A highlight of my trip to EcoCamp Patagonia was the iconic Torres del Paine Towers Base trek, and a lot has to do with its location/proximity to the lodge. This review details why location really matters here. Our clients have traveled to EcoCamp in every season (read their reviews) & our experts regularly visit the property, so my insights include all these collective voices along with my own.
Key Takeaways
- Hiking the Towers Base from EcoCamp gets you to the top before the day-trip crowds due to its proximity to the trailhead
- You can time your activities on their Wildlife Safari program to take advantage of weather windows
- Suite domes are worth it for private bathrooms, more space & wood-burning stoves
- This is the lowest-impact, sustainable option within Torres del Paine
- Community is key here, so don’t expect private moments in common areas of this lodge
ABOUT THE EXPERT: ANDREW BROWNING
• AdventureSmith travel expert since 2007
• Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist
• Combined with our most recent expert visit from Lis Larson, three staff inspections of EcoCamp in the past decade
• Books travelers monthly into EcoCamp & other Patagonia tours
Hiking the Towers Base from EcoCamp
This hike is probably the most famous part of the W Trek (see the 7-day Torres del Paine Trek) and a main reason that travelers visit Torres del Paine National Park. EcoCamp Patagonia sits on the northeast side of the park near the trailhead for the Towers Base, so you can easily complete the journey in a day hike instead of camping or more primitive refugio overnight stays.
During my time at EcoCamp on a Patagonia Wildlife Safari, we had several days to choose different activities, and the Towers Base guided hike is offered a few days a week. So my tip would be to try and time this hike on a day where weather looks more favorable. I would also advise that since it is a 14-mile round-trip with 3,000 feet of elevation gain that planning an easier excursion the day before would be a good idea. You would not want to start out on this hike with sore legs.
At EcoCamp, your hike starts right from the lodge.
A bonus of staying at EcoCamp is that your hike starts right from the common area domes of the lodge. So you don’t take a van ride or anything to the trailhead; you hike straight from the lodge and also end right at the lodge.
Only one other property, Las Torres Hotel gets you this close, but it’s a much bigger lodge property with a distinctly busier feel. Any other property doing this hike without staging you at a refugio or camp is at a great disadvantage as they simply cannot logistically start as early as hikers can at EcoCamp.
Our experience hiking this trail in all seasons (spring snow and summer sun) is that staying at EcoCamp allows you to be among the first at the top.
The hikes from EcoCamp are with a small group usually with two guides accompanying the group. We made our lunches after breakfast to bring with us and set out on the trail. We kept a steady pace from EcoCamp, through the Ascencio Valley and up to the start of the glacial moraine. The trail for those sections is well maintained and though it is pretty far (about 4-5 miles), it is not too challenging.
The bigger challenge was in front of us: climbing the boulders and uneven rocks that lead to the base of the towers. This final stretch of the hike is slow, steep and requires the use of trekking poles for most hikers. In the shoulder seasons when snow can still be present, the lodge-provided spikes on your shoes are a must. I was glad to have trekking poles and I would recommend them for this trail.
The plan for our hike was to not take many breaks on the way up so that we could have more time at the top to enjoy the view without the crowd of day-trippers. We made it to the trail’s end and were blessed with a clear day and sun shining on the three towers of Torres del Paine: Torre Sur, Torre Central and Torre Norte. We had our packed lunch at the glacial lake at the Towers’ base and learned about the climbing history of the area from our guides.
This hike is demanding but I would recommend it highly to active travelers. It is amazing to access the area you have been seeing from a distance from other areas of the park. I spent a week exploring the other sections of Torres del Paine National Park, but doing the Towers Base hike with EcoCamp as your home base is the premier way to go. After the hike, relax and enjoy the stunning view of where you’ve just been from EcoCamp.
What Else We Did at EcoCamp
Our team has collectively done it all, so ask us more about your interests. Hiking the French Valley, boat rides and glacier treks at Glacier Grey, puma tracking and casual sightseeing/light hike days from EcoCamp are all rewarding and unique options.
