2. www.ecocamp.travel

3. Welcome to EcoCamp Patagonia! Our mission is to enrich people’s lives through their
discovery of the exquisite flora & fauna and the wonderfully varied geographical
landscapes at the end of the world in Torres del Paine National Park. We have
designed this guide to help you identify the park’s mountains, glaciers, vegetation
and wildlife and take a closer look at the native flowers, birds and mammals.
With our NEW Micro Safari we invite you on an interpretative trail through the
miniature world of flora, giving you the chance to slow down and delve into the rich
vegetation surrounding Ecocamp on a short trail.
Introduction 2
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 3
Heritage 5
Mountains 7
Mammals 9
This Field Guide is by no means a substitute for a specialist guide book, we simply wish
to give you an educational
mini
guide to the park’s wildlife
highlights. All species are
marked with their scientific
name and common name in
English and Spanish.
Species seen on the Micro
Safari Trail are marked with
Warmest greetings,
Birds 11
Flora 17
(EcoCamp Manager)
Astronomy 25
Glaciers 26
Location Interpretative Trail
Mountaineering 27
Responsible travel at EcoCamp
29
www.ecocamp.travel

4. In 1970 the 242,242 hectare park
was given the name Torres del Paine
National Park and in 1978 it was declared
a
Biosphere
reserve
by
UNESCO
owing to its unique ecology. The park
is administered by Chile’s National
Forestry Corporation (CONAF), who run
its visitor information centres. The park
encompasses ancient forests, glaciers,
lakes and rivers, 26 species of mammal
www.ecocamp.travel
and 118 species of bird.

5. The history of inhabitants in Torres del Paine dates back to over a thousand years ago,
when the first indigenous groups arrived in the region. The Tehuelche (Aonikenk) were
nomadic hunter-gatherers and as they migrated north through Patagonia they saw the
silhouette of a incredible rock formation in the distance and called it ‘Paine’, meaning
‘blue’ in their language (the predominant colour they saw in the distance). Other ancient
indigenous inhabitants include the nomadic hunters Selk’nam (Ona) and the Yaghan
The first tourist to come to Torres del Paine was British Aristocrat Lady Florence Dixie,
(Yamana) people, who canoed between islands to collect food.
who arrived with her group in 1879. Led by Baqueanos, Lady Dixie explored the park and
The Kaweskars (Alacalufes) were another group of nomadic Patagonian inhabitants
published a book in 1880 called ‘Across Patagonia’, detailing her adventures in the region.
whose presence in Torres del Paine was to have a very special legacy over 500 years later
Following Lady Dixie’s publication, a steady flow of explorers and scientists came to the
at EcoCamp Patagonia. They arrived by canoe in the 15th century and made no demands
region, interested in its geography and geology. This era also saw the arrival of missionaries
on natural resources as they travelled from place to
in the region such as the Italian Alberto Maria de Agostini, a passionate explorer and
place,
setting up and dismantling their semi-circular huts
mountaineer who had a very good relationship with the native Patagonians.the 1920’s.
built from simple materials, leaving no trace
behind. To keep warm they lit fires inside the
The European settling marked the end of the indigenous era and the start of Chilean
domes. EcoCamp’s domes are a tribute to the
Kaweskar’s way of life in the park.
‘Baqueano’ exploration. One of the most famous Baqueanos (Cowboys from southern
Chile) was Santiago Zamora, from central Chile, who arrived in Punta Arenas in 1868 and
Their first contact with European explorers
integrated with colonists in the region. He spent his life exploring the region north of Punta
came in the 16th century and by 1880 Europeans had
settled
Arenas, including Torres del Paine, acting as a guide for travellers and explorers.
in Patagonia in their quest for gold, furs and wool and had displaced, slaughtered and
brought disease to the Kaweskars who became almost completely extinct by the 1920’s.
The first tourist to come to Torres del Paine was British Aristocrat Lady
Florence Dixie, who arrived with her group in 1879. Led by Baqueanos,
The European settling marked the end of the indigenous era and the start of Chilean
Lady Dixie explored the park and published a book in 1880 called ‘Across
‘Baqueano’ exploration. One of the most famous Baqueanos (Cowboys from southern
Chile) was Santiago Zamora, from central Chile, who arrived in Punta Arenas in 1868 and
Patagonia’, detailing her adventures in the region. Following Lady Dixie’s
integrated with colonists in the region. He spent his life exploring the region north of Punta
interested in its geography and geology. This era also saw the arrival
Arenas, including Torres del Paine, acting as a guide for travellers and explorers.
of missionaries in the region such as the Italian Alberto Maria de
publication, a steady flow of explorers and scientists came to the region,
Agostini, a passionate explorer and mountaineer who had a very
good relationship with the native Patagonians.
Lady Florence Dixie

