TORRES DEL PAINE, CHILE
Join Us in Patagonia: The W Trek
7 Days · 24–30 April 2027
The W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park
The trail takes its name from the shape it traces across the Cordillera del Paine. The eastern arm climbs to Mirador Base Las Torres for the classic view of the three granite towers. The central arm runs up the French Valley to Mirador Britanico and across to Paine Grande, an exhilarating full day of close to 24 miles. The western arm follows Lago Grey up to the suspension bridges above Grey Glacier, the most manageable of the three trekking days. Between them you pass through Lenga forest, past glacier lakes and pebble beaches, with ice capped mountains in view for most of the walk.
Most people hike the W sleeping in tents along the route. We do it differently. You are based at Tierra Patagonia for four nights and driven to and from each trailhead, so there is no camping gear to carry between sites. Expert local guides walk with the group, the lodge packs a hearty trail lunch, and you return in the evening to a spa, a fire and a celebration of Chilean cuisine.
If the distance or the elevation gain sounds like too much, nothing here is compulsory. Every trekking day has an alternative: horseback riding across an estancia, wildlife observation excursions with a chance of puma, guanaco, nandu or wild horses, yoga, or an afternoon in the open air whirlpool looking out at the Torres del Paine massif. Travelling as a couple with different appetites for effort works well, because you can take separate excursions during the day and meet again in the evening over a perfect glass of Chile’s celebrated Carmenere. If you are working out what to bring, our Patagonia packing list covers the layers and gear that matter in April.
Gritara’s flagship small group departure is a seven day, six night luxury trek through Chilean Patagonia, built around the full W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. You hike the three arms of the W by day and return each evening to a five star lodge. Internal flights, transfers, every meal, expert local guides and national park permits are all included, and each trekking day has a gentler alternative. The same journey can also be arranged as a private Patagonia trip for couples and families.
The Patagonia Journey
The W Trek Challenge
Complete the iconic W shaped trail through Torres del Paine National Park, covering 49.7 miles across three unforgettable days of granite spires, glacier lakes, and pebble beaches.
Secluded Luxury
Base yourself at Tierra Patagonia and The Singular Patagonia, two award winning properties where panoramic windows and open air spas frame the wild Patagonian landscape.
Shared Adventure
Travel alongside a small group of like minded adventurers, bonding over great hikes, extraordinary meals, and a perfect glass of Chile’s celebrated Carmenere wine.
Watch the Gritara trip film: guiding a small group through the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia, with nights at Tierra Patagonia and The Singular Patagonia.
Day by Day Through Patagonia
Arrive in Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and explore the vibrance of Chile’s capital city. Check in to The Singular, Santiago for a luxury five star welcome, then enjoy a traditional Chilean dinner and welcome drinks while connecting with your fellow adventure travelers.
Fly South to Patagonia
Today we fly south to Patagonia for the true highlight of this journey. After a flight of about three hours we arrive in Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, followed by a transfer of about ninety minutes to our home base for the next four nights. Settle in and enjoy the award winning architecture, embedded into the natural environment.
Mirador Base Torres
Today is all about adventure as we journey to Mirador Base Las Torres, the eastern leg of the W Trek. This is a steep and challenging hike, with alternative excursions available for those seeking a different pace. Every detail is taken care of, so there is nothing to think about but the trail ahead.
French Valley to Paine Grande
A central highlight of the W Trek, today’s route weaves through the French Valley, up to Mirador Britanico, and across to Paine Grande before our catamaran departs. It is an exhilarating full day covering close to twenty four miles, with options to modify the itinerary to your interests.
Grey Glacier Bridges
We complete the western arm of the W Trek with a hike from Paine Grande up to the bridges overlooking the surreal Grey Glacier. The day begins with a scenic drive to Hotel Lago Grey for coffee, followed by a catamaran crossing to Sector Grey and a rewarding trail with unique glacier views.
Transition to The Singular Patagonia
It is always hard to leave Tierra Patagonia’s iconic setting, but the transition is made easier by a stay at the extraordinary Singular Patagonia. Enjoy a well earned spa afternoon followed by another fabulous dinner.
Farewell from Puerto Natales
Depart from Puerto Natales and return to Santiago to fly home, or extend your adventure with one of our custom add on itineraries to the Atacama Desert, wine country, and beyond.
Three Places Worth the Trek
One night in Santiago, four inside the park at Tierra Patagonia, and a last night on the Señoret Channel at The Singular Patagonia. Three very different buildings, each one built for the landscape it sits in.
The Singular Santiago
Located in the heart of Santiago's cultural and historical district, this ten year old property blends classical European design with modern elegance, the perfect introduction to Chile.
See the hotel
Tierra Patagonia
Blending seamlessly into the landscape of Torres del Paine, this award winning hotel serves as home base for four nights, with panoramic dining, guided excursions, and every meal included.
See the hotel
The Singular Patagonia
Once Latin America's largest cold storage plant and declared a National Monument in 1996, this remarkable property now houses a museum within the hotel alongside luxury accommodations and a celebrated spa.
