EcoCamp Patagonia Wildlife Safari

Towers Base Trek

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 5pm

Distance: 22km / 14mi

Difficulty: Hard

Walking time: 9h

Altitude point: 914m / 3000ft

After a hearty breakfast we 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 (2,850 m/ 9,350 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.

Pehoe Lake Boat Ride & French Valley Hike

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 8pm

Distance: 18km / 11mi

Difficulty: Medium

Walking time: 6h

Altitude point: 500m / 1640ft

After breakfast, we will be driven to Pudeto dock, located on the shores of Pehoe Lake. We will board the catamaran that will take us to the north-western sector of the Lake where we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A faster pace will take us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's adventure will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. From here, we will board the catamaran which will take us back to Pudeto, where we will be collected and transported back to EcoCamp.

N.B. The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe:

During May (low season) the catamaran service will be out of operation. Therefore, the excursion will be replaced by a 15km/9mi Trek to Los Cuernos. [Read more about Los Cuernos Trek]. We will walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads us alongside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this nice walk we will have the opportunity to admire the area’s exquisite flora and fauna, as we enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif.

Western Lakes drive & Cerro Ferrier Hike

Activity: Hiking

Schedule:  7:30 am to 6:30 pm

Distance: 12km / 7.5mi

Difficulty: Medium

Walking time: time: 4h

Altitude point:  800m / 1970ft

We begin the drive to Lake Grey where you should pause and raise your eyes to the huge peaks of the east. This wind-swept rock monster is Cerro Ferrier which, standing at 1599m/5246 ft, makes a rewarding (but intense) hike.

First, you’ll pass through a forest that gives a fascinating insight into the diversity of austral trees. Here you’ll meet all the classics, lenga, coihue, ñire, and if you’re lucky you’ll meet the famous South American deer, the huemul, which is a national natural monument (keen-eyed watchers will remember it from the Chilean coat of arms).

Pehoe Lake Boat Ride & French Valley Hike

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 8pm

Distance: 18km / 11mi

Difficulty: Medium

Walking time: 6h

Altitude point: 500m / 1640ft

After breakfast, we will be driven to Pudeto dock, located on the shores of Pehoe Lake. We will board the catamaran that will take us to the north-western sector of the Lake where we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A faster pace will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's adventure will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. From here, we will board the catamaran which will take us back to Pudeto, where we will be collected and transported back to EcoCamp.

N.B. The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe:

During May (low season) the catamaran service will be out of operation. Therefore, the excursion will be replaced by an approx. 15km/7.50mi hike to Valle Encantado (Seron Woods). [Read more about the Seron Woods hike]. We will leave EcoCamp and walk on the first kilometers of the famous Torres del Paine Circuit. Some of the most beautiful Lenga trees can be found in the Seron woods, which is home to the elusive Magellanic Woodpecker and Tucuquere owl - the biggest owl in Chile. After a few gentle ups and downs we will reach a lookout where you can admire the immensity of the steppe and lakes like Laguna Azul and Laguna Amarga.The path is smooth and will allow you to relax with the constant sound of the Paine River whose waters flow from the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.

Towers Base Trek

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 5pm

Distance: 22km / 14mi

Difficulty: Hard

Walking time: 9h

Altitude point: 914m / 3000ft

After a hearty breakfast we 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.

Towers Base Trek

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 5pm

Distance: 22km / 14mi

Difficulty: Hard

Walking time: 9h

Altitude point: 914m / 3000ft

After a hearty breakfast, we 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 (2,850 m/ 9,350 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.

Pehoe Lake Boat Ride & French Valley Hike

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 8pm

Distance: 18km / 11mi

Difficulty: Medium

Walking time: 6h

Altitude point: 500m / 1640ft

After breakfast, we will be driven to Pudeto dock, located on the shores of Pehoe Lake. We will board the catamaran that will take us to the north-western sector of the Lake where we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A faster pace will take us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's adventure will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. From here, we will board the catamaran which will take us back to Pudeto, where we will be collected and transported back to EcoCamp.

