The trip begins with a 7 AM pickup from your Puerto Natales hotel*. We’ll take a scenic drive to the port, board a catamaran to see the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers, and then head to Puerto Toro to start our W trek. We’ll walk 5 to 6 hours through the Nothofagus forest, which can be wet and boggy, especially after rain, making the terrain muddy and slippery. Once at Brush Lake, we’ll take a boat and a challenging walk up muddy, unmarked paths to our Brush Lake Campsite for a cozy dinner and rest.
Accommodation includes small cabins or shared domes with sleeping bags and mats.
*This program starts early in the morning in Puerto Natales, so arrive the day before (Thursday) to catch the navigation on Day 1 (Friday). If arriving in Punta Arenas, you may join our transfer to Puerto Natales if it fits our schedule. Check the "Facts" section for details.
For assistance, contact your Travel Experience Designer.
Note: If Day 1 navigation is canceled due to weather, an alternative itinerary will be provided.
Overnight at the Brush Lake Domes Campsite.
Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner.
After a night at Brush Lake’s Domes, we’ll descend a steep, muddy trail to reach the boat at Brush Lake, so be prepared for slippery conditions. If we stay at Pampa Lodge or another hotel at the Serrano sector, the walk ends there, followed by dinner and rest. If accommodation is at Hotel Lago Grey, a van will take is from Serrano to Grey Lake, where the hotel is located.
The next day (if we stayed at the Serrano sector), we’ll be transferred by van to Grey Lake, where we’ll take a ferry to the Refugio Grey area, starting the W trek.
Overnight at Pampa Lodge or Hotel Lago Grey, Standard Room, or similar.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Today we will take the 9 AM navigation to Refugio Grey, from where we will hike toward a lookout to take in the views of the immense Grey Glacier and then we’ll walk along the shores of Grey Lake to the northern side of Lake Pehoe. The day's trek will end with a soft climb through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to Paine Grande´s Campsite.
*Due to weather conditions, the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be canceled, if this is the case, the alternative is to hike the Las Carretas trail to Paine Grande (17 Km. / 10.6 Mi.).
Overnight at the Campsite in Paine Grande.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
After breakfast, we will begin the challenging trek along a steep trail leading into the very heart of the Paine Massif - the famed French Valley. We will be walking along the Lago Sköttsberg, and after approx 8 km (5 mi), the more challenging ascend starts towards the French Valley viewpoint. At the top, we will enjoy the views of the French Glacier, and the valley´s many curious-looking peaks. A view worth the hike! After a well-deserved break, we will descend and head back to our final destination; the Los Cuernos or Francés campsite, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Overnight at the Campsite in Francés or Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Once we have finished breakfast, we will continue our journey to Ecocamp Patagonia along the Cuernos trail, which will take us along the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. Today's walk is less strenuous yet richer in the diversity of terrain that we will cover. It will, therefore, be the perfect opportunity to take in the park’s charming flora and fauna and learn more about the vast variety of species along the way. We will pause throughout the walk-in and eat our box lunch, rest our legs, and admire the stunning surroundings. The trek ends as we arrive at Ecocamp where we will enjoy a hearty dinner and prepare for tomorrow's big challenge.
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
Today’s highlight is the trek to the base of the famous Paine Towers. This is a long day of about 8-10 hours of hiking. We’ll walk approx 30 minutes from the campsite/or EcoCamp to where the uphill starts. Then we ascend through Ascencio Valley, passing mountain ridges, beech forests, and rivers. The challenge is the steep moraine leading to the Towers, three massive granite monoliths shaped by glacial ice. After a tough climb, we’ll enjoy the stunning view of the Towers and the glacial lake below. After lunch with this breathtaking backdrop, we’ll retrace our steps through the valley and return to EcoCamp for dinner and Chilean wine.
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner.
On to the next adventure! Today we will board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch an evening flight onwards. Alternatively, you can ask for a drop off in Puerto Natales or board a bus to El Calafate.
Meals: Breakfast.
The campsite area for this day will consist of small cabins and domes with beds (to use with sleeping bags) for 2 people, providing also a common dome area to have dinner that night and enjoy disconnection.
This campsite at Brush Lake has dry toilets and showers with cold water.
For the second evening of your adventure and according to availability, you will stay at either Pampa Lodge, nestled in the scenic Río Serrano region, or Hotel Lago Grey, situated along the tranquil shores of Grey Lake. Both accommodations promise a peaceful night's sleep. If you choose Pampa Lodge, your transfer to Grey Lake will take place on the morning of day 3, whilst if you stay at Hotel Lago Grey, transportation will be provided from the Serrano sector to Hotel Lago Grey on day 2.
Accommodation in tents for 2 people will be provided in the corresponding shelter facilities. The shelters are heated and have a very comfortable feeding area where abundant meals are served. Alternatively, guest houses or lodges have rooms for 4 to 6 people. The beds are single bunk beds (sleeping bags and fleece blankets are provided) while the bathrooms are also shared and have hot water.
Optional upgrade to the shared dormitories inside Refugios are available upon request, please ask your Travel Experience Designer for more information.
Paine Grande Campsite & Refugio
An optional upgrade to the shared dormitories inside Refugio Paine Grande can be requested. Please review availability and prices with your Travel Experience Designer.
Depending on the itinerary, guests will have the opportunity to camp at either the picturesque El Francés or Los Cuernos Sector during their stay. Both locations offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and are perfect for immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Torres del Paine National Park.
