The Classic W Trek

Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.

Day 1: Santiago de Chile

The trip begins from Punta Arenas or El Calafate. You will be driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park.

En route stops are made in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of “Seno de Ultima Esperanza”, where a hearty lunch is served, and at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The journey is spectacular and scenic, overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia, nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and with a prime view of the majestic Torres.

Sunset is usually around 11pm during the summer months, meaning that there will still be enough daylight for you to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon once you arrive.

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 2: Los Cuernos

Begin your Patagonian adventure with a pleasant walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads alongside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold.

During this warm-up walk you will have the opportunity to admire the park’s exquisite flora and fauna as you enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif.

The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain refuge located by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Alternately the trek ends at Domo el Francés, located between Cuernos and Italiano camping sites, with an amazing view of Lake Nordenskjöld. The evening is free for relaxing and enjoying dinner.

Overnight Refugio Cuernos or Domo El Francés, Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 3: Valle Frances

After breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, you 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 you go depends on the group’s trekking pace. A swifter walk will lead to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif, where you will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.

You will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where you will 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 the ascent you will stop for a picnic and relax a while. This day’s trek will end as you descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to Refugio Paine Grande.

Overnight Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine National Park.

*An optional trek to Mirador Britanico is also available.

Day 4: Grey Glacier

Today you will hike from Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern side of the beautiful glacial Lake Grey.

Feast on a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails right to the huge, crystalline face of Glacier Grey, where you will have plenty of time to marvel at the calving glacier.

From the southern end of Glacier Grey you will transfer to EcoCamp. Due to the temperamental weather of the region, boat trips across the lake may occasionally be cancelled if the required minimum of 10 passengers is not reached.In this case, you will trek up to the sightseeing point for a wonderful, panoramic views of the Glacier.

Then you will return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to Pudeto’s dock, where you will be met and driven to EcoCamp.

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park.

*Optional Kayaking around Glacier Grey (at additional cost): This excursion starts at 1:00pm and lasts 2.5 hours where you will discover the amazing glacier and kayak around huge floating icebergs, towards the east side of the glacier to get closer to the giant ice wall (Min. age – 15 / Max age – 65).

**During Low & Shoulder Season (September, October and April) the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be cancelled. In this case a good alternative excursion within the park will be offered.

Day 5: Torres del Paine – The Base of the Towers

Today’s goal will be to complete the most famous hiking trail in Torres del Paine National Park! You will walk from the campsite towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending the Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face.

Mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. The big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders leading to that iconic base-view of the Towers – three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After a tough uphill climb, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch?

After feasting on the view and a picnic, you backtrack along the same trail down the Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp for a well-deserved dinner.

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 6: Eastern Lakes

The sixth day will consist of a less strenuous trail in order to counter the exhausting efforts of the previous day.

After breakfast, you will take a leisurely car journey towards Laguna Azul, passing Cañadón Macho, home to many wild guanacos and ñandúes, en route. There will be occasional stops to admire the views of the Patagonian steppe and the towers from different perspectives.

At Laguna Azul, you will hike to the lookout point where you will be treated to a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. After lunch, drive to the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake where the Fauna Trail begins.

As you hike northbound, you will spot an impressive range of Patagonian fauna on the vast plains, including guanacos, ostrich-like ñandús and maybe the occasional puma print.

Pass the charming Goic lagoon and after approximately 3 miles of relaxed walking, you reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station where you will be met and driven back to Ecocamp to celebrate a farewell dinner.

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park.

*Optional cycling trip to Laguna Azul (for groups of 6 or more).

Day 7: Depart Torres del Paine

You will be transferred back to Punta Arenas (or to Puerto Natales for the bus to El Calafate).