El Chaltén & Torres del Paine W Trek: Hotel-Based Private Hiking Tour

Chile

9 Days

Overview

This 9-day hotel-based private trekking itinerary combines Patagonia's two most iconic hiking destinations in a single journey — four days exploring the legendary trails beneath Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in El Chaltén, followed by five days discovering the highlights of the W Trek in Torres del Paine. Instead of moving between mountain refugios, every hiking day ends back at the comfort of your hotel, combining world-class trekking with premium accommodation, private guiding, and seamless logistics. Private guides accompany every trail day, private transfers connect each stage of the journey, and you only hike with a daypack while the logistics are taken care of for you.

El Chaltén & Torres del Paine: Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado before crossing into Chile — arriving at Torres del Paine with trail legs already built and the scale of Patagonian trekking fully understood

Grey Glacier: the crossing from Puerto Pudeto to Paine Grande delivers panoramic views of the Cuernos del Paine; the trail north to Refugio Grey follows the lake shoreline to the glacier, and the catamaran from Refugio Grey to Hotel Lago Grey closes the day from the water — the most complete one-day approach to the glacier sector.

Private guide on every hiking day across both destinations, adjusting departure time and pacing to the day's wind and weather

Fully customizable — extends naturally to El Calafate for Perito Moreno Glacier, Ushuaia for the Beagle Channel, or puma tracking days inside Torres del Paine

El Chaltén & Torres del Paine: Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado before crossing into Chile — arriving at Torres del Paine with trail legs already built and the scale of Patagonian trekking fully understood

Grey Glacier: the crossing from Puerto Pudeto to Paine Grande delivers panoramic views of the Cuernos del Paine; the trail north to Refugio Grey follows the lake shoreline to the glacier, and the catamaran from Refugio Grey to Hotel Lago Grey closes the day from the water — the most complete one-day approach to the glacier sector.

Private guide on every hiking day across both destinations, adjusting departure time and pacing to the day's wind and weather

Fully customizable — extends naturally to El Calafate for Perito Moreno Glacier, Ushuaia for the Beagle Channel, or puma tracking days inside Torres del Paine

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

Hike to Laguna de los Tres beneath Cerro Fitz Roy (3,405m), departing from the Río Eléctrico trailhead by private transfer
Trek to Laguna Torre at the base of Cerro Torre's granite spire above the icebergs of Glaciar Grande
Ascend Loma del Pliegue Tumbado for a 360-degree panorama of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Lake Viedma, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
Hike to the Base of the Paine Towers up the Ascencio River moraine to the glacial lagoon
Explore the French Valley via catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé from Puerto Pudeto
Navigate from Pudeto to Paine Grande by catamaran, trek north to Refugio Grey, and cross back to Hotel Lago Grey by boat in a single active day

Itinerary

A private transfer from El Calafate Airport (FTE) across the Patagonian steppe to El Chaltén, with the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre massifs rising above the De las Vueltas River valley on approach. An evening guide briefing covers weather patterns and departure timing for the three trekking days ahead.

22 km round trip | 960m elevation gain | 8–9 hours | Challenging

A private transfer from El Chaltén to the Río Eléctrico trailhead, 18 km north of the village, cuts the standard approach in half and adds roughly 90 minutes of actual trail time to the day. From the trailhead, a full day ascending through lenga and ñire forest past the Piedras Blancas hanging glacier to the glacial lagoon at 3,054 meters below Fitz Roy's north face.

~18 km round trip | ~450m elevation gain | ~6 hours | Moderate

A full-day hike west through the Fitz Roy River canyon to Laguna Torre, where Cerro Torre's 3,128-meter granite spire and the floating icebergs of Glaciar Grande fill the view.

20–22 km round trip | 1,100m elevation gain | 7–8 hours | Moderate–Challenging

A sustained ascent to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado — one of the few viewpoints where Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Lake Viedma, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are simultaneously visible. The summit ridge is fully exposed to wind.

A private transfer from El Chaltén across the Argentine–Chilean border at Cancha Carrera/Cerro Castillo, with stops along the steppe for guanacos, condors, and lesser rheas. First views of the Paine Massif as the route enters the park. Check-in at Las Torres Hotel with a short acclimatization walk to Laguna Amarga and an evening guide briefing.

18 km round trip | 880m elevation gain | 6–8 hours | Challenging

The W Trek's signature hike, starting from Las Torres Hotel. The trail climbs through lenga beech forest along the Ascencio River before a steep moraine ascent to the glacial lagoon below the three granite Paine Towers. Return to Las Torres Hotel for the evening.

16 km round trip | 500m elevation gain | 6–7 hours | Moderate–Challenging

A transfer to Puerto Pudeto for the catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé, then a hike into the French Valley — a glacial amphitheater flanked by hanging glaciers on both sides and vertical granite walls above. Return by catamaran to Puerto Pudeto and transfer back to Las Torres Hotel.

~11 km | ~200m elevation gain | 3–4 hours | Moderate

A transfer to Puerto Pudeto for the catamaran crossing to Refugio Paine Grande, then a hike north along the Grey Lake shoreline — massive icebergs calved from Grey Glacier anchor along the volcanic sand beach as the trail progresses. Arriving at Refugio Grey, a second catamaran carries you directly across the lake to Hotel Lago Grey, where the glacier face comes into full view for the first time. Check-in with the glacier outside the window.

A private transfer from Hotel Lago Grey back to El Calafate or Punta Arenas for your onward flight.

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Transportation throughout the trip
Comfortable Hotel Accommodation
Expert local guides
Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

International or domestic flights
Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers have two options; fly into Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Armando Tola El Calafate (FTE), located just outside El Calafate city or fly to Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Carlos Ibañez del Campo Punta Arenas (PUQ), located just outside Punta arenas City.

Option 1:

Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to El Calafate (FTE).
Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from El Calafate (FTE) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

Option 2:

Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez Santiago de Chile (SCL), then connects with a domestic flight to Punta Arenas (PUQ).
Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Punta Arenas (PUQ) back to Santiago de Chile (SCL) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

Joanna Green

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

Martin Bride

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joanna Green

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

Martin Bride

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★