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
After a light breakfast, we'll take you to the starting point of the marathon. The event features three race distances (42, 21 and 10 km) with different starting points but the same finish location.
The race offers breathtaking landscapes with mountains, multi-colored lakes and wildlife. You can spot condors, guanacos, foxes, among others. You will run on a winding gravel road with a total elevation gain of 1.020 mt. / 3.346 mi. (for 42 km). Be prepared for strong winds and unpredictable Patagonian weather!
After your glorious finish, we'll pick you up and take you to EcoCamp.
Please note: Your luggage will be carried from the hotel to EcoCamp with the same van that will pick you up.
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia
(Sample Activities)
Hiking to Laguna Inge & Cuernos Pass: We embark on an adventure to Laguna Inge, 4km from EcoCamp. This journey introduces us to the park's diverse flora and fauna, with possible condor sightings. We explore the central lakes and admire the Paine massif. The group's pace dictates our reach, aiming for either the Cuernos Lookout (8 km/5 mi from EcoCamp) or the Cuernos refuge (13 km/8 mi).
Nature Walk to Salto Grande & El Condor Lookout: A van takes us to the magnificent Salto Grande Waterfall. A brief stroll leads to the Cuernos viewpoint for a panoramic of the iconic Horns, followed by a drive to Pehoe Lake. There, we start a 2-hour round-trip walk to El Condor Lookout with gentle climbs through the steppe, revealing Pehoe Lake's vibrant blue, the Paine River, and, on clear days, the vast Southern Patagonian ice fields. After lunch, we retrace our steps and return to EcoCamp.
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia
(Sample Activities)
Sarmiento & Sarmiento Chico Lakes: Embark on an easy trek across flat terrain to discover a blue lake. Along the path, spot guanacos, explore the geology of turbidite rock folds, and traverse the isthmus connecting Lake Sarmiento to its smaller counterpart. Wander along Lake Sarmiento Chico's edge to an impressive bay, offering breathtaking views and a chance to examine calcium deposits. The return journey features a panoramic vista of Lake Sarmiento.
Trek to Base of the Towers: We embark towards Hostería Las Torres, ascending into Ascencio Valley flanked by dry mountain terrains, lush beech forests, and serene rivers. The journey intensifies as we tackle a steep boulder path, culminating in the iconic view of the majestic granite monoliths (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft). The summit rewards us with a panorama of the towers and a glacial lake beneath. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? We then retrace our steps down back to EcoCamp. Dome sweet dome!
Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia
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.
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).
The Costaustralis Hotel, an emblematic postal building in Puerto Natales, is presented as an architectural jewel located in an exceptional location, being the gateway to the majestic beauty of the end of the world. This distinguished hotel, with its façade that recalls the history and culture of the region, stands majestically on the banks of the imposing Señoret Canal, offering unparalleled views that capture the wild and pure essence of Chilean 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!
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.
.jpg?width=600&height=401&name=Suite%20Loft%20%20(4).jpg)
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 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.
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.
Searching Availability...
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
