DAY 1 ARRIVAL

DAY ONE: ARRIVAL

Plan to arrive in the world’s most southern city, Punta Arenas (PUQ), in the early afternoon—a short transfer will be provided to Hotel Almasur. Conveniently located two blocks from the main square, it’s easy to strike off and explore the streets. There are no scheduled activities this afternoon but there’s lots to see in “Sandy Point”–the waterfront promenade is the ideal place to start.

Later, gather in the evening in the hotel lobby for the welcome dinner (at the hotel) for a trip briefing with your lead guide.

Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Almasur or similar

DAY 2 ISLA MAGDALENA PENGUIN RESERVE

DAY TWO: ISLA MAGDALENA PENGUIN RESERVE

It will be an early bird start but the upcoming knee-high company makes it worthwhile! We’ll depart the hotel for the Magdalena Island penguin tour  headquarters where we’ll join a co-ed group who we’ll share the boat with. We’ll board a bus first for a 25-minute ride to the dock where a local guide will explain safety procedures, Patagonian weather and the penguin itinerary!

As we head north towards Marta and Magdalena Island, sailing through the denim waters of the Strait of Magellan, we may spot austral or piebald dolphins and sei whales en route. We’ll also have an uninterrupted view of Contramaestre and Isabel, the islands of Tierra del Fuego. The raucous cormorant and austral seagull colonies and Patagonian sea lions of Marta Island hint at the intimate encounter that lies ahead.

On the windswept expanse of Isla Magdalena, we will be instantly charmed by the presence of over 120,000 penguins in their natural habitat. Standing just 61cm (24 inches) tall, the 6.5 kilo (14.3 pound) Magellanic penguin population is the second largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America. The penguins toddle around their burrows and comically waddle past, fearless of human presence.

We will enjoy one hour on the island, following a marked trail that loops around Magdalena past the Faro Isla Magdalena. This lighthouse became operational in 1902 and was inhabited by a light keeper who lived on the island until the beacon’s automation in the 1950’s. Renovated in 1995, the building now serves as an office for staff who manage the penguin reserve.

Hot chocolate and coffee will be served on the boat to match the warmth in our hearts after visiting the rookery. We’ll return to Punta Arenas by bus by noon, gather our luggage and continue onwards to EcoCamp Patagonia, the world’s first geodesic dome hotel located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park via private shuttle.

En route we will stop to stretch our legs in Puerto Natales, a small town on the shores of Seno de Ultima Esperanza (“Inlet of Last Hope”). Look for the elegant black-necked swans along the shore! Depending on the time, we may have lunch in Puerto Natales or be traveling with a boxed lunch to eat when hunger strikes.

The 5-6 hour journey is peppered with sheep, guanacos, raptors and a slow immersion into the Patagonian landscape. Take in the mesmerizing Patagonian steppe, jagged mountains and surprise element of ostrich-like rhea along the roadside.

Before dinner, our Wild Women guide will lay out the days ahead over a refreshment and apps-enhanced briefing. The W Trek officially begins tomorrow! Our guide will provide us each with one  20L dry bag which our porters will carry over the course of the next three days on the trek. Don’t worry, there will be instruction and discussion on what to pack for this leg of the trip.

Tonight we will sleep in style! The EcoCamp suite domes have a private ensuite with state-of-the-art composting toilets, dreamy twin beds (or a double) and a modern low-emission wood stove to take the edge of the night’s cooler temps. Design inspiration for the dwellings come from the ancient Kaweska tribe and their mantra of “leave no trace.”

Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Suite Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
How much further? 5 hours (driving)
Roadmap: Punta Arenas to the EcoCamp

DAY 3HIKE TO LOS CUERNOS

DAY THREE: HIKE TO LOS CUERNOS

Today we will follow the sinuous Cuernos Trail which is bespattered with wildflowers in spring and skirts the alpine Lake Nordenskjold.

During this low-key 12 km (7.5 mile) walk we will have the opportunity to admire the park’s dynamic flora and fauna, panoramic views of the park’s central lakes and Cuernos del Paine or Paine’s Horns. The black spiked peaks of slate have been appropriately named: to the north, the Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin), to the east (from north to south) Fortaleza (Fortress), La Espada (The Sword), La Hoja (The Blade), La Máscara (The Mask), Cuerno Norte (North Horn), and Cuerno Principal (Main Horn). The maximum altitude point will be 244m (800ft) and whenever we reach our maximum hunger point, we’ll enjoy our boxed lunch!