6. The 3 Torres are granite monoliths
eroded by glacial ice, leaving such a
The Paine Massif is a striking mountain
group with magnificent peaks crowning
the park’s heartland. Los Cuernos del
Paine (Paine Horns) sit in front of of Lake
Nordenskjold and are easily identifiable
with their dark sedimentary rock atop
lighter granite, dominating the view
from the southern sector of the park.
foot of the Torres, with a spectacular
view of the granite spires, at the start of
the Towers Base Trek leading up to the
famous look-out point.
Cerro Paine Grande has the park’s
highest peak while French Valley is home
to some of the massif’s most beautiful
Torres del Paine
Cuerno
Cuerno
Norte
Principal
(2.400 mts.) (2.600 mts.)
Bariloche
Peak
(2.600 mts.)
FRENCH
www.ecocamp.travel
after them. EcoCamp is located at the
rock formations.
French valley
Los Cuernos
Central Peak
(2.730 mts.)
distinct shape that the park was named
Paine Grande
main peak
(3.050 mts.)
Tronco Blanco
(2.197 mts.)
Aleta del
Tiburón
(2.197 mts.)
Torre
Sur
(2.850 mts.)
VALLEY
Cerro
Cabeza
del Indio
(2.230 mts.)
Cuerno
Oriental
(2.200 mts.)
Torre
Central
(2.800 mts.)
Bader
Valley
Cerro Almirante
Nieto
(2.640 mts.)

7. There are 26 species of mammal in Torres del Paine National Park. The most widely-
Puma
known are the Guanaco, the Puma and the South Andean Deer. The abundant guanaco,
Also known as the cougar, panther or
mountain lion. Golden-coated, lives
solitary life, is rarely seen and hunts at
night. Grows up to 270cm, males weigh
up to 90kg, females 60kg.
- Puma concolor patagonico
whose population ranges between 2600 and 2900, is not camera shy and visitors have
ample opportunity to observe the herds who roam across the steppe. The puma, Chile’s
largest carnivore, is rarely sighted but is still very characteristic of the park and a big topic
of conversation among tourists. Mostly seen at night, EcoCamp guests have occassionally
been rewarded with a sighting on EcoCamp turf. The endangered South Andean deer,
Huemul, is the national symbol of Chile and receives special protection within the park.
Red fox (Zorro Culpeo)
- Lycalopex culpaeus
Largest fox in Chile, leads a
solitary life, hunts at night. Grows
up to 120cm, including tail,
weighs up to 12kg.
Guanaco
South Andean Deer (Huemul)
- Lama guanicoe
- Hippocamelus bisulcus
Friendly camelid native to South
America. Migrates through northeastern sector of park in large groups,
120cm in height, 110-120kg in weight
and spits when feeling threatened.
On Chile’s national coat of arms. Lives
in small groups in high mountain
forests, near Grey Lake. Reaches 85cm
tall and weighs up to 100kg. Currently
listed as an endangered specie, just
100 remain in the park.
Patagonian Skunk (Chingue)
- Conepatus humboldtii
Dwarf Armadillo (Piche peludo
patagónico)
- Zaedyus pichiy
Small dark brown armadillo with strong
claws and thick shell, measuring just 30cm
long with a 120mm tail.
Solitary nocturnal animal, with
extended snout and strong nails. Lives
in open grassy areas and, like all other
skunks, is famous for the odor it emits
when feeling threatened.

