sorry to hear that the dates you are looking into are booked already. The W in Torres del Paine is the most popular multi-day hike as you come to see most of the highlights of the park. I am visiting South America and I’m giving myself 2 weeks to visit Patagonia area. Sincerely, Bowen. After our day hike to Valle del Frances, we stayed at the brand new (Dec. 1, 2014) Refugio Frances, which is about 1 hour from Campo Italiano. One question I have – when I attempted to book camping at the Los Cuernos refugio campsite (on the fantastico sur website), the only options available are camping + full board, which works out to be around $180 USD per person, per night! I was also disappointed that we had to pay extra for food, when all we wanted was a campsite at el chileano (or torres). Since I’m a newbie hiker/trekker, seems the biggest challenge will be the weather conditions and being prepared for that. Today is a long & tough day, so get up early again and walk (start at 8:00 a.m.) to Campamento Italiano (around 2 hours = 10 a.m.), leave your big backpack at the camp and head to the Mirador Frances with your daypack (take lunch, water, suncream). well im not admin, so I dont know that it’s my place to say. When you stopover in Punta Arenas you could consider to spend a day there and head to the “zona franca” which is a toll free zone where you can buy especially outdoor gear for good prices (apart from that South America is quite expensive if you want quality equipment). Check out our new website! Consequently, the Park is an area of incredible, outstanding, natural beauty in the heart of Patagonia. I will have an extra day either before or after the W. trek. I guess a lighter load will be nice. Although I have to say that the part from lago grey to paso camp is stunning, you can stop at mid point after the second bridge but the other part i think is worth it as you walk on the edge of the the mountain and not in the forrest. Difficulty level of the W-trek. Cool – thanks for coming back and sharing your experience! The whole trek will take around 3-4 hours so you'll arrive in the afternoon, can setup your tent (5.000 CLP) and have dinner. I like this post and your images. For those looking for more of a challenge, the alternative treks in the park, the Q and the Circuit or O, are just the ticket. Contact Us Now . EcoDome - Torres Del Paine W Trek, Patagonia - 7 Days . Here’s my question – for our middle night we could only book 1 tent at Camp Frances. What is the W Trek in Patagonia? Don't make the fault to skip the way up when it is raining in the camp – the weather changes really quick and you might regret it later. This (southern hemisphere) fall I got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do the Torres del Paine W trek in Chilean Patagonia with Chiletour Patagonia. Thanks for your lovely feedback :). though, it should be noted in the strongest terms: RESERVATIONS ARE MANDATORY, for campsites or whatever, at all locations mentioned (including Italiano, and particularly at Torres and Cuernos). The downside: it's uphill and adds more km to your trek today (on top of the mentioned 19 km). I assume that the answer from Vertice is related to the availability of tents or spaces to rent from them. (I am reading a lot of changes in the itinerary) I am fit and going solo though I like to enjoy the views I think I can go the extra mile. https://www.switchbacktravel.com/patagonia/torres-del-paine-w-circuit Use this tool to get a price for the exact time needed: Backpacking in Chile: my Chile Travel Guide   This is a clear and concise book based on my experience from 6 months traveling through Chile. On the W Trek, you’ll pass a water source every 30-45 minutes so there’s really no need to carry more than one full water bottle at a time. Thank you in advance :). The most popular trek in Patagonia, the Torres Del Paine W Trek is fast becoming one of the most well-respected short hikes in the world due to the trails stunning scenery. The W vs The O: Comly and I opted to hike the W during our 5 days and 4 nights in Torres Del Paine, but you could do this trek in 4 days and 3 nights as well. We opted to try the W Trek self-guided, mainly because our time in Patagonia was part of a one-year backpacking trip and we needed to keep our costs down. For the rest just follow my advice in the “How to Prepare for hiking Torres del Paine” guide which I linked to at the beginning of this article. Hi Steve, Thanks so much for this information on the W trek. Day 5: Torres – Puerto Natales (16 – 23,5 km, 2.800 CLP optional)The 3 Torres – definitely the highlight of the W in Torres del Paine! It’s 76km and is the most used hiking trail in Chile. Even if you get kicked along, they would need a ranger to accompany you the whole way to the entrance or exit (you can claim lost passport or something to avoid giving up who you are). Patagonia is home to many different hiking and trekking options for the adventurous traveller! I’m currently planning our trip to TDP at the end of March next year and wanted to do the W trek in 5 days as you have described it. ChileTour Patagonia, is a top-rated local Chilean travel brand with a main office in Puerto Natales that operates various types of W Trek experiences in Torres del Paine National Park and trips to other parts of Patagonia. Would they force us to hike all the way to Central since that’s what is reserved? My goal was to create a useful documentary to show which options you have exploring the park, what it is like to hike Torres del Paine and what you get to see when doing so. Hi Steve, Really great work and description. Not to put the pressure on you, but I need to get this done ASAP. It’s our last day … Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia is the most famous hike in the entire region. 5. www.lastorres.com. we got really lucky with the weather and I have to say it was a near-perfect experience. Have a slow start and head uphill, set up your tent and use the huge amount of time to spend some hours at the Torres in the afternoon. We booked a placeholder spot at the large Camping Central (Torres) 4 hours away. Beside Refugios you also have the chance to rent a tent (you can book it in advance via the website of the operator). W Trek Patagonia Day 2: Refugio Grey to Refugio Paine Grande. The W in Torres del Paine is the most popular multi-day hike as you come to see most of the highlights of the park. Thanks for your help, and I hope to hear from you soon! That’s true, Andrea – I loved it and made a lot stops in between to enjoy it! 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