How to Make an Adventure W Trek Tour in Patagonia

The W Trek in Patagonia is one you should undertake when you visit Chile. The trek could last about a week and takes you across pristine wilderness and vistas of stunning beauty to be experienced in the Torres del Paine National Park, the French Valley and the Grey Glacier. Before you pack your bags and set off here are a few things that will make for an enjoyable adventure W Trek tour in Patagonia. 

1. Ready yourself
2. Plan the trek (possibly with a Patagonia tour guide)
3. Transport
4. Accommodation
5. Know about the weather
6. Foods you will need to carry
7. Routes for hiking
8. Torres del Paine National Park stay
9. Photography
10. Safety 

1. Ready yourself

• This means prior to starting the trek become physically fit through training. The trek is tough. 
• Consider travel plans and make the booking with a suitable travel agent specializing in W Trek in Patagonia.
•  Consider the gear you will carry along. Make it as light as possible. You should have a backpack for essentials and, if you are going it alone, a tent. However, if you join a guided tour then the tour operator may provide this gear. 
• Do not pack expensive items. You will be leaving most of your gear except for the backpack and essentials in a hotel room before setting out on the Trek. 

2. Plan the Trek

• Discuss the W Trek Patagonia plans with your travel agent.
• Tour operators usually arrange for arrival in Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or El Calafate and accommodation in a guest house before taking the group to Torres del Paine National Park for the trek to Base Torres. Then you proceed to French Valley and have a choice of Grey Glacier Boat tour.
• Confirm with tour operator about tented accommodation during the trek. Some tour operators will put you up at campsites on the route or in guest houses.
• You can ask for customization of your trek by including the Grey Glacier Boat tour or omitting some part and tour operator will decide if it can be done. 

3. Transport

• It is normal for local tour operators not to include the cost of travel from your city in the  US to Peurto Natale.
• Book flight tickets well in advance to arrive at least a day prior to tour departure for W Trek in Patagonia from Peurto Natales.
• Thankfully, most of the transport from Peurto Natales onwards will be arranged by your friendly tour operator. 

4. Accommodation

• Local W Trek Patagonia tour operators usually arrange for accommodation in guesthouses or apartments.
• You could also be offered a choice of accommodation in a premium hotel but on payment of extra charges.
• You travel to the Torres del Paine National Park for the Base Torres 18 km trek at the end of which you are given accommodation in a ranch lodge. Explore options about other forms of accommodation if it will reduce cost or your comfort level. 

5. Weather

• Weather in Torres Del Paine can range from torrid heat to snowfall.
• This means you travel with a set of woollens as well to keep warm. Carry thermals, hats and waterproof materials.
• Pick apparel to suit weather. Shorts are best avoided. Better to wear jeans to avoid being scratched by thorny bushes.
• Summer is best with daylight lasting till 10 PM in December so spend more time enjoying the views once you arrive at a specific destination. The Grey Glacier and Southern Ice field present magnificent views as does Gardner Pass. 

6. Foods to carry

• Always have a bottle of water on you. Better still, make it two. Of course there are streams all along the route and you could have a mug and use it to drink water from such streams. In that case carry some water purifiers.
• Pack cookies, candy, bars of chocolate. Nuts and dry fruits to munch on if you feel peckish.
• Refrain from carrying foods that spill and stain.
• A bottle of liquor will come in handy when the nights cool down as they do.
• Since the tour operator will usually arrange for meals at sundown you need not carry full meals, freeze dried or canned foods. These are recommended for those who set out on their own. 

7. Routes

• The Base Torres trek at the Torres Del Paine is an 18 km stretch lasting 7 to 8 hours which means a full day. Enjoy this to the fullest.
• Next day you go on a Paine tour or opt for the French Valley trek. At the end of this trek you spend the night in a hotel.
• Having a guide along makes it much more interesting and enjoyable and no doubt the tour organizer will provide one.
• If you are up to it, go on the Grey Glacier Boat tour and trek on the ice or a stimulating kayak ride. 

8. Torres Del Paine national park Stay

• Torres Del Paine is huge and you might come across individuals or groups putting up tents.
• If you have joined a tour then there is no need to worry. The tour organizer arranges accommodation in the Lazo Ranch Lodge.
• Hotel Torres is also there should you wish to select it instead.
• The next day you could explore French Valley and stay at Hotel Lago Grey or another one similar to it in facilities and cost. 

9. Photography

• Some go overboard in carrying photography equipments. Since you will be trekking all day long, the weight can tire you.
• It is best to carry light weight cameras with zoom lenses.
• Intrepid photographers may carry a tripod for landscape photography.
• It is recommended not to disturb wildlife unduly. 

10. Safety

• Safety comes first.
• Wear protective clothing covering legs and arms and head gear.
• Wear tough boots with good treads
• Carry a staff with you to help you as support on steep inclines and to hold on to in case you encounter strong winds.
• Do not stray far from the group and keep close to the guide. If at all you wish to take a diversion, inform the guide. 

You can get so much more out of the W Trek Tour in Patagonia by simple preparation and arrange with a local tour operator for the most bang for the buck.