How to Hike Torres del Paine with Fantástico Sur

October 5, 2018 - 5 minutes read

The 2018-19 summer trekking season is already underway in Patagonia. And Fantástico Sur offers several ways to hike the famous “W” Circuit and “O” Circuit trails in Torres del Paine National Park.

The trail names derive from the fact that (when seen on a map) they form a perfect W and a very rough “O” around the Paine Massif — the towering granite peaks that form the heart of Chile’s most famous national park.

The main structure of each Fantástico Sur trekking program is similar, but there are variations in accommodation, program length and services offered.

W Plus International

6 days|5 nights
1 November 2018 to 28 February 2019

Among the most breathtaking and popular hiking circuits of the Chilean Patagonia — and perhaps the entire world — the “W” traverses the main attractions of Torres del Paine National Park.

Itinerary Option 1:

Day 1: Transportation to Torres del Paine National Park
Day 2: Hike to Las Torres Base
Day 3: Hike to Cuernos Sector
Day 4: Hike to Francés Valley
Day 5: Hike to Grey Sector and suspension bridges
Day 6: Grey Lake cruise and return to Puerto Natales

Itinerary Option 2:

Day 1: Transportation to the park, Grey Lake Navigation
Day 2: Suspension bridges and hike to Paine Grande
Day 3: Francés Valley
Day 4: Hike to Central Sector
Day 5: Hike to Las Torres Base
Day 6: Return to Punta Arenas

What’s included:


O Paine Circuit

8 days|7 nights
15 November 2018 to 15 March 2019

For eight intense days trekkers will be awed by the granite towers that give the park its name on a hike that takes in the legendary Francés Valley and striking Grey Glacier (seen from John Garner Pass, where the ice blends into the clouds on the horizon).

Itinerary:
Day 1: Transportation to Torres del Paine, lodging at Serón Sector.
Day 2: Hike to Dickson, lodging at Dickson Sector.
Day 3: Hike to Los Perros, lodging at Los Perros Sector.
Day 4: Hike to John Garner Pass and Grey Lake, lodging at Grey Sector.
Day 5: Hike to Paine Grande and Francés Sector, lodging at Francés Sector.
Day 6: Hike to Francés Valley, lodging at Francés/Cuernos Sector.
Day 7: Hike to Central Sector, lodging at Central Sector.
Day 8: Hike to Las Torres Base and return to Puerto Natales.

What’s included:


W Circuit

5 days|4 nights
1 September 2018 to 26 April 2019.

See the massive granite towers that give the park its name up close, walk beside the breathtaking Cuernos del Paine, scrutinize the stunning shapes of Francés Valley, and eyeball awe-inspiring Grey Glacier at the southernmost tip of the Patagonia’s Southern Ice Field. Daily departures.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Transportation to Torres del Paine, lodging at Central Sector
Day 2: Hike to Las Torres Base, lodging at Central Sector.
Day 3: Hike to the Francés Sector, lodging at Francés Sector.
Day 4: Hike to the Francés Valley, lodging at Paine Grande Sector.
Day 5: Hike to Grey Glacier Lookout Point, catamaran cruise on Pehoé Lake, return to Puerto Natales.

What’s included:


W Series

5 days|4 nights
1 September 2018 to 23 April 2019

See the massive granite towers that give the park its name up close, walk beside the breathtaking Cuernos del Paine, scrutinize the stunning shapes of Francés Valley, and eyeball awe-inspiring Grey Glacier at the southernmost tip of the Patagonia’s Southern Ice Field. Tuesday and Saturday departures.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Transportation to Torres del Paine, lodging at Central Sector.
Day 2: Hike to Las Torres Base, lodging at Central Sector.
Day 3: Hike to the Francés Sector, lodging at Francés Sector.
Day 4: Hike to the Francés Valley, lodging at Paine Grande Sector.
Day 5: Hike to Grey Glacier Lookout Point, catamaran cruise on Pehoé Lake, return to Puerto Natales.

What’s included:


W Express

4 days, 3 nights
1 September 2018 to 27 April 2019

See the massive granite towers that give the park its name up close, walk beside the breathtaking Cuernos del Paine, scrutinize the stunning shapes of Francés Valley, and eyeball awe-inspiring Grey Glacier at the southernmost tip of the Patagonia’s Southern Ice Field. Daily departures.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Transportation to Torres del Paine, hike to Las Torres Base, lodging at Central Sector.
Day 2: Hike to the Francés Sector, lodging at Francés Sector.
Day 3: Hike to the Francés Valley, lodging at Francés Sector.
Day 4: Hike to Grey Glacier Lookout Point, catamaran cruise on Pehoé Lake, return to Puerto Natales.

What’s included: