DISCOVER CHILE & PATAGONIA
Patagonia W Trek: One of the World's Greatest Hiking Adventures
Trip Style: Adventure
IMMERSE IN PATAGONIAN CULTURE AND HIKE THE W TREK IN TORRES DEL PAINE
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OPTION #1: SELF-GUIDED 8-DAY ITINERARY
STARTING AT $3995 per person
Fully planned & booked self-guided 8-day Patagonia itinerary with 4-day W Trek + included meals & activities
Private & public transit, all arranged
Minimum of 2 people
Trekking guide optional add-on
OPTION #2: 5-DAY W TREK
STARTING AT $2495 per person
Fully booked and planned 5-day W Trek option, includes detailed hiking briefing and directions, full board meals, camping or refugio bunk bed options, transit to/from start/finish + all our tips + Community Partner donation
Trip Highlights
Experience the heart of Patagonian at an estancia with breathtaking views, a horseback ride, and a barbecue feast!
Learn about rewilding efforts in Torres del Paine & get to know its nature, people & wildlife
Trek through diverse landscapes & challenge yourself on Patagonia’s W Trek
See Glacier Grey up close on an exclusive catamaran cruise
Add on time to soak in the bohemian heart of Valparaíso & taste Chilean wines & cuisine
Few places on Earth capture the imagination quite like Patagonia. Towering granite peaks, turquoise lakes, ancient glaciers, and some of the world's most spectacular hiking trails make Chile's Torres del Paine National Park a true once-in-a-lifetime destination.
Your adventure begins in the lively gateway town of Puerto Natales, where colorful waterfront streets, local restaurants, and stunning fjord views set the stage for the days ahead. From there, you'll venture into Torres del Paine National Park to experience the legendary W Trek, hiking to iconic viewpoints including the Base of the Towers, French Valley, and Grey Glacier while crossing mountain passes, turquoise lakes, ancient forests, and windswept valleys.
Celebrate each day's accomplishment with a well-earned Pisco Sour, sleep beneath Patagonia's famously star-filled skies, and wake each morning ready for another unforgettable day on the trail.
Choose our complete 8-Day Patagonia Journey, which combines the W Trek with an authentic Patagonian estancia experience featuring horseback riding, a traditional lamb asado barbecue, and a Grey Glacier catamaran cruise. Or opt for our streamlined 5-Day Classic W Trek, designed for travelers who want to focus entirely on one of the world's most iconic multi-day hikes.
Both itineraries offer your choice of fully equipped camping or shared mountain refugios, along with self-guided and fully guided trekking options, allowing you to experience Patagonia in the style—and budget—that suits you best. Travel between November and April, and plan ahead, as accommodations inside Torres del Paine National Park fill months in advance.
Explore the itinerary, inclusions, accommodations, and pricing below to find the Patagonia adventure that's right for you.
Why this trip?
The W Trek consistently ranks among the world's greatest multi-day hikes—but organizing it is often the hardest part. Campsites and refugios are managed by multiple operators, reservations open on different schedules, transportation must be carefully coordinated, and availability during Patagonia's short hiking season disappears quickly.
We've taken care of all of that.
Whether you choose our comprehensive 8-Day Patagonia Journey or the 5-Day Classic W Trek, every detail has been thoughtfully arranged so you can simply focus on the experience. Hike approximately 45 miles (72 km) through one of the planet's most breathtaking national parks, stand beneath the iconic granite spires of the Base of the Towers, wander through the hanging glaciers of French Valley, cruise alongside the immense Grey Glacier, and experience the ever-changing landscapes that have made Patagonia legendary among hikers worldwide.
For travelers choosing the full itinerary, the journey extends beyond the trail. Ride horseback across a traditional Patagonian estancia, enjoy a classic lamb asado barbecue, connect with local conservation efforts, and customize your adventure further with optional time exploring Santiago, colorful Valparaíso, Chilean wine country, or a post-trek fjord lodge stay.
Throughout your journey, we partner with exceptional local guides, accommodations, and community organizations that help protect Torres del Paine while ensuring tourism creates lasting benefits for the people who call Patagonia home.
Whether you're planning a solo adventure, celebrating a milestone, traveling with friends, or organizing a custom group, this journey offers the perfect balance of challenge, comfort, thoughtful planning, and authentic connection to one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes.
Travel with purpose. Every Traverse Journeys departure includes a contribution to a carefully selected Community Partner, supporting local organizations creating meaningful impact in the destinations we visit. For this trip, your booking supports Torres del Paine Legacy Fund focused on conservation and rewilding in Chile’s Patagonia.
Testimonials
Trip Inclusions
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8-DAY ITINERARY:
4 nights’ accommodations in boutique, centrally located hotels
3 nights camping in tents in Torres del Paine
5-DAY W TREK:
4 nights’ refugio stay in your choice of tents or bunks
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8-DAY ITINERARY:*
Airport transfers to/from Puerto Natales (PNT)
Excursion transit including private vehicles, boat and bus/shuttle transfers including:*
Bus to and from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
Round-trip catamaran between Pudeto and Paine Grande (when needed)
Bus from Pudeto to Laguna Amarga
Shuttle to/from Las Torres and Laguna Amarga
5-DAY W TREK:*
Bus to and from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
Round-trip catamaran between Pudeto and Paine Grande
Bus from Pudeto to Laguna Amarga
Shuttle to/from Las Torres and Laguna Amarga
*Self-guided: A few short transits to bus stops and meeting points in town are not included. For these you can hop an easy and inexpensive taxi. Your detailed itinerary will include all the specifics you need to know!
