Torres del Paine W Trek (Self-guided)

The W is the best-known trek in Patagonia and the one that brings together, in five days, the three great highlights of Torres del Paine National Park: the Base Torres viewpoint, the French Valley with the Británico lookout, and Grey Glacier. It covers around 76 kilometres that trace a W on the map, hence the name.
THIS PROGRAMME IS SELF-GUIDED. You walk on your own, with no guide and no porter. What we provide is the logistics, fully resolved: campsites booked night by night, meals contracted, park entrance, catamaran ticket and transfers both ways. That is precisely the hard part of the circuit, because places sell out months in advance. You can start on any day of the season, provided the campsites have space: the earlier you book, the more choice of dates you will have.
Before you set off you will have a briefing in Puerto Natales with a specialised coordinator. It is held in person and, if your itinerary does not allow it, online. It covers the day-by-day itinerary, the difficulty of each section, timings and transport logistics, along with clothing and equipment recommendations, park rules and emergency contacts. At the end you receive your full documentation, the vouchers for each service, your box lunch for day one and a welcome kit.
The first day is the hardest: 21 kilometres to the Base Torres viewpoint and back, 8 to 10 hours. The following days are gentler, except for the French Valley, which is also 21 kilometres. On the last day you cross Lake Pehoé by catamaran to Pudeto and return to Puerto Natales.
ABOUT GREY GLACIER: on this trek the glacier is seen on foot, from the lookout and from the hanging bridges. The programme does not include sailing to the face of the ice. If you would like to approach it by water, the boat trip, kayaking on Lake Grey or an ice trek on the glacier can be added as optional activities: please ask about rates and availability when booking.
Accommodation is camping. The tent is pitched on arrival and includes a sleeping bag, a high-density foam mat and a pillow. At some campsites the tent sits on a raised platform.
RESTRICTIONS: not recommended for children under 14. You must be able to carry your own belongings for the full five days; we recommend a 40-litre backpack. If you have dietary restrictions, tell us when booking: regular and vegetarian menus are available, and the gluten-free option is offered only with the box lunch. Restrictions can only be honoured if reported in advance.
All days are subject to weather conditions. Please note that National Park entrance tickets are non-refundable under any circumstances, even if the booking is cancelled well in advance.
Day 1 — Park entry and Base Torres. 21 km, 8 to 10 hours. Demanding.
Day 2 — On to Los Cuernos or Francés. 12.5 or 16 km depending on the campsite, 4 to 5 hours. Medium difficulty.
Day 3 — French Valley and Paine Grande. 21 km, 7 to 8 hours. High difficulty.
Day 4 — Paine Grande to Grey Glacier. 11 km, 4 to 4.5 hours. Medium difficulty.
Day 5 — Grey to Paine Grande, catamaran and return. 11 km, 4 to 4.5 hours. Medium difficulty.