Patagonia-based EcoCamp was the first fully sustainable accommodation in the region and the world’s first geodesic dome hotel. EcoCamp is located in Torres Del Paine National Park’s heartland at the foot of the magnificent granite spires, offering boutique accommodation in Geodesic Domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic Kaweskar inhabitants.
At the Southern tip of the Andes Mountains lies Torres del Paine National Park, home to some of earth’s most celebrated trekking trails and most thrilling encounters with nature. Torres del Paine is located in Chilean Patagonia, a spectacular region full of uninhabited landscapes lined with lakes, glaciers, icebergs, forests, fjords and mountains. The national park is home to the famous Paine Massif which includes the three majestic granite peaks (Torres) after which the park is named. Torres del Paine is also home to the Patagonian Big Five – The Puma, the South Andean Deer (Huemul), The Guanaco, The Ñandu and the Andean Condor.
EcoCamp is made up of 25 bedroom domes and 3 large Community Domes. EcoCamp’s Community Domes are where guests eat breakfast and dinner overlooking the Torres, and where they unwind in the bar in the evening & plan excursions in the library. Before dinner guests enjoy an aperitif and appetizers in the lounge or on sunny days on the patio outside the domes. The Community Domes are heated with wood stoves and are connected to the other domes by wooden walkways lit by small lamps.
Superior Domes are spacious, comfortable and equipped with private bathrooms and are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Guests can fall asleep looking up at the star-lit sky from their cozy bed and wonder at nature’s immensity as they hear the wind hurtling outside. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet. EcoCamp has two Superior Domes.
Suite Dome Lofts are two-storey Suite domes, ideal for families or groups of friends. These quadruple domes sleep up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. They are 3.7m/12ft tall and equipped with a modern low-emission wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state of the art composting toilet. Guests can gaze at the stars through the ceiling windows while falling asleep each night, after enjoying a spectacular sunset from their private terrace. EcoCamp has 2 Suite Dome Lofts.
Standard Domes were the world’s first Geodesic Dome hotel room. Standard domes have a 12 foot diameter wooden floor and are 8 feet tall, allowing two people to sleep and stand comfortably inside. They are resistant to the strongest Patagonian winds, rains, and snow, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts.
EcoCamp is a proud supporter of the Zeitz Foundation who advocate the 4Cs of sustainability – Conservation, Culture, Community and Commerce. EcoCamp’s ethos centres on its support for these 4Cs and all of its activities work towards ensuring EcoCamp is a best practice example of sustainable tourism in the wilderness!
What makes EcoCamp so Eco?
- Low impact design with minimal excavation & terrain disruption
- Efficient dome design to provide thermal insulation & wind protection
- Raised wooden walkways not disturbing flora & fauna
- High tech composting devices in all bathrooms
- Solar & hydro energy providing 100% of EcoCamp’s electricity
- Careful recycling and reusing of materials
- Ecologically verified suppliers
- Policy of carbon reduction & CO2 offsetting
Cultural Preservation
- Baqueanos: The tradition of Baqueanos (Patagonian horsemen) still exists and EcoCamp hires Baqueanos for its horse riding trips as well as supporting the park’s annual Equestrian Endurance Race in which traditional Baqueanos compete alongside other horse riders.
- Aonikenk Cave Paintings: EcoCamp makes it Wildlife Safari guests aware of the ancient rock painting tradition practiced by the ancient Aonikenk (Tehuelches or Patagones) natives in the park, learning about their methods of communication.
- Kaweskars: EcoCamp is a tribute to the ancient Kaweskar semi-circular nomadic dwellings and the essence of their dome homes has been kept by maintaining a simple design in the midst of natural surroundings, leaving no footprints behind in the wilderness.
- Menu & decor at EcoCamp: All of EcoCamp’s furniture, decor and decorations are made in Chile, the majority in Patagonia, hand selected by Ecocamp’s co-founders, Nani Astorga. EcoCamp’s food is a mix of Chilean, Altiplanic, Patagonian and international food.
- Sporting Events: EcoCamp provides the official ‘green accommodation’ option for the Patagonia International Marathon which took place for the first time in 2012. In addition EcoCamp collaborates with local triathlon Kallpamayu, providing vehicles, staff and radio communication.
The local economy in Magallanes relies heavily on tourism therefore the best and most logical social support EcoCamp can give is buying locally and employing locals, guaranteeing them a monthly income. Food is bought from nearby farm suppliers, horses are hired from local ranch owners and most handicrafts and decoration are purchased from local artisan markets.
Pure Patagonia Premium Photo Adventure
An exploration into Torres del Paine’s unique wildlife, led by photo & wildlife professional Diego Araya and supported by a special team of fauna trackers. Each day you discover and photograph the park’s geology, spectacular sunrises & sunsets and native flora & fauna, enjoying moments of intimacy with unique wildlife including the endangered huemul and the elusive puma.
Patagonia Wildlife Safari
This unique trip takes you through Torres del Paine’s highlights and lets you enjoy the best of the park’s trekking trails and nature walks on excursions with your specialist guide. Standard Domes or heated Suite Domes provide cozy accommodation each night after dinner and wine with fellow guests in EcoCamp’s Community Domes.
Epic Patagonia – Multi Sport Adventure
This energetic trip lets you enjoy hiking, cycling, kayaking and horse riding through the magnificent Patagonian scenery while enjoying the community atmosphere and good food & wine at EcoCamp Patagonia, in the heart of the national park, in the evenings.
7 day Torres del Paine W Trek
The trails around the jagged mountain peaks in Torres del Paine form one of the world’s most classic trekking routes. This active trip leads you through forest, mountain ridges and Patagonian steppe and allows you to relax with food & wine and good company in the evenings. Departures are every Monday from October to April.
5 day Torres del Paine short W Trek
This short version of the W trek takes you along trails reaching glaciers, lakes, forests and the mighty Paine Towers! Departures are every Monday from October to April.
9 day Torres del Paine Circuit
The circuit around the famous Paine Massif is one of the most amazing trekking routes of the world. This is the right adventure for trekkers that desire a challenging trip in Torres del Paine. Expedition trip with departures every Wednesday from November to March.
8 day Patagonia
Explore the most beautiful places across Patagonia while enjoying unique lodging at EcoCamp and in Argentinian Patagonia. Daily departures from November to March. EcoCamp’s guides are mainly locals who have grown up breathing the fresh Patagonian air and know Torres del Paine like the back of their hand. Guides lead groups by day and dine with groups at night.
For more information, visit their EcoCamp site.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
