Hiking the W Route in Chile's Patagonia

Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 14 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. 

We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous. 

This is a “challenging” trip.

Although the hikes themselves are not particularly strenuous, their length and challenging terrain will be more taxing than expected. Days are full, average 6-9 hours per day. The terrain is along trails of rolling hills, through forests, along coastlines and partly scrambling over rocks and boulders (sometimes in the snow). The winds can be extremely strong and the temperatures change from one moment to the next. For the most part, you are only expected to carry your daypack on the trail while hiking. The rest of your gear will be carried by the included porter service. Your daypack should be large enough to include your lunch, water, camera, sunscreen and any layer clothing you may need to adapt to the changing weather on the trail.

We strongly recommend that you begin a regular fitness program - that is if you are not already doing so. Four times a week, 60 minutes per session should be a minimum to prepare you for this adventure. The optimal workout would include weight training and cardiovascular activities such as walking, cycling and aerobics.

BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994. 

The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested. 

Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. This trip attracts one of our most diverse groups. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 30-55, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well. 

We have prepared a packing list that you can download by clicking the link to the right on this page. 

Punta Arenas, Chile. You need to arrive into Punta Arenas no later than 11:00am on day 1 of the trip. On day 7 of the trip, please make sure you book a  flight from Punta Arenas that departs after 3:00pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Torres del Paine park.

To get to Punta Arenas, you'll need to fly into Santiago first and then onwards to Punta Arenas. This is a 4 hour flight from Santiago. Once you arrive into Punta Arenas, it is about a 5-6 hour drive to Torres del Paine park. 

This trip is quite popular with singles. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge.  A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike. 

We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.

This trip is generally not a family focused trip for young children. However, this trip could be suitable for strong and active older teenagers. 

We do offer many other Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.

During this trip, there is no wifi connection.

The season for this trip runs from October to April. In Patagonia the weather is always unpredictable, and it’s possible to experience all four seasons in one day, even in the summer months of December to March. Patagonia is also renowned for its intense winds. It is best to come prepared for all types of weather from cold and snowy to hot and sunny. The summer’s average temperature is 11’C / 52’F.

There are two types of accommodation on this trip. For four nights, you will be staying at the ecocamp. This is a permanent dome style structure that has proper beds. There is no heat but cozy fleece blankets and duvets are provided. You'll have access to a dining room and kitchen (cooks prepare all the meals), as well as shared washrooms with flush toilets, hot showers and sinks. For the other two nights, you will be camping in tents. All the camping equipment is provided including the sleeping bags. The campsite provides satisfactory bathroom facilities and the meals will be served inside the mountain hut.