Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in El Calafate
You'll fly into El Calafate and get a transfer to your lodging in El Chaltén. Check in and settle in for the night after your arrival.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rancho Grande Hostel | El Chalten)
- Day 2
El Chaltén
This is a free day to hike around El Chaltén at your own pace. Most people head out early, between 7 or 8 in the morning, for the full-day trek to Laguna de los Tres. The hike takes about 4 to 5 hours each direction and gives you views of the turquoise lake and Mt. Fitz Roy. Plan on 8 to 10 hours total for the round trip, so starting early really helps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rancho Grande Hostel | El Chalten)
Optional Activities
- Self-guided trek to Laguna de los Tres (full-day, approximately 4-5 hours each way, 26 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Laguna Torre (full-day, approximately 6-7 hours, 24 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Laguna Capri (moderate, approximately 3-4 hours, 12 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Los Cóndores & Las Águilas Viewpoints (easy, approximately 1.5-2 hours, 6 km round trip)
Landmarks Mount Fitz Roy Laguna de los Tres Cerro Torre 
- Day 3
El Chaltén
Another free day for trekking on your own. Today you could try Laguna Torre, which is a bit shorter and less tough than yesterday's hike. You'll walk through valleys and reach a glacial lake where Cerro Torre's granite spire shows up in the water on clear days. Heading out early makes a difference again.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rancho Grande Hostel | El Chalten)
Optional Activities
- Self-guided trek to Laguna Torre (moderate, approximately 6-7 hours, 24 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Laguna de los Tres (hard, approximately 8-10 hours, 26 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Laguna Capri (moderate, approximately 3-4 hours, 12 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Los Cóndores & Las Águilas Viewpoints (easy, approximately 1.5-2 hours, 6 km round trip)
- Self-guided trek to Piedra del Fraile Circuit (hard/multi-day, 3-5 days, 58 km)
- Self-guided trek to Huemul Circuit & Paso del Viento (very hard/technical, 4-5 days, 65 km)
Landmarks Laguna Torre Cerro Torre - Day 4
El Chaltén to El Calafate
After checking out, head to the bus station to catch the 8:00 AM bus toward El Calafate. You'll arrive around 11:00 AM and can get to your accommodation however you want. The rest of your day is open for relaxing or walking around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Calafate Hostel | El Calafate)
- Day 5
El Calafate
Today you head into Los Glaciares National Park for a full-day trip to Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll have about three hours to walk the boardwalk system and see the 60-meter ice wall where it meets the turquoise lake. Pieces of ice break off into the water below, so it's pretty dynamic if you're patient enough to watch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Calafate Hostel | El Calafate)
Included Activities
- Perito Moreno Glacier Classic Day Tour
Optional Activities
- Mini-trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier (additional cost approximately 530 USD per person)
Landmarks Perito Moreno Glacier Los Glaciares National Park - Day 6
El Calafate to Puerto Natales
After breakfast, make your way to the bus station for the morning bus to Puerto Natales in Chile, leaving around 7:30 or 8:00 AM. Once you arrive, head to your accommodation. Check the online briefing from Las Torres before you leave, which covers what to expect on the W Trek days coming up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Puma House | Puerto Natales)
- Day 7
Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
You have the morning free in Puerto Natales before heading to the park. By 2:00 PM, get to Terminal Rodoviario for the 2:30 PM bus. You'll reach Laguna Amarga entrance around 4:30 PM, fill out entry paperwork at CONAF, then take a shuttle to the Welcome Centre and Refugio Torre Central for your first night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Three-course meal served in the Refugio (entrée, main, and dessert))
Included Activities
- Park entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
- Bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park
Landmarks Torres del Paine National Park 
- Day 8
Torres del Paine W Trek Day 1
The W Trek starts today with a tough 7 to 8 hour hike to Base Torres Lookout. You'll head out around 9:00 AM and climb for about 1.5 hours through nice views of lakes and a hanging glacier. After passing Refugio El Chileno and walking through an old lenga forest, you'll make a final 45 minute push up to the lookout where you see the three torres and Glacier Torre.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full breakfast served in the Refugio), Lunch (Packed lunch box containing sandwich or wrap, trail mix, piece of fruit, and cereal/chocolate bar), Dinner (Three-course meal served in the Refugio (entrée, main, and dessert))
Included Activities
- Guided trek to Base Torres Lookout (Base of the Towers)
Landmarks Mount Almirante Nieto Base Torres Lookout Torre Sur Torre Central Torre Norte Glacier Torre 
- Day 9
Torres del Paine W Trek Day 2
Today you trek from Refugio Torre Central to Refugio Los Cuernos, walking around Mount Almirante Nieto's base. It's a moderate hike taking 5 to 6 hours. After 30 minutes you hit the Los Cuernos trail, passing Lake Nordenskjöld, hanging glaciers, and red-flowering notro trees along the way. Los Cuernos is one of the nicer stops on the whole W Trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full breakfast served in the Refugio), Lunch (Packed lunch box containing sandwich or wrap, trail mix, piece of fruit, and cereal/chocolate bar), Dinner (Three-course meal served in the Refugio (entrée, main, and dessert))
Included Activities
- Trek from Refugio Torre Central to Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo Francés
Landmarks Mount Almirante Nieto Lake Nordenskjöld Los Cuernos - Day 10
Torres del Paine W Trek Day 3
This is a long and difficult day from Los Cuernos toward Francés Valley and Paine Grande. The first two hours are easier with Lake Nordenskjöld in view until you reach Camp Italiano. Drop your backpack there and continue with just a small pack. Climb 1.5 hours to Francés Glacier Lookout, then another section to Británico Lookout where you see Paine Grande, Catedral, and other major peaks. Head back down the same way to Camp Italiano, then continue to Paine Grande Lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full breakfast served in the Refugio), Lunch (Packed lunch box containing sandwich or wrap, trail mix, piece of fruit, and cereal/chocolate bar), Dinner (Three-course meal served in the Refugio (entrée, main, and dessert))
Included Activities
- Trek to Francés Valley and Paine Grande
Landmarks Lake Nordenskjöld Camp Italiano Río Francés Francés Glacier Lookout Británico Lookout Paine Grande - Day 11
Torres del Paine W Trek Day 4
The final W Trek day involves a roundtrip hike to Grey Glacier Lookout, then a ferry across Lake Pehoé back to Puerto Natales. You start around 9:00 AM, reaching the first lookout in about 1.5 hours. Keep going for another 1.5 to 2 hours circling the west side of Lake Grey to reach the main lookout with views of the glacier and ice floes. Head back the same way, board the ferry, and arrive in Puerto Natales around 10:00 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Full breakfast served in the Refugio), Lunch (Packed lunch box containing sandwich or wrap, trail mix, piece of fruit, and cereal/chocolate bar)
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Puma House | Puerto Natales)
Included Activities
- Trek to Grey Glacier Lookout
- Ferry trip across Lake Pehoé
- Bus transfer from Pudeto to Puerto Natales
Landmarks Grey Glacier Lookout Lake Grey Cordón Olguín Lake Pehoé - Day 12
Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Have breakfast and check out on your final day. Make your own way to the bus station for a public bus to Punta Arenas Airport or the city. Buses run several times throughout the day, so pick whatever timing works for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Return bus to El Calafate (additional cost 40 USD)
