Self-Launched Perito Moreno Glacier & Torres del Paine W-Trek (8 Days)

Fly into El Calafate (FTE). The town is small and walkable — the bus station is about 10 minutes on foot from most hostels. Check into your hostel and spend the afternoon exploring the lakeside town, stocking up on snacks for the trek ahead, and confirming your onward bus to Puerto Natales. Pick up any last-minute gear (gloves, layers) from one of the outdoor shops on Avenida del Libertador. El Calafate has good supermarkets — buy trail snacks here as prices are much higher inside Torres del Paine.

🚌Remis (shared taxi) from airport to town centre ~£5, or walk 20 mins

🛏Hostel in El Calafate — e.g. Los Pioneros Hostel or América del Sur Hostel. Dorm beds from ~£18/night.

• →Arrive at El Calafate International Airport (FTE)
• →Check in to hostel — walk or take a remis (~£5) from the airport
• →Explore El Calafate town centre and stock up on supplies
• →Confirm bus booking to Puerto Natales (Day 3)

Today is all about one of the world's most spectacular glaciers. Book a full-day tour from El Calafate directly with a local agency or via GetYourGuide — these depart daily and include return transport to the glacier and park entry. The tour takes you to multiple viewpoints of the glacier's north face at varying altitudes, with chances to spot Andean condors, black-necked swans, and other Patagonian wildlife. Allow 7–8 hours total. Alternatively, take the public bus run by Cootra (departs Av. Libertador, El Calafate, ~£10 return) and pay park entry separately (~£18). The boardwalk system at the glacier is free to walk once inside the park.

🚌Day tour minibus return from El Calafate included in tour price, or public Cootra bus ~£10 return

🛏Hostel in El Calafate (as Day 1)

• →Full day at Perito Moreno Glacier — book via GetYourGuide or direct with local agencies (~£45 including transport and park entry)
• →Walk the boardwalk network for multiple viewpoints of the glacier face
• →Wildlife and birdwatching — look for condors, flamingos, and upland geese
• →Optional: book a glacier trekking or boat excursion add-on (~£35 extra)

Take the public bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales — a spectacular ~5-hour journey through open Patagonian steppe, crossing the border into Chile at Cerro Castillo. Book in advance with Bus Sur or Turbus (departs El Calafate bus station, ~£20–25 one way). Remember you'll need to pass through Argentine and Chilean immigration — have your passport ready and declare any food items. Arrive in Puerto Natales in the afternoon. This is your last proper town before the park — use the evening to finalise your refugio bookings (Vertice Patagonia and Las Torres are the main operators), double-check your park entry reservation via the CONAF online system, and buy a packed lunch for tomorrow. Puerto Natales has excellent outdoor gear shops if you're missing anything.

🚌Public bus El Calafate to Puerto Natales ~£22 (Bus Sur / Turbus)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Natales — e.g. Erratic Rock Hostel or Base Camp Hostel. Dorm from ~£18/night. Erratic Rock also does a free nightly W-Trek briefing talk — highly recommended.

• →Board public bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales (~5 hours, ~£22) — book via Bus Sur or Turbus
• →Cross the Chilean border at Cerro Castillo — declare all food
• →Check in to hostel in Puerto Natales
• →Finalise refugio bookings inside Torres del Paine (book via verticepatagonia.com or lastorres.com)
• →Confirm CONAF park entry reservation (book online in advance at reservas.trekking.cl)
• →Buy packed lunch supplies for Day 4 trek

An early start today. Take the morning transfer bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park — multiple operators run this service daily (~£15–20 each way, book via your hostel or directly with Buses JB or Turismo Zaahj). Pay your CONAF park entry fee at the gate (~£22). The iconic trek to Base Torres (13 km, 7–8 hours return) is the jewel of the W-Trek — a demanding but unforgettable day with views of the granite towers, Glacier Torre, and Nido de Condor. Start early to beat the crowds and afternoon wind. Carry all your own food and water. Tonight you sleep at Refugio Las Torres or Refugio Chileno — pre-book your dorm bed and dinner well in advance.

🚌Bus from Puerto Natales to park gate ~£18 (Buses JB / Turismo Zaahj)

🛏Refugio inside Torres del Paine — Las Torres or Chileno. Dorm bed ~£35–45/night, dinner ~£18–22 extra. Book months in advance via lastorres.com or verticepatagonia.com.

