Patagonia is in every traveller’s bucket list, and most likely yours too! It was in mine for a very long time and I am now fortunate enough to have visited it on several occasions, both in Argentina and Chile.
Torres del Paine is undoubtedly one of the shining stars of the region and I am often asked what it is the best lodging option to have a full immersion experience in this amazing national park.
I have been twice to Torres del Paine, and on the two separate occasions I lived it in a completely different way, and if you keep reading, you will learn why I think it is best to stay in a lodge inside the park.
PUERTO NATALES
The first time I visited Torres del Paine I based myself in a Patagonian town called Puerto Natales, which is about 3 hours by land from the national park. Although I had a lovely stay, I was only able to visit the park on a full day tour that started quite early in the morning and took me back to Puerto Natales in the evening.
I definitely did see the park’s main highlights and enjoyed a lovely lunch in a Patagonian ranch, but did I actually live a full experience? Not really. Of course I could have chosen to go back on the following days and maybe do some of the famous treks, but you always have that journey – 3 hours to get there and 3 hours to come back which feels like a bit of a waste of time.
ECOCAMP PATAGONIA: A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE INSIDE TORRES DEL PAINE
Second time around, a couple of years later I wanted to go back and this time I chose to stay inside the park. I chose 4 nights on the Wildlife Safari at Ecocamp in a standard dome because it was the most cost effective option. And what can I say, I LOVED IT! The standard domes are not for everybody as you have shared bathrooms that you can reach by walking outdoors (a toilet break in the middle of the night is a little adventure! brrrrr), they have no electricity or heating but instead you have a cosy dome all for yourself, views of the stars from your bed from a little ‘window’ and an absolutely perfect setting right by Torres del Paine’s towers.
Of course you have the option to stay in a superior, suite and also a family dome that come with all the little extras for a more luxurious stay – including electricity, en-suite bathrooms and heating!
At Ecocamp the shared domes are fantastic too! They are bigger structures where you have a bar, a lounge where you can relax, read a book or chat to your fellow adventurers, and of course the restaurant, where you will eat all of your meals (apart from lunch, as you will most likely be out on an amazing trek, so you will prepare your own box lunch every morning!).
AMAZING HIKES!
All the hikes are also included in the price and you can choose on a daily basis what you want to do. Some are harder than others, and in general there are two options per day, a more challenging hike and an easier one.
They are all led by the camp’s wonderful multilingual guides. When I was there, most of them were from Chile, and besides being very knowledgeable, they also had so much love and respect for Torres del Paine and their country that it was contagious!
On the Wildlife Safari 4-night program, most of the hikes you will are part of the famous W trek, like the French Valley and the Base Towers trek. But the best park, compared to doing the W camping, is that you come back at the end of the day to cosy surroundings and a wonderful dinner!
AND IF YOU WANT TO TREAT YOURSELF: EXPLORA, TIERRA – JUST TO NAME A FEW!
Of course Ecocamp is only one of the many places where you can stay. There are some amazing lodges inside the park! Explora, Tierra, Patagonia Camp and the super luxury Awasi, to name just a few. These are places whose main aim is to make you discover the true beauty of this part of the world whilst they surround you with pure luxury.
No matter where you choose to stay, all lodges are also very proactive in offering amazing stays with sustainability in mind.
For example Ecocamp primarily uses reusable energy sources and has been recognized as carbon neutral since 2007. Tierra Patagonia uses LED lighting and controls its thermal efficiency. They are also planning the implementation of a kitchen garden where to grow fresh produce to enable a farm to table dining experience. They are also working with the Chilean government on an ambitious reforestation project in Patagonia. These are just a few examples of how most of the lodgings in the area understand the importance of preserving their surroundings and minimise the impact of their operation on the environment.
So, lodge or no lodge? For me there is only one answer and it is: lodge! It will be a more expensive holiday for sure, but an unforgettable and fulfilling experience that you will stay with you and your loved ones forever!
Written by Val Garibotti
Top Travel Tip
“Travel is about discovery and digging under the surface of a country. Take your time, go off the beaten track and plan ahead if you can.”
– Valeria Garibotti – Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay expert
