chilean patagonia for non-hikers

Torres del Paine National Park.

I'd like to say that I hiked all over Chilean Patagonia. But, I'd be lying. Although I had grand plans to hike the Torres (or Towers), see lots of glaciers and do parts of the famed W trek, I just ended up looking at the beautiful towers from afar with a nice glass of wine on hand.

Chile was the last country Mr. Sazy Rock and I visited during a three and a half month round the world trip. And, sadly, my body decided to shut down. The cold weather in Patagonia did not help my cause either. Hiking while sniffling and hacking up a storm was not ideal. Also, I decided that I did not want to catch pneumonia in light of the high winds and horrid weather forecasts on the trail. The video below illustrates the crazy wind during our visit.

So, what did I do instead?


I enjoyed the campsite.

Ecocamp Dome Suite.

   The hubster and I stayed at a very comfortable ecocamp. The good folks at the camp picked us up at Punta Arenas, the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, and drove us about two and half hours to Puerto Natales. After a leisurely lunch in town, we drove another two hours to the ecocamp in Torres del Paine National Park. We had our own dome tent with a comfortable bed with lots of thick blankets, a wood fireplace, a private bathroom, and nice views of the towers.

Ecocamp Dome Suite bed.

A series of connected domes served as a communal dining area, living area, and bar area. Without any wifi connectivity due to the area's remoteness, these communal areas were perfect to mingle with other guests, read a book and/or drink Chilean wines. They were also warm, which, in Patagonia, was a must.

The meals, while not life altering, were decent. Breakfasts consisted of cereals, fruits and hot food served buffet style. Typically, guests packed a lunch (sandwiches, fruits, energy bars) around breakfast for consumption while enjoying daytime activities. For dinner, guests chose their starters, mains, and desserts, which were served in courses. During our stay, I have had grilled octopus, pork chops, salmon terrine, lamb stew, breaded salmon, and grilled scallops. 

I went on nature walks.

The ecocamp staff also arranged all our activities. I only had to tell the staff the night before what activities I wanted to do the following day (guests chose from the following categories: nature walks, trekking or cycling). Because I couldn't do some fun (and strenous) treks due to my runny nose, coughing fits and the weather, I ended up doing easy nature walks instead. 

On those easy hikes, we saw a lot of wildlife. Primarily, we saw guanacos, a type of camel without the hump that look similar to llamas. 

A Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park. Ominous looking clouds covered the Towers.

We also saw a lot of majestic condors.

A condor in Torres del Paine National Park.

In addition, we saw condors feasting on guanacos. No, I'm not showing that picture.

The walks also allowed me to enjoy the stunning scenery. The towers dominated the skyline (when the clouds were not covering them).

Amarga Lagoon and the Towers.

Amarga Lagoon and the Towers at sunrise.

The Towers at sunrise.

Pink flamingos dotted some of the lagoons in the park.

Pink flamingos in Torres del Paine National Park.

Rivers and streams were plentiful. 

Moreover, I saw beautiful cave paintings left by early dwellers.

And, last but not least, I took the opportunity to chat up our guide, Flash. An interesting fellow, he told us stories of hikers getting blown off the trail towards the Towers due to the high winds. He himself was blown off the trail, fell about 100 feet, and injured his back. Since then, he has been leading nature walks. So, if you hike the Torres, check the weather and be extremely careful.

Was it fun to go to Patagonia without trekking it?

I still wish I had the opportunity to do some of the treks to see the Towers up close. But, despite not being able to do those treks, I still enjoyed my time in Torres del Paine because it still had a lot to offer - especially for travelers who want to see wildlife.

Have you been to Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia? Please share your experience with us.