Torres del Paine
Winter W Trek

In the morning, you will be picked up from the Punta Arenas Airport. We recommend arriving before 11 AM. After gathering the group, we will start driving towards EcoCamp Patagonia in Torres del Paine. On the way, we will stop for lunch in Puerto Natales, a lively town on the shores of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza). Once arriving at EcoCamp, we’ll have some time to relax, eat dinner and get ready for the adventure to come. Additionally, our group will be introduced to the basic principles, methodology and history of “leave no trace.” We’ll also be briefed on the best way to pack and travel with a backpack. In the coming days, we will learn more about each of the seven “leave no trace” principles and gain a new sense of environmental awareness.

We’ll dive into our Patagonian adventure with walk along the Cuernos Trail which leads to the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this warm-up walk, we will have the opportunity to admire the park’s exquisite flora and fauna and take in the views of the horn-like peaks of slate that sit atop the gray granite of the Paine Massif. The trek will end at Refugio Los Cuernos, a campsite located on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold.  During the journey, we’ll learn about traveling and camping on durable surfaces, as well as how to properly dispose of waste. At the end of the day, we’ll spend the evening relaxing over dinner.

Get your boots ready for today’s challenging, yet rewarding, trek. After breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos, we'll begin hiking along a steep trail leading into the very heart of the Paine Massif - the famed French Valley. How far we’ll go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A swifter walk will lead us to the French River’s hanging bridge, located at the foot of the south-eastern face of the Massif. We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley to 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). Through our “leave no trace” training, our guides will explain why all travelers should “leave what they find.” We will walk back to Paine Grande Campsite to spend the night and share a comforting dinner.

Today we’ll hike our 7 hour (12 km) from the Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern end of the glacial Lake Grey. Along the trek, we will have different views of this breathtaking glacier, as well as the chance to enjoy various perspectives of the Southern Ice Fields. After that we will board the boat that sails to the huge, crystalline facade of Glacier Grey. From the southern end of Glacier Grey, we will transfer to EcoCamp. Due to the temperamental weather of the region, boat trips across the lake may occasionally be canceled or if the required minimum of 15 passengers is not reached. If this is the case, we will trek up to the sightseeing point to enjoy wonderful, panoramic views of Grey Glacier instead. Afterward, it is time to return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to the dock, where we will be picked up and driven to EcoCamp. Along the way, our guides will also explain the importance of respecting wildlife and other visitors. After arriving at EcoCamp, you can snuggle in your cozy dome and enjoy a relaxing night with tasty food and fantastic company.

After a refreshing night sleep at EcoCamp Patagonia, we’ll walk from EcoCamp to the baseview of the Towers, three gigantic granite monoliths and the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

We’ll head up through the Ascencio Valley, located on the Tower's eastern face. Snowy mountain ridges, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders which will lead us to that iconic base of the Towers. After a challenging uphill climb in the snow, the Towers eventually come into full view and will rise 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 our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley to return to EcoCamp for the night. We’ll also finish up our “leave no trace” training and earn our certificate, hopefully passing on our new conservation knowledge to others!

Today it is time to board the transfer back to Punta Arenas Airport. Sit back, relax and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight. We recommend booking a flight that leaves after 4 PM.