The Classic W Trek is undoubtedly the most famous trail in Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park. This non-technical guided hike tour connects a best-of-the-best selection of Patagonia’s highlights: the Towers Base lookout, French Valley and Grey Glacier. Hike through pristine landscapes, past rivers, lakes and rocky peaks – plus grab the chance to do an ice hike or kayak in Grey Lake. This program differs from the Independent W Trek in two important ways: you have an expert guide to lead you each day, and you’ll travel by boat up close to Grey Glacier’s massive ice wall.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Trek to the Three Towers Lookout
- See Los Cuernos & Other Jaw Dropping Peaks
- Hike in Pristine Landscapes Inhabited by Wild Patagonian Fauna
- Trek the French Valley
- See Hanging Glaciers and Possible Avalanches
- Boat Trip to Grey Glacier’s Icy Wall
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Transfer to Torres del Paine – Round Trip Hike to Las Torres Lookout Point
- Day 2: One Way Guided Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout through Condor Territory
- Day 3: One Way Guided Hike to Pehoe Lake Via the Dramatic French Valley
- Day 4: One Way Guided Hike to Glacier Grey
- Day 5: Navigation in Front of Grey Glacier – Private Transfer to Puerto Natales
There is an option to upgrade to Refugios. Ask us!
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Transfer to Torres del Paine – Round Trip Hike to Las Torres Lookout Point
Starting from Puerto Natales at 7:00 AM, we drive to Torres del Paine National Park, passing estancias (ranches) and flat pampas taken straight from Patagonian folklore.
Have your camera ready en route: ñandu (Patagonian ostrich), Chilean flamingos and black-necked swans are likely to be out in the pampas and lagoons.
After arriving at the Refugio you’ll have time to leave your backpack before we begin the W Trek’s first highlight: the hike to the three Towers lookout.
The trek begins with an ascent, following the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley.
After about an hour, we’ll stop to observe how the valley’s beauty unfolds with rich beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls.
Past this lookout point, we continue uphill and through lush beech forests before ascending a gigantic terminal moraine (the ridge formed at a glacier’s end point) where we’ll be rewarded by the arresting sight of the three Towers themselves.
At this lookout point 900 m (2,953 ft.) above sea level, we’ll rest, take photos and have lunch. Our descent is along the same path, taking us back to the Refugio where we’ll have dinner, stretch and rest for the evening.
*Upgrade to a Private Room in Hotel Las Torres (based on availability) – Ask us!
Day 2: One Way Guided Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout through Condor Territory
If the weather allows, our morning will be lit by the rich oranges and pinks of a Patagonian dawn. Today we’ll hike to Los Cuernos lookout, where monumental horn-shaped black twin granite peaks shoot skyward.
We’ll make our way via Inge Lagoon and may see condors and other birds of prey circling the skies while we trek below. The well-marked trail ascends 200m from the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain (2,750m / 9,022 ft.) and crosses the Bader River to Refugio Los Cuernos or Domos Frances, today’s destination.
*Upgrade to a Private Cabin in Los Cuernos (based on availability) – Ask us!
Day 3: One Way Guided Hike to Pehoe Lake Via the Dramatic French Valley
Today’s hike is a challenging trek to heart of the Paine massif. The French Valley is a spectacular natural basin surrounded by peaks and hanging glaciers.
After breakfast, a winding path will take us to the French River (1-2 hour hike depending on whether our accommodation was at Los Cuernos or Domos Frances).
At the entrance to the French Valley – a glacial moraine – you’ll scramble over huge boulders and catch the first sight of the hanging glacier atop the valley.
From this point, you’ll ascend for an hour through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at the French Valley viewpoint (the “Plateau”).
Your reward is a heart-stirring bird’s eye view of granite peaks and hanging glaciers. To one side, the French Glacier and Paine Grande (3,050 m / 10,006 ft.); while to the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara and the main and north “horns” of Los Cuernos arch upwards.
In the upper section of the Valley, Cerro Catedral and Cerro Fortaleza loom like turrets above the landscape.
Take your time to have lunch at the viewpoint, surrounded by these imposing peaks and open skies.
You’ll descend via the same path until you reach the valley’s entrance, at which point you’ll continue around the south-west side of Paine Grande, Torres del Paine’s highest peak.
This final leg passes through native firebush and evergreen beech forests to the shores of Pehoe Lake.
Day 4: One Way Guided Hike to Glacier Grey
We’ll set out early, ascending 200m (656 ft.) through the winding path that takes us to Laguna Negra.
