How to Book the W Trek (2026/27): A Step-by-Step Guide
To book the W Trek, you must secure reservations across two separate private operator websites - Vertice Travel and Las Torres - while purchasing a park entrance pass from the Chilean government’s official portal. Because these platforms do not communicate with each other, you are responsible for syncing your dates manually to ensure you have a bed or campsite for every night of your itinerary.
The process is notoriously fragmented, but it is the only way to hike the W Trek independently. If you are planning for the 2026/27 season, you should prepare to book your accommodation at least six months in advance, particularly if you aim to hike during the peak months of December, January, or February.
Booking at a Glance
- Websites required: Three (Las Torres, Vertice Travel, and Pases Parques).
- Booking window: Usually opens between April and June for the following season.
- Key bottleneck: Refugio Chileno (often sells out within hours of release).
- Payment: Major credit cards are accepted; foreigners are exempt from the 19% IVA tax if paying in USD or with a foreign card and presenting a PDI slip.
- Prerequisites: Valid passport number and a finalized hiking direction.
The Golden Rule: When do W Trek Bookings Open?
Reservations for the W Trek typically open between April and June for the upcoming October to April season. For the 2026/27 season, Vertice Travel opened bookings on April 1st, while Las Torres followed in May. You must monitor both sites closely starting in April to ensure you catch the opening for your preferred dates.
Booking at least six months in advance is mandatory for peak season. If you wait until the season has begun, you will likely find only scattered single nights available, making a continuous trek impossible. For a detailed breakdown of release trends and historical opening dates, see our W Trek booking timeline.
Understanding the “Two-Company” System
The campsites and refugios along the W Trek are not managed by the national park service (CONAF), but by two private concessionaires. This is the single biggest source of confusion for hikers. To walk the full trail, you will almost certainly need to stay at properties owned by both companies.
- Vertice Travel: Operates the western sector of the park. This includes Refugio Grey and Refugio Paine Grande.
- Las Torres (formerly Fantastico Sur): Operates the eastern and central sectors. This includes Refugio Central, Refugio Chileno, Refugio Los Cuernos, and Refugio El Francés.
The “free” campsites formerly managed by CONAF within the W Trek circuit (such as Campamento Italiano) remain closed for overnight stays as of the 2026/27 season. This means every night of your trek must be paid for and booked through one of the two private providers. To help visualize where these sectors sit on the trail, refer to our W Trek map.
Booking Prerequisite Checklist
Before you open the booking portals, have the following information ready to prevent the systems from timing out:
- Finalized Itinerary: Know your start date and whether you are hiking East-to-West or West-to-East.
- Passport Details: You will need the passport number and full name for every person in your group.
- Credit Card: Ensure your card is cleared for international transactions in Chile.
- Backup Dates: Have at least two alternative start dates in case your primary choice is sold out at the bottleneck sites.
The booking systems for both Vertice and Las Torres can be unstable during the first 48 hours of the booking window. If the page fails to load, do not refresh repeatedly: try clearing your cache or using a different browser.
How to Book the W Trek Step-by-Step
Following this specific sequence will maximize your chances of securing a continuous route.
Fix your dates and direction
Decide if you will start at Laguna Amarga (East-to-West) or Paine Grande (West-to-East). East-to-West is the traditional route, but West-to-East is often easier to book because it leaves the most difficult campsite (Chileno) for the end of the trip. Check our W Trek itinerary guide to decide which flow suits you best.
Identify the Bottleneck
Refugio Chileno is the hardest site to book on the entire trek. Before booking anything else, check the availability for your required night at Chileno. If it is sold out, you must shift your entire itinerary until you find an open slot here.
The Split-Screen Method
Open the Vertice Travel and Las Torres websites in two separate browser windows. Once you find a date where Chileno is available, immediately check the availability for the subsequent nights at the other refugios (Paine Grande, Grey, etc.) before paying for any single reservation.
Book the "Hard" Sites First
Secure your nights at Chileno and Los Cuernos/Francés on the Las Torres site first. These are the most limited in capacity. Once those are in your cart or confirmed, move to the Vertice site to book Paine Grande and Grey, which generally have more capacity for campers.
Finalize Payment
Complete your transactions. Both sites typically use payment processors like WebPay or WeTravel. Ensure you select the option for “Foreigner” or “USD” to ensure you are not charged the local 19% IVA tax, which is waived for tourists presenting a PDI (Immigration) slip upon arrival.
If you find that the “Split-Screen” method reveals no availability for your dates, you may need to consider a different approach. Tour operators often hold blocks of reservations that are not visible on public booking sites. If you are stuck, explore the pros and cons of guided vs. self-guided treks to see if a package is your best remaining path.
