A step-by-step guide on how to travel to Patagonia and hike the W-trek
For more detailed information see quicktripadventures/patagonia.
Day 1 | Take ferry at Pudeto across Lake Pehoe to Refugio Paine Grande. Hike (11km/6.83 miles/3-4 hours) to Refugio & Camp Grey. Lookout to Glacier Grey is at Mirador Grey (2km/ 1.24m) before Refugio Grey Set up camp: Camp Grey (paid) Options: *just after Refugio Grey – climb rocks and get good view of eastern side of Glacier Grey *trek forward ~1 hour towards but before Los Guardos campsite to view the southern ice field behind Glacier Grey (world’s 3rd largest ice field after Antarctica and Greenland) | Breakfast: hotel Lunch: salmon and crackers, fruit Snacks: Clif bars and beef jerkey Dinner: Backpacker’s Pantry pouch | ![]() ![]() |
Day 2 | Option to kayak at 9:00am – need to reserve day before @ Bigfoot Patagonia. If so, stay another day at Camp Grey. Hike to Refugio Paine Grande (3-4 hours) – backtrack. Then hike to Camp Frances Set up camp: Camp Frances | Breakfast: oatmeal and tea/instant coffee Lunch: Backpacker’s Pantry pouch Snacks: Kind bar, peanut butter & crackers Dinner: Mountain House pouch | ![]() ![]() |
Day 3 | Early: Keep backpack at Camp Frances and take daypack and poles. Hike to Valles Del Francés and/or Mirador Británico (11km/6.83miles/~5 hours round trip time) Return to Camp Frances and gather backpack. Hike to Los Cuernos. Hike is flat with high winds. Camp at Los Cuernos (paid – has meals if paid ahead, showers, and free 5 minutes of internet) | Breakfast: oatmeal and tea/instant coffee Lunch: Backpacker’s Pantry pouch Snacks: Clif bar Dinner: @ Los Cuernos | ![]() ![]() |
Day 4 | Hike to Camp Chileno (~4-5 hours) Set up camp: Camp Chileno. Hike to Mirador Torres (to see 3 peaks of Torres Del Paine) which is ~45 minutes each way. Dependent on weather forecast, do this hike in afternoon or next morning for sunrise. | Breakfast: @ Los Cuernos Lunch: Mountain House pouch Snacks: Kind bar, beef jerky Dinner: Backpacker’s Pantry pouch | ![]() |
Day 5 | Hike to Hotel Las Torres for shuttle bus to Laguna Amarga. Or, hike the 11km/6.8 miles to Laguna Amarga to meet the bus to Puerto Natales. | Breakfast: oatmeal and tea/instant coffee and whatever’s left in bag. Lunch: leftovers or quick lunch at Hotel Las Torres | ![]() |