Home Patagonia Treks Torres Del Paine W Trek

Overview

Our Torres del Paine Classic ‘W’ trek is one of the best in South America.

We have been running treks in the Torres del Paine region of Patagonia for years. The most highly trekked route in Torres del Paine National Park is called the ‘W’. This trail system can be done in a variety of ways, from more rugged camping style treks to stayed in cramped Refugio’s. They are well stocked along the trail, where beds, food, and showers await you at the end of each day. We prefer camping along the way. The trek is named after its trail system that navigates up and down out of the mountain valleys. We include continuous training support and advice along with our 25 page booklet on the trek.

We have a great team of trusted staff who deliver on the ground. Ian has climbed Everest to the top and lead treks to Patagonia. Torres del Paine is an amazing and immense park and the ‘W’ trek brings you up close to its world-famous Patagonian views and natural splendors. The typical ‘W’ takes five to seven days, with five to eight hours of hiking per day. Most notably, the trek boasts a lot of the park’s must-see attractions: Los Torres, Los Cuernos, Valle Frances, Paine Grande, and Glacier Grey. This is one of the most popular hikes in Patagonia, and is truly world class and considered a trekking experience of a lifetime. Although this trek is growing in popularity, the remote nature, rough trails and strong winds can humble even a seasoned trekker. You will be challenged but you will discover magical scenery and you will be left wanting more.

This program is physically demanding and you need to come with excellent physical conditioning for this trek. We recommend a serious training plan to be able to hike long distances, uphill and downhill, up to 10 hours a day and with a 15kg/ 33lbs back pack.

Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, as well as one of the most pristine and remote places on earth. The granite towers of Paine make a sudden and dramatic appearance on the horizon in the midst of a flat, dry, wind-swept Plain. Despite the almost constant winds, this is some of the finest trekking country in Chile. Endowed with severe mountains, sparkling lakes, waterfalls and glaciers, as well as herds of guanacos, majestic condors, flocks of pink flamingos and large Patagonian hares, the park’s international attraction is immediately evident. Once a large sheep estancia, the park was established in 1959 as Parque Nacional Lago Grey.

Upcoming Trips

2026
2027
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Dec
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7
Feb
7th Feb – 14th Feb
W Trek
SOLD OUT
14
Mar
14th Mar – 24th Mar
Circuit Trek
SOLD OUT
4
Apr
4th Apr – 11th Apr
W Trek
PRIVATE TRIP
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Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
24
Jan
24th Jan – 3rd Feb
O Circuit Trek
2 SPACES OPEN
14
Feb
14th Feb – 20th Feb
W Trek
2 SPACES OPEN
3
Mar
3rd Mar – 13th Mar
O Circuit Trek
6 SPACES OPEN
7
Mar
7th Mar – 17th Mar
Complete Patagonia Adventure
6 SPACES OPEN
No trips found for Apr 2027.
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Itinerary

1
Day

Day 1

On arrival to Puerto Natales Airport, you will pick up your belongings and start your Patagonian adventure! You will exit the airport and can see taxi options available to bring you to the hotel, where you will be booked on a shared bed and breakfast basis. The normal price of the taxi to/from Puerto Natales is around $35. You will have a group briefing in the evening with our head guide to prepare you for the journey ahead. The guide will do a full gear check and review of the itinerary before heading to sleep that evening!

2
Day

Day 2

We will start our trip early in the morning, leaving Puerto Natales for a 2 – 2.5-hour drive to the West entrance of the National Park Torres del Paine. On the way, you can enjoy the view of the mountains that form the amazing landscape of Patagonia. We will pass by lakes, forest and also one of the best lookouts of the entire National Park Mountain range. After we check in at the ranger station and entrance of the park, we will continue driving for another half an hour to get to Pudeto Peer. We will take a catamaran that will take us approximately 25 minutes over to Lake Pehoe, known as the most beautiful lake in the region due to its bright colors, until we get to the Paine Grande Campsite. From here we start to get ready for our first hike and the official start of the ‘W’ Trail. After a quick organizational break, we begin hiking towards Campsite Grey. This will be an 11 km / 7-mile hike with amazing views over the Grey Lake, which displays the impressive geological changes that have happened in this area. When arriving to the campsite, we will do a short check in and prepare for a delicious dinner within the Refugio. The trek today will take about 4-5 hours and cover 11 km / 7 miles, with an elevation gain of 370m / 1,214 feet.

