I spent the day with my fishing guide Rafael Gonzalez inside Torres del Paine National Park driving around and scouting the Rio Serrano River. We had finished a great day of fly fishing together when we pulled into the driveway of EcoCamp Patagonia where we were to spend the night.
Growing up I never did much camping with my family. In fact, the one rainy night in a pup tent with my father while at a Boy Scout retreat is about all I had to draw from in terms of that kind of experience. I was not sure what to expect after I checked in and was shown where my room was located. EcoCamp is far removed from any camping experience that I had envisioned. In fact, I soon learned that is so much more.
EcoCamp Patagonia is actually a hotel but obviously not in the traditional sense. Every aspect of a hotel visit is contained in different domes that are a short walk from where the guests spend the night. It is fitting that inside each green roofed dome you will find a comparable green environment. EcoCamp strives to leave as small a footprint in nature as possible. Recycling, efficiency stoves, biodegradable toiletries, composting and hydroelectric power are all found onsite. This eco-sensitivity is what attracts guests to the hotel and compliments a wide range of guest activities including hiking, horseback riding, puma tracking, mountain biking and kayaking in and around this exceptional national park.
EcoDome’s standard dome was the world’s first geodesic hotel room from which all other domed operations subsequently drew their inspiration. There are several sizes of domes on the property ranging from the Standard Dome, the smallest; up to the Suite Dome Loft which is the camp’s largest offering. In all, there are 33 different styles of guest domes to choose from.
I was in a suite dome, Dome #5 to be exact—which is one of the largest dome classifications on the property. I walked along the raised wooden plank trail that runs through the property past other smaller domes until I got to mine. I entered and was struck by how inviting and cozy my room felt. I had a king sized bed, table and chairs, a wood burning stove, and ample space to spread out my luggage. The dome just gave off the feel of comfort and I immediately relaxed and freshened up in my own private bathroom—a feature not included in a standard domes. I took a good look at the structure itself and noted that it is made of a metal framework with a tight green waterproof fabric skin over it. Several sky lights let the natural light through and helped illuminate my room.
I left my room to go meet Rafael for dinner.
The Chilean twilight cast brilliant, fiery colors across the sky and the fading light danced in cracks and granite faces of the massive spires that loomed above EcoCamp. It was a breathtaking sight and I stopped several times on the wooden pathway to pirouette so that I could take in the incredible scenery that was all around me. It was an act that I found myself doing numerous times that day while in the park.
Just downhill from the Administration Dome are the Community Domes which contain a sitting area, the bar and the dining areas for EcoCamp. I went into the dining area and sat with Rafael in a corner table which gave me a terrific view of the other guests. After ordering my meal, I watched how the guests interacted with each other. Simple politeness gave way to a deeper sense of community as conversations were taking place between strangers who met only hours before on an excursion into the park that day. I saw people dining together and sharing their thoughts of the experience and I related this fact to the Quality and Services Manager, Andreanne Tremblay, later that evening. She was very pleased and said that this is the goal of EcoCamp Patagonia.
After a wonderful dinner I headed back to my dome. I walked through the crisp air under the clear blue sky that was covered in a diamond blanket of stars. Once back inside I could hear some of the guests walking around, but soon everything was still and quiet. In the comfort of my room I was able to reflect on this unique and appealing experience. The vision of the founders of EcoCamp has truly grown and taken hold of other like-minded travelers who share the love for the environment and choose to stay in a place where it is not only respected, but embraced.