Five days, 50 miles, four seasons in one afternoon.
Patagonia: the W Trek
Puerto Natales → Torres del Paine (W Trek, 5 days) → El Calafate
Itinerary · Nov 12 – Nov 21, 2024
Day by day
- 5 days
- 12 places
- $295 on the ground
Day 1 · Tue, Nov 12
Puerto Natales gear-up
- Puerto Natales
- Erratic Rock
Rent trekking poles and a stove; the free 3 p.m. talk at Erratic Rock is gold.
Day 2 · Wed, Nov 13
Base of the Towers
- Hotel Las Torres
- Chileno
- Mirador Base Torres
12 miles round trip, the last hour is a boulder scramble. Go early for calm air.
Day 3 · Thu, Nov 14
Along Lake Nordenskjöld
- Los Cuernos
- Lake Nordenskjöld
The wind here is famous for a reason. Pack a buff.
Day 4 · Fri, Nov 15
French Valley
- Campamento Italiano
- Mirador Británico
Hanging glaciers crack and thunder all day. The longest, best day.
Day 5 · Sat, Nov 16
Grey Glacier
- Paine Grande
- Refugio Grey
- Grey Glacier
Book the glacier kayak a day ahead; the ice is bluer up close.
Estimated on-the-ground cost$295
Trip budget
What it cost
- Stay$1,35033%
- Food$62015%
- Transport$1,48036%
- Activities$45011%
- Other$2005%
Total$4,10010 days
Per day$410everyone together
Per person$2,0502 travelers
Flights to and from home are not included.
Stories from this trip
Adventure
Patagonia’s W Trek on a Budget
Campsites vs. refugios, what it really costs, and how to book the W without a tour.