3
Day

Day 3

On the morning of our second day, we do a half-day hike that goes up to an amazing viewpoint of glaciers and the Southern Patagonian Icefield. We will be able to do this section of the hike with a light daypack. During this hike, we will cross mainly forest and two hanging bridges to get to an encompassing view over Glacier Grey. Coming back to the Refugio, we will pack our backpacks and start our hike back to Paine Grande Campsite, where we will stay for the night. This area is known for its amazing views of the “Cuernos”, big granite walls that are part of the unique mountain range of the National Park, and also the strong gusts of wind that can make camping an all-together more challenging experience. Dinner will be served within the Refugio. Today you will trek for 7-8 hours and cover up to11 km / 7 miles with an elevation gain of 370m / 1,214 feet.

4
Day

Day 4

On the third day, we make our way to the beautiful Valle del Francés. We start our walk from Paine Grande to Campsite Italiano, over rolling hills we will arrive at a ranger station at the foot of the valley. There are 2 viewpoints to hike to; the first viewpoint is called Mirador Francés, it will take us 1 hour hiking up some steep parts of the valley. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy the view of the hanging glacier coming down from the largest mountain in the park, the Paine Grande. From this spot, it is another hour and a half to get to the second viewpoint called Británico. This next part of the trail is easier and relaxing, with a boulder field at the end where you will have amazing 360° views around you. The Británico lookout is on a big rock formation at the end of the valley, the best spot for the perfect picture from the Valle del Francés. After enjoying the view, we turn around and go back to Campsite Italiano. From here we have another half an hour of hiking to our campsite for the night, Domes Francés. Beautiful round structures on a hillside where you can enjoy beautiful views over the Nordenskjold Lake. Dinner will be served inside. Today you will trek 8-9 hours and cover 21 km / 13 miles with an elevation gain of up to 680m / 3,117 feet.

5
Day

Day 5

Today is one of the longer days on the W Trek. We will cross forest, pebble beaches, some steep inclines, and descents, all this with views overlooking Lago Nordenskjold and up against the impressive walls of the Cuernos and the Almirante Nieto Mountain. Around every corner you will find a different perspective of the Patagonian steppe, making this a beautiful landscape. The trek today today will be approximately 5-6 hours and will cover 15.6 km/ 9.7 miles, with an elevation gain of 725m/ 2,378 feet.

6
Day

Day 6

This is our last trekking day, going up to the famous Torres del Paine. A full day of hiking with only our daypack. Starting the hike up into the mountain, we will have an amazing view from the green Ascencio Valley, and the mountains from the surrounding views. After 2 hours hiking up, we reach “The Pass of the Wind”, this is the best view of the entire valley Ascencio. From here we start walking down to Refugio Chileno, located next to the river of the valley. After a short break we will continue hiking for another hour into the valley, through the beautiful Magellan Forest. At the end of the forest, we will find “Camp Torres” and the ranger station of the area. From here we start hiking the last section of the trail, for 45 minutes we make our way up to the “Mirador” where you can see the three towers standing in front of a glacial lake. After enjoying the spectacular view of the towers, we will make our way back down to the campsite. This marks the end of our trek. We will then take our private transportation back to Puerto Natales. Today you will trek 8-9 hours, covering 24 km / 15 miles with an elevation gain of 880m / 2,887 feet.

7
Day

Day 7

This morning, you may enjoy a relaxed breakfast in your hotel and have time to explore Puerto Natales afterwards. You will want to arrange with the hotel a taxi back to the airport, allowing at least two hours before your flight departs. This will be the end of your Patagonian Adventure!

