W Trek: Heart of Torres

Day 1: Arrive in Torres del Paine National Park; Hotel Las Torres

You'll be picked up from the airport, or your hotel, in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate and transferred to Torres del Paine National Park. If coming from Punta Arenas, we'll stop en route for a traditional lamb BBQ at Estancia Cerro Negro. You'll then arrive at Hotel Las Torres where you'll be staying for the duration of your trip. Take some time to relax and familiarise yourself with the area with a gentle stroll before enjoying a tasty meal at the restaurant. If you're lucky with the timing of your journey, you may be able to take part in an afternoon excursion.

Meals: Dinner (Lunch, if transfering from Punta Arenas in the morning) 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 2: Hike the Ascencio Valley to the Towers viewpoint; Hotel Las Torres

Today's goal will be to complete the most famous hiking trail in all Patagonia – the hike to the Towers, or Las Torres! Departing from Hotel Las Torres on foot, we'll enter the Ascencio Valley before following the river through scenic forest, along an undulating trail.

Our main challenge comes in the form of the steep moraine (a huge mass of boulders) which lead us to the base of the Towers – three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After a tough final ascent, the Towers eventually come into full view, soaring majestically before us. Here we'll stop at probably the best lunch spot in the world! After soaking up the view, we'll backtrack along the same trail through the Ascencio Valley and return to Hotel Las Torres for a well-deserved dinner.

If you enjoy horse riding, you could take the option to ride to El Chileno Lodge, which is located half way. You'll then continue on foot up to the viewpoint for the Towers.

Length of hike: 8-10hrs, 21km/13 miles

Difficulty: High

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 3: Hike to the French Valley; Hotel Las Torres

After breakfast we'll transfer by vehicle through the national park to board our catamaran boat at Lake Pehoé.

The challenging, yet rewarding, hike into the French Valley (Valle Francés) begins by first bordering Lake Nordenskjöld and then entering the vast glacial terrain at the heart of the Paine Massif. How far we go will de dictated by the pace of the group as a whole, but a faster walk will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif. From here there are fantastic views of the valley.

We'll then continue our hike, uphill to the upper section of the valley where we'll take in the extensive views over the beautiful granite peaks of the Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedrál (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark's Fin) and the stunning Fortaleza (Fortress) – truly an amazing sight.

After all this ascent, we'll begin our descent and arrive back at Lake Pehoé for the return journey to Hotel Las Torres for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Note: The hike to the French Valley varies throughout the season, depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Lake Pehoé. In October and April the catamaran times mean the hike reaches the Italian Camp at the entrance to the French Valley. From November to March the boat departs earlier, allowing trekkers to reach further up the valley.

Length of hike: 10-12hrs, 20km/12 miles

Difficulty: High

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 4: Lake Grey hike; Hotel Las Torres

Today you'll be driven from the hotel to Grey Beach where you'll board the first boat sailing of the day up Lake Grey to Grey Refuge. From here you'll then start the hike towards Paine Grande Refuge, along the shore of Lake Grey. You'll reach a viewpoint from where you'll have a wonderful view of Glacier Grey and the lake, filled with centenary icebergs. The hike passes through rocky areas, evergreen and deciduous forests. We'll stop for a picnic lunch along the way.

When we reach Refugio Paine Grande, we'll take a catarmaran across Lake Pehoé to the dock at Pudeto and return by road to Hotel Las Torres.

Note: The order of the day's itinerary may be reversed if weather conditions require.

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 12km/7 miles

Difficulty: Medium

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres

Day 5: Depart from Torres del Paine National Park

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you'll have time for a stroll around the hotel grounds before you take a transfer to your next destination: Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, or El Calafate in Argentina.

Meals: Breakfast