Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine W-Trek EXPRESS - (7 nights) - Self Guided

Arrival at El Calafate airport. Regular transfer to hostel or hotel. Check in at selected accommodation. Free day.

Be ready for an early pick up for the Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour:
This Perito Moreno Glacier tour is a wonderful opportunity for travelers to explore and experience one of Argentina’s top attractions! This day tour into the Los Glaciares National Park offers exceptional views of Patagonia’s most famous glacier, the incredible Perito Moreno as you are guided along the wooden walk ways. The Perito Moreno full day excursion will begin taking you from central El Calafate towards the Los Glaciares National Park, an area of exceptional natural beauty and a UNESCO National Heritage site. This is the classic tour to sightsee the Perito Moreno Glacier and the best option to get an overview and see it from above. A full-day tour through Los Glaciares National Park, in which Perito Moreno lies, it gives you the chance to really appreciate the glacier’s sheer magnitude, as you walk across the Pasarelas (heightened wooden walk ways) along the shores of Lake Argentino. Following the Perito Moreno tour circuit you will finally reach the boardwalks of the Perito Moreno Glacier, where you will have three hours to explore and sightsee Perito Moreno’s enormous 60-meter wall of ice floating on the surface of Lake Argentino. The Perito Moreno Glacier is Patagonia’s most famous attraction and a truly unique, breath-taking spectacle of nature that you cannot miss.

Duration: 8 hours
Departure Times: 07:00-07:30

Breakfast. Make your own way to the bus station to catch a morning bus (departure at about 07:30-08:00) to Puerto Natales in Chile. On arrival make your own way to your accommodation, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you like.

Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine (Regular Bus) - Las Torres Base Viewpoint
Find your own way to the bus station. Registration time at Rodoviario (Bus Station) at 06:45.
The day your program starts you will have to take the bus at 7 am from Puerto Natales. The trip takes about 2 hours. Once you arrive, leave your heavy stuff and then start with your first trekking through the Ascencio Valley, until you reach the Vientos pass, with its spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and lakes. You will pass through the Chileno Sector and through a native lenga forest before reaching the final stretch of your adventure. This part of the hike lasts approximately one hour over rocky terrain. At the end of this trek you will encounter the most impressive view of the three iconic granite towers and their glacial lagoon. Hike back to sector Central to have dinner and rest.

Hike: 8-10 hours. 19,4 km (12 mi.)
Difficulty: High
Elevation gain: 750 m

Night 1 of W-Trek: Refugio Torre Central.

Sector Central - Sector Frances (or Cuernos)
Walk along the tranquil shore of Lake Nordenskjöld and at the base of the amazing Almirante Nieto Mount and its hanging glaciers. The hushed atmosphere of the massive peaks above the turquoise lake will beg you to slow down, process the magnitude and capture that view forever with a photograph. The lake is surrounded by geographic contrasts and is home to many birds, so keep an eye out for condors flying in this area. You will continue along the Arriero river, which offers great opportunities to take a nice long break to fill your water bottle and enjoy the present moment. Once at the highest viewpoint, you will be able to see the lake in its entirety and the Francés Glacier on Paine Grande Mount.

Hike: 4,5-6,5 hours. 13,5 km (8,4 mi.)
Level of difficulty: Medium
Elevation gain: 80 m

Night 2 of W-Trek: Refugio Frances (or Cuernos).

Trekking the Frances Valley
Recommended time to begin the trek is at 09:00.
Start your morning in the perfect way with a light and magnificent trek to Italiano camping. Your mind and body will be aligned with the present moment, processing all the experiences of the previous days. Surrounded by mountains, you will find peace of mind, the sounds and smells of the lake will make you vibrate with energy in the midst of a varied and abundant vegetation that will fill you with life. You will pass by an amazing waterfall and you will be able to fill your bottle with pure and cold water. This whole experience will be perfectly complemented by the incomparable view from the Francés Valley. At the viewpoint, you will be dazzled with one of the most impressive views of the entire circuit. You can continue to Britanico lookout and then hike your way down to Frances to spend the 3rd night on the W Trek.

Hike: 7-8 hours. 15 km (9,3 mi.)
Level of difficulty: High
Elevation gain: 712 m

Night 3 of W-Trek: Refugio Frances

Trekking to Grey Glacier Lookout:
Sector Frances - Paine Grande - Grey Lookout - Paine Grande - Pehoe Lake - Pudeto - Puerto Natales
Recommended time to begin the trek is at 08:00.
First you have to hike to Paine Grande and then do a roundtrip trek to the Grey Glacier Lookout. After about one and a half hours from Paine Grande the traveler will reach the first lookout, where it’s possible to observe the glacier at a distance. From there, the traveler will follow a path that circles the west bank of Lake Grey. After about one and a half / two hours the traveler will reach the main lookout with spectacular views of Grey Glacier, Cordón Olguín and the ice floes. The return journey follows the same path, arriving to the sector known as Pehoé. At the pier you will board a ferry and take a trip across Lake Pehoé, disembarking at the sector known as Pudeto from which point a transfer will be waiting to take customers back to Puerto Natales. You have to make your way from the bus station to your accommodation in Puerto Natales.

Hike: 7-8 hours. 22 km (13,6 mi.)
Level of difficulty: High
Elevation gain: 280 m

Ferry Itinerary PM / AM:
- Registration time at the pier: 18:00 / Departure: 18:30/ Approximate arrival time to Rodoviario Natales: 22:00
- It is possible that due to physical and climate conditions you prefer to return on the first ferry. In this instance, the walk will only reach the first lookout (three hours approximate roundtrip). If taking advantage of this option, registration time at the pier is: 11:00/ Departure: 11:30/ Approximate arrival time to Rodoviario Natales: 16:30
- It’s important that on this day you effectively calculate walking times in order to be on time for the ferry departures.
- When walking to the glacier, backpacks can be safely left at Paine Grande Lodge (a free service for travelers who are staying at this place).

Breakfast (dorm option does not include breakfast) and check out. You make our own way to the bus station to take the Punta Arenas Airport public bus (or Punta Arenas city if you are not flying out).

Bus Times: 07:00 / 10:00 / 12:30 / 15:00 / 17:15 / 19:00 / 21:00
Optional: Return bus to El Calafate. If your flight departs from Puerto Natales airport, the transfer is also included.

- El Calafate Airport pick up
- 2 nights accommodation in Calafate at selected room with breakfast
- Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour
- Bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales
- 2 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales at selected room with breakfast (Dorm option has no breakfast)
- W Trek Circuit 4 days 3 nights in Refugio Dorm or in Tent, including:
* Entrance fee to National Park
* Bus from Puerto Natales to Paine and shuttle to Sector Central
* 3 nights accommodation in Refugio or Tent (Tent option includes the Tent, a mattress and a very god sleeping bag)
* Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner)
* Boat Trip Lake Pehoe
* Bus from Port of Lake Pehoe to Puerto Natales
* Self Guided treks
- Regular Bus Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas Airport or transfer to Puerto Natales airport