Hike the Torres del Paine

7 Day Example Itinerary

Torres del Paine French Valley Glacier Grey Ascencio Valley Base Hike

Experience Chile’s famous W Trek, one of Patagonia’s most iconic walking circuits within the awesome Torres del Paine National Park, an extraordinary crown of soaring granite peaks, vast glaciers and picture-postcard lakes. Hike the key trails based at an all-inclusive luxury lodge or join a walking group that combines eco-camps and rustic mountain huts. For truly independent travellers, there is even the option of a self-guided walk carrying only what you need from one day to the next. The circuit can be walked in either direction and the below itinerary follows the traditional circuit from east to west culminating with the magnificent Glacier Grey.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Experience the magnificent landscapes of the Torres del Paine
  • Hike the famous French Valley
  • Spot guanacos, rhea & flamingos as condors soar overhead
  • Scramble up to the base of the park’s iconic granite “Towers”
  • Take a boat across the face of Glacier Grey

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

7

Nights

Price Guide

from $3995 pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Chile

plan line
Day 2

Torres del Paine

On arrival into Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, you will be met and transferred into the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park where you can prepare for the adventure head amidst stunning views of the massif. Arrive on the early flight into Punta Arenas and you may like to join a boat trip into the Straits of Megellan to visit the natural wonderland of Isla Magdalena, breeding ground to some 150,000 Magellanic penguins.

Day 3

Hike the Asencio valley to the Towers Viewpoint

The iconic “W” trek starts with the classic day hike up the Asencio Valley to reach the famous granite towers. The first hour is all uphill though the higher you rise up the flanks of the massif, the more spectacular lakes come into view. On entering the valley, the going becomes a lot easier as you skirt the Asencio river through lush, old-growth forest to reach the scree at the bottom of the towers. There, a difficult last stretch has you scrambling up over glacial moraine to the reach the viewpoint at the top though the views across the glacier-fed lake to the granite towers are truly breathtaking!

Day 4

Hike Across the Face of the Massif

Today is an easier day as you skirt the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld. The turquoise waters of the lake support an abundance of birdlife from Andean geese to black-necked swans and you may even catch a glimpse of soaring condors. The glacier topped mountains loom high over the trail as you work your way west across the face of the massif’s granite “horns” to the Refugio Los Cuernos.

Day 5

Hike the French Valley

This is one of the highlights of the trek as you head back into the massif to visit the beautiful French Valley. The path snakes through old growth forest bound on all sides by towering peaks and hanging glaciers which echo with the boom of crashing ice. Finally, as you clear the forest you are met with a breathtaking, panoramic vista of vertical, granite walls. Retrace your steps out of the valley and follow the trail which skirts Lake Skottberg to the Refugio Paine Grande perched on Lake Pehoe.

Day 6

Hike Lago Grey

The end is in sight as you follow the path along Lake Grey drawing ever closer to the immense Glacier Grey that shimmers in the distance. Jagged mountains tower over the trail while on the lake, huge icebergs sparkle in the afternoon sun. Arriving at the Refugio Grey in the afternoon, you can leave your bags and hike on to the dazzling viewpoint that overlooks the vast expanse of the glacier towards the great southern icefield. Overnight at Refugio Grey.

Day 7

Lake Grey Boat Trip

After breakfast, join a boat trip that swings across the face of Glacier Grey before continuing on to reach the southern shores of the lake. Here you will disembark and hike along the beautiful beach to reach your hotel transfer – we recommend the Hotel Lago Grey overlooking the water with wonderful views of the distant glacier. Time and weather permitting, you may prefer to remain on the beach, dubbed the Iceberg Cemetery, to photograph the blocks of ice that gather and melt in the sun. A warm shower, comfortable bed and hearty dinner await!

Day 8

Transfer Out of the Torres del Paine

After breakfast, return transfer to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales or even on to Calafate just across the border in Argentina.

dot joiner for itins
Day 9

Onward Connections

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide from $3995 per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

For Patagonia and the south, it is best to travel between October and April, January and February if you are keen trekkers. That said, the climate is highly unpredictable at the best of times and you should come prepared for all weather conditions “all 4 seasons in one day is the local adage”. Northern Chile is a year-round destination although you may see rain and flooding in ther highlands between January and March which can disrupt border crossings into Bolivia and Argentina.

Add on’s

There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this Chile itinerary, for example you could head across the border to Calafate in Argentina to visit the magnifient Perito Moreno Glacier or enjoy yet more spectacular hiking around Mount Fitzroy. Continuing south, you could enjoy a breathtaking cruise through the Patagonian fjords to Ushuaia at the tip of the continent or for something quite different, why not head north to the terracotta canyons, saltlakes, geysers and Andean villages of the Atacama Desert.

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