Official Booking Websites and Platforms
While most hikers book directly to save on commission fees, there are third-party platforms that can simplify the process by searching both companies at once.
Accommodation Options: Refugio vs. Camping
When booking, you must choose your “level” of accommodation for each night. This decision significantly impacts the total cost of your W Trek.
- Refugios (Bunks): You are booking a single bed in a shared dorm (usually 6 - 8 people). You can choose “Simple Bed” (bring your own sleeping bag) or “Full Bed” (sheets and duvet provided).
- Pre-set Tents: The most popular middle-ground. The company provides a high-quality tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag already set up on a platform. This saves you from carrying 5 - 7kg of gear.
- Pitch-Your-Own: The most budget-friendly option. You are only paying for the space on a platform or ground. You must carry your own tent, mat, and bag.
You must decide on your meal plan (Full Board vs. Self-Catering) at the time of booking. Refugio Chileno and Los Cuernos do not allow outside cooking equipment; if you stay there and don’t book the meal plan, you will be limited to cold food only.
For a deep dive into the facilities, amenities, and specific vibes of each site, see our comprehensive guide to W Trek refugios.
Securing Your Park Entrance (The Third Reservation)
Your campsite or refugio reservation does not include entry to Torres del Paine National Park. You must purchase your park pass separately through the government’s Pases Parques portal.
Starting May 1, 2026, the park is moving to a route-based ticketing system. For the W Trek, you must specifically select the “Circuito W” ticket category. As of the 2025 season, the fee for a multi-day pass (more than 3 days) for adult foreigners is approximately $49 USD (46,200 CLP). You should purchase your pass at least 24 hours before arrival. Upon entry at the Laguna Amarga ranger station, you will need to show the QR code on your phone or a printed copy.
Booking the Catamaran and Shuttles
The final pieces of the booking puzzle are the transfers that get you to and from the trailheads.
- Catamaran Pehoé: This ferry connects Pudeto to the Paine Grande trailhead. It can now be booked in advance via the official catamaran website using the WeTravel platform. The cost is approximately 27,000 CLP (approx. $28 USD) per person, per leg as of the 2026/27 season.
- Grey III Navigation: If you plan to exit the park by boat from Refugio Grey, this must be booked well in advance through the Vertice Travel or Hotel Grey websites, as it frequently sells out.
- Laguna Amarga Shuttle: This small bus connects the park entrance to the Las Torres sector. It costs approximately 4,000 - 5,000 CLP per person. While historically cash-only, some services at the Welcome Center now accept cards, but carrying cash (CLP) is still highly recommended for this transfer.
Common Booking Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced hikers get tripped up by the Torres del Paine systems. Avoid these three common pitfalls:
- Booking in the wrong order: Never book your flights or your first night’s accommodation until you have confirmed the “bottleneck” night (Chileno).
- Ignoring the Single Supplement: If you are a solo traveler booking a pre-set tent, you will often be charged nearly double. Booking a refugio bed is almost always cheaper for solo hikers as there is no single supplement for a bunk.
- Missing the PDI Exemption: When paying, ensure the site recognizes you as a “Non-Resident.” If you pay the 19% IVA tax, it is very difficult to get a refund later. You must present your passport and PDI slip to qualify.
If you find the independent booking process too overwhelming, or if the sites are showing as sold out, it may be worth comparing the costs of a pre-arranged package. Our guide to guided vs. self-guided treks breaks down when the extra cost of an operator is actually a bargain for your sanity.
FAQ
When do W Trek bookings open for the 2026/27 season? Reservations typically begin opening between April and June 2026. Vertice Travel often opens in early April, while Las Torres typically opens in May.
Can I book all W Trek campsites on one website? No, you must use two different websites - Vertice Travel for the west and Las Torres for the east - unless you use a paid aggregator like Torres Hike.
Is it possible to book the W Trek last minute? While cancellations happen, booking the W Trek last minute in peak season (December–February) is extremely difficult and usually requires taking a guided tour or monitoring for cancellations daily.
What is the official website for W Trek reservations in the western sector? The official website for booking the Grey and Paine Grande sectors of the W Trek is Vertice.travel.
Do W Trek campsite bookings include the Torres del Paine park entrance fee? No, park entrance tickets must be purchased separately through the official Pases Parques (CONAF) website before you arrive.
Can I cancel my W Trek booking if my plans change? Cancellation policies vary, but most W Trek operators require cancellations 45–60 days in advance for a full refund, minus administrative fees.