Reviews

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Excellent420 reviews
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Scott Medley
24 August 2026
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+0
Amazing trip to Ecuador. The Ian Taylor team made everything easy prior to the trip and during. We didn’t have to think about anything other than what adventure lies ahead. I will be planning future trip with this company.
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Heather Egan
21 August 2026
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+6
Roland, Shibani and the whole team were amazing!! We had the best time on the mountain and while the Summit night was very difficult, Roland, Shibani and “Ruff Ruff” (as we nicknamed him) went above and beyond to get us to the top!! Thank you for the best time and helping our accomplishment.
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Karin Schmitt
15 August 2026
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An outstanding Kilimanjaro experience with Ian Taylor Trekking Our whole family climbed Kilimanjaro with Ian Taylor Trekking, and it was a truly fantastic experience from start to finish. The guides were outstanding. They know the mountain incredibly well, but what impressed us just as much was their calmness, professionalism and positive energy. Throughout the trek, we always felt that we were in very good hands. The supporting team was equally impressive, and their enthusiasm and friendliness created such a positive atmosphere throughout the climb. For us, the small group size was particularly important. It made the experience feel much more personal and allowed the guides to really pay attention to everyone in the group. The whole trek was exceptionally well organised, and yet it never felt rigid or impersonal. And then there was the food! We honestly hadn't expected to eat so well on a mountain. At times it felt almost like a glamping experience rather than a trek — fantastic food, a wonderful support team and everything taken care of, while still having the real adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro. Most of all, Ian Taylor Trekking gave us the confidence to enjoy the mountain rather than worry about the logistics. The guides' knowledge of Kilimanjaro, the excellent organisation and the incredibly positive team made this a very special experience for our whole family. We would wholeheartedly recommend Ian Taylor Trekking to anyone considering Kilimanjaro. It was an unforgettable adventure, and we are so glad we chose them.
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jose ahedo diaz
14 August 2026
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On August 1st I summited Kilimanjiaro for the second time with ITT. 9 years after the first summit I got to the roof of Africa with two very special partners, my Dad and my 16-year old son! It was amazing. In 2017 the experience was great but this time it was even better. It is fantastic to experience how the ITT Africa team keeps improving. The route was adjusted and summiting got easier. Logistics were impressive and the crew has still grown in efficiency and experience management. Congratulations Athumani and team for your great work!!!
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sue wright
6 August 2026
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My second trip with Ian Taylor. The Inca trail to Machu pichu. Thanks so much to Ian Taylor for making this happen! I am retired and haven’t done a serious trek before. I really wasn’t sure if I was taking on too much, but with the advice of the company (I started slowly with the one day trek last year before taking on the full challenge this year) and the support of the amazing guides and porters, I successfully completed the 5 day Inca trail. Unforgettable views, food and campsites (and endless steps up Dead Woman’s Pass!) They even produced an unexpected birthday cake on the trail for my son’s birthday! Thankyou so much!
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Charlie Wenner
3 August 2026
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My wife and I summited Kilimanjaro with ITT and I can't recommend them enough! All future expeditions that we do will be through Ian Taylor Trekking - no need to look anywhere else! UPDATE: Completed another expedition to Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with ITT. No better company to do trekking with!
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Janet Copeland
27 July 2026
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+1
I’ve just completed the Classic 5 day Inca Trail. This was my 3rd trek with Ian Taylor Trekking after hiking Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro with them a few years back. I cannot say enough good things about this company. The support services are so communicative and helpful with comprehensive pre trip prep and the teams on the ground, no matter the country, are incredible. The work they put in to ensure you’re safe, comfortable and happy is of such a high standard. As a solo traveller on this last trip I set out knowing I could trust them to provide a fantastic trip and they did not disappoint. The guide, Percy, and his team were incredibly calm, supportive and encouraging even during the tough days. They took such amazing care of our small group, particularly anyone struggling. Every trip I come back from with Ian Taylor Trekking makes me immediately want to go on another one and I’m already looking! Thank you guys so much for another incredible experience x
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Nikki Rossetter
14 July 2026