8. Magellanic Horned Owl (Tucúquere)
- Bubo magellanicus
Gray fox (Zorro Chilla)
- Lycalopex griseus
Smaller than the Great Horned Owl, with
grey and brown feathers and two ear tufts.
Smaller than the Red Fox, the
Gray Fox measures between 8090cm, weighs up to 4kg.
Female
Yellow-nosed Field Mouse
(Laucha de nariz amarilla)
Male
- Abrothrix xanthorhinus
Long-haired grey and brown mouse with small
ears. Lives in the Patagonian steppe.
Andean Condor (Cóndor Andino)
- Vultur gryphus
Wingspan of up to 3.2m, flies at altitudes
over 4,500m at speeds of up to 56kph.
Nests in high mountain rocks and circles
overhead looking for carrion.
Females are smaller than males, both are
black and males have a red or black crest.
Torres del Paine is home to 118 types of different bird species. Wading birds, such as the
Chilean Flamingo, live in the numeros lakes and lagoons across the park. There are 15
species of birds of prey, including the Andean Condor which lives high up in mountain rock
cavities. South America’s largest bird, the flightless Rhea (similar to an ostrich) lives down
on the Patagonian Steppe.
Lesser Rhea (Ñandú)
Black-necked Swan
(Cisne de cuello negro)
- Cygnus melanocoryphus
Measures up to 140cm, white
body, black neck and grey
bill with some red. In winter
migrates north to warmer
climates.
Rhea pennata
Flightless bird, similar to an ostrich,
spreads out wings when running.
Those living on the Patagonian
Steppe are known as Lesser Rhea.

9. Patagonian Sierra Finch
(Cometocino Patagónico)
- Phrygilus patagonicus
Black-chested Buzzard Eagle
Bright yellow & grey, builds
nests in thorny Calafate bushes
in forest areas to protect
offspring from predators.
(Águila Mora)
- Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Powerful build, long broad wings,
lives at high altitudes in mountain
ranges.
Rufous-collared Sparrow
(Chincol)
- Zonotrichia capensis
Found across Latin America, from
Mexico to Torres del Paine. Grey
& black with red breast and white
throat.
Austral Pygmy Owl (Chuncho)
- Glaucidium nanum
Grey and brown body with white
patches, short beak and large yellow
eyes. University of Chile’s mascot.
Chilean Swallow
(Golondrina Chilena)
- Tachycineta meyeni
Chilean Flamingo
Glossy blue and grey outer feathers
with white underside and forked tail.
Lives in abundance throughout Chile.
(Flamenco Chileno)
- Phoenicopterus chilensis
Different from the two
Phoenicoparrus flamingo species
found in northern Chile. Has grey
legs with pink knees and a largely
black beak.
Black Faced Ibis (Bandurria)
- Theristicus caudatus
Buff coloured neck, black feathers,
white patch on wing and red bill & legs.
Magellanic Woodpecker
(Carpintero Negro)
- Campephilus magellanicus
One of the world’s largest
woodpeckers. Males and females
both largely black & males have
red crest.

10. South American Snipe (Becasina)
Chilean Flicker (Pitio)
- Gallinago paraguaiae
- Colaptes pitius
Small wading bird, breeds in most of
South America and migrates north during
winter. Long straight bill, short legs & buff
coloured feathers.
Dark brown and white with distinctive
feather pattern and wide face. Lives in
Nothofagus forests.
Male
Upland Goose (Caiquén común)
Red-gartered Coot
- Chloephaga picta
(Tagua común)
- Fulica armillata
Wild Magellanic goose. Nests near
water and sleeps in lakes safe from predators. Males white, females brown.
Large species of coot, 55cm in length.
Black with red garter separating yellow
beak and yellow forehead shield.
Female
Yellow-billed Pintail
(Pato jergón grande)
- Anas georgica
Common Diuca Finch (Diuca)
- Diuca diuca
Brown head, long yellow bill, light brown body
with darker brown outer feather. Subspecie
Chilean Pintail also exists.
Lives in shrubland, sometimes at high
altitude. Plump grey body, white throat
& white patch on its tail feathers.
Great Grebe (Huala)
- Podiceps major
Spectacled duck
(Pato Anteojillo)
- Anas specularis
Dabbling duck with bronze
speculum feathers. Sole member
of its genus Speculanas.
Biggest grebe specie reaching up to
80cm in length and 2kg in weight. Red
neck, grey face, black back and white
underside.