Keep in mind the layout of the park if you are planning on visiting any other lodges, but our experts can assist. If you stay enough days at EcoCamp though it’s possible to do virtually every activity you seek by day trip. The lodge also operates W and O treks so pairs those longer options with refugios as your accommmodations for part of the trip.
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Reviews of the EcoCamp Patagonia Domes
EcoCamp is iconic for its green-topped domes. The lodge has a few different types accommodations, and I recommend choosing a Suite Dome for the best experience. They are larger than the other domes but the main reason I recommend them is they have ensuite bathrooms and little fireplaces inside that the staff from EcoCamp will make fires in before you arrive back from your long day hikes. The guides ask you on the trail if you want a fire made in your room and they radio the lodge to let them know; by the time you get back, your dome is warmed up. It is very nice after a full day on the trail. The Suite Domes are also a little farther from the common area domes, so I think that is nice for solitude.
The Loft Suite Domes are also a nice option for families or a group of three or four traveling together. They have the same amenities of the Suite Domes but with an added loft to sleep two more people. The Standard Domes here are closer together, lack power outlets and private bathrooms, and are much smaller than Suite Domes with barely any room to walk around the bed. But everyone shares the same common areas and you’re rarely in your room for too long if you choose active days, so these can be ideal for those on a budget.
STAY HERE
See more photos of EcoCamp, trips you can book
& a map of its location in Torres del Paine.
Rating the Food at EcoCamp
The food at EcoCamp is excellent and exceeds expectations that might be based on the more casual ambiance here. I would describe it as international-Patagonian fusion. It was unique, delicious, healthy and plated with artistry at dinner. You could choose from several different items for each course. They were paired with our choice of a few wines from Chile and Argentina. Breakfast is buffet in style, and lunch spreads are set out each morning so you can choose what you pack each day for what are typically full-day outings. Reusable containers keep sustainability forefront.
Tables were set for small groups and divided up based on the activity we had chosen for the next day or the one we had done that day. So we would eat with other travelers who did the same activities, or those we would be sharing activities with the next day. It was a nice way to do it as we made lots of new friends.
After dinners, you can enjoy the common area dome with others. There is cozy seating and a small bar where the guests and guides trade stories from the day. And musical guests sometimes make an appearance. Outside is a communal lounge space overlooking the valley and up-valley are incredible views of the Towers base we had just seen so close that day.
Don’t Miss – Yoga & the Sustainability Tour
My colleague who also did the Tower Base hike swears by the yoga class (and lodge-provided trekking poles) as her salvation to sore muscles. Yoga is offered daily early morning and late afternoon, so you can usually squeeze it into your day. You also should not miss taking a sustainability tour of the property. This 30-minute tour walks you around the greenhouses, composting facilities, staff housing and areas where they painstakingly clean and sort recyclables.
It’s utterly impressive how much care goes into making everything as low impact as it can be on the land here. Taking this tour roots you into how special EcoCamp really is and it’s often here that you can hear more of the story of EcoCamp’s founders (kayakers turned entrepreneurs) and all the special touches they’ve made on the property: from hand-crocheted window coverings to organic-edge leather placemats at dinner. Look close and you’ll see the detailed love that goes into this place.
Look Out For – Less Private Moments Inside, but Lots Outside
Compared to some of the other lodges and hotel properties in Torres del Paine, EcoCamp has more intimate and community focused common areas. These spaces are bustling at happy hour with trekkers mingling with their guides and other guests. There are not a lot of places indoors for quiet, private indoor moments outside of your private dome. But the incredible power of the community and happy staff here make this lodge a true standout not only in this region but worldwide. You likely don’t want to miss it. But we can help you seek out more solitude if that’s what you desire, either within this park or elsewhere in your trip.
I really enjoyed staying at EcoCamp and exploring the surrounding area, which includes a quiet nature trail loop. If the skies are clear it can be a great place for nighttime photography. I also hiked above the grounds to take a photo of EcoCamp from above.
For more photos, info and available trips, see our EcoCamp Patagonia page and my Facebook album for even more from my Patagonia Wildlife Safari.
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