Tackle the incomparable W Trek, EcoCamp-style!
The visually stunning W Trek – highlighting the best of Torres del Paine such as Grey Glacier, French Valley, and the base of the Towers – is a once-in-a-lifetime experience…so you should do it right the first time! Team up with our highly experienced and knowledgeable guides to head off on one of the most famous treks in the world, ending each day with spectacular sights, delicious meals, and comfortable nighttime accommodations. During your nights at EcoCamp Patagonia, you’ll be treated to delicious meals made from local ingredients, fun conversation over drinks in the Bar dome with your fellow guests, yoga to stretch your muscles, nights spent in our unique domes, and more!
September special offer
Planning a trip for September? Check out our special discount! Bring a friend or family member to EcoCamp and we will take 20% off the second passenger’s program. Click here for more details.
Highlights
- Trek Valle Frances
- The Challenging ‘W’ Trek
- Base of the Towers
- Views of Los Cuernos
- Boat ride to Grey Glacier
- Stay at award-winning EcoCamp Patagonia
- Start in Calafate (Argentina) or Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales (Chile)
- Cycling excursion (Optional)
Brief Itinerary
Watch Inside Patagonia | A Poem to the World’s End
Note: This video was filmed in April 2018 during Patagonian autumn
DESIGN YOUR TRIP
We can custom design this itinerary and all Chilean and Argentina destinations. You choose your preferred standard of accommodations, travel dates and the amount of time to spend at the various sites along the way. With advance planning, we can match a specific guide to your group’s interests.
Fill out this form or send us an email to reservations@cascada.travel and our Cascada Travel Expert team will get back to you within two business days!
Day 1 (Monday): The Patagonian Adventure Starts
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Meals: lunch & dinner
- Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia
Day 2 (Tuesday): Los Cuernos Trek
- Meals: breakfast, box lunch & dinner
- Accommodation: Refugio or camping area at Cuernos or Domo El Francés (depending on availability)
Day 3 (Wednesday): The Paine Massif’s Heart: Valle Frances
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
After breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley), along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group’s trekking rhythm. A swifter walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley. We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley’s geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day’s trek will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande.
- Meals: breakfast, box lunch & dinner
- Accommodation: Refugio or Camping at Paine Grande
Day 4 (Thursday): Glacier Grey
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Meals: breakfast. box lunch & dinner
- Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia
Day 5 (Friday): The big challenge, Trek to the Towers Base
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Meals: breakfast, box lunch & dinner
- Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia
Day 6 (Saturday): Eastern Lakes*
- Meals: breakfast, box lunch & dinner
- Accommodation: EcoCamp Patagonia
Day 7 (Sunday): Adios Torres del Paine!
- Meals: breakfast & box lunch
Patagonia Torres del Paine 7 Day W Trek – Trekking Chart
| Data / Day | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Name | arrive in Torres del Paine NP |
Los Cuernos Trail | Valle Frances Trail | Grey Glacier Trail | Las Torres Trail | Eastern Lakes | leave Torres del Paine NP |
| Starting Point | EcoCamp Patagonia | Refugio Cuernos | Refugio Paine Grande | EcoCamp Patagonia |
EcoCamp |
||
| Finishing Point | Refugio Cuernos (or Domo El Francés) |
Refugio Paine Grande | EcoCamp Patagonia (Trekking ends at Grey Viewpoint) |
EcoCamp Patagonia | EcoCamp Patagonia |
||
| appx. Walking Time | 4.5 hrs (or 5.5 hrs) |
10 hrs | 4 hrs | 9 hrs |
3 hr
|
||
| Distance | 12 km / 7.5 mi (14 km / 8.7 mi) |
26 km / 16 mi | 11 km / 7 mi | 22 km / 14 mi |
6km / 4mi
|
||
| max Altitude Point | 244 m / 800 feet | 686 m / 2250 feet | 244m / 800 feet | 914 m / 3000 feet | 180 m / 590ft |
Rates
Rates are valid from September 30th, 2019 to April 2020
*What’s CLP? Your booking is based on Chilean pesos (CLP), but you pay in US$ (USD), using the exchange rate valid on the day of payment which will be shown in your order. This exchange rate may vary between the date you pay your deposit and the date you pay your outstanding balance, but rest assured this is the best way to keep our prices competitive and ensure the best rate for you!