11. Prickly heath (Chaura)
- Gaultheria mucronata
Evergreen shrub growing near
Southern Beech (Nothofagus)
forests with edible plum-like fruit.
Torres del Paine has 4 different types of habitat:
»» Pre-Andean Scrubland
»» Magellanic Forest
»» Patagonian Steppe
»» Andean Desert
Flora is listed under the habitat in which it is found.
Pre-Andean Scrubland
Holly-lead barberry (Michay)
This type of vegetation is found on river banks and lake edges, particularly in the
- Berberis ilicifolia
Yellowy-orange flowers, dark shiny
green leaves and dark purple berries.
Sarmiento lake and Salto Grande (Great Falls) area and at the Nordenskjold viewpoint.
The plants housed in pre-Andean scrubland have adapted to save water and survive
the fierce Patagonian wind.
Chilean Firebush (Notro)
Dwarf barberry (Calafatlillo)
Small evergreen tree, blooms every
spring with deep red flowers.
Yellowy-orange flowers, fleshier
lighter leaves than Holly-lead and
dark purple berries.
- Embothrium coccineum
Box-leaf Barberry (Calafate)
- Berberis mycrophila
Symbol of Patagonia with yellow
flowers and small bittersweet
blueberries used for jam & liquor.
- Berberis empetrifolia
Crimson Spire (Siete Camisas)
- Escalonia rubra
Evergreen shrub with white & pink
flowers and long fruit capsules.

12. Evergreen Beech (Coihue)
- Nothofagus betuloides
Evergreen tree reaching 25m, with
glossy leaves. Grows in humid areas.
Porcelain Orchid
(Orquide Porcelana)
- Chloraea magellanica
Fleshy green stem, white flowers
with green veins and fruit in late
summer.
Southern Beech (Ñirre)
- Nothofagus antártica
Deciduous tree, growing up to 20m
(stunted growth in Andean desert). Native
to southern Chile and Argentina and is one
of the southernmost trees on earth.
Muddy shrub
(Mata Barrosa)
- Mullinum spinosum
Shrub with hard branches, sharp
leaves and clusters of yellow flowers.
Southern Beech (Lenga)
- Nothofagus pumilio
Christmas Bush (Mozaiquillo)
- Baccharis Magellanica
Leafy shrub with white florets,
reaching up to 40cm in height.
Magellanic Deciduous forest
Deciduous forest lining the park’s gorges and hillsides, receiving over 600 mm of rain
per year. Found in the Grey lake and Grey glacier area, Laguna Azul, Laguna Amarga
and French Valley. Home to different Southern Beech tree species (nothofagus),
namely Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), Coihue (Nothofagus betuloides) and Ñirre
(Nothofagus antártica).
Reaches up to 30m in height
(stunted growth in Andean desert).
Grows in abundance in southern
Chile and its wood is used for
construction due to its strength and
durability.
Dog Orchid (Palomita)
- Condonorchis Lessonii
Herb with erect stems and three
white leaves arranged in a whorl with
white inner petals dotted with purple.

13. Old Man’s Beard (Barba de Viejo)
Winter Bark (Canelo)
A specie of Lichen which grows on bark and
branches on Southern Beeches (Nothofagus).
Sacred tree of the Mapuche, Chile’s
indigenous population. Reaches up
to 20m with shiny green leaves.
- Drimys Winteri
- Usnea barbata
Chinese Lantern (Farolito Chino)
Patagonian steppe
Grows as mistletoe on various species of
Southern Beeches (Nothofagus). Colour
changes from green to yellow to reddish
brown throughout its life cycle.
The flora in the Patagonian Steppe includes desert shrubs and tuft grasses (Coirón)
- Misodendrum punctulatum
resistant to harsh winds & weather and bent-over bushes in pastureland. The steppe
is mainly in the Eastern sector of the park in areas where there are no trees due to the
poor humidity and harsh winds.
Black Shrub (Mata Negra)
- Junellia Tridens
Darwin’s fungus (Pan de Indio)
Forms dense communities in wet
areas in the steppe. Petals are
white-pink and fruit is capsular.
- Cyttaria Darwinii
Parasite which appear on Southern
Beech (Nothofagus) branches and can
lead to the breaking of branches or
stems in strong wind. Certain species of
Cyttaria are used in gastronomy.
Fachine (Mata Verde)
- Chiliotrichum diffusum
Fuchsia (Chilco)
- Fuchsia magellanica
Shrub with narrow branches
and pendant-shaped red
flowers with purple petals.
Has white petals with yellow
disc and its flowers were used
medicinally by the Patagonian
natives due to their antiseptic
properties.