• →Transfer bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (~2 hours, ~£18)
• →Pay CONAF park entry at the gate (~£22 — confirm current rates at conaf.cl)
• →Trek to Base Torres Lookout and back (13 km, 7–8 hours, moderate-strenuous)
• →Views of Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte, Nido de Condor, and Glacier Torre
• →Overnight at Refugio Las Torres or Refugio Chileno — pre-book dorm + dinner

Today's trek follows the stunning shoreline of Lake Nordenskjöld, with the dramatic horns of Los Cuernos reflected in the water — arguably the most photogenic stretch of the entire W. The route from Refugio Chileno/Las Torres to Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo Frances covers approximately 11 km (5–6 hours). The path undulates through lenga beech forest and open terrain with hanging glaciers visible across the valley. Carry a packed lunch. Wind can be very strong on exposed sections — poles and a good windproof layer are essential. Tonight pre-booked dorm bed and dinner at Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo Frances.

🚌On foot (trekking day — no additional transport)

🛏Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo Frances. Dorm ~£35–45/night, dinner ~£18–22. Book via verticepatagonia.com.

• →Trek from Las Torres/Chileno sector to Los Cuernos / Domo Frances (~11 km, 5–6 hours)
• →Walk the Lake Nordenskjöld shoreline trail with views of Los Cuernos and hanging glaciers
• →Observe Patagonian flora including lenga beech and calafate bushes
• →Overnight at Refugio Los Cuernos or Domo Frances — pre-booked dorm + dinner

A shorter but stunning day with big altitude gain. From Domo Frances, drop your pack at the refugio and take the day hike up Valle del Francés to the Francés Glacier Lookout (~1.5 hours up) and beyond to Británico Lookout — the most panoramic viewpoint on the W-Trek, with 360-degree views of Paine Grande, Torres, Cuernos, and multiple glaciers calving into the valley. Return to camp for a packed lunch and a well-earned rest. This evening, prepare for tomorrow's long and demanding Grey Glacier day — charge any devices, tend to blisters, and confirm your ferry crossing on Lake Pehoe.

🚌On foot (day hike — no additional transport)

🛏Domo Frances (second night) — dorm ~£35–45/night, dinner ~£18–22

• →Day hike up Valle del Francés to Francés Glacier Lookout (~3 hours return from camp)
• →Continue to Británico Lookout for panoramic views of Paine Grande, Cuernos, and Torres (~2 hours additional)
• →Views of Lake Nordenskjöld, Catedral, and multiple glaciers
• →Return to Domo Frances for overnight

The longest day of the trek. The route from Domo Frances to Refugio Grey covers approximately 22 km (8–9 hours) with views of Grey Glacier, Cordón Olguín, and blue ice floes floating on Lake Grey. If you prefer a shorter option, hike to the first Grey Glacier lookout only (~3 hours return from the refugio) and catch the earlier ferry. The Catamaran Grey ferry crosses Lake Pehoe (book in advance at catamarangrey.com, ~£25–30) and drops you at the Pudeto jetty, from where afternoon buses run back to Puerto Natales (~£12). Check back into your Puerto Natales hostel, shower, eat a proper meal, and celebrate completing the W-Trek.

🚌Catamaran Grey ferry Lake Pehoe ~£28; bus Pudeto to Puerto Natales ~£12

🛏Hostel in Puerto Natales — e.g. Erratic Rock or Base Camp Hostel. Dorm ~£18/night.

• →Trek from Domo Frances to Refugio Grey (~22 km, 8–9 hours, or shorter option to first lookout ~3 hours)
• →Views of Grey Glacier, Cordón Olguín, and ice floes on Lake Grey
• →Board Catamaran Grey ferry across Lake Pehoe (~£28 — book in advance at catamarangrey.com)
• →Bus from Pudeto back to Puerto Natales (~£12)

Final morning — enjoy a relaxed breakfast in Puerto Natales before catching the public bus south to Punta Arenas for your onward flight. Buses depart Puerto Natales bus terminal several times daily (Turbus, Bus Sur, ~£12–15, approximately 3 hours). The Punta Arenas bus terminal is a short taxi ride from the airport (~£8). If your flight is the following day, Punta Arenas has good hostels and a worth exploring historic centre, including the Museo Regional de Magallanes and the legendary Cemetery. Alternatively, a return public bus back to El Calafate is also available from Puerto Natales (~£22) if you're continuing into Argentina.

🚌Public bus Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas ~£13 (Turbus / Bus Sur); taxi to airport ~£8

🛏N/A (depart) — or hostel in Punta Arenas if overnighting (~£20/night dorm)

• →Breakfast in Puerto Natales
• →Public bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas (~3 hours, ~£13 — book via Turbus or Bus Sur)
• →Taxi from Punta Arenas bus terminal to airport (~£8)
• →Optional: explore Punta Arenas city centre if time allows before your flight
• →Optional: return bus to El Calafate instead (~£22, for those continuing in Argentina)