Arrival in Puerto Natales, the gateway town to Torres del Paine. In the evening, you will meet your guide and fellow hikers for a detailed pre-trek briefing. During this session, we review the itinerary, winter weather patterns, safety considerations, equipment recommendations, and trail conditions specific to the W Trek in winter.
This meeting ensures everyone is properly prepared for the physical and environmental demands of trekking in Patagonia during the colder months.
Transfer from the airport to Hotel Martin Gusinde is NOT included, but can be hired at an additional cost.
Overnight at Hotel Martín Gusinde or similar, Puerto Natales.
Meals: none.
Early morning departure to Torres del Paine National Park. The hike begins from Reserva Cerro Paine, gradually ascending through windswept valleys and lenga forests along the Ascencio River.
As the trail steepens, you gain elevation toward the final glacial moraine. The last ascent requires steady effort, but the reward is extraordinary: the iconic Base Torres viewpoint, where the three granite towers rise dramatically above a turquoise glacial lagoon. In winter, snow and ice amplify the alpine atmosphere, making this one of the most powerful viewpoints in Patagonia.
After time to rest and take in the landscape, descend along the same trail and return to Puerto Natales in the evening.
Overnight at Hotel Martín Gusinde or similar, Puerto Natales.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch.
Transfer into the national park and begin hiking along the Las Carretas Trail, a less crowded but scenic section of the W route. The trail traverses open Patagonian steppe, offering panoramic views of Paine Grande, surrounding lakes, and distant snow-covered peaks.
This day provides a gradual immersion into the interior of the park. The terrain is undulating but less technical than the Base Torres ascent, allowing for a steady rhythm and appreciation of the vast winter landscapes.
Arrival at Refugio Paine Grande, located near the shores of Lake Pehoé.
Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande (Shared dormitories).
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
After breakfast, hike along Lake Skottsberg toward Campamento Italiano, the entrance to the French Valley. The trail gradually ascends into a natural amphitheater surrounded by granite spires, hanging glaciers, and dramatic vertical walls.
As you climb higher, panoramic viewpoints reveal Los Cuernos, the French Glacier, and the rugged interior of the Paine Massif. In winter, avalanches may occasionally echo from the upper slopes, adding to the raw atmosphere of the valley.
Return to Refugio Paine Grande in the afternoon.
Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande (Shared dormitories).
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Today’s hike leads toward the western arm of the W Trek. The trail follows Lake Pehoé before entering forested sections and ascending toward Grey Glacier Viewpoint.
From the mirador, you will enjoy expansive views of Grey Lake filled with floating icebergs and the immense Southern Patagonian Ice Field stretching beyond the glacier. The scale of the landscape becomes evident here — vast, silent, and powerful.
Depending on logistics and weather conditions, overnight at Refugio Grey or return to Paine Grande.
Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande (Shared dormitories).
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
In the morning, board a navigation across Grey Lake (weather permitting). The boat approaches floating icebergs and offers a closer perspective of the glacier’s towering ice wall, a highlight of any Torres del Paine winter trekking experience.
After disembarkation, transfer back to Puerto Natales, marking the end of the guided W Trek Winter program.
Please have in mind that there are flights departing from Puerto Natales but with fewer frequency than Punta Arenas (SKY Airlines has flights departing from PNT/Puerto Natales to Santiago each Tuesday during winter season).
If you need to arrange transportation to Punta Arenas, please ask for advice to your Travel Experience Designer.
Meals: breakfast, box lunch.
Hotel Martín Gusinde in Puerto Natales offers a cozy and convenient stay for travelers exploring Patagonia, with easy access to local culture and natural attractions. The hotel ensures comfort with modern amenities and personalized service, making it an ideal base for both adventure and relaxation.
Located on the shores of Pehoé Lake, with beautiful views of the Paine Horns and the Paine Grande Hill. It is the starting point of the route to the French Valley and the path to the Grey Glacier.
Accommodation in Paine Grande will be in bunk beds and mixed shared rooms, including a mattress cover, pillow, sheets and comforter.
This trip starts at Puerto Natales and ends in Puerto Natales.
Please have in mind transportation to/from the Puerto Natales airport is not included but can be added for an extra fee.
Important Note: This trip departs ONLY on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays due to operational considerations.
Departures
Fixed Departures are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from May to late September.
Do you want a private departure for this trip? We can do it, just send us an email.
The hikes in this program, combined with the winter weather in Patagonia, are very challenging and physically demanding. Please consider this when booking.
Departing from Grey:
Once we are all set, the excursion begins with a short drive from Grey Lake to the Serrano entrance point of the park, allowing some time to enjoy the beautiful winter views. Once we arrive at the Serrano entrance point, we’ll set off on a 7 hour (17 Km. / 10.5 Mi.) hike into the Park with the Paine Horns on the horizon until we reach our destination for the night, the Refugio Paine Grande which lies on the shores of Lake Pehoe at the base of the mighty Paine Massif.
Departing from Paine Grande:
We will start walking from Refugio Paine Grande into the Las Carretas Trail, which is located close to the facilities of this Refugio, in direction to the south and into the Serrano Sector. We will leave the horns behind to make our return to the Serrano area. Once we reach the Serrano area, our transport will be waiting for us to take us to Puerto Natales.
Total hiking distance: 17 Km. / 10.5 Mi.
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia, transport is in minivans.
The Patagonian Andes is very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict.
Winter’s temperature range is between -2ºC/28ºF and 6ºC/43ºF. June, July, and August are the wettest months in Torres del Paine and sub-zero temperatures are common. Nevertheless, the winds are relatively mild in winter.
Essential equipment includes:
Please Note: This list is just to give you an idea of what you will need. We will send you a more detailed list prior to the departure date of the program.
The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to plan around at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary as well as modify, change, or eliminate parts of the itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide based upon operational considerations.
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
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