TORRES DEL PAINE 'W' TREK CLASSIC
8 Days & 7 Nights
Get Excited!! The Patagonia W Trek, located in the Torres Del Paine National Park, is “it”. Talk about the mother of all hikes?!? Join us for this 8-day, 7-night breathtaking expedition of one of the most famously trekked trails in the world. You’ll see emerald green lagoons, striking grey glaciers and a whole lot in between. Training will start December 8 and end when we meet in Chile on March 8th.
What is involved in this trek?
The “W Trek” is a world-renowned 43-mile W-shaped track that links the 3 Granite Paine Towers, the French Valley, and the Grey Glacier. The highest altitude on this trail is 2,887 feet, making this do-able for almost everyone. There are rolling hills carrying us between refugios which . Our longest day will be a 13-mile hike, but don’t worry – we have all day, with lunches and snack breaks between to do it. And, amazingly, when you arrive, you’ll have the opportunity to relax with a glass of Chilean wine or a cocktail – something you won’t find in most wilderness treks around the world! You can do this, and moreover, you will come home with the most amazing photos of emerald green lakes, crystalline glaciers and perhaps yourself and your new set of friends kayaking or climbing them.
March 9
Garden Domes
Day 01/Arrival
Fly into Puerto Natales. Welcome dinner and drinks followed by a W Trek briefing. Stay at Garden Domes. You either stay in a Cabin room accommodation (double/twin room sharing price) or in one of the luxury domes (additional charges).
March 10
Torre Central Lodge
Day 02/ Base of the Towers Trek
Private transfer to Torres del Paine National Park. Trek to Base of Towers. 13 miles, 3330 ft of elevation. The most challenging day. After the hike you will be staying at the Central Refuge where you will sleep in a 6 bedroom dormitory room or Laguna Amarga Cabins, with view of the Towers from the cabin.
March 11
Frances Domes
Day 03/ Los Cuernos Trek
Trek to the French Valley. 10 miles, 2000 ft of elevation. Stay at Domos Frances or Los Cuernos Lodge
March 12
Paine Grande Lodge
Day 04/ French Valley Trek
Trek to Paine Grande. 8 miles, 800 ft of elevation. This night you will be sleeping in the Lodge at Paine Grande.
March 13
Grey Lodge
Day 05/ Grey Trail Trek
Trek from Paine Grande to Grey Glacier Area. Optional Ice Trekking or Kayaking (additional charges). Stay at Grey Lodge. 7 miles.
March 14
Garden Domes
Day 06/ Trek Out of the W
Trek back to Paine Grande from Grey Glacier Area. Optional Kayaking. Take the catamaran across Lake Pehoe to reach your bus transfer back to Puerto Natales. Stay in Garden Domes. Pizza night.
March 15
Day 07/ Departure Day
Depart Purto Natales to head home.
Activity Level
This trip is rated as strenuous because of the daily mileage and rolling elevation on particular days. The good news is that are at sea level for most of this trek, so we won’t have to contend with acclimatization in Patagonia.
Baggage: You will need to carry all of your personal belongings on the Trek. (Clothing, toiletries, etc). We recommend bringing a 35-40L backpack for these items. This is not a portered trek, although for an extra fee, porters are available.
Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously.
For your safety and the safety of the group, we will require you to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of the waiver before beginning our trek.
Train & Travel Adventure Training
As a part of this program, you will be offered training and preparation, beginning 90 days in advance of the trip (December 11). The training will include a physical training plan each week as well as nutrition, hydration and gear instruction.
The training is included in the trip fee and will be delivered via weekly zoom calls each Monday evening.
The times of the calls are 5pm PST / 8pm EST.
We strongly encourage you to join these calls, especially if this is your first trek of this kind. We will provide education and key information on what to expect and how to prepare.
PLUS it will give you a chance to meet others who will be traveling with us!
Logistics
Arrival
Arrival: Airport City, Puerto Natales (PNT)
Pick-up Location: Airport with transfer to Hotel. Please arrive before 3pm.
Meeting time: 6pm for Welcome Dinner at Hotel
Departure
Departure: Airport City, Puerto Natales (PNT)
When: Fly out any time on Day 8. Transport to airport provided.
Pictures: Garden Domes hotel Night 1 and Night 6
What Is Included
- 4 nights in the park and 2 nights in Puerto Natales All-Inclusive (based on double occupancy).
- Trek briefing with welcome dinner on arrival day.
- 5 days guided trekking and 4 nights in dormitory bed: (1) Refugio Central (2) Domos Frances; (3) Paine Grande Lodge; (4) Grey Lodge.
- Pizza night, last night coming out of the W trek.
- Breakfast (American), boxed lunch, and dinner (3 courses) each day during the 5 days of trekking.
- Private van transfer into the park and ferry ticket and regular bus transfer out of the park.
- Trekking poles for the first day of trekking and free luggage storage at Garden Domes in Puerto Natales.
- Taxi service from Puerto Natales airport to Garden Domes or regular bus connections from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas upon arrival.
- All the beds at the park lodges will have the necessary bedding accessories, no need to carry sleeping bag or mat.
- 12-Week Pre-trip Training Program Included: Weekly group calls and training plan to prepare for trip starting December 8.
Torres Del Paine Refugio
$2,700 USD*
* All pricing based on double occupancy
What is NOT included?
- Airfare to/from Puerto Natales airport, Chile.
- All meals on travel days
- Any alcohol consumed
- Any additional porter services required to carry baggage
- Any tips, gratuities
Payment Policy
In order to secure your reservation a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $200 is due at time of booking.
All guests with unpaid balances will receive an email reminder with a payment link before the Total Balance Due Deadline.
The remaining balance of the trip is due as stated below:
Amount Due
50% of Trip Balance
Total Remaining Trip Balance
Balance Due Deadline
150 days prior to arrival (November 8)
120 days prior to arrival (December 8)
Unfortunately, for any balance not paid in full at deadline, trip will be forfeited with no refund.
Reservations made within the Total Balance Due Deadline below will need to be paid in full upon time of reservation.
Payment Policy
Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE.
We strongly encourage you to secure travelers insurance.
Refunds will be given as noted below:
Refund Amount
Full Less Deposit
50% Trip Cost
No Refund
Trip Length > 5 Days
121+ Days Out
61- 120 Days Out
60 Days or Less
Cancellations by BU Adventures:
BU Adventures requires a minimum number of guests before confirming a departure. Every trip page states the minimum number of required guests. A trip is confirmed as soon as our minimum guest count is met.
We reserve the right to cancel trips with inadequate participant attendance, in which case all money paid to BU Adventures will be fully refunded.
Do not book any airfare or travel before your trip is confirmed.
Disclaimer
What is a Refugio?
Refugios offer rustic hostel-meets-hotel accommodation for hikers. They have warm dorm-style rooms with comfy beds where you can relax and unwind after a long day on the trails. There are shared toilets and bathrooms with hot showers that are accessible for all hikers, allowing you to freshen up after an active day. The accommodation is clean and well located on the main trails. Most refugios also have campsites with separate facilities if you would prefer to camp out of the main building.
Why Use a Refugio?
- No need to carry heavy bedding or food (although you may choose to to carry your own sleeping bag).
- You have the chance to enjoy conversation with people from all over the world.
- Refugios help you stay clean and comfortable while hiking.
- They provide warmth and shelter when the weather deteriorates.
- Refugios provide you with dinner, breakfast and give you a packed lunch to go.
- The #1 reason to stay at a refugio: Each refugio has a small shop selling snacks and a bar with beer, wine, and Pisco Sours, Patagonia’s favorite cocktail.