14. Guanaco Bush (Neneo Macho)
- Anarthrophyllum Desideratum
Cushion-like shrub in rocky soils in
the steppe with red-orange flowers.
Lady’s slipper (Capachito)
- Calceolaria biflora
Herb with leaves in rosette
and distinctive yellow slippershaped flowers.
Andean Desert
Streaked Maiden (Campanilla)
- Olsynium Biflorum
Species in the Andean high desert are tolerant to low temperatures and high
Herb with flowering stems and white
flowers with small yellow fruit capsule.
precipitation but vegetation is very underdeveloped due to harsh weather conditions.
Very stunted trees and shrubs growing on rocks are characteristic of the landscape
and vegetation decreases with altitude due to the adverse weather conditions.
Cushion Plant (Llaretilla)
Paramela (Paramela)
- Adesmia boronioides
Shrub with bright yellow flowers
growing in arid and exposed areas
of the steppe.
Purple-spored Puffball
(Hongo de polvera)
- Calvatia Ciathiformis
Fleshy texture and cracked surface.
Edible when young, smooth and
purple, but matures to become pear
shaped and darker in colour.
- Azorella Trifurcata
Herb with dense shrubs and
yellow flowers, found in a wide
range of habitats including at
high altitude.
The Devil’s Strawberry
(Frutilla del Diablo)
- Gunnera Magellanica
Found on hillsides at over 600m
above sea level, with petialated
leaves and bright red fruit.

15. On a cloudless night, Torres del Paine visitors can enjoy a spectacular array of
Torres del Paine is home to many large glaciers, including the tip of the immense
stars in the Patagonian night sky. In particular the Southern Cross (the brightest
Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the second largest ice field in the world at 16,800
constellation in the southern hemisphere) and Orion are visible from the park and
km² in size. This Ice Field is the southern section of the Patagonian Ice Sheet which
can be admired through EcoCamp dome ceilings before falling asleep.
covered all of southern Chile during the last glacial period tens of thousands of years
ago. 350km in length, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field covers approximately 14,000
km² in Chile and 2,500 km² in Argentina.
Glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
1 Viedma – Located in Los Glaciares
National Park in Argentina. Flows
into Lake Viedma.
1
2 Upsala – Located in Los Glaciares
National Park in Argentina. In very
fast retreat.
to South
3 Perito Moreno – Located in Los
Glaciares National Park in Argentina.
Spectacular ruptures every 4/5 years.
2
Orion
Southern Cross (Crux)
The Cruz forms a distinctive
cross shape and is seen from
the southern hemisphere all
year round.
Visible from the
southern hemisphere
in the summer months,
Rigel, its brightest star,
is known as the hunter
and the 3 stars across
its middle are known as
Orion’s belt
4 Dickson – Located in Torres del
Paine on the northern side of the
massif. 71 km² in size.
5 Grey – Located in Torres del
Paine. 270 km² in size, calves
into Grey Lake.
6 Tyndall/Geike – Located in Torres
del Paine. 331 km² in size.
3
4
7
8 9
5
Torres del Paine
National Park
www.ecocamp.travel
www.ecocamp.travel
6
Glaciers in the Paine Massif:
7 Los Perros – Located on the
northern side of the Paine massif,
visible on the Paine Circuit
8 Olguín – Located on Cerro
Catedral, connected to Los Perros
glaciar
9 French Glacier – On the backside
of Cerro Paine Grande, visible from
French Valley

