Question 1

Where does the trip start?

Accepted Answer

Where does the trip start?

On the first day of the trip we’ll meet you at Hotel Natalino, in Puerto Natales, Chile at 6pm for dinner with your fellow adventurers. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Puerto Natales, though you must make your own way to Hotel Natalino at the pre-designated time.

Question 2

Where does the trip end?

Accepted Answer

Your trip ends in Central Puerto Natales after breakfast.

Question 3

What flights do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Puerto Natales at least the day before your trip starts, or before 2pm on the first day. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start. Departure: On the last day of your trip, we'll leave you in Central Puerto Natales after breakfast.

Question 4

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

Accepted Answer

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

We’ve selected the accommodation for the unique character and adventuresome feel – this trip is not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels in Patagonia. We prefer to stay in quaint, comfortable B&B’s and lodges. Things get a little more rustic when we head to the Refugio’s during the W-trek. The Refugio's are like backcountry lodges with hot showers, three course meals, bunk beds and it’s all part of a truly amazing experience! The rest of the time we stay in clean, comfortable, family-owned inns and hotels in the heart of the action.

If you've selected a single supplement for your trip, the W-Trek Hike (Days 3 – 7) are not included as no single rooms are available in the refugio's/lodges, and the single supplement price takes this into account. We recommend bringing enough clothing to only have to do laundry once during your trip, and the best time will be after your Wtrek once we return to Puerto Natales.

Question 5

Will my accommodations be exactly the same as those featured?

Accepted Answer

Will my accommodations be exactly the same as those featured?

Occasionally, your accommodations may differ from those featured, but they’ll always be hand-picked by our expert team with care. We’ll send your final accommodation list a month before your trip begins, so you’ll know exactly where you’re staying before you set off.

Question 6

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need a solid level of fitness for this trip, with daily hikes typically ranging from four to six hours. While peak physical condition isn’t required, you should be accustomed to regular aerobic exercise—ideally including hills, stairs, and carrying a backpack. The more preparation you do before your adventure, the more you'll enjoy the active, outdoor experience once you're on the trail. Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

Question 7

How much luggage can I bring on this trip?

Accepted Answer

You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You'll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days. You'll also require a good quality trekking pack with well-fitting shoulder and waist straps for the W-trek. Your pack should be sized 60 litres (3500 cubic inches), large enough to fit your sleeping bag inside along with all your multi-day gear.

Question 8

Tell me about the W-Trek Hike?

Accepted Answer

This amazing trek will take you past sheer granite peaks, snow-clad mountains, glacial lakes and through thick Magellanic forest. While it might be a bit of a challenge, the rewards are well and truly worth it! The trek is close to sea level so you won’t be dealing with any altitude factors. The trail is 64 kilometres (40 miles) in total length and we average around 6 hours or 16 kilometres (10 miles) per day. The greatest elevation reached on the W-trek is 1200 metres (3900 feet) at the highest point in the French Valley - you can go as high as you like. The trails are very well maintained so finding your way is never a problem. You’ll only be carrying the gear needed for the 5 days, your excess gear and luggage will be stored securely for you in Puerto Natales. During the W-trek in Torres del Paine National Park you’ll be spending four nights in rustic mountain lodges, known locally as refugio’s. Each refugio sleeps 30-50 people with shared bunk rooms of up to 6-10 people, shared bathrooms and hot showers. You’ll have a mattress with a pillow and you’ll use your sleeping bag – if you’re a light sleeper we recommend ear plugs and an eye mask to get a good night’s sleep, it’s all part of the adventure! Meals are served in the restaurant and there’s a bar that accepts pesos, dollars, euros and credit cards if you fancy a drink. The refugio’s have only basic heating facilities. On occasion it may be the case the refugio is full, and in this instance we’ll camp out for the night in this amazing location. We’ll pitch your tent near the refugio so you’ll still have full use of the facilities. NOTE: Sometimes the generators are turned off overnight therefore if you’re bringing a CPAP, it will need to be battery operated.

Question 9

Do you provide any gear for the W-Trek Hike?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need a good quality trekking pack with a volume of ~60 litres (3500 cubic inches) for the W-Trek hike, large enough to fit your sleeping bag inside along with all your multi-day gear. You’ll also need a nice warm sleeping bag for the W-trek, something rated down to at least ~0 C (32 F) is ideal. We can provide both items along with Hiking poles which we highly recommend. Please select these items when you make your booking so we know you require them. Please note that some refugios may provide sleeping bags, however we ask you bring or rent your own to ensure a clean bag is available to you each night.

Question 10

What is the bike ride like?

Accepted Answer

This is Patagonia by pedal power! Open, scenic, and full of wild southern character. You’ll ride between forests, mountains, fjords, and Patagonian ranches on mostly flat terrain with no steep climbs, so the focus stays on the views and the feeling of being out in the landscape. You’ll ride a Norco Storm 2 hardtail mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes, front suspension, and a 1x10 groupset, with sizes available in small, medium, and large. E-bikes are available for an additional fee, and a support vehicle is nearby if you’d prefer to ride along or take a break. Your guides will stop at viewpoints and at an estancia for a traditional lunch, which is a warm, local moment that brings the day to life.

Question 11

How do rooming arrangements work?

Accepted Answer

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 120 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement. For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available: Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates. Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room. The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests. Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Question 12

Destination Specific FAQs

Accepted Answer

For more Destination Specific FAQs such as tipping guidelines, weather, and other general in-country expectations, please click this LINK (please note this information is found at the bottom of the page).