Patagonia: W Circuit Trek
March 2-10, 2027
torres del paine national park!
This adventure is rated 4 out of 5 difficulty level. This means that adventurers should be comfortable hiking 10+ miles with elevation gain/loss of 3k+ feet. This trip requires that you carry a pack with personal belongings for the trek. Accommodations are in lodges, mountain huts and/or hotels. Training for this adventure should be taken seriously.
Join a group of adventurous women for an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Patagonia. Hike to the base of the iconic Torres del Paine, walk alongside the dramatic Cuernos del Paine, and explore the unique beauty of the Francés Valley. You'll also get the chance to witness the powerful Grey Glacier, where the Southern Ice Fields stretch out to the horizon. This trip is about shared experiences, natural beauty, and stepping into the wild together.
Ready to explore?…Grab your backpack and let’s go!
Trek Highlights
This iconic trek in Patagonia spans ~46 miles through the Torres del Paine National Park passing through three distinct valleys tracing the shape of the letter “W” on a map.
On the trek, you’ll visit the Bast of the Torres (Towers) which is a challenging part of the trek that leads you to breathtaking panoramic views of three massive, sheer granite spires looming over a vibrant turquoise glacial lake. It is a view you won’t soon forget!
The French Valley is a part of the trek that takes you through a lush forest along the shores of a lake as the trail winds into stunning natural amphitheater surrounded by craggy peaks and glaciers.
Pass by Grey Glacier, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Here you’ll have a chance to experience massive chunks of electric blue-ice calve directly into the waters of Lago Grey. You’ll even have a chance to get up close with an add-on activity like glacier hiking or kayaking before completing the last day of the W Trek.
Difficulty: Classified as moderately difficult, the trek involves long days (6-9 hours) with rocky terrain, severely unpredictable Patagonian weather (i.e. gale-force winds, rain, etc.) which can make it a serious physical challenge.
Distance: ~50+ miles of trekking over 5 days taking in the Base of the Torres, the French Valley and Grey Glacier plus tons of other stunning views along the way!
Daily Verticals: Expect elevation gains and losses of up to ~3,000+ feet per day.
Accommodations: You will stay at a mix of back country huts on the trail and a boutique hotel in Puerto Natales.
Luggage: You will carry a back pack with your essential gear while trekking. There is no luggage transfer available between the huts. Refugios will provide basic bedding, pillow, meals, and shared bathrooms with hot water.
ITINERARY
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Welcome to Puerto Natales, Chile! Arrive at the Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) in the morning. One afternoon group transfer will be arranged to your accommodations for the evening.
Check into your hotel after 2 p.m. and enjoy some down time. Take in the views and relax in the hot tub. Settle in, we will be staying here for two evenings.
Enjoy a group dinner in town this evening.
Meals: Dinner
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Enjoy breakfast with stunning views.
Make your way to the marina and relax on a 10 nautical mile boat ride up Last Hope Fjord learning about the history and geography as you make your way to the Estancia.
Spend the morning on at the Estancia on a horseback ride or 4×4 Land Rover excursion exploring the property.
Enjoy a Patagonian barbecue for lunch with Chilean wine and homemade sauces.
Get to know a Patagonian gaucho and his dog this afternoon as you learn about Patagonian ranching, their sheep dogs, and culture of sheep shearing.
Unwind on the return boat ride down Last Hope Fjord back to town.
Pre-trek brief with your guide at 5 p.m. at the hotel
Dinner at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
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Enjoy an early breakfast before checking out.
Relax on a 2.5 hour scenic drive as we make our way to the main entrance of Torres del Paine National Park.
Stop at the park’s main entrance to register with the park ranger, visit the welcome center and check into your Refugio for tonight before beginning the trek.
Today we will be trekking to the Mirador Base Las Torres where we will enjoy a boxed lunch.
Tonight we will stay in Torre Central Refugio where we will enjoy dinner together as a group.
Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner
Today’s Hike Stats: 8-10 hours, 13.6 miles (21 km) and ~3,330 feet gain (~1000 meters). Difficulty: Demanding
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Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the refuge. Don’t forget to request your box lunch for today!
Today we’ll be exploring the middle zone of the W Circuit beneath the towering mountains of Torres del Paine National Park. We’ll pass by crystalline streams, glaciers, possibly spot condors, and admire the views along the way.
Tonight we will stay in Refuge Frances where you will enjoy a warm dinner with the group.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Today’s Hike Stats: 4-5 hours, 9 miles (14 km) and ~1,317 feet (400 meters) feet gain. Difficulty: Moderate.
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Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the refuge. Don’t forget to request your box lunch for today!
Today we will be trekking to the French Valley, enjoying breathtaking views of Los Cuernos, glacial lagoons and hanging glaciers.
Lunch will be enjoyed along the trail.
Depending on weather conditions and the group’s vibe, continue on to British lookout for 360 degree views before continuing on to the refugio.
Tonight you will stay in Refugio Paine Grande where you will enjoy dinner with the group.
Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner
Today’s Hike Stats: 6-10 hours, 11-17+ miles (17-27 km) and ~2,463 to 3,565 feet (750 to 1,086meters) gain. Difficulty: Moderate challenging.
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Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the refuge. Don’t forget to request your box lunch for today!
