Patagonian International Marathon Runners

EcoCamp Patagonia Stay
Trip Length: 5 Days
Group Size: 1-16
Difficulty
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Have you ever wanted to run a marathon through one of the most beautiful places on earth? Now's your chance!

Join us for a special event in September, where runners from around the world will be flocking to beautiful southern Chile to participate in the annual Patagonian International Marathon, running to raise awareness for the preservation of Chilean Patagonia.

To help support our runners, EcoCamp Patagonia has assembled a 5-day package for those who want to participate in the race and experience the beauty of Torres del Paine National Park. The program includes accommodation at EcoCamp and Puerto Natales, transfers to/from the starting/ending points of the marathon and two special excursions around the park. Let's get moving!

 

Highlights

Highlights

  • Race the Patagonian Marathon with the support of your EcoCamp family cheering you on!
  • Experience our Wildlife Safari program with two special excursions in Torres del Paine. You can pick between nature walks, treks, and bike rides.
  • Spend three nights in a cozy EcoCamp dome and enjoy delicious food made local ingredients.
  • Discover the park's flora and fauna, along the magical Patagonian landscapes.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, the Patagonian adventure starts

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Let's start adventure! We'll pick you up in the city of Punta Arenas or from the Punta Arenas airport in the morning and take a scenic drive to Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of "Seno de Ultima Esperanza.” Upon arrival in Puerto Natales, we'll drop you off at your hotel and you'll have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for the big race.

Please note: Runners will have to retrieve their own kit at the location indicated by the Marathon organizers.

Overnight at 3-star hotel in Puerto Natales

Day 2: Patagonian international Marathon - Competition Day

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Today is the day of the marathon. After a light breakfast, we'll take you to the starting point of the marathon. The event features four race distances: ultra-marathon (60 km), marathon (42 km), half marathon (21 km) and 10km. Each race distance will have different starting points, but everyone finishes in the same location.

The race route has magical and breathtaking landscapes with mountains of granite and ice that rise more than 2,500 meters above the race route. Multi-colored lakes and wildlife are abundant, including condors, guanacos, foxes, huemul, pumas, and rhea, among others. The surface of the route is a winding gravel road with a total climb (ascent + descent) of 2,400 meters (for 60k). Also be prepared for some strong winds and possibly unpredictable Patagonian weather (it's part of the adventure).

After your glorious finish, we'll pick you up and take you to EcoCamp, the world's first geodesic dome hotel. Our staff will greet you and you'll have a chance to explore our beautiful camp, with the beaming Paine Towers as a backdrop.

In the upcoming days, you'll join our Wildlife Safari program, choosing between treks or nature walks in the park.

Please note: Your luggage will be carried from the hotel to Ecocamp on the same van you will be picked up.

Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia

Day 3: Choose one of the following excursion option

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

(Sample Activities)

Trek Cerro Paine: After a tasty breakfast at EcoCamp, we'll head to Cerro Paine, a nearby mountain characterized by its two imposing peaks. This is a demanding trek of 16 km with an altitude of 1200 m and an estimated hiking time of 7 hours. Highlights include the lenga forest, mountains, glaciers, the pampa and an unforgettable lookout of the Towers and the Ascencio Valley. After taking in one of the most striking views in the national park, we'll backtrack along the same trail and return to EcoCamp for a much deserved rest and dinner.

Nature Walk to Salto Grande El condor Lookout: After breakfast, we'll head westwards by van, taking a route along the southern shore of Nordenskjold Lake. Our first stop is the magnificent Salto Grande Waterfall, with its impressive cascading waters falling from Nordenskjold Lake into Pehoe Lake. From here it's a short walk to Cuernos viewpoint, with a panoramic view of the mighty Horns. From the viewpoint, we'll drive to Pehoe Lake and begin the two-hour round-trip walk to El Condor Lookout from its shores. We'll go gently uphill through the steppe vegetation; a great opportunity to learn about the local flora. Here we witness the piercing blueness of Pehoe Lake and the Paine river. On a clear day, we can see the immensity of the Southern Patagonian ice fields in the distance. It's a chance to take in the whole Paine Mountain range and its stunning snowcapped peaks. After a hearty lunch in this perfect location, we'll backtrack along the same trail and drive back to EcoCamp.

Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia

Day 4: Choose one of the following excursion option

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

(Sample Activities)

Nature Walk to Laguna Azul: On our way to Laguna Azul, we'll have the chance to enjoy some epic views of the famous Torres. We'll also pass through the Pampa Guanaco, where we will be lucky  to spot many elegant guanacos. After soaking up these beautiful surroundings, we will continue our drive to Laguna Azul, where a picnic lunch will have been prepared for us! We'll enjoy our picnic lunch looking out over the lake, with a view of the three granite Towers in the distance. After lunch, we will walk south to Macho Cañon to observe the typical fauna of the Torres del Paine, including more guanaco herds. From here we will jump into our van again and head back to the EcoCamp -- just in time for cocktail hour!

Trek to Base of the Towers: After a hearty breakfast we'll set off from EcoCamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world's most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp. Dome sweet dome!

Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia

Day 5: Departure day

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas (or Puerto Natales) on time to catch the evening flight to Santiago.

Included

Included

  • One night in a 3 star hotel in Puerto Natales.
  • Three nights in EcoCamp’s Suite, Superior or Standard Dome.
  • All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Two full day excursions.
  • English speaking guide (Guide ratio 1:12, Max group size: 16 people).
  • Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 box-lunches and 3 Dinners.
  • Transportation to/from El Calafate (This includes bus tickets and van transportation between hotels and the bus terminal). Subject to availability.

Please Note: During your first night in Puerto Natales, we can offer an optional upgrade to 4-star hotel. Please ask your Travel Experience Designer if you would like an upgrade. Also please be aware that Standard Domes are NOT heated and can be cold at night in September (although we will provide plenty of blankets).

Not included

  • Marathon registration NOT included.
  • Flight tickets.
  • Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip).
  • Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp.
  • Personal items.

Accommodation

EcoCamp Patagonia

Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants. Children from 6 to 12 years receive a 50% discount if staying with their parents in the same dome (advisable 6 years minimum age). Discount will be applied after the online inquiry. Check out the kids' guide to EcoCamp!

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 28m²/300ft²)

Suite Dome EcoCamp Patagonia 1920x1281

Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.

 

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome Loft
(2 floors, Heating & Private bathroom, 37m²/398ft²)

Suite Loft  (4)

Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes which fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.

 

EcoCamp Patagonia Superior Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 23m²/250ft²)

Superior Dome Interior

Spacious, comfortable and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet

 

EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome
(Shared bathroom, 10m²/108ft²)

Standard Dome Twin

EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable and gender divided.

Facts

Departure

Departure date will be September 6th, 2024. Marathon will be run on September 7th, 2024.

Any update related to the starting date of this program will be made based on the official date of the event.

You can review more details about this on the organiser's website.

Starting / finishing point

The trip starts on with a morning pick-up at either Punta Arenas Hotel or Punta Arenas Airport and ends  with a drop off at the Punta Arenas airport in the afternoon. Please visit our Weekly Transfer Board for details of EcoCamp pick up and drop off times.

Transport

In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people.

Weather

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min). However, just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become lovely and sunny. So come prepared for all types of weather!

What you need to bring

Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. Essential equipment includes:

  • One day backpack. (10liters - to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc)
  • Trekking or hiking boots
  • Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Two pairs of woolen socks
  • Fleece jacket or sweater
  • Shorts or comfortable loose pants
  • Sun protection. (glasses, hat, lip balm, and screen)
  • Optional Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body
  • Cash (USD or CLP) for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine National Park

Itinerary modifications

We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

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We are a Chilean owned adventure tour operator, based in Santiago de Chile, operating adventure tours in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Our base prices are in Chilean Pesos (CLP), but we charge prices in USD based on the exchange rate valid on the day of payment.

Destinations | Chile

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