EcoCamp

Rooms

Your room is a geodesic dome, inspired by the circular dwellings of the region’s native Alacalufe people.

There are 13 Standard Domes, 16 Suite Domes and four Superior Domes. This small number of tents not only limits environmental impact, but creates an intimate feel - far from the overcrowded atmosphere in the rest of the park’s campsites.

Standard Domes are well spaced out over open ground so that you have plenty of privacy. They’re connected by wooden walkways to both the dining room tent and the shared bathroom block. Inside, they are spacious and tall enough so that you can stand comfortably: 2m high, and 4m in diameter. There are wooden floors with sheepskin rugs, and sturdy wooden beds with lots of warm linen: fleece sheets and feather duvets keep you snug, despite the lack of heating. But as with normal camping, you’re still exposed to the elements.

The bathroom block is divided into male and female communal areas, where there are hot showers and flushing toilets. Environmental credentials are impeccable: no fossil fuels are used to heat the water, and the block uses an ecological waste management system.

A swankier option is one of the Superior Domes, Suite Domes or Suite Dome Lofts. These are more spacious and come with full private bathrooms. All have propane heaters for warmth and the suites also have low-emission wood stoves. They are situated in the Lenga Forest, close to the standard domes but still far enough away to provide an intimate feeling.

Eating

Whether picnicking on a hike or dining at EcoCamp, you’ll find the food is plentiful and delicious. Breakfast is an impressive spread, served on buffet tables in the dining dome: fresh fruit salad, fresh orange juice, home-baked bread with local jams, cheeses, cold meats and scrambled eggs cooked to order. There’s even good coffee.

Lunch is brought with you on hikes, and you can choose the elements you’d like from a buffet table after breakfast.

Dinner is a cheery social event beginning with a gathering in front of the wood-burning stove. You’ll be served a cocktail, and homemade dips and nibbles are handed round while everyone chats and reflects on the day. Dinner is a 3-course meal every night, and all dietary needs are taken into consideration (let them know in advance). Expect soups, hearty stews and lots of rice and pasta to keep you going the following day. Our tarte tatin was particularly good.

Features include:

• All meals included
• Kids' meals
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Torres del Paine is a hiking paradise. Since EcoCamp is in the middle of the park, there's lots of choice, and you’ll be led by expert guides who know the terrain well and are trained in all aspects of first aid and safety. On longer hikes, you may stay overnight in one of the park’s well-established refugios, and in that case - porters will carry your pack. There are hiking packages of various lengths, with different hikes organised every day, and highlights include the stunning Grey Glacier, the Paine Towers and Laguna Azul
  
  
• The park is rich in wildlife, and special wildlife watching trips can also be arranged
  
  
• Other activity programmes include horse riding and sea kayaking trips in the beautiful fjords around the park.
  
  
• Massages are on offer at the nearby Hosteria de Las Torres
  
  
• One of the great pleasures of EcoCamp is that you’re already in spectacular scenery, so you could easily extend your stay in the camp, and spend time painting, reading or reflecting on the views

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Trekking
• Wildlife

Kids

Children aged 6-12 years are welcome on the Wildlife Safari package only; EcoCamp is best for teenagers probably, especially for those families who believe outdoor activities should be enjoyed together. The Patagonian Wildlife Safari programme explores the Torres del Paine National Park and has soft and active excursions to choose from, ideal for families.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

A Suite Dome with an extra bed is the best option for a family of 3. Larger families should book one of the Suite Dome Lofts which can take up to 4 people. All are cosy with a wood stove.

Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 2.5-5.5 hours
• Hospital: 2.5 hours

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

EcoCamp is situated in front of the Paine towers, close to the Hostería de las Torres hotel and right in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. It's 75 miles/120km from Puerto Natales, and 230 miles/370km from Punta Arenas.

By Air:
Punta Arenas (315km) is the nearest airport, and is a 4-hour flight from Santiago. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The packages include transfers, so all guests are met at the airport on arrival.

By Bus:
There are several buses a day from Punta Arenas (and its airport) to Puerto Natales. There are also daily buses to the Argentine town of El Calafate, for visiting the famous Perito Moreno glacier. From Puerto Natales you'll need to arrange a transfer for the final hour-long drive.

By Car:
It’s unlikely that you’d need a car for getting around the area, since EcoCamp will organise all your excursions and activities in the park for you. However if you do want to hire a car please see our car rental recommendations.

As an alternative to flying to Punta Arenas, you could drive here from Argentine Patagonia. Fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (4 hours; several flights daily), then see the glaciers, and hire a car to drive over the border into Chile. The journey time is roughly the same as from Punta Arenas, the landscape is stunning, and you’ll find the services and infrastructure better in El Calafate than in Punta Arenas. Arrange car hire 24 hours in advance and warn them you'll be taking the car into Chile.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com

More on getting to Chile and getting around