Here, we’ll see sections of the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a geological phenomenon that still guards many unexplored peaks.
You’ll continue on to Grey Glacier’s lookout point, passing forests and rivers, with possible sightings of the spectacled and flightless steamer ducks that call them home.
We’ll have lunch at the lookout with the mammoth Grey Glacier at our feet, and might be lucky enough to catch sight of ice calving from its huge walls into the freezing waters.
*Today, there is the option to go on 2.5 hour kayaking excursion (advance booking required, please contact us).
Day 5: Navigation in Front of Grey Glacier – Private Transfer to Puerto Natales
Today starts easy with a free morning to stretch, relax and breathe in the landscape.
You also have the option to go kayaking or ice hike on Grey Glacier – great if you chose the kayak excursion the evening before on day 4 (advance booking required).
After lunch we’ll set off by boat across Grey Lake, to the massive facade of Grey Glacier. We’ll stay here for a while to observe the wall’s textures, lines and colors – and of course, watch for ice calving.
On your return journey you’ll see the wind-sculpted “ice mushrooms” atop the massive peaks of Paine Grande, as we sail past blue-hued icebergs.
On dry land once again, we’ll hike 20 minutes along Grey Beach to meet our transfer which takes us back to Puerto Natales where we end our journey.
*Optional Morning Ice Hike or Kayak
- Day 1: Transfer to Torres del Paine – Round Trip Hike to Las Torres Lookout Point
- Day 2: One Way Guided Hike to Los Cuernos Lookout through Condor Territory
- Day 3: One Way Guided Hike to Pehoe Lake Via the Dramatic French Valley
- Day 4: One Way Guided Hike to Glacier Grey
- Day 5: Navigation in Front of Grey Glacier – Private Transfer to Puerto Natales
| Dates | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 2025 - 21 Jan 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 18 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 22 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 24 Jan 2025 - 28 Jan 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 25 Jan 2025 - 29 Jan 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 29 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 31 Jan 2025 - 04 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 01 Feb 2025 - 05 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 07 Feb 2025 - 11 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 08 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 12 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 14 Feb 2025 - 18 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 15 Feb 2025 - 19 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 19 Feb 2025 - 23 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 21 Feb 2025 - 25 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 22 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 26 Feb 2025 - 02 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 28 Feb 2025 - 04 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 01 Mar 2025 - 05 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 05 Mar 2025 - 09 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 07 Mar 2025 - 11 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 08 Mar 2025 - 12 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 12 Mar 2025 - 16 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 14 Mar 2025 - 18 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 15 Mar 2025 - 19 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 19 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 21 Mar 2025 - 25 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 22 Mar 2025 - 26 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 26 Mar 2025 - 30 Mar 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 28 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 29 Mar 2025 - 02 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 02 Apr 2025 - 06 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 04 Apr 2025 - 08 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 09 Apr 2025 - 13 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 11 Apr 2025 - 15 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 16 Apr 2025 - 20 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 18 Apr 2025 - 22 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
| 23 Apr 2025 - 27 Apr 2025 | NZD$4435pp | Contact us |
- This tour operates with a maximum of 8 people. The advertised price is based on 4-8 people. Price will be higher if less than 4 people join the group. Please ask us for availability and pricing.
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Torres Del Paine | Camping or similar |
Whats included?
- All Private Transportation Indicated in Schedule
- Entrance Fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Four Nights Camping. Ask us for upgrade to Refugios
- Sleeping Bag, Mat, & Tent for Camping Accommodations
- One Way Boat Navigation on Grey Lake
- All Meals Indicated in Schedule (B: Breakfast, BL: Box Lunch, D: Dinner)
- Guide (English-Spanish languages). Guide to Passenger Ratio is 1:6
What’s not included?
- Any Additional Nights
- Medical Expenses
- Insurance of Any Kind
- Personal Expenses
- Dinner on Day 5 in Puerto Natales
- Ice Hike or Kayak Activity on Days 4 and/or 5
- Porters to Carry Personal Belongings, (available upon request & must be reserved in advanced)
- Any Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Drinks at the Refugios Except for the Drinks Includes in the Menu
- Gratuities for Guide/s & Chauffeur
Notes
- This tour operates with a maximum of 8 people. The advertised price is based on 4-8 people. Price will be higher if less than 4 people join the group. Please ask us for availability and pricing.
- Upgrade to Refugios based on availability. Ask us! (Mountain Lodges) based on availability (Refugios: Comfortable Rooms with 6 Beds & Shared Men's/Women's Bathrooms) (Sorry, No Singles Available)
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: South America
The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!
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