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Ian Taylor Trekking was truly a life-changing experience. From the very beginning, the company set us up for success by clearly communicating expectations around fitness, health preparedness, and training requirements. Their team was responsive, easy to communicate with, and provided helpful reminders and guidance at just the right times. I especially appreciated the detailed dossier, which became an invaluable resource that I referenced repeatedly in the months leading up to the trek. We trained at elevations of 5,000–6,000 feet for about three months before the trip, hiking 1-2 times per week up and down terrain, and while the Inka trek was certainly challenging, it was challenging in all the right ways. We felt well prepared and able to fully enjoy the experience because of the expectations Ian Taylor Trekking helped us establish. One of the aspects that mattered most to me was safety and ensuring that our travel positively impacted the local community. Ian Taylor Trekking excels in both areas. They genuinely employ and empower local people, and we were honored to work with our incredible guide, Aldo Quispe Cusihuaman. His name is very important to our experience - he is what set the entire trip apart. Aldo made this journey extraordinary. He is an expert historian, fluent in Quechua, Spanish, and English, and his knowledge of the land, culture, and history brought every moment to life. We were provided with rich historical context and accurate information far beyond anything we could have hoped for. His passion, expertise, and connection to the region transformed this trek from an amazing trip into a deeply meaningful experience. Quite simply, if it weren't for Aldo, our journey would not have been nearly as special or life altering. Ian Taylor Trekking is incredibly fortunate to have him on their team, and future trekkers are equally fortunate to learn from him. I cannot recommend Ian Taylor Trekking highly enough for anyone seeking a safe, well-organized, authentic, and unforgettable trekking experience.
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Natthapol Songdej
13 July 2026
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We had an amazing and unforgettable multigenerational family trip on the 5 day Inca trail trek (which is definitely the way to go!) with Ian Taylor trekking ranging from my 74 yo mother to 13 yr old daughter and 10 yr old son. This was led by Miguel Mayorga with Lis Magali, who were wonderful, so knowledgeable, kind, caring, humorous, and took great care of our family as if their own. We truly couldn’t imagine doing this without them. The experience was seamless, from initial contact with Laura, who answered many questions for us along the way, to our contacts with Erin prior to the trip, and “on the ground” with Percy. They also arranged a great Rainbow Mountain trip for us. Extremely special and meaningful was the Inca trail trek itself and we couldn’t have imagined a better experience than with Miguel and Lis, who became part of our family, and the caring and enthusiastic team of porters, leading and supporting us along the way. The food was also second to none and highly nutritious – it was amazing how they could prepare those meals. They even prepared an absolutely delicious cake for my birthday during first night of camp! It was a once in a lifetime experience for us and created memories that we will be reminiscing, sharing, and talking about forever. Thank you!!!
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Eve Songdej-Tran
13 July 2026
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+5
My family completed the 5-day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Ian Taylor Trekking, and the experience was nothing short of incredible. Our head guide, Miguel Mayorga, second guide, Lis Magali, and the entire team of porters exceeded every expectation. They were professional, knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely cared about making this an unforgettable experience. Miguel and Lis took exceptional care of my 74-year-old mom, ensuring she could trek safely and efficiently each day. When my sister’s air mattress was punctured one night, Lis immediately offered her own (fortunately, the porters were able to repair it with a patch kit). On our first night at camp, the chef even surprised my brother with a homemade cake for his birthday. These are just a few examples of how this team consistently went above and beyond. Miguel’s deep knowledge of the Inca Empire, combined with his engaging storytelling, made reaching Machu Picchu even more meaningful. He set clear expectations each day, was honest about the challenges ahead, and always encouraged us along the way. Lis was equally thoughtful, regularly checking in to make sure everyone was comfortable with the pace and doing well. The porters were absolutely amazing. Every morning as we set off on the day’s trek, they cheered us on with so much enthusiasm, and they welcomed us at every rest stop with smiles and encouragement. Their positivity, kindness, and incredible hard work were truly inspiring. Thank you to Miguel, Lis, the chef, and the entire porter team for creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family. We will never forget this journey—it simply wouldn’t have been the same without all of you!
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Pooja Rao
13 July 2026