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ALL TRIPS:
W Trek hiking & tent reservations + detailed itinerary and all meals while trekking
High quality sleeping bag + sleeping mat, pre-assembled at each location
Informative and safety briefing in Puerto Natales prior to your departure
Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
Learn about rewilding in the Patagonia region
GROUP & GUIDED TRIPS
Excursion to a Chilean Estancia with hiking or horseback riding + traditional barbecue
Grey III glacier boat tour
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8-DAY ITINERARY:
Daily breakfast
Welcome & Farewell Dinner*
Estancia lunch barbecue
Full board breakfast, lunch & dinner on the trek
*Self-Guided 8-day trek includes Welcome/Farewell dinner reservations only
5-DAY W-TREK:
Full board including breakfast, lunch & dinner
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Detailed itinerary with complete self-guided instructions, packing & gear advice, local recommendations, cultural tips & more
Visit with our local Community Partner to learn about rewilding efforts in Patagonia + donation to their organization
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
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ALL TRIPS:
Personal porter for days 2-4, 15 kg max
Hiking poles
Upgrades to refugios instead of tents (subject to availability)
SELF-GUIDED:
Option for a fully guided hike
3-DAY SANTIAGO ADD-ON
2-nights’ boutique accommodations with daily breakfast
Guided excursions with transit in colorful Valparaiso & Santiago
Winery experience at a coastal vineyard
Market tour and cooking class in Valparaiso
Final group airport transfer to Santiago (SLC)
See below for pricing and itinerary
Ice hike on Glacier Grey, pp $385.00
Kayak Excursion at Glacier Grey, pp $275.00
Personal porter (up to 15 kg), per day $250.00
Glacier Grey Boat Cruise w/connecting transit $195.00
3-star hotel Puerto Natales (starting at) $195.00
4-star hotel Puerto Natales (starting at) $275.00
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Prices are based on double occupancy. Minimum 2 people. Final pricing will be confirmed on booking according to seasonal fluctuations, add-ons and hotel level choice.
STARTING at $3995 per person, minimum 2 people
+$895 - Single supplement for odd numbers or “my own room” option
+$295 refugio upgrade, per person (as available). See FAQs below
Private Guide for the trek: Starting at $995 for the full trek. Final pricing provided on booking, variable by number of participants.
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STARTING AT $2495 per person
No minimum number of people, book solo or with travel companions. Fees may increase during peak season
Choose between refugios bunk bed or tents. See FAQs below for the difference.
Private Guide for the trek: Starting at $995 for the full trek. Final pricing provided on booking, variable by number of participants.
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SANTIAGO EXTENSION
Prices starting at $1295 per person. Final pricing will be confirmed on booking according to seasonal fluctuations, add-ons and hotel level choice.
Includes:
2 nights boutique hotel in Santiago with daily breakfast
Arrival & departure transfer + transit between activities
Valparaiso street art walking tour with a local guide
Santiago half day walking tour with a local guide
Tour and tasting at a coastal vineyard
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Optional Add-ons
Prices and options available on booking
Glacier Grey Boat Cruise upgrade. A fantastic experience in which you navigate near the Glacier Grey, enjoy a cocktail or juice, and connect back with the roadway for your return. This option allows you to avoid the 4 hour return hike to Paine Grande, and end the trek with a bit more comfort.
3 or 4-star hotel in Puerto Natales, at one of our favorite in-town spots or fjord lodges
Personal porter for a 15 kg backpack for days 2-4 of the trek
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International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guides and drivers
Alcohol or other drinks, unless specified
Required travel insurance
FAQS
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We recommend booking this trip 6-8 months in advance to ensure your space, as camping spots along the W Trek route are limited. We can sometimes add more people in up to 60 days prior to departure; however, we can’t guarantee there will be spots left. It’s also important to decide whether you’d like camping or refugio bunks early on, as these are difficult to change later.
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If you choose a tent, you’ll sleep in a pre-assembled, high-quality, weather-protective, spacious one or two-person tents which are set up for you inclusive of a sleeping mat and sleeping bag. They do not include a pillow - you can bring your own travel pillow or rent on site for an additional fee and if available. People often choose the tent when they want more privacy and quiet.
If you choose the refugios, you’ll sleep in bunk rooms at the camp sites inside the lodges. There are typically 6-8 people per room and it includes bedding and a pillow. People often choose the refugio when they want more warmth and to be indoors.
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On the W Trek you'll be hiking 8-12 miles each day (6-8 hours of hiking each day) with one long day up to 17 miles. The trail is quite technical, and you’ll want to use trekking poles. You can carry your bag yourself, or you can hire a porter on a day-to-day basis. There are a lot of inclines and declines throughout the trail, however the entire trek is at a relatively low altitude, with the highest elevation being 3900 ft (1190 meters). While your fitness level doesn't have to be like an athlete, you should be able to hike for multiple hours at a time through diverse terrain and constantly switching weather - rain, snow, wind and sun all on the same day is common!
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Yes, we include sleeping bags and mat along in your reservation. If you’ve reserved a bunk in the refugio this also includes a pillow; if you’re in a tent you will need to bring your own travel pillow. The sleeping bags and mats are pre-assembled at each site so that you don’t have to carry them from camp to camp.
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The group trip is with other travelers that have also selected our Chile small group trip travel dates, and you will have the same local guide throughout your stay.
The self-guided W Trek can be booked for any time during the hiking season (November-April) and includes all of your logistics, reservations and planned excursions, but does not include a hiking guide. You will be provided with the maps and routes as well as a briefing before you begin your trek. All of your tent or refugio reservations, meals and transit are also included.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