Optional upgrade to the shared dormitories inside Refugios are available upon request, please ask your Travel Experience Designer for more information.
Los Cuernos Campsite & Refugio
Shared dormitories in Refugio Los Cuernos
Francés Campsite & Refugio
Shared dormitories at Domes in Refugio Francés
Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, overlooking the majestic Granite Towers. It was the first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian vastness. EcoCamp offers a dome camp inspired by the region's ancient nomadic inhabitants.
Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove, and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes that fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace, and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.
Spacious, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows, and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet.
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EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request, as in the photo), cozy fleece blankets, and feather quilts. There is a radiator for heating, which can also be used to hang your clothes for drying There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable, and gender divided.
Departures are available on Fridays from November to March
Departures require a minimum of 2 participants. If a given departure isn't available, you will be put on a waiting list.
This trip takes place from Friday to Thursday, with pickup and drop-off options in Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, or El Calafate. Please visit our Weekly Transfer Board for details of EcoCamp pick up and drop off times. To participate, it is essential to be in Puerto Natales on the day before the program starts (Thursday) to board the navigation at 7 AM on Day 1 (Friday).
On Day 0 (Thursday), a mandatory briefing will be held at 5 PM at the EcoCamp Office in Puerto Natales, located at Barros Arana 166. This session is crucial for reviewing logistics and preparing for the upcoming adventure.
If you plan to arrive in Punta Arenas on Thursday, you may join EcoCamp's regular transfer to Puerto Natales, provided your schedule matches our Transfer Schedule. For further details or assistance with planning your arrival and transfers, please consult your Travel Experience Designer.
This is the right trip for energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure, and have a positive attitude. During this trek, you will walk a total of 98 km/60,8 mi.
To enjoy this trek it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to regard this trek as a means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a program of conditioning well before departure.
During Low and Shoulder Season (October and April), the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be canceled, if this is the case we will offer you a comparable alternative within the park.
If you choose a Standard Dome and you are traveling alone, you can share the dome with another person of the same gender and pay the double base price. If you want the dome to yourself, you need to pay a Single Supplement.
The campsites in Paine Grande, Cuernos & Francés provide satisfactory bathroom facilities. Meals will be served inside the refugio.
Those aged 14 years or older are welcome and are considered adults.
Children between 10 and 13 might be accepted in this program if their legal guardian sends a formal letter stating that the child is prepared for such an intense trekking trip and authorizes us to hire a private guide in case the child cannot perform well during the trek.
Children under 10 years of age cannot participate in this trip.
This trip doesn’t offer a special discount for children.
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. Pick up/ off times will be confirmed locally by our operations team. An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for anyone needing additional support while they are in Chile.
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the winds that circle the Antarctic landmass, making the weather hard to predict. Fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning; even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. Summer’s average temperature is 11ºC (52ºF), ranging between 2 to 24ºC (35 to 75ºF).
Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. We recommend the following:
The porters are people who will help us with the logistics of transporting luggage during our trip. They will be in charge of carrying items such as: tents, sleeping bags, mats/insulators and dry bags*. They will transport these items from Ecocamp or the camps occupied during the trek, to our next stops, making sure to arrive on time so that we can find these items at our disposal once we arrive at the camps/refugios.
*Dry bags: Dry bags, as their name indicates, are waterproof bags in which we can store the items that we will not need during the walks and keep them dry and insulated while the porters transport them. The dry bag limit (regulated based on the weight that is healthy for porters to carry) is 15 Lt. and 5 Kg/11 Lb. each (in case there is more than one dry bag on your trip).
These bags will be labeled with your name so that they are not confused with those of other members of your group.
Upon arriving in Puerto Natales on day 0 (the day before the program begins), a briefing will be coordinated with your guide at the Ecocamp Office in Puerto Natales, where he will explain the logistics of dry bags during your itinerary.
On the Brush W Trek you will be given 3 dry bags, which you must fill with your belongings for days 1, 2, 3 and 4 of your itinerary. These bags will have the following organization/logistics:
Day 1 (Bag 1): This bag will be taken from Puerto Natales to Brush Lake, where you will have it available with your personal items for this first day of the itinerary.
Day 2 (Bags 1 and 2): This day bag 1 will be taken with your belongings from Brush Lake to the Serrano or Grey sector (depending on your accommodation for that night). In the Serrano (or Grey) sector you will receive bag number 2 with your belongings for that night while bag 1 will be transported back to Ecocamp.
Day 3 (Bag 2 and 3): This day bag 2 will be taken with your belongings from the Serrano (or Grey) sector to Ecocamp (and you will no longer have access to it or bag 1 until the night of day 5). Meanwhile, bag 3 will be waiting for you with your belongings for that night in the Paine Grande sector.
Day 4 (Bag 3): This day bag 3 will be taken with your belongings from the Paine Grande sector to the French or Cuernos sector (depending on your accommodation for that night), where you will have it and your personal belongings upon arrival at the camping and shelter area. On day 3 and day 4 the same dry bag will be used (dry bag Nr. 3).
Day 5 (Bags 1, 2 and 3): This day you will arrive at Ecocamp, where you will have access to your 3 dry bags to organize your belongings.
Taking into account that you will only have access to 1 of the 2 dry bags during your trip (when your trip includes 2), we recommend the following to have optimal access to your items:
The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to plan around at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based upon these safety/weather considerations.
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
