Tour overview

This 6-day small-group trek follows the W, the most famous hiking route in Torres del Paine National Park, through the granite peaks, glaciers and turquoise lakes of Chilean Patagonia. Groups have up to 14 travellers aged 15 and over, led by a tour leader who is a qualified trekking guide. You spend two nights in a hotel in Puerto Natales and three nights on the trail in mountain refuges, with shared dormitories and bedding provided, or in full-service camps where tents and all camping equipment are set up for you, depending on availability. Breakfast is included daily on the trek, with four lunches and three dinners, and excess luggage can be left at the hotel. The trek runs from west to east, finishing with the park's most famous view.

From Puerto Natales, the gateway to the park, you transfer to the Grey sector at the western end of the W. The first day's hike follows the trail towards the vast Grey Glacier, with views of floating icebergs on Lago Grey, and the trip includes a boat ride on the lake.

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The second day is a full-day trek into the French Valley, the central arm of the W, climbing between hanging glaciers towards the jagged, two-tone peaks of the Cuernos del Paine, with avalanches often heard rumbling down the slopes of Paine Grande. You continue through beech woodland and along the northern shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, with its deep blue water, to the eastern side of the park.

On the final trekking day you set off early for the most famous hike in Patagonia, climbing through the Ascencio Valley and a steep boulder field to the Base of the Towers, where the three granite towers of Paine rise above a glacial lake. You then descend and transfer back to Puerto Natales for a hot shower and a celebratory evening.

The physical rating is medium, but expect long days of six to ten hours of walking on uneven, rocky paths, often in strong winds and changeable weather. This trip suits fit hikers who want to experience Patagonia's greatest trail with the logistics, guiding and meals taken care of.

Trip highlights

  • Grey Glacier and a boat ride on Lago Grey (Day 2)
  • The French Valley beneath the Cuernos del Paine (Day 3)
  • The shores of Lake Nordenskjöld (Day 4)
  • The dawn climb to the Base of the Towers (Day 5)
  • A qualified trekking guide throughout the trek
  • Three nights inside the national park

Your route

6 stops from Puerto Natales to Base Las Torres

6-day route: Puerto Natales – Grey Glacier – French Valley – Base of the Towers – Puerto Natales
  1. Puerto Natales Days 1 & 5–6
  2. Refugio Paine Grande Day 2
  3. Grey Glacier Day 2
  4. Refugio Domos Frances Day 3
  5. Refugio Torre Central Day 4
  6. Base Las Torres Day 5

Why choose this tour

Patagonia's most famous trek with a qualified guide, refuge or camp bookings and meals arranged. All four highlights of the W in a compact six days.

Best suited to

  • Fit hikers with some trekking experience
  • Travellers who dream of Patagonia
  • Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
  • Photographers drawn to mountains and glaciers
Grey Glacier from the air, Torres del Paine

Day-by-day itinerary

6 days from Puerto Natales, Chile to Puerto Natales, Chile

  1. Day 1 · Puerto Natales Arrive in Puerto Natales

    Arrive in the gateway to Torres del Paine for a welcome meeting with your trekking guide.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Lago Grey, Grey Glacier, Paine Grande Grey Glacier

    Transfer to the park and hike towards Grey Glacier, with a boat ride on Lago Grey.

    Hotel
    Mountain refuge or full-service camping
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · French Valley, Cuernos del Paine French Valley

    A full-day trek into the French Valley beneath hanging glaciers and the Cuernos del Paine.

    Hotel
    Mountain refuge or full-service camping
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Lake Nordenskjöld, Torre Central Lake Nordenskjöld

    Walk through beech woodland along the shore of Lake Nordenskjöld to the eastern side of the park.

    Hotel
    Mountain refuge or full-service camping
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Ascencio Valley, Base Las Torres Base of the Towers

    Climb early to the Base of the Towers, then descend and transfer back to Puerto Natales.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Puerto Natales Trip ends in Puerto Natales

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A hiker beneath the towers in Torres del Paine

Where you stay

  • Puerto Natales (1 night) Hotel
  • Paine Grande (1 night) Mountain refuge or full-service camping
  • French Valley (1 night) Mountain refuge or full-service camping
  • Torre Central (1 night) Mountain refuge or full-service camping
  • Puerto Natales (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 2 hotel nights and 3 nights in mountain refuges or full-service camps
  • Meals 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Guided W trek with a qualified trekking guide
  • Lago Grey boat ride
  • Private transfers and boat transport within the park
  • All camping equipment and bedding when camping
  • Luggage storage in Puerto Natales during the trek

Not included

  • Flights to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas
  • Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee
  • Sleeping bag hire, if required
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A river gorge in Torres del Paine National Park

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want hotels every night — three nights are in refuges or full-service camps
  • You want private rooms on the trail — refuges have shared dormitories
  • You want gentle walks — days can be six to ten hours long
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

A traveller overlooking the Torres del Paine landscape

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,195 per person, twin share, tour only. 27 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Will we stay in refuges or tents?

In mountain refuges with shared dormitories and bedding, or in full-service camps with tents and equipment set up for you, depending on availability at the time of booking.

How fit do I need to be?

Fit. Expect six to ten hours of walking a day on rocky, uneven paths, with a steep final climb to the Base of the Towers.

What is the weather like?

Changeable. Strong winds, rain and sun can all come in a single day, so bring waterproof and windproof layers.

Do I carry my own bags?

You carry a daypack and your overnight things for three nights. Excess luggage stays at the hotel in Puerto Natales.

When is the trekking season?

October to April, the Patagonian spring and summer, when the refuges and camps are open.

How many people trek together?

Up to 14 travellers aged 15 and over, with a qualified trekking guide.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £2,195
See dates & prices