The W Circuit Express Torres del Paine is the most compact version of the most popular trek in Chilean Patagonia. Over 4 days and 3 nights you will visit every iconic landmark of Torres del Paine National Park — Base Torres, Los Cuernos, Valle del Francés and Glaciar Grey — in an itinerary designed for travellers with less time who still want to experience every breathtaking landscape the park has to offer.
The program is 100% all inclusive: regular bus transfers from Puerto Natales, 3 nights of accommodation in a mountain refugio or campsite, all meals (breakfast, box lunch and dinner), park entrance fee, welcome kit, and the catamaran crossing on Lago Pehoé at the end of the journey.
The trek is self-guided: before your start date you will receive a detailed technical email, and at the Puerto Natales bus terminal our host will hand you your welcome kit with everything you need to know. All you have to do is walk and enjoy.
For this excursion we recommend you be in good physical condition. We offer two programs:
During this time we will walk through some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. We will ascend and descend valleys, cross wide rivers, venture into dense forests, visit ancient glaciers, colorful lakes, and spot an incredible diversity of wildlife — all at the foot of the imposing mountains of Patagonia.
Program subject to campsite availability in Torres del Paine. Book in advance.
Compare the two W Circuit options and pick the one that best fits your time and your pace.
| ⚡ Express 4 days / 3 nights |
★ Classic 5 days / 4 nights |
|
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 days / 3 nights | 5 days / 4 nights |
| Base Torres viewpoint | ✅ | ✅ |
| French Valley | ✅ | ✅ Full day |
| Grey Glacier | ✅ | ✅ Full day |
| Cuernos sector | ❌ | ✅ Dedicated day |
| Total kilometres | ~60 km | +85 km |
| Pace | Intense | More relaxed |
| Hotel Las Torres + Refugio | ❌ | ✅ Available |
| Lago Pehoé catamaran | ✅ | ✅ |
| All meals | ✅ | ✅ |
| Park entrance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Price from | USD $1.450 / $916.000 CLP | USD $1.640 / $1.080.000 CLP |
| See Express | Book the Classic |
Availability, prices, what to pack, differences between the programmes — an immediate answer, no waiting.
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Pick up 6:30am in your accommodation in Puerto Natales to take the bus at 07:00 hrs
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
This program operates in two modalities:
• Camping: park campsites with basic equipment included.
• Mountain refugio: shared dormitories of 6 to 8 beds. No single supplement.
• Hotel or cabin upgrade: limited availability — contact our team.
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIRED
The W Circuit Express is a high-difficulty program. The total route covers over 60 km across 4 trekking days. Day 1 is the most demanding — you travel from Puerto Natales and complete the Base Torres trek on the same day (19.4 km). Good cardiovascular fitness and basic mountain trekking experience are required. Not recommended for people without prior physical preparation.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
• Trekking backpack (max. 10 kg during the circuit)
• Technical layered clothing (waterproof outer layer essential)
• Waterproof, pre-worn trekking boots
• Trekking poles (included in the program)
• Hat, gloves and sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle (minimum 1 liter)
• Headlamp
• Light sandals for refugios and stream crossings
LOOKING FOR MORE TIME IN THE PARK?
We recommend the Classic W Circuit — 5 days and 4 nights.
OPERATING SEASON
The W Circuit Express operates exclusively from October 1 to April 30. Between May and September the park refugios close for winter.
IMPORTANT
• Valid passport or national ID required for park entry.
• The program is subject to accommodation availability in the park. Early booking is strongly recommended, especially during high season (December–February).
• The itinerary is indicative and subject to modifications due to weather conditions.
• We recommend keeping your pack weight under 10 kg during the circuit.
Before your adventure you will receive an email with technical information and all the details to prepare you for your trip to Torres del Paine.
At 07:00 hrs the bus departs from Puerto Natales bus terminal. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at the park you immediately begin your first trek through Valle Ascencio, ascending to the Paso de los Vientos with its spectacular panoramic views of the landscape and surrounding lakes.
You will pass through Sector Chileno and through a native lenga beech forest before reaching the final stretch of the day. This section takes approximately one hour over rocky terrain. At the end of the route you will be rewarded with the most impressive view in the park: the three iconic granite towers and their glacial lagoon.
Walk along the quiet shore of Lago Nordenskjöld at the foot of the impressive Monte Almirante Nieto and its hanging glaciers.
The atmosphere of silence beneath the enormous summits above the turquoise lake will invite you to slow down, take in the scale of what surrounds you and capture the moment forever. The lake is surrounded by geographical contrasts and is home to many birds — keep an eye out for condors soaring overhead.
You will continue along the Río Arriero, where you can take a long and well-deserved rest, refill your water bottle and simply be present. From the highest viewpoint you will see the full expanse of the lake and the Glaciar Francés on Cerro Paine Grande.
Begin your morning with a magnificent trek toward Camping Italiano. Your mind and body will align with the present moment, processing all the experiences of the days before. Surrounded by mountains, the sounds and scents of the lake fill you with energy as you walk through varied and abundant native vegetation.
You will pass a stunning waterfall where you can fill your bottle with pure, cold water. All of this builds to the incomparable view from the Valle del Francés mirador — one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the entire circuit: suspended glaciers, Cuerno Principal, Torre Norte and the Paine massif framed in a natural amphitheatre found nowhere else on Earth.
The perfect finale to the W Circuit Express. This stunning trek takes you through diverse landscapes — native forests and lake shores — while you marvel at the glaciers spilling down from the mountain peaks above.
As you emerge from the forest you reach the First Glaciar Grey Mirador, where more and more icebergs come into view floating silently on the grey-blue water below. It is one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire circuit.
After your adventure, you board the catamaran across Lago Pehoé and then the bus back to Puerto Natales.
| Passenger | Price p/p (double basis) | Single supplement |
|---|---|---|
| Chilean | CLP $916,000 | CLP $673,000 |
| Foreigner | USD $1,450 | USD $1,160 |
| Passenger | Price p/p | Single supplement |
|---|---|---|
| Chilean | CLP $931,000 | Not applicable* |
| Foreigner | USD $1,750 | Not applicable* |
* The refugio has shared dormitories of 6 to 8 beds — no single supplement applies.
Comparing options? See all our Torres del Paine excursions departing from Puerto Natales.
Hermosa experiencia, paisajes que superaron mis expectativas. Recomendado para quienes buscan aventura sin necesidad de un guía permanente.
El trekking autoguiado me permitió descubrir el parque con libertad. La información previa estaba muy completa y todo funcionó perfecto con los traslados
Muy buena opción para quienes queremos recorrer Torres del Paine de manera independiente. Todo estuvo bien coordinado y los refugios cómodos
El circuito W Express fue una experiencia inolvidable. Los mapas y la guía fueron muy útiles, y me sentí seguro en todo momento recorriendo los senderos.
La organización fue impecable, todo estaba claro en el material autoguiado. Me encantó la flexibilidad para caminar a mi ritmo y disfrutar de cada mirador.