N.B. The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe:

During May (low season) the catamaran service will be out of operation. Therefore, the excursion will be replaced by a 15km/9mi Trek to Los Cuernos. [Read more about Los Cuernos Trek]. We will walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads us alongside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this nice walk we will have the opportunity to admire the area’s exquisite flora and fauna, as we enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif.

Western Lakes drive & Cerro Ferrier Hike  

Activity: Hiking

Schedule:  7:30 am to 6:30 pm

Distance: 12km / 7.5mi

Difficulty: Medium

Walking time:  4h

Altitude point:  800m / 1970ft

We begin the drive to Lake Grey where you should pause and raise your eyes to the huge peaks of the east. This wind-swept rock monster is Cerro Ferrier which, standing at 1599m/5246 ft, makes a rewarding (but intense) hike.

First, you’ll pass through a forest that gives a fascinating insight into the diversity of austral trees. Here you’ll meet all the classics, lenga, coihue, ñire, and if you’re lucky you’ll meet the famous South American deer, the huemul, which is a national natural monument (keen-eyed watchers will remember it from the Chilean coat of arms)

Pehoe Lake Boat Ride & French Valley Hike

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 8pm

Distance: 18km / 11mi

Difficulty: Medium

Walking time: 6h

Altitude point: 500m / 1640ft

After breakfast, we will be driven to Pudeto dock, located on the shores of Pehoe Lake. We will board the catamaran that will take us to the north-western sector of the Lake where we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group's trekking rhythm. A faster pace will lead us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the south east face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley.We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley's geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day's adventure will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. From here, we will board the catamaran which will take us back to Pudeto, where we will be collected and transported back to EcoCamp.

N.B. The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe:

During May (low season) the catamaran service will be out of operation. Therefore, the excursion will be replaced by an approx. 15km/7.50mi hike to Valle Encantado (Seron Woods). [Read more about the Seron Woods hike]. We will leave EcoCamp and walk on the first kilometers of the famous Torres del Paine Circuit. Some of the most beautiful Lenga trees can be found in the Seron woods, which is home to the elusive Magellanic Woodpecker and Tucuquere owl - the biggest owl in Chile. After a few gentle ups and downs we will reach a lookout where you can admire the immensity of the steppe and lakes like Laguna Azul and Laguna Amarga.The path is smooth and will allow you to relax with the constant sound of the Paine River whose waters flow from the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.

Towers Base Trek

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 8am to 5pm

Distance: 22km / 14mi

Difficulty: Hard

Walking time: 9h

Altitude point: 914m / 3000ft

After a hearty breakfast we 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.

Cerro Paine Trek

Activity: Demanding Hiking

Schedule: 9am to 5pm

Distance: 16km / 9mi

Difficulty: Very hard

Walking time: 8h

Altitude point: 1500m / 4920ft

We leave after a tasty breakfast at EcoCamp to head to Cerro Paine, a nearby mountain characterized by its two imposing peaks. We hike along the mountain for half an hour, which allows us to warm up while admiring the view of the surrounding pampas. The challenge begins as we start climbing the eastern part of Cerro Paine. We cross the lenga forest with the sound of the local birds and enjoy a few stops to observe the immense Almirante Nieto Mountain and its glacier on our left side. With any luck, we will follow the tracks of the puma as the towers come into full view. A nice place for lunch, isn’t it? As we are ready to start the steepest part of the hike, we leave the forest and hike on the rock. As we go up, we admire the spectacular panoramic view of the immense pampas and the mountains in the distance, like the Balmaceda mountain. We walk upward for about an hour up to 1500m/4920ft to reach the eastern peak of Cerro Paine, which offers an unforgettable lookout of the towers and the ascencio valley. After chilling and taking in one of the most striking views of the national park, we backtrack along the same trail and return to EcoCamp.