoint for unbeatable views of the park’s iconic spires and rugged massif. The adventure continues at Pudeto Pier, where a 30-minute boat ride across Lake Pehoé takes you deep into the park’s most remote corners, far beyond the reach of any road. Step off the boat and take a short walk to the Paine Grande Refuge, your cosy base for the next two nights, surrounded by some of Patagonia’s most awesome landscapes.

Set out from Paine Grande along a winding trail through a narrow valley, passing the tranquil waters of Los Patos Lagoon. As you hike, catch glimpses of the vast Southern Ice Field and the ice floes of Lago Grey. After braving the often ferocious winds at a scenic viewpoint, descend through a rugged mountain forest to reach Grey Refuge. Just a short walk beyond, the breathtaking Grey Glacier comes into full view, a towering wall of ancient blue ice. If you’re lucky, you might witness huge chunks calving off and crashing into the lake below. Soak it all in before retracing your steps back to Paine Grande Refuge, where a well-earned warm dinner awaits.

Today’s trek takes you deep into the heart of Torres del Paine, following the shores of the brilliant blue Lake Skottsberg. After around 2.5 hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Italian Camp and begin your ascent into the spectacular French Valley. The trail leads over giant boulders before weaving through an ancient lenga forest. As you climb higher you’ll reach the French Plateau, a natural amphitheatre surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Torres del Paine. Towering above are Los Cuernos (the Horns), striking rock spires that frame the valley. Below, turquoise glacial lagoons lie beneath the imposing east face of Paine Grande (3050m), where massive hanging glaciers cling to the rock. The valley is alive with the sound of cracking ice, with chunks breaking away and crashing down the slopes, sometimes triggering small avalanches that send snow and debris cascading into the valley below. After a well-earned break and a scenic picnic lunch, continue on to Los Cuernos or Francés Camp, where a hearty dinner and a restful night in the wilderness await.

Today’s hike winds past crystalline mountain streams and beneath the towering face of Almirante Nieto (2670m), where hanging glaciers cling to its rugged slopes. Keep an eye on the sky for Andean condors soaring overhead, riding the thermals with effortless grace. As you follow the trail along the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, the ever-changing shades of blue and green mirror the steep peaks above, shifting with the light and weather. The terrain varies from well-trodden paths to rocky sections and rolling hills, keeping the hike engaging as you make our way towards the Ascencio Valley. Arrive at Chileno Camp by late afternoon, a cosy refuge nestled in the valley’s forested slopes. Settle in for dinner and rest up ahead of tomorrow’s much-anticipated climb to the iconic Torres del Paine.

After breakfast at the refuge, you’ll set out on today’s hike to Base Las Torres. The trail winds through the Ascencio Valley, taking you into dense lenga forests and gradually climbing in elevation. Nearing the final ascent, you’ll cross a massive boulder field before reaching the iconic Base of the Towers viewpoint, one of the most renowned vistas in the world. At 900m above sea level, you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the three granite towers (North, Central and South) rising above a sparkling turquoise glacial lake. After soaking up the breathtaking scenery, return to Chileno Camp to enjoy your picnic lunch, collect your backpack, and descend to Torre Central refuge and visitor centre. There, your driver will be waiting to take you back to Puerto Natales, where you’ll round off the adventure with a celebratory meal at a local restaurant with your group.

Enjoy a final morning in Puerto Natales before your host drops you at the airport in time for lunchtime flights.