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Our family recently completed a 5 day Inca trail trek with Ian Taylor. Along with our extended family, we also had our 2 children (13 and 10 years old) on the trek. It was truly an amazing experience. All lodging and meals were taken care of. The food on the trek was amazing- fresh and nutritious- and we all looked forward to all the meals. The trek itself was challenging but being able to do it together with family was amazing and our absolutely amazing tour guide Miguel Mayorga was encouraging, humorous and so knowledgeable. He and his wonderful assistant Lis Magali took care of us all as if we were all their own family. They made the hard work fun and very rewarding. Along with the incredible staff who travelled with us who took such good care of us, I wouldn’t change anything about this incredible trek. If you’re ready to learn about one of the world’s greatest civilizations, all while challenging yourself physically and mentally in the most beautiful of environments with some of the kindest people I have ever met, I highly recommend this trek!
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Norm Borger
12 July 2026
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Ian Taylor Trekking made hiking the Inca Trail an absolutely incredible experience. I commend them and highly recommend them. From start to finish Ian Taylor was present. Every detail was taken care of to include pre and post activities booked through Ian Taylor. The food; I was stunned by the quality and type of food that was swrved. I have no words. It was above and beyond. I consider myself pretty adapt at cooking backcountry meals but these were at another level. truly impressive.Everything having to do with the trek went without a hitch; hotel checkin, airport transfers, to and from the airport, amazing all around. I woud definitely use Ian Taylor Trekking in the future.
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Anne Songdej
10 July 2026
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+6
Best trekking experience!! My family and I (8 in total) did the 5-day Inca Trail. Our head tour guide, Miguel Mayorga, and assistant, Liz, along with the chef, sous chef, and porters were extremely warm and highly professional! It was no easy feat taking care of my mother who is 74 years old and my nephew who was 10 years old!!! They took special care of all our individual needs, ensured our safety, while also anticipating and strategizing how we should group up ahead of time. The food on the trek was amazing!!!! The culinary, seasonal foods, and the snack time once we arrived at camp was a once in a lifetime experience. Arriving to the porters’ warm welcome was always a highlight!!! Thank you!!
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John Carver
3 July 2026
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+0
I recently completed my second trek with Ian Taylor Trekking – and also my second time hiking with Ian! This time I did the 5 day Classic Inca Trail. Based on my earlier experience with Ian Taylors team in Tanzania and Mt. Kilimanjaro, followed by an unforgettable safari with them, I knew this would be another amazing experience. From the time you first contact the company (usually Erin or Ian’s wife Laura), you get quick friendly and competent service. If you then follow the preparation training and packing recommendations from Ian, you are pretty much set for success. You show up, follow the support guidance from the superb guides and large support staff, and you have a great time, even when things get challenging. The simply amazing food, trekking accommodations waiting for you each day, and many small things along the way - like a wake up morning hot drink served at your tent, happy hour popcorn and snacks, wash up materials after each days hike, and fun group pictures along the trail (to name just a few things) all add to an environment where you build a supportive and collective team, not only with your fellow trekkers, but with the Ian Taylor team too. It’s so impressive. There are many trekking companies that can take you places. But, I can’t think of any company that can provide such a safe, comfortable and fun experience as this company. And, the company commitment to staff and community are exceptional. You will seldom find companies that give so much back to their employees and communities where they live and work. They truly care. I’ve already booked my next Ian Taylor trek for the El Camino in September 2027 and can’t wait for it to start!
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Erin Jones
12 June 2026
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The 5-Day Classic Inca Trail was my third trip with Ian Taylor Trekking. After two seamless adventures with the team (Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro), I had signed up for the Inca Trail before the end of my last trek. It's not just the attention to detail before and during the trip—airport transfers, luggage storage and delivery, meals, detailed training plans, and packing lists. It's also the way Ian Taylor Trekking invests in local communities and how well they treat and pay their staff. You can genuinely see the difference in the happiness and professionalism of the team compared to other operators on the trail. The way the staff are treated is reflected in the quality of the experience. From the moment you arrive, you're set up to succeed, with safety always being the priority. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable, the food is outstanding (honestly hard to believe you're on a trek), and the whole experience is genuinely enjoyable. And that's not something I say lightly as a girl who lives at sea level and HATES the cold. If you're thinking about booking with Ian Taylor Trekking, save yourself the research. This was my third trip with the team and I insist you book with them. I can't wait for my next Ian Taylor Trekking adventure.
Price
From
$3,450
/ person
Information

Country:

Chile

Duration:

7 Days

Distance:

72 km

Max. Altitude:

870m / 2,854ft

Difficulty:

Challenging

Group Size:

6

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