EcoCamp Patagonia Seasons
- Low Season
- September 30th, 2019 to October 15th, 2019 (Spring)
- April 18th to 27th, 2020 (Autumn) – last departure on April 27th, 2020
- Shoulder Season
- October 16th to 31st, 2019 (Spring)
- April 1st to 17th, 2020 (Autumn)
- High Season
- November 1st to December 14th, 2019
- January 21st to March 31st, 2020 (Summer)
- Peak Season
- December 15th, 2019 to January 20th, 2020 (Summer)
Departures
Every Monday from October 2019 to April 2020**
>> Do you want a private departure for this trip? We can do it, please send us an e-mail
Special Itinerary – 6 Day W trek in September
Starting / Finishing Points
The trip starts on Monday and finishes on Sunday with pickups and drop-offs in Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or El Calafate. Please visit our Weekly Transfer Board for details of EcoCamp pick up and drop off times from both Chile and Argentina.
Physical Demands
This is the right trip for energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to regard this trek as a means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a program of conditioning well before departure.
Included
- All ground transport – private and domestic – as indicated in the itinerary
- Regular bus tickets Calafate <> Natales if starting/finishing in Calafate.
- Boat crossing on Grey Lake (1) please check day 4 of the itinerary
- 4 nights accommodation in EcoCamp (3)
- 1 night accommodation at Refugio Paine Grande (depending on availability) (2)
- 1 night in Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo El Francés (depending on availability) (2) (4)
- Park fees for Torres del Paine National Park
- One expert English speaking trekking guide
- Sleeping bag for refugios if needed
- Transportation for your luggage within the Park: while trekking you will carry just your daypack
- Meals (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, L: Lunch, D: dinner):
- day 1: Lunch, Dinner
- day 2: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- day 3: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- day 4: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- day 5: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- day 6: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- day 7: Breakfast, Box Lunch.
Important notes:
- During Low & Shoulder Season (October and April) the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be canceled, if this is the case we will offer you a good alternative of excursion within the park.
- If refugios are unavailable, alternative accommodation will be provided in tents or domes with prior notice.
- If you choose a standard dome and you are traveling alone, you can share the dome with another person of the same gender and pay the double base price. If you want the dome to yourself, you need to pay a Single Supplement
- Accommodation at the Refugio will be provided either in dormitories or in comfortable tents or domes, including mat, sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner; our team will set up and dismantle all this. The campsite provides satisfactory bathroom facilities. Meals will be served inside the Refugio.
N.B. During Shoulder and Low Season (October and April), the Towers Trek excursion might be canceled because of weather conditions and safety considerations.
Not Included
- Flight tickets
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
- Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
- Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bringing US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP is recommended
- Items of a personal nature
Group Size & Guiding Staff
9 travelers is the most typical group size, plus guiding staff.
- Maximum 12 clients.
- Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6
Children Policy
- Youngsters who are 13 years of age or older are welcome and are considered adults.
- Children between 10 and 12 might be accepted in this program if their legal guardian sends a formal letter stating that the child is prepared for such an intense trekking trip and authorizes us to hire a private guide in case the child cannot perform well during the trek.
- Children under 10 years of age cannot participate in this trip.
- This trip doesn’t offer a special discount for children.
Transport
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. Pick up / Drop off times will be confirmed locally by our operations team. An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for anyone needing additional support while they are in Chile.
Weather
The Patagonian Andes is very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min). However, just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become lovely and sunny. So come prepared for all types of weather!
What you need to bring
Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. Essential equipment includes:
- One day backpack (30 liters – to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc)
- Trekking or hiking boots
- Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet
- Waterproof jacket
- Two pairs of woolen socks
- Fleece jacket or sweater
- Shorts or comfortable loose pants
- Sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm, and screen) and
- Optional Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body
- US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP.
Itinerary Modifications
The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to deal with at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
EcoCamp Patagonia (Nights 1,4,5,6)
Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants. W Trek advisable minimum age form Children is 12 years.
EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome
(Shared bathroom, 10m²/108ft²)
EcoCamp Standard domes were the world’s first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable and gender divided.
EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome(Heating & Private bathroom, 28m²/300ft²)
Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
EcoCamp’s Suite Dome Lofts(2 floors, Heating & Private bathroom, 37m²/398ft²)
Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes which fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
EcoCamp Patagonia Superior Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 23m²/250ft²)
Spacious, comfortable and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet.
Mountain huts / Refugios (Nights 2,3)
Typical mountain huts, open to the public visiting Torres del Paine. They have rooms for 4-6 people. The beds are single bunks and we will provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don’t need to bring a sleeping bag!). The bathrooms are also shared and they have hot water. The refugios are heated and have a very comfortable dining area where plentiful meals are served. If refugios are unavailable, alternative accommodation will be provided in tents with prior notice.
Domes El Francés (Night 2 / Alternative to Refugio)
Geodesic domes, open to the public visiting Torres del Paine. The domes have an amazing view of Nordenskjöld lake, Cuernos del Paine and Paine Grande Mountains and come with a private bathroom for 8 people each (shared bathroom and dome). Accommodation are single bed or bunk beds and we will provide you with a sleeping bag and a polar fleece liner (you don’t need to bring a sleeping bag!).