Our 4-5 hour trek will end at Refugio Los Cuernos, a cozy mountain refuge on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Depending on the group’s pace and the weather, we may opt to stay at Refugio Frances instead. Regardless, this evening is all about chilling out and sharing stories and laughs over dinner. The communal dining and bar area is co-ed. An integral part of the W-Trek’s atmosphere is mingling with other hikers from around the world and sharing your experience on the trek as you relax at day’s end.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Refugio Los Cuernos or Refugio Frances (Please note: *Our group will stay in shared dorm rooms with six or twelve bunk beds. Every effort will be made to secure rooms just for Wild Women. The refugios are co-ed.)
The skinny on today’s hike: 4 -5 hours (hiking), covering 12km (7.5 mi)
Maximum altitude: 244m (800ft)

DAY 4HIKE TO FRENCH VALLEY

DAY FOUR: HIKE TO FRENCH VALLEY

After a nourishing breakfast at Refugio Los Cuernos (or Frances!), we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that makes a beeline into the very heart of the Paine Massif. There are two options today–we can either hike to the tiptop of the French Valley or take a shorter walk to check out the views from the bottom. 

Next, we cross the famed suspension bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif. The reward is an unmatched view of the valley and a big spike of adrenalin!

We will continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where to marvel the extensive mass of the valley’s geological formations: the Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress).

After our upward trek, we will take 5 and stretch out with a boxed-lunch picnic. Today’s 13km (8 mile) trek will end after our descent through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and sparse forest to our basecamp at Refugio Paine Grande where we will be spending the night under the roof in bunk beds. Did we mention HOT showers? Refugio Paine Grande is located on the postcard-perfect shores of Lake Pehoé with uninterrupted views of Cuernos del Paine and Cerro Paine Grande.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Refugio Paine Grande (dorm room bunk beds)
The skinny on today’s hike: The skinny on today’s hike: Today’s hiking distance is dependent on the route chosen. It can be between 13-26km (8-16 miles) and depends on whether Day 2 ended at Refugio Los Cuernos or Refugio Frances. The estimated hiking time is 8-10 hours depending on the group’s skill level and pace. The maximum altitude point is 686m (2,250 feet)–including the climb up to the moraine.

Maximum altitude: 686m (2,250 feet)–including the climb up to the moraine.

DAY 5PAINE GRANDE TO GLACIER GREY

DAY FIVE: PAINE GRANDE TO GLACIER GREY

Today we will hike from Paine Grande Refugio along Lake Pehoé shores to the northern side of Glacier Grey. The icebergs and marvel at the crystalline facade of Glacier Grey are a sudden surprise. This 30m (98ft) tall glacier is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and measures around 6km (3.7 miles) wide. Yep, it’s a jaw-dropper.

Here, we will board the boat that sails right to the facade of Glacier Grey. We’ll take in the unreal views of this stunning glacier while sipping on a chilled drink clinking with genuine glacier ice. This super scenic one-hour glacier boat ride will be spent in search of calving glaciers on Lake Grey. Pocketed in the eastern side of Torres Del Paine National Park, the time-carved ice sculptures glint and dazzle in surreal hues of bubbled blue. Bonus: the backdrop of the daunting Paine Mountains!

Sufficiently wowed after the lake crossing, we will then transfer back to EcoCamp by vehicle. If time and weather permits, we can stop at Salto Grande falls and Mirador Cuernos (Spanish for “the viewpoint of the horns”) on the way. The magnificent Salto Grande waterfall is an impressive cascade as the water thunders from Nordenskjold Lake into Pehoe Lake. 

From the falls, it’s a short walk to the dramatic Cuernos viewpoint and a knock-out view of the mighty Horns. Here, the Cuernos will be smack dab in front of us, presenting a different angle from our Day 2 campsite view (from the foot of the mighty Cuernos–unless the group stayed at Refugio Frances, of course). We’ll gently traverse the steppe vegetation and learn about the resilience of the local flora. This soft but stunning hike is full of distractions–like the piercing blue-as-husky-eyes Pehoe Lake and Paine river. It’s easy to re-energize while taking in the enormous Paine Mountain range and its seemingly faux snow-capped peaks in this soul-hugging region. 

Please note: In the event that the glacier tour is cancelled due to weather, we will have to hike back to Paine Grande refugio (11km/7 miles) and take a catamaran to the dock where we will be picked up by our shuttle. Otherwise, if Mother Nature cooperates, we will enjoy the glacier cruise and meet our shuttle at the southern end to return to EcoCamp.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Suite Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
How much further? 1.5 hours (by shuttle)
The skinny on today’s hike: The hiking distance today is 11km (7 miles) with an estimated duration of 4 hours.

Maximum altitude: 244m (800ft)

DAY 6THE TOWERS

DAY SIX: THE TOWERS

Today we will walk from EcoCamp towards Hostería Las Torres before ascending to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Mountain ridges, beech forests and small serpentine rivers colour the scenic walk towards the valley.

Our biggest challenge will be the steep moraine. The huge mass of boulders lead us to that iconic base-view of the three gigantic glacial ice-sheared granite monoliths known as the Towers. It’s a long slow and steady kind of day as we take on the last of the famed ‘W’ trek route.

After a tough uphill climb on an non-moving escalator of boulders. The Towers eventually come into full view, rising grandly before us with the glacial lake visible below. We’ll take advantage of the vantage point and stretch out with a picnic before backtracking along the same trail to the EcoCamp for a decadent well-deserved pisco sour and dinner. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Suite Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia
The skinny on today’s hike: The challenging 22km (14 mile) hike will take an estimated 9-10 hours (including a picnic lunch).

Maximum altitude: 914m (3,000ft)

DAY 7PUMA TRACKING

DAY SEVEN: PUMA TRACKING

Remember the rewards of the Magellanic penguins on Day 2? The early bird gets the worms, penguins and pumas!

Today will be a rise and shine start with a 5:30am departure in search of the elusive puma. (*Depending on the month and sunrise, this start time can vary from between 5 and 7am). We’ll learn about puma behavior as we scout the northeast region of the park where pumas are known to rest and frequent. Travelling predominantly by vehicle, we might also slowly track the pumas on foot, depending on signals our guides interpret on the ground.

Around noon, we’ll return to EcoCamp to have a lingering lunch together and rest for a few hours before resuming our search later.

The optional puma tracking session will begin around 4 to 8:30pm, when pumas (and humans) are known to be more active. You can also choose to remain at EcoCamp and relax and unwind for the day. EcoCamp offers complimentary daily yoga, meditation and sound therapy sessions. A massage therapist is also available to give your W Trek-weary muscles some rejuvenation (massage therapy is an additional expense).

Depending on the return time of the stealth puma trackers, it will be either a quick pisco sour debrief and tantalizing apps from the cucina before dinner or the main course and conversation about the next day over dinner. Then, it’s time to return to our domes to stoke the fire and pack!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Suite Domes, EcoCamp Patagonia

DAY 8ESTANCIA DOS ELIANAS

DAY EIGHT: ESTANCIA DOS ELIANAS

After one last incredible, nourishing EcoCamp breakfast, we’ll pack up and be on the road at 7:30 a.m. Our first stop (a 90-minute drive) will be the rustic Estancia Dos Elianas. 

We’ll tour the Estancia and learn about the rich, influential traditions of ranch life. In the livestock area, we’ll visit the corrals, shearing sheds and mangers. There’s also a display of vintage tools and antiques that tell the historical roots of the generational farm. Hunting traps and boleadoras (a leather and stone throwing weapon) used by the Aoniken people are also part of the archives. Around noon, we’ll be privy to a classic Patagonian BBQ.

We’ll watch the arrieros (muleteers) in full action, tending to their flock on horseback and later, shearing a sheep. We’ll also learn about the gaucho’s most loyal and integral companion, the sheepdog. A typical day will be showcased, demonstrating the dogs’ skills in herding and working in the corrals with both sheep and cows. 

As our time at the Estancia comes to a close, we’ll cap our visit off with a local favourite: savoury sopaipillas (a type of fried bread) served with local jam and cheese.

We’ll stop at EcoCamp headquarters in Puerto Natales before carrying on to Punta Arenas to check into Hotel Almasur in the early evening (5 or 6 p.m.). The drive from EcoCamp is around 5 hours, so there’s plenty of time to swap stories, Airdrop iPhone pics and trade contact info with your fellow Wild Women. Our farewell dinner (sigh) will be at a popular walking-friendly restaurant in Punta Arenas with a casual historical city tour along the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Patagonian BBQ, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Almasur
How much further: 5 hours (driving)
Roadmap: EcoCamp Patagonia to Punta Arenas

DAY 9ADIOS PATAGONIA

DAY NINE: ADIOS PATAGONIA

After breakfast at the hotel (at your leisure, within the hotel’s breakfast hours) a group shuttle will be provided in the morning to the Punta Arenas airport for those who are flying to Santiago and onward.

Or, you may choose to spend a few more nights in Punta Arenas to take advantage of a guided sail to Cape Froward, join a local whale watching excursion or see the King penguins on a Tierra del Fuego tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast