W Trek Patagonia – 3-Day Torres del Paine Glamping Dome Adventure – Chile

Discover the Essence of Patagonia’s Iconic W Trek

Short on time but craving adventure? The W Fast Track is the perfect 3-day experience for travelers who want to see the highlights of Torres del Paine National Park without the full-length trek. Journey through the park’s most iconic landscapes—from the icy expanse of Grey Glacier, through the dramatic French Valley, to the awe-inspiring Base of the Towers. This is Patagonia at its most breathtaking—condensed into three unforgettable days of adventure.

Highlights

Hike the legendary French Valley, surrounded by towering granite peaks.
Navigate by boat across the iceberg-dotted waters of Grey Lake.
Trek to the base of the iconic Three Towers—one of the most famous viewpoints in South America.
Experience wild Patagonian flora and fauna in their natural habitat.
Stay at Riverside Camp, a sustainable eco-retreat built with over 27 tons of recycled plastic, blending comfort, innovation, and purpose.

Trip Details

Length: 3 Days
Trip Level: Demanding
Start / End: Puerto Natales, Chile
Group Size: 2–8 travelers
Lodging: Riverside Camp – deluxe Lotus Belle tents
Season: September to April

Why You’ll Love It

This express version of the W Trek is ideal for active travelers who want a compact but complete Patagonian experience. Each day offers a new landscape—glaciers, rivers, alpine valleys, and rugged peaks—while evenings at Riverside Camp bring relaxation under the stars. With comfort, sustainability, and adventure combined, it’s the ultimate short-stay trek in Torres del Paine.

Trip Itinerary

W Trek Patagonia – 3-Day Torres del Paine Glamping Dome Adventure

Your adventure begins early in Puerto Natales with a 6:00 AM pick-up from your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle. As we journey toward Torres del Paine National Park, we’ll pass through vast Patagonian pampas and shimmering lagoons—keep an eye out for guanacos, grey foxes, Chilean flamingos, and black-necked swans that inhabit these wild plains.

Upon entering the park, we’ll board a catamaran across Lake Pehoé, gliding over turquoise waters toward the trailhead that leads into the magnificent French Valley (Valle del Francés)—one of the most dramatic sections of the famed W Trek. The trail begins with a steady ascent toward a massive glacial moraine, where the first views of the hanging French Glacier appear overhead.

From here, the route climbs through a dreamlike landscape reminiscent of a Japanese garden. After roughly an hour of hiking, we’ll reach El Plateau, the main French Valley viewpoint. Surrounded by 360° vistas, you’ll stand beneath the towering walls of Paine Grande (3,050 m / 10,006 ft) on one side, and the spires of Los Cuernos—La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara, and the distinctive north and main “horns”—on the other. Above it all rise Cerro Catedral and Cerro Fortaleza, fortress-like peaks that crown the valley.

We’ll pause here to enjoy a picnic lunch amid these awe-inspiring surroundings before retracing our steps back to the lakeshore. The day concludes at Riverside Camp, where a welcome dinner and a cozy deluxe Lotus Belle tent await you—your first night of glamping in Patagonia.

Today’s Adventure Includes

Private transfer: ~2 hours total
Catamaran: 35 minutes each way across Lake Pehoé
Hike: 7–8 hours | 17 km / 10.5 mi
Meals: Box lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Riverside Camp – Double Deluxe Shared Tent

Day 2 – Boat to Grey Glacier & Hike to Condor Lookout

After a hearty breakfast at Riverside Camp, we’ll set off by private transfer toward the Grey sector of Torres del Paine. Our day begins with a short walk through an enchanting beech forest, home to native Magellanic woodpeckers and other Patagonian birdlife. Emerging from the forest, we’ll reach the shores of Lake Grey, where we’ll board a three-hour boat navigation through the lake’s iceberg-dotted waters.

As we cruise toward the immense Grey Glacier, you’ll witness a surreal landscape of sculpted blue ice, jagged peaks, and drifting icebergs—an unforgettable perspective on one of Patagonia’s most iconic natural wonders. At the glacier’s face, we’ll pause to admire its striking textures, lines, and shades of blue, carved by centuries of movement and wind.

On the return journey, look for the whimsical “ice mushrooms”—formations shaped by strong Patagonian winds atop Paine Grande. Back on land, we’ll enjoy a picnic-style lunch before heading to the Condor Lookout Trail for an afternoon hike.

The ascent is short but steep, taking about one hour to reach the Condor Viewpoint, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of the Paine Massif, Lake Pehoé, and surrounding valleys. Keep your eyes on the skies—this area is a prime spot to see the majestic Andean condor soaring on the thermals.

After descending, we’ll return to Riverside Camp for a well-earned dinner and a relaxing evening under Patagonia’s vast, star-filled skies.

Today’s Adventure Includes

Private transfer: ~2 hours total
Boat navigation: 3 hours round-trip on Lake Grey
Hike: 3 hours | 10 km / 6.2 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Riverside Camp – Double Deluxe Shared Tent

Day 3 – Hike to the Base of the Towers

Today marks the most challenging and rewarding day of your Patagonia adventure. Prepare for an unforgettable finale as we take on the legendary Base of the Towers hike—one of the most iconic trails in all of Torres del Paine National Park.

After an early breakfast, we’ll begin our journey into the Ascencio Valley, following a winding trail that gradually ascends alongside the river. The first section leads to the Windy Pass, a dramatic ridgeline known for its sweeping views—and strong gusts that give the pass its name. Your guide will lead the way safely through this exposed section as the landscapes open into wide Patagonian vistas.

A short distance ahead, we’ll reach Refugio Chileno, the final rest stop along the route. Here, hikers can enjoy basic amenities such as bathrooms, snacks, and Wi-Fi access (cash only if you wish to make a purchase).

From the refugio, we’ll continue through a beautiful lenga forest, crossing small mountain streams before reaching a panoramic viewpoint that marks the beginning of the trail’s final and most demanding section. The ascent up the terminal moraine is steep and rocky—but your efforts will be rewarded as you crest the ridge and come face to face with the towering granite spires of Torres del Paine reflected in a glacial lagoon below.

Here, at nearly 900 meters of elevation, you’ll have time to rest, take photos, and savor lunch surrounded by the dramatic scenery that has made this spot world-famous. After soaking in the views, we’ll begin our descent back to the trailhead, where your private transfer awaits for the return journey to Puerto Natales.

Today’s Adventure Includes

Private transfer: ~4 hours total
Hike: 8–10 hours | 22 km / 13.6 mi
Meals: Breakfast & Box Lunch
Optional Services:
- Post-tour accommodation in Puerto Natales
- Private transfer to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales Airport
- Public bus transfer to Punta Arenas

Additional Trip Info

Private transportation as indicated in the itinerary
Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
Two nights of accommodation at our Riverside Camp (comfortable luxury tents with 2 premium inflatable mattresses, sheets, and bedding)
Welcome drink at Riverside Camp (Pisco Sour, glass of wine, beer, sparkling wine)
Round-trip catamaran across Lake Pehoé
Grey Glacier Navigation
All meals as indicated in the itinerary
Guide (English-Spanish languages)