About this trek

The W Trek Classic is our signature program and the most complete way to experience Torres del Paine in a week. Over 5 hiking days you'll cover every arm of the famous W route — the iconic granite towers, the French Valley amphitheatre, and the Grey Glacier — with comfortable refugio or lodge accommodation every night and all meals included.

All your gear moves between refugios by ChileTour van, so you trek with a daypack only. An English-speaking guide accompanies the group on the Base of the Towers hike — the technical and emotional high point of the circuit. The rest of the route is self-guided with maps and waypoints.

The W Classic is designed for fit adults with moderate walking experience. You don't need to be a mountaineer — but expect 6–9 hours of walking on the longer days, with cumulative elevation of 900m+ on Day 3. This is the program that brings most guests back to do the O Trek the following year.

Photos & video

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Photos from past groups + YouTube tour walkthrough

Day-by-day itinerary

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1

Arrival in Puerto Natales

Pick up from Puerto Natales bus terminal or airport. Settle into Garden Domes. Welcome dinner at El Brisket restaurant with drinks — meet your fellow trekkers and our team. Full trek briefing with maps, weather forecast, and packing list review.

🏡 Garden Domes — Cabin or Dome

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2

Base of the Towers — 18 km · 7–8 hrs

Private ChileTour van transfer into Torres del Paine. Trek with our English-speaking guide to Mirador Base Torres — ascending the glacial moraine to the iconic glacier lake ringed by three 2,800m granite towers. Clear mornings are magical here; the towers turn orange in early light. After the hike you will stay in cabins with a direct view of the Towers from your living room window.

🏠 Cabins — Tower Views

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3

Los Cuernos — 14.6 km · 6.5 hrs

Trek west along the north shore of Lake Nordenskjöld. The Cuernos del Paine — black-banded horn peaks — dominate the skyline throughout the day. Continue into the Frances valley area for the night in Premium Roof Top Tents — elevated canvas accommodation with panoramic mountain views, positioned directly on the valley floor.

🏠 Premium Roof Top Tent — Frances Area

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4

French Valley — 20.3 km · 9 hrs

The longest and most spectacular day. Trek north into Valle del Francés — a natural amphitheatre enclosed by vertical granite walls and three hanging glaciers. Ascend to Mirador Británico for a 360° view that stops everyone in their tracks. Descend to Refugio Paine Grande on Lake Pehoé.

🏠 Refugio Paine Grande

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5

Grey Glacier — 22 km · 7–8 hrs

Trek north along the Grey Glacier moraine — massive blue ice faces and floating icebergs visible from the trail's end. Return to Refugio Grey for the final night inside the park. Hot shower, three-course dinner, and a well-earned sleep.

🏠 Refugio Grey

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6

Grey to Paine Grande — Catamaran Exit — 11 km · 3.5 hrs

Final hike south from Refugio Grey back to Paine Grande (11 km). Board the catamaran across Lake Pehoé — the best views of the Cuernos and Paine Grande massif from the water. Bus transfer back to Puerto Natales. Pizza night at Garden Domes to celebrate the week.

🏡 Garden Domes — Puerto Natales

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Departure Day

Breakfast at Garden Domes. Free morning — many guests do the local market, massage, or an extra day in Puerto Natales. Bus to Punta Arenas or taxi to the airport. Luggage storage until your departure.

Where you'll sleep

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Garden Domes — Puerto Natales

ChileTour's own boutique hotel on the edge of Puerto Natales. Cabin rooms or luxury domes, with private bathroom, bar, and El Brisket restaurant on site. First and last nights of the program.

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Cabins — Tower Views

Cabins with a direct view of the Towers from your living room window. You have a chance to hike for one hour in the morning and view the sunrise from a lagoon viewpoint.

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Premium Roof Top Tent — Frances Area

Canvas roof-top tent accommodation in the Frances valley. A unique mid-trek experience — fully furnished, with beds and bedding provided. Dining service and facilities on site.

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Refugio Paine Grande

Central junction refugio on Lake Pehoé, at the intersection of the French Valley and Grey arms. Restaurant, hot showers, and the catamaran dock steps away.

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Refugio Grey

Refugio directly on the shore of Lake Grey, with views of the glacier from the restaurant terrace. Hot showers and glacier-cold air — some guests' favourite night of the trip.

What guests say

"

Gonzalo and his team were amazing in their communication — laying everything out day-by-day. We definitely felt taken care of — and we had a number for any emergencies. Highly recommend booking with Chiletour.

— via Tripadvisor · Couples · Mar 2026 · W Classic

"

Excellent communication and organisation prior to arrival. Delicious welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Beautiful accommodation at the Sky Domes with really friendly staff. We completed the 6 nights/7 days W hike and it was so well organised and made our trek even more enjoyable!

— via Tripadvisor · Friends · Dec 2025 · W Classic

What's included

Included

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6 nights accommodation (2 Garden Domes, 4 inside the park)

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All meals — every breakfast, boxed lunch, and dinner

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Welcome dinner with drinks on arrival night

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Some cocktails, beers or wine at ChileTour facilities (3 nights)

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