EcoCamp Patagonia
EcoCamp is situated in the very heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile, and provides the region’s first fully sustainable accommodation, complete with green technology. Enjoy guided treks and wildlife excursions by day and share evening meals with new friends, before falling asleep gazing up at the famed Towers from your EcoCamp dome. Wake up in the middle of the Patagonian wilderness in a cozy geodesic dome, with a panoramic view of the majestic Torres del Paine, ready to hit the hiking trail.
Why Choose EcoCamp Patagonia
Choose EcoCamp for its access, unique structures, incredible scenery, sustainable design and opportunity for digital detox (no WiFi or cell phone service on site). This multi-dome lodge is situated at the foot of the Base Towers, so you can walk to this famous hiking trail right from the lodge; most other properties within Torres del Paine require a drive to access hikes.
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AdventureSmith Explorations has had multiple staff stay at EcoCamp to inspect the property over the past two decades. Read our EcoCamp Patagonia review for more firsthand insights. We can help compare the EcoCamp domes with other adventure lodging and Patagonia tours and book you into the best lodge for your needs.
Activities & Accessibility at EcoCamp Patagonia
Travel packages at EcoCamp include various activities like hiking and kayaking depending on the tour. Patagonia fly-fishing, puma tracking and a day trip to the famous Perito Moreno glacier near El Calafate, Argentina, are also EcoCamp extras that you can book as an extension to your stay.
There are a number of social activities offered each night, such as Chilean wine tasting, pisco sour making classes, film showings, live music and wildlife talks. EcoCamp also features a yoga dome, with complimentary twice-daily yoga sessions, and a massage dome where you can schedule treatments at an added cost.
With ramps throughout the property and a special all-terrain wheelchair available for assisted trail access, this lodge makes accessibility through Torres del Paine possible.
Dining at EcoCamp Patagonia
One of the most popular features of EcoCamp is its delicious and plentiful food. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be made available if indicated in advance when booking. Juices, sodas, beer, wine and alcholic drinks are available for purchase. Following is a short description of the meals served:
BREAKFAST: All that you will find at home: fruits, whole grain and white bread toast, cheese, scrambled eggs, butter, peanut butter, jam, cereals, granola, yogurt, milk, juice, honey, ham, coffee, tea, herb teas, and much more served buffet style.
BOX LUNCH: Called a buffet box lunch, it is prepared after breakfast by each client before starting the excursion. Find a large table full of tasty elements to prepare a great sandwich, wrap or bowl into reusable stainless steel containers: whole grain and white bread, cheeses, tuna, chicken, turkey, ham, beef, salami, sauces, variety of vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and more; additionally find chocolate and granola bars, nuts and fruits.
DINNER: It starts with a cocktail consisting of Chile’s famous pisco sour or cocktail of the day and different small appetizers while you guide goes over the next day’s plans. Then the meal starts with a first course selection followed by a piece of white or red meat with rice, potatoes or vegetables. Everything is accompanied by good Chilean wine. Finally a cup of coffee or herb teas with a delicious dessert will crown the meal. The meals often vary to provide travelers with different flavors and local preparations.
Domes & the Layout at EcoCamp Patagonia
All EcoCamp domes are immersed in nature, resistant to the fierce Patagonian wind and have windows to look up at the stars or out at the Towers as you fall asleep. While many domes have private bathrooms, guests staying in Standard Domes use a shared bathroom, for several environmental reasons: minimizing constructed areas, controlling water and heating consumption and collecting waste in a central heated composting chamber. Electricity is very limited inside the domes, meaning hairdryers are not permitted, but laptops and cameras can be charged.
Core Domes
Core Domes are where you go for meals and gatherings. There are three Core Domes interconnected via raised wooden walkways. Dining takes place at two connected Giant Domes 9m/ 30ft in diameter and 4.5m/13.5ft tall. The space inside is bright and airy with large windows offering a panoramic view of the Paine granite towers. Each of the Core Domes has a low-emission wood stove. There is a bar, three different resting areas, and a small shop.
Design Inspiration
Patagonia EcoCamp’s design was inspired by the traditional Kawesqar hut resembling an igloo and a dome at the same time. The semi-hemispherical structure of the EcoCamp domes is formed by a number of isosceles triangles that provides uniform distribution of the stress caused by severe wind loads. Wind speed in Patagonia often surpasses 160-180 kilometers per hour which makes traditional straight and flat walls extremely vulnerable if the structure is meant to be light. Another significant aspect is that the domes’ rounded bodies minimize the external surface in contact with the cold environment allowing less exchange of temperature with the warm interiors. Finally, semi-hemisphere gave Kawesqars the maximum internal space in relation to the surface they had to cover with valuable and sometimes scarce animal skins. Patagonia EcoCamp is a tribute to the Kawesqar way of life and is a charming, immersive way to experience the natural beauty of Torres del Paine National Park.
