This is without a doubt one of the most spectacular treks in South America. The famous “W Trek” in the Torres del Paine National Park, travels through 3 impressive valleys. The valley of the River Ascensio (Torres de Paine – the towers), the Valle Francés - the French Valley (Cuernos del Paine y Paine Grande – The Horns of Paine and Large Paine) and Valle del Grey -Grey Valley (the Lake and Glacier Grey). The trek is about 55km through valleys, forests, round lakes and glaciers while also enjoying a variety of flora and fauna indigenous to southern Patagonia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport/Bus station El Calafate – El Calafate

Arrive in El Calafate. You will be met either at the bus station or at the airport and taken to the hotel/hostel.
A welcome meeting for the group, where you will meet the Guides. Equipment will be checked; final details and any last questions can be asked!
A free afternoon for walking around and enjoying this small and picturesque Patagonian town.
A welcome dinner with the group will be held in the evening.

Accommodation:

     1. Hostel accommodation, with shared bathroom
     2. Hotel accommodation in either a single or twin room, with private bathroom

Day 2: El Calafate – Puerto Natales
Transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales (Chile) on a regular bus service. You will travel along the legendary “Route 40”, on unpaved roads. After some 3.5 hours you will arrive at the Chilean border (Paso Cancha Carrera – Cerro Castillo). Having gone through immigration and customs we continue on to the city of Puerto Natales.
The afternoon will be at leisure for visiting this traditional and interesting Patagonian town.
Optional visit to the Penguin colony of Seno Otway.
Dinner in the evening.

Accommodation:
     1. Hostel accommodation, with shared bathroom
     2. Hotel accommodation in either a single or twin room, with private bathroom

Day 3: Puerto Natales – PN Torres del Paine – Trekking to las Torres (Valle Río Ascensio)

After breakfast we will transfer from Puerto Natales to the National Park Torres del Paine on the regular bus service. We will then transfer from the entrance at Guardería Laguna Amarga to Camping Torres.
Trekking along the Ascensio Valley on some beautiful footpaths in search of the Torres del Paine. After crossing a suspension bridge we start climbing, we circle the Mount Almirante Nieto (2640masl). The path travels alongside the River Ascensio and then after about an hour it passes the Chileno Refuge (520masl). From here the path goes through mature forests of great grandeur until we reach the Base Camp of Torres (Japonés Camp). From here it´s about 45 minutes of pure ascent over moraine until you arrive at the viewpoint of Torres; a spectacular natural amphitheatre at the bottom of the imposing and vertical granite towers of some 900m. (Torre Norte 2600masl, Torre Central 2850masl and  Torre Sur 2900masl).
We return along the same path.
It is about 7 to 8 hours of walking with an elevation of about 950m.

Accommodation:

Day 4: Las Torres – “Los Cuernos” Pass
After breakfast we start trekking, we circle Lake Nordenskjold, which is famous for its beautiful colour. We will also be hiking round the gigantic Cuernos del Paine.
After about 4 hours we arrive at the camp. An elevation change of about 450m.
Accommodation:

• Las Torres Camp (area with services)

Day 5: Valle Francés - Refugio Pehoé
A very early start. After about 2 hours we will start climbing up the Valle Francés whose waters fall to the Lake Nordenskjold. This valley is formed by the Cuernos del Paine on the East and the imposing Paine Grande (Principal 3050masl and North Norte 2750masl) on the west. We climb alongside the river until we reach an extraordinary natural amphitheatre circled by needles and walls of impressive heights. Here we enjoy a marvellous vista of the Cuernos, Espada Máscara, Hoja, Aleta de Tiburón, Catedral and Paine Grande. The forest and the hanging glaciers of Paine Grande which constantly has avalanches taking place make this a wonderful trek.
We return down the valley on the same path and at the end of it, we continue in a westerly direction, alongside Skottsberg Lake and arrive at Pehoé Refuge at the end of the day.
A total of 9 hours walking and an elevation change of 680m.

Accommodation:

Day 6:  Valle del Glaciar Grey - Refugio Pehoé
After about 2 hours we arrive at a fantastic viewpoint from where we can appreciate the grey hues of the Lake Grey and its glacier and the mountains to the west of the Continental Ice Field. After another 2 hours we arrive at a viewpoint right in front of the glacier. Glacier Grey is about 300km² with about 25km from its source to its face. We should also be lucky enough to see some large blocks of ice falling of the glacier front, which then slowly make their way down to the other end of the lake.
The trek takes you past lovely views and through lovely beech forests.
We return to the camp along the same path, 8 hours walking with an elevation change of 400m.

Accommodation:

• Pehoé Refuge and Camp (area with services)
• Hostel accommodation in Pehoé Refuge

Day 7: Boat across Lago Pehoé - Salto Grande – Puerto Natales
This is a more relaxed day! At midday we cross over Pehoé Lake, enjoying the view of the Paine mass until we arrive at Port Pudeto, where we catch the bus to Guardería Laguna Amarga. There will be the option of visiting the Cave of Milodón (an herbivore animal of humongous proportions lived in this area a long time ago). Transfer to Puerto Natales.

Accommodation:
     1. Hostel accommodation, with shared bathroom
     2. Hotel accommodation in either a single or twin room, with private bathroom

Dinner is not included.

Day 8: Puerto Natales - El Calafate - El Calafate airport
After breakfast a transfer on the regular bus service to El Calafate.
Transfer to the airport in El Calafate.
End of services.