See the hotelPatagonia in Pictures
Autumn colour, glacier ice and the wildlife of Torres del Paine, in a handful of frames from the trail.
Extend Your Patagonia Adventure
Chile and Argentina pack an extraordinary range of landscapes into a single trip, and most guests add days on one side of the W Trek or the other. These are the extensions we build most often. Each one is arranged privately around the group departure, and several are also available as complete private journeys such as our 14 day Patagonia, Mendoza and Buenos Aires itinerary.
Atacama Desert
The driest non polar desert on earth, and the sharpest possible contrast with Patagonia. Vast salt flats, shimmering lagoons, otherworldly geysers, the rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, and some of the clearest night skies anywhere for stargazing. We base guests at Tierra Atacama.
7 day private Atacama itineraryArgentine Patagonia: El Calafate and El Chalten
Cross the border for a hike across the Perito Moreno Glacier and a stay at a Patagonian estancia, then continue to El Chalten, Argentina’s trekking capital, and walk the Laguna Torre trail beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Fitz Roy.
14 day Chilean and Argentine PatagoniaMendoza Wine Country and Buenos Aires
March and April are peak harvest season in Mendoza. Taste high altitude Malbec in Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley with the Andes behind you, then finish in Buenos Aires for tango, Argentine steak and the streets of Recoleta, San Telmo and La Boca.
Mendoza and Buenos Aires extensionPatagonia and Atacama Combined
Twelve days linking Torres del Paine with the Atacama Desert, two of the planet’s most extraordinary and contrasting landscapes inside one country. The right choice if you would rather see the full range of Chile than pick between them.
Patagonia and Atacama itineraryTierra del Fuego and the Lake District
Begin in Ushuaia, the southernmost city on earth, for Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Beagle Channel, King Penguin Park and the Dientes de Navarino traverse. Or head north to the lakes and volcanoes around Bariloche, Puerto Varas and Volcan Osorno.
Design a custom extensionValdes Peninsula
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Atlantic coast and the finest marine wildlife stop in Argentina, with whales, sea lions, elephant seals and orcas. In March and April you may witness an orca beach hunt as the sea lion pups begin to explore.
Design a custom extensionWhat Our Guests Say About Patagonia
I’ve wanted to hike the W Trek and visit Torres del Paine for the last 10 years. When I learned about Gritara - I couldn’t say yes fast enough and even convinced my husband, who was new to this type of travel and adventure - to come along.
Just hiked the W Trail in Patagonia with Gritara. Luxury accommodations, incredible guides, all details handled by Rob! All we had to do was show up & hike 45 miles!
The trip to Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile was phenomenal in so many ways. The accommodations were spectacular, the food excellent and the fall scenery thrown in was a bonus to the already rugged beauty of the Andes.
What is included
- Five star luxury accommodation throughout the journey
- All meals and drinks from breakfast on Day 1 through farewell breakfast on Day 7
- Round trip flights between Santiago and Puerto Natales
- All local transportation and transfers
- Expert local guides throughout Patagonia
- National Park permits and entrance fees
- Custom excursions and alternative itineraries for every fitness level
What is not included
- International flights to and from Santiago (SCL)
- Spa treatments (available by advance reservation)
- Personal travel insurance
- Optional add on itineraries and extensions
Good to know before you go
Patagonia W Trek FAQs
How difficult is the W Trek?
Moderate to challenging. The full route covers 49.7 miles (80 km) with 8,956 ft (2,730 m) of elevation gain across three trekking days. The hardest is the French Valley to Paine Grande crossing at close to 24 miles; the Grey Glacier day is the most manageable. Alternative excursions are available on every trekking day, and the guides can adjust the plan during the day.
Do I have to camp on the W Trek?
No. Unlike most W Trek itineraries there is no camping. You stay at Tierra Patagonia for four nights and The Singular Patagonia for one, with The Singular Santiago at the start of the trip, and you are driven to and from each trailhead.
When is the departure and how big is the group?
The next fixed departure runs 24 to 30 April 2027. This is a small group journey shared with a maximum of 20 like minded travellers rather than a large tour. April marks the end of fall in Patagonia, which brings the colour of the season along with rapid and unpredictable weather.
Do I need to book my own flights?
You book your international flights into and out of Santiago. Everything inside Chile is arranged for you, including the roughly three hour flight south to Puerto Natales and the ninety minute transfer to the lodge. Because you spend the first night in Santiago there is no tight connection to worry about, and our team will advise on the arrival times that work best.
What if I cannot complete one of the trekking days?
That is planned for. Alternatives run every day, including horseback riding across an estancia, wildlife observation excursions and time at the lodge spa, and the itinerary can be modified to match your pace and interests.
Can I do this trip privately instead of in a group?
Yes. The same Patagonia itinerary can be arranged as a private journey for couples, families and small groups of friends on dates that suit you. See our private travel page, or ask us to build something around it.
Ready to Join Us in Patagonia
Reserve your place on this small group departure and let Gritara handle every detail of your Chilean adventure.
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