Today we’ll be exploring the stunning Grey Glacier on our trek. We’ll enjoy views of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the ice floes of Grey Lake.
Before reaching the glacier, we will check into our hotel. From here we will continue on 10 minutes to Grey Glacier viewpoint.
Join in for an optional trek (3-4 hours round trip) to visit the hanging bridges which offer stunning perspective of the glacier’s depth.
Tonight we will stay in Refuge Grey where you will enjoy a warm dinner with the group.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Today’s Hike Stats: 4-4.5 hours, 6-8 miles (10-12 km) and ~900 feet (~275 meters) gain. Difficulty: Moderate.
Today’s Optional Hike Stats: 3-4 hours, 2.5 miles (4 km) ~400 feet gain (~121 meters). Difficulty: Moderate.
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Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the refuge. Don’t forget to request your box lunch for today!
Early morning optional activity to kayak the glacier lagoon or take a glacier hike.
Today we’ll be visiting Grey Peninsula before trekking to Paine Grande.
A catamaran ride across the stunning Lake Pehoe ends our journey on the W Circuit.
Our driver will meet us and bring us back to Puerto Natales where we will check into a hotel for our final evening together.
Join the group for a celebratory dinner tonight and finish the evening with a well deserved soak in the hot tub.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Today’s Hike Stats: 4-4.5 hours, 6.8 miles (11 km) and ~1,273feet (~338 meters) gain. Difficulty: Moderate.
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Wake up and enjoy breakfast at your leisure at your hotel.
You’ve worked hard and have earned a day of leisure! You can spend your day relaxing, wandering the local town and shopping or book yourself another activity if you’re not the relaxing type!
Join the group for a celebratory dinner tonight and finish the evening with a well deserved soak in the hot tub.
Meals: Breakfast and farewell dinner.
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Check out time is 10 a.m.
One private group transfer to the Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) after check out.
Meals: Breakfast
Questions? Please reach out to us at info@womenwhoexplore.com
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$5,995 USD double occupancy.
Single occupancy is not available on this trip.
If you are traveling solo, you will be assigned a roommate upon request. Rooms are assigned on a first come basis.
A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates. Please see below for cancellation terms.
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• 4 days/4 nights in a boutique hotel in Puerto Natales before the trek and
• 5 days/4 nights at refugios in Torres del Paine National Park. This includes a bunk bed in a refuge, a sleeping bag and a pillow.
• One private group airport transfer on arrival and one on departure day to and from the Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) to and from the hotel.
• Private driver and transportation to the beginning of the W-Circuit and back to the hotel at completion of the trek.
• Experienced local bilingual guide with you for the duration of the W Trek.
• Pre-trek briefing with your guide and a pizza dinner.
• Free time to relax, explore, shop, or choose your own adventure in Puerto Natales.
• Entrance to Torres Del Paine National Park.
• Meet a Patagonian gaucho and his sheep dog during a full day visit to an Estancia.
• Lake Pehoe Catamaran ticket.
• Meals as noted in itinerary (8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners).
• Trip checklists, detailed packing list, training guide, and pre-travel support provided in a private Facebook and/or WhatsApp group
• Pre-trip Q&A Zoom call to meet your fellow travelers, trip host and ask any questions
• WWE Swag to make your heart happy!
• Small group experience; maximum of 11 women + your WWE trip host and your local guide. (6:1 local guide ratio)
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• International and/or domestic flights to the Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT).
• Luggage storage for any additional bags during the trek (~$5 USD per bag).
• Tips and gratuity for guides (at the discretion of the client).
• Airport transfers outside of designated times and meeting location.
• Any local transportation outside of times designated for excursions, tours or transfers in the itinerary. This includes taxis or Ubers to/from town to the hotel.
• Drinks, snacks, additional meals, and any meals as noted.
• Optional excursions including kayaking and glacier trekking at Glacier Grey, and any additional excursions or activities not included in the above itinerary.
• Visa and entry requirements as applicable and any pre-travel medical expenses such as immunizations or required Covid-19 testing.
• Travelers insurance to cover medical expenses while traveling abroad (proof of insurance required).
• Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, meals, souvenirs, etc.
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During your time trekking the W-Circuit, you will be staying in mountain refugios. The refugios are simple communal accommodations.
The refugios are communal, and although this is a women’s only trip, our group may be sharing a room or common spaces with other individuals and it may be mixed genders.
The refugios offer a bed, pillow and shared bathroom with hot water.
Internet connection is not available in the refuges and there is very limited cell phone signal in the national park. Satellite internet is available for an additional purchase in most refuges.
There will be charging stations available for your devices at every refuge.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary, (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners).
Please reach out to the trip host after booking if you have any food allergies/sensitivities. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees. -
This trip requires a minimum number of women to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private Facebook group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support. Please let us know if you do not have or use Facebook (see contact information below).
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Please see our Terms of Service.
All deposits are non-refundable at the time of booking, but may be transferable if done so within the timeframe outlined in the Terms of Service. Please make sure you are purchasing adequate travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in case you need to cancel.
Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description. Please make sure to refer to the full Terms of Service to make sure you understand fully the Cancellation Policy of each trip.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
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Permits for this trip are not able to be secured until May so dates may be subject to change based on availability.
Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.
