7 Day W Trek | Eco Camp

In the morning, you will be picked up by a local representative either from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and taken to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Upon arrival at the Eco Camp, you will be immediately greeted by the breathtaking beauty of our surroundings. The camp blends seamlessly with the natural environment, and the eco-friendly design of the lodging domes is inspired by the traditional huts built by the Kawesqar, the indigenous people of the region. Don't let their simple appearance fool you - these domes offer comfort and protection from the elements. After settling in, enjoy a delicious dinner and a warm welcome from our hosts. Throughout the evening, receive a comprehensive briefing on the exciting activities awaiting you in the days to come.

*While most activities are included in your stay at our Eco-camp, a limited number of extra cost activities are available for you to choose from. These optional activities are at your discretion, and any fees associated with them will be paid locally.

We’ll dive into our Patagonian adventure with a pleasant walk along the Cuernos Trail which leads to the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this warm-up walk, we will have the opportunity to admire the park’s exquisite flora and fauna and take in the views of the horn-like peaks of slate that sit atop the gray granite of the Paine Massif. The trek may end at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small and cozy mountain guesthouse located on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Or it will end at Domo el Francés, located between Cuernos and Italiano camping sites, with an amazing view of Nordenskjöld Lake. The evening is at your leisure.

Overnight at Camping Cuernos or Camping El Francés (depending on availability).

*If you wish to upgrade from camping to a refuge stay for this night, please enquire at time of booking to check availability. An additional cost applies and is subject to availability.

Get ready for today’s challenging, yet rewarding, trek. We’ll begin hiking along a steep trail leading into the heart of the Paine Massif - the French Valley. How far we’ll go depends on our group's rhythm. A swifter walk will lead us to a hanging bridge, located at the foot of the south-eastern face of the Massif. We will continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley to marvel at the extensive mass of the geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), among others. After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax for a while. The hike will end with a descent through a terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to Refugio Paine Grande.

*If you wish to upgrade from camping to a refuge stay for this night, please enquire at time of booking to check availability. An additional cost applies and is subject to availability.

Today we will hike from the Paine Grande Refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern side of Lake Grey. We will feast on a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails to the crystalline facade of Glacier Grey. From the southern end of the glacier, we will transfer to EcoCamp. Due to the weather of the region, boat trips across the lake may occasionally be canceled or if the required minimum of 15 passengers is not reached. If this is the case, we will trek up to a sightseeing point to enjoy wonderful views of Grey Glacier instead. Afterward, it is time to return on foot to Paine Grande and take a catamaran to the dock, where we will be picked up and driven to EcoCamp.

Today is the big day, the walk to the base of the Paine Towers. We will hike towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face, flanked by mountain ridges, beech forests, and small rivers. Our big challenge is the steep moraine, a huge mass of boulders that lead to the iconic Towers base, the three granite monoliths that are the remains of a great cirque sheared away by glacial ice. After a tough uphill climb, the Towers rise majestically before us with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place to have lunch? After enjoying the view, we will use the same trail to return to EcoCamp for a well-deserved dinner.

On day six, we'll take it easy with a scenic drive to Sarmiento Lake's northern shore to start the less demanding Aonikenk Trail. Hiking north, we'll encounter diverse Patagonian wildlife and perhaps puma tracks, passing Goic Lagoon to reach Laguna Amarga ranger station after a leisurely 5 km walk. Post-lunch, we head to Laguna Azul, spotting wild guanacos and ñandús en route, and savoring various views of the Patagonian steppe and the Towers. At Laguna Azul, a short hike takes us to a lookout for stunning views of the lagoon and granite towers, finishing the day with a drive back to EcoCamp for a celebratory farewell dinner.

After your final breakfast at the lodge, you will depart Eco Camp aboard their shared shuttle service to be transferred to the airport for your onward travels. Eco camp includes transfers to either Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or a bus to El Calafate depending on your itinerary.

Please note: The shuttle to Punta Arenas departs between 8am and 9am and stops in Puerto Natales along the way. For flights departing earlier than 3pm, an early drop-off service must be booked for an additional cost.