Ecocamp in Patagonia - Your Questions Answered

We offer several tours in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park, and get a lot of questions from you on what to expect, when to go and much more, so we've decided to answer them here with the help of the local tour guide Timothy Dhalleine (who's also taken all the incredible photos in this post) You can see more of his photos on his Instagram @timothydhalleine

The different tours at Ecocamp

There is so much you can do in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. At Ecocamp there are different programmes. The most famous is the "Wildlife Safari trek". Every day you can choose between three different treks, from the easiest to most demanding - like the Towers. You will get to see all the highlights of the area. When you get back you can enjoy a cocktail in the Ecobar where we explain what you can do the next day. We also offer the W treks. This is either a 7 day or 5-day trek which also include the highlights of the area. On these, you don't spend every night at Ecocamp which is the biggest difference to the Wildlife Safari, and it's more point A to point B as opposed to daily treks.  

What is it like to stay in an Ecocamp?

It's hard to describe in words. A mix of nature and human connection. You will leave Patagonia transformed. You're so close to nature. You're just a better person when you leave, that's what we hear from many of our guests. It's about experiencing Patagonia in its purest form.  

When is the best time to go to Patagonia?

A very common question! But hard to respond to depending on what you're after. If you want longer days, 17 hours of sunlight you should come in summer (November - February). It's warmer but the trails are more crowded and it's windier. September - October is Spring, rainier but less windy. March - April is also quite popular, less windy than summer. The colours are just incredible! This is when most photographers come here. There is less wind so the lakes look like mirrors. Low season, in winter, means fewer people but that also means more wildlife! The pumas won't hide as much as when there's a big crowd. It depends what you're looking for!

Can the whole family go?

Ecocamp is very family friendly. We welcome kids from 6 years old. There are loads of accessible hikes for everyone with no experience. You can also be driven to incredible viewpoints. You can also go kayaking or horseback riding. All the children love staying Ecocamp! It's like a dome, like a playground. We also have bigger domes with 4 beds, perfect for a family.  

Why is this such an incredible place to improve your photography?

If you like photography like me, this is maybe the best place in the Americas to improve your skills and just have fun. I've been spending 5 years here observing the mountains and the sky. It's the most incredible sky you've ever seen! Every sunset picture is different. And with the seasons as well! If you come at the beginning of summer you can see flowers everywhere. If you come in April for example, the colours of the forest are incredible and the reflections on the lake. Photography here is very accessible to everyone. If this is your passion I strongly recommend bringing your tripod. Long exposure here is just incredible. The crazy clouds that are changing all the time so the best place I've seen for time lapses. This sky at night too is just crazy! You can find your own spot and every photo is different. You should always bring a zoom lens. Minimum of 300mm. If you see a puma, don't expect to be close to it. So just bring loads of different kinds of lenses, play around and most importantly, have fun!  

Why do you think the EcoCamp was named one of the world's best places to stay by Time Magazine in 2018?

For a few different reasons! It's the worlds first Ecocamp and the experience the hotel offers is unlike any other place in Patagonia. That's why we minimise the footprint of every traveller. Not only with green energy but also with an education behind it. We like travellers to learn while they're here. Not only about our technology but also supporting the local community and conserving the environment. We also support inclusive tourism. We're wheelchair accessible and want to help people explore the treks by wheelchair. All these small projects add to the full experience of staying in our camp that transforms people when they leave. Of course we're also surrounded by the most beautiful nature. Every day you can witness some of the world's most beautiful sunrises from your dome. So I say it's hard to describe with words the beauty you can see here and the transformation you can feel here.