What excursions are available?
What excursions does EcoCamp Patagonia offer?
1. Base of the Towers trek
After breakfast we'll leave EcoCamp and head towards Hosteria Las Torres to join the trail ascending to the Ascencio Valley on the eastern face of the Towers. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the picturesque route to the valley.
A steep moraine (a huge mass of boulders) leads us to the base of the Towers – three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
After a tough final ascent, the Towers eventually come into full view. We'll backtrack along the same trail through the Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp Patagonia.
Available: Mon, Wed, Thu & Sat | Full day: 8am-5pm | Trek: 22km, 9hrs | Difficulty: Demanding
Base of the Towers, Torres del Paine
2. Lago Pehoe boat ride and French Valley trek
After breakfast, we drive to Lago Pehoe and take the catamaran to the north-western part of the lake. Here we start trekking to the French Valley (Valle Frances) along a steep trail. We'll reach the hanging bridge over the French River, from where there are fantastic views.
We'll then continue our ascent to the upper section of the valley where we'll take in the extensive mass of geological formations.
After a picnic lunch we descend to Refugio Paine Grande, on the shores of Lake Pehoe then board the catamaran back to Pudeto, from where we'll be transported back to EcoCamp.
Available: Mon, Wed & Thu | Full-day: 8am-8pm | Trek: 18km, 6hrs | Difficulty: Medium
The French Valley, Torres del Paine
3. Drive and walk Western Lakes; Glacier Grey boat ride
We'll drive across the park with views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. During the journery we'll stop to observe and photograph herds of guanacos, Andean condors and interesting flora.
As we walk along the shore of the beautiful Lake Pehoe, we'll see the tumbling Salto Grande waterfall and from here we can drive up to Lake Grey. We'll have a picnic lunch by the lake before taking a boat trip to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredibly close look at the glacier, we'll drive back to the EcoCamp.
Available: Tue & Fri | Full-day: 10am-8pm | Trek: 0.8km, 1hr | Difficulty: Easy
Icebergs on Lake Grey, Torres del Paine
Sydney says
The guides at EcoCamp think of themselves as hosts welcoming you into their home, and the entire place brims with conviviality and warmth – it has the spirit of a backpackers’ hostel, but with much better beds!
Sydney Miller Patagonia Specialist
4. Western Lakes drive and Cerro Ferrier trek
We start the day driving across the park with views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. Walking along the shores of the beautiful Lake Pehoe we'll see Salto Grande waterfall.
We'll drive south to the shore of Lake Grey from where our hike to Cerro Ferrier begins. This is a fairly steep route which takes us through a fairytale-like Magellanic forest.
After ascending for about 1.5hrs we'll reach a viewpoint that will offer a unique perspective of the Paine Massive, Grey Glacier and some of the most famous lakes of the National Park. We'll then return to Lake Grey and head back to EcoCamp.
Available: Tue & Fri | Full-day: 7.30am-6.30pm | Trek: 12km, 4hrs | Difficulty: Demanding
Bracing the wind at Mirador Ferrier
5. Salto Grande and Condor Lookout
After breakfast we'll drive to Lake Nordenskjold and the magnificent Salto Grande waterfall. From here it's a short walk to the Cuernos viewpoint, which has stunning panoramic view of the mighty Horns.
We'll then drive to Lake Pehoe and start a 2hr round-trip trek to El Condor viewpoint. From here we'll see the shocking blue of Lake Pehoe and the River Paine and on a clear day it's possible to see the vast Southern Patagonian Icefield in the distance.
After a picnic lunch in this superb spot, we'll retrace our steps along the same trail and drive back to EcoCamp.
Available: Sun | Full-day: 10am-5pm | Difficulty: Easy
Salto Grande waterfall
6. Lazo Weber trek
We set off at 10am, driving past Estancia Lazo Weber where we begin our 12km hike on the Lazo Weber Trail. This hike is generally flat and is packed with native flora and fauna. There are superb views of the Paine range.
We'll have a picnic lunch by Laguna Honda. Along here is is one of the quietest forests in the national park – a fantastic opportunity to see native trees such as the lenga and the coihue.
Later we'll reach El Toro viewpoint where there are 360-degree views of the Paine mountain range, the Patagonian Andes, and a variety of rivers and lakes. From here it's a 1hr descent towards the Paine River where we'll meet up our van and return to EcoCamp.
Available: Tue & Fri | Full-day: 10am-6.30pm | Trek: 12km, 5hrs | Difficulty: Medium
What our customers think of Excursions from EcoCamp Patagonia
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7. Sarmiento Lake and fauna trail
This trek is mainly level and full of highly diverse natural landscapes with a unique opportunity to visit a stunning blue lake, separate from all the other water systems in the area.
Firstly, we'll observe the area's turbidite rock folds, before heading down the isthmus separating Lake Sarmiento from Lake Sarmiento Chico. We'll walk to an impressive bay and start the ascent back to our van which will drive us to the starting point of the fauna trail.
Walking north we'll see guanacos, nandus and perhaps puma prints! After passing Goic Lagoon we'll finish at the Laguna Amarga ranger station and be driven back to EcoCamp.
Available: Wed & Sat | Full-day: 10am-5pm | Trek: 10km, 5hrs | Difficulty: Easy
Immense views in Torres del Paine
8. Cerro Paine Trek
After breakfast at EcoCamp we'll head to the twin peaks of nearby Cerro Paine. We'll hike along the mountain for 30mins before we ascend the eastern part of Cerro Paine through lenga forest with views of the immense Almirante Nieto Mountain and its glacier on our left side. If we're lucky, we'll spot puma tracks around here.
The Towers come into full view and we'll have our lunch before starting the steepest part of the trek over rocky ground. After ascending for an hour, we reach 1500m/4920ft and the eastern peak of Cerro Paine and an unforgettable view of the towers and the Ascencio Valley. We'll return to EcoCamp along the same trail.
Available: Sun | Full day: 9am-5pm | Trek: 16km, 8hrs | Difficulty: Very demanding
Hiking to Cerro Paine, Torres del Paine
9. Laguna Azul trek
On the drive to Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon), we'll enjoy superb views of the famous Torres (Towers) as we pass through the pampas. We'll see herds of guanacos and will be able to stop to get out and walk amongst them.
At Laguna Azul, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch with lake views and the three granite towers. The walking is mostly on flat terrain and will take in local flora and fauna.
You will then jump back into your van and head back to EcoCamp Patagonia in time for cocktail hour.
Available: Mon & Thu | Full day: 10am-4pm | Trek: 5km, 2hrs | Difficulty: Easy
