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!
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.
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.
Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia
(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.
(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
Today our adventure comes to a close. We'll take an early morning shuttle and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas to catch the evening flight to Santiago. On the way, we will make a stop in Puerto Natales to have a delicious lunch. Adios Patagonia!
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).
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
Departure date will be September 8th, 2023. Marathon will be run on September 9th, 2023.
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.
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.
In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people.
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!
Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. Essential equipment includes:
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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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia