What's the Difference Between our W trekking programs?

5-day W trek, 7-day W trek, or 7-day W trek + Brush Variant? What are the differences between our W trekking programs, and which one would be the best option for you?

You may have investigated how to do the W trek. You will see that some do it from the east side to the west, starting with the most demanding hike, the Base of the Towers. Then others hike/walk from east to west, finishing with the Base of the Towers.

EcoCamp does things differently than most people or agencies, and there is a reason for that. First of all, the idea is that you get to enjoy EcoCamp Patagonia, its cozy domes, and delicious food. Our version combines luxury glamping and more simple camping, so you get a bit of both worlds. 

We also use local porters, who help with some of the weight, making the hike more effortless! You only need to carry a daypack with your personal items; EcoCamp and our porters take care of the rest. 

Furthermore, most of our programs start from west to east. We like to have the Base of the Towers as the “reward hike”, so we have it as the last hike of the programs. It is a very demanding hike, and if you start with that hike, some people tend to be affected days after, which can be a rough start. 

We have detailed each trekking program and its differences. Hopefully, this will help you make a final decision on which is the best option for you. 

5-day W trek

This is the shortest version with three hiking days: one long (French Valley), one short (Grey), and one long (Base of the Towers). Days 1 and 5 are in and out: We will pick you up from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and drive you to EcoCamp, where you will have your welcome briefing and dinner with your guide(s) and new fellow hiking friends. 

During the three hiking days, you will see and do the highlight points of the W hike. The part between Refugio Italiano, Refugio Frances, and Refugio Los Cuernos to the Las Torres area (connection trails between the refugios and campsites) is not included in this program. This is a faster version of the classic W trek. 

Benefits of the 5-day W trek program: This is an excellent option if you are short on time and want to skip the connecting trails. 

7-day W trek

You have to arrive the day before because day 1 starts from Puerto Natales at 7 am. This program has five hiking days and two in-and-out days. We have designed it so you have a mix of longer hiking days and shorter hiking days measured in distance (see more details in our trekking maps of the routes). Your body has more time to rest on shorter days before a long hiking day. You will do the classic W trek in 4 days, with all its beautiful connection trails between the different campsites. 

On the fifth day of hiking, we will take you to an area that many people who visit the park do not go to: Sarmiento Lake and Laguna Azul, where you will do a short hike of 6 km/4 mi. This day is for exploring, wildlife observation, and stretching your body after four days of more demanding hiking. 

Benefits of this program: You will complete the W trek without skipping any connection trails. The program is longer, and you will get to know more corners of the park. It also gives you room to do these short-long days. You also get more days to enjoy your stay at EcoCamp, where there will be room for some yoga, a great option after the W trek. 

The Laguna Azul area offers a different view of the three granite towers, and it is an area with good chances of wildlife spotting, especially guanacos, bird species, and, with some luck, even a puma!

7-day W trek Brush Variant

This program was created to add some more adventure to the W trek. On days 1-2, you will explore an area outside but bordering the national park, Torres del Paine. You will explore Bernardo O'Higgins National Park and see the Serrano glacier. One highlight of this hike is the constant presence of the Paine Massif on the horizon. You will first glimpse it on the way to Brush Lake, which is still distant but visibly towering. Then, as the days go by, you will get closer to the impressive mountains that you first saw in the distance.

The Brush Variant is more challenging because the area is wetter; you will walk through water, and depending on the season, some places will have mud. It is, therefore, even more important with this program to have the right trekking equipment with you and that you have some prior hiking experience. 

You will do the W hike for the following four days with all its connections trails. You will get a lot of kilometers in your hiking boots, so this option requires a decent hiking shape and a high desire for adventures! This contrast between the first (Brush) and fourth (Francés-Británico) day of the program makes this one of the most scenic and authentic hikes available for people looking to feel like explorers discovering this untouched wilderness for the first time, coming from the fjords into the Paine Massif.

Benefits of this program: If you like more “untamed” nature and exploring lesser-known corners of the world, this is a great option! You will visit the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park and see some of its glaciers, like the impressive Serrano glacier. Furthermore, you will do the classic W trek without skipping any parts of it. On the map, the blue line and the orange line are areas unique to the 7-day W trek Brush variant. 

W Trek Comparison Chart

Here’s a handy table to help you compare the differences at a glance, and you can click on the individual categories or scroll down the page for the full details:

Physical level

Both the 5-day W trek, the 7-day W Trek, and the 7-day W trek Brush Variant are considered demanding, meaning they’re great for intrepid travelers with a taste for adventure. You will walk all day, sometimes on uneven and wet terrain. We, therefore, recommend that your hiking shoes are already broken in and you have a good balance. 

Some people think the 5-day W trek is easier, but it is three long hiking days. There might be fewer kilometers in the shoes, but the intensity of the three days is high. 

Special interest

The three programs are perfect for lovers of the outdoors and the natural world. The focus is definitely on the adventure of hiking various kilometers each day to reach the end of the trail or a viewpoint. The 7-day W trek has an added day to the park's eastern side, so this program is the best option if you are into wildlife observation. The 7-day W trek Brush Variant offers new, lesser-known areas and glacier views, so if Into-The-Wild is your favorite movie and you like something off-the-beaten-path, this trek is your best choice! 

Trekking Charts

You can see each program and their trekking information here, day by day. 

Most Asked Questions About Our Programs

We received some additional questions about the programs, and we have collected some of the most frequently asked questions. Each program has more details about what is included and not included, how many kilometers, etc., but if you have any additional doubts, you can always ask our sales representatives. 

Will I always stay in a dome during the trek?
No, some nights, you will be staying at the campsites that are part of the W trek. EcoCamp is located in only one place, on the east side of the National Park, Torres del Paine, so to do the W or O trek, you must move from campsite to campsite. 

How does it work with your luggage and the use of porters?
If you stay at EcoCamp, we will store your luggage in a storage dome until you return. You should only carry your personal belongings (extra clothes, toilet bags, rain gear, etc.) on a daily basis. 

Our porters help with the logistics. They will carry tents, sleeping bags, mats, and dry bags. You will get a drybag to fill up to 5 kg/11 lb of your stuff, and the porters will carry this bag. The maximum weight a porter can carry is regulated and controlled by the national park.

Should I bring food for the trek?
Each day, after breakfast, you will get a lunch box to take with you. At night, you will have dinner. If you want some snacks with you, you can bring them or buy them at the different campsites. They provide chips, chocolate, and different beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, in their small shops. Be aware that things are more expensive to buy inside the national park. You can pay with card in most places, but bring cash just in case. 

Can I do an ice hike or kayak in the Grey Refugio?
Unfortunately, there is no room in the program for that extra activity. Instead, you will be taking the Grey ferry, which is close to the Grey Glacier´s ice wall—an impressive view! We can arrange the activity only if you book a private program. 

Do we go to the Britanic viewpoint when doing the French Valley Trek?
It depends on many factors, including the group's rhythm and the weather. Getting to the Britanic viewpoint takes about 3 hours extra, so our expert guides will evaluate it on the day and make the final decision. For the 5-day W trek, where we have to catch the catamaran, we usually do not do the Britanic viewpoint. 

We hope that’s answered one of the most common questions we get asked here at Cascada, but if you still have queries, contact us so we can organize the W Trek you’re looking for!