16. The Ultimate Adventure
Traversing the 3 towers in 51 hours
Torres del Paine has been the scene of many important
Steve Schneider, a 42 year old mountaineer from Oakland California famous for his El
mountaineering feats. In 2011 the first Chilean group
Capitain records in the Yosemite Valley, set out to break the ultimate world record: Climb
(María Paz Ibarra, Camilo Rada & Sebastián Irarrázaval)
all the three Paine towers in one go, in the minimum time possible, alone! With 3 failed
made it to the 3,050m peak of Cerro Paine Grande, the
attempts under his belt he began his 4th try at 2am on February 16th 2002 - this would be
park’s highest peak, in a difficult technical assent. Only two
his last try.
groups had previously reached the summit – an Italian
group in December 1957 led by Count Guido Monzino and
Apart from an immense physical condition and solid years of
a French-Argentine duo in 2000 (Rolando Garibotti &
experience, a crucial factor was the weather. Steve was lucky enough
Bruno Sourzac).
to be accompanied by clear skies as he scaled the North Tower via the
The three Torres del Paine provide big climbing challenges. The 2260m Torre Norte (North
Monzino route and the Central Tower via the Bonington-Whillans
route in just 15 hours. He began his descent and at 10.30pm finally lay
Tower) summit was first reached by Italian Guido Monzino and his team in January 1958.
down for some rest after more than 21 hours on his feet.
British Chris Bonington and Don Whillans reached the
2460m peak of the Central Tower in 1963, narrowly beating
The finale was yet to come - the most difficult climb up the South Tower. Using the Aste
Italian Armando Aste and his team to the summit. Aste
route he made it up to the summit after just 9 hours! Quick as ever Steve began his decent
wasn’t about to lose the race again and made sure he beat
after just a 15 minute rest at the top and arrived back at basecamp at 6am the following
the British to the 2500m South Tower summit later that year.
morning. Exhilarated but exhausted he fell asleep, 51 hours after he’d headed off to
In 1968 a British team led by Gordon Hibberd reached the
complete the world’s first traverse of the Torres del Paine Towers!
3000m summit of Fort Hill in French Valley, in the biggest
mountaineering feat since the Towers’ conquest.
More recent triumphs include Californian Dave Turner’s
34 day ascent of Cerro Escudo (Shield Hill) in 2008 and a
Guido Monzino
Belgian-American trio’s (Nico Favresse, Seán Villanueva
& Ben Ditto) 13 day free ascent of Torre Central (Central
Tower) in 2011 via the South African Route.

17. EcoCamp works to conserve the virgin wilderness of the park, taking care of its diverse
vegetation and protecting fauna through the design and construction of its eco-friendly
domes.
Skylight Windows
- Allows guests to follow natural light patterns;
- Star gazing potential at night;
- Utilize natural light, saving electricity;
Thick, Insulated Walls
- Outer PVC waterproof layer and thick
polyester insulation cushion;
- Organic fibre fire-treated interior walls;
- Galvanized iron geodesic structure to
withstand wind stress;
Energy source
- EcoCamp uses Solar panels to obtain 40% of its energy
and a micro-hydro turbine to obtain 60%;
- In summer Patagonia receives up to 17 hours of sunlight
making solar energy a powerful source;
Semi-spherical structure
- Minimizes external surface area and
temperature exchange through walls;
- Ensures uniform distribution of wind
stress;
- Maximum internal space
for given outer surface area;
Wood stove
- Prevents use of diesel fuels and
recycles fallen wood;
Harmonious exterior
- Green exterior to blend into
environment;
- Limited height to ensure natural fusion;
Propane Heater
- Used for heating shower water
- Used to keep the bathroom warm on cold nights
Raised Platform & open Walkways
- Minimizes foundations and
excavations and further terrain
disruption;
- Animals can roam around freely and
walk underneath;
- Winds circulate underneath clearing
humidity;
- Guests exposed to the elements as
they walk between domes;
Recycling
- Separation at the source: organic,
metals, paper, glass and dangerous or
toxic materials;
- Removal of all non-organic materials;
- Organic material fed to neighbouring
pig farm;
Composting Chamber
- World’s southern-most composting device,
and the first in the hotel industry in the
whole of Patagonia and Chile;
- Heated to ensure bacteria remains active;
- Liquids and solids separated, and solid
waste composted;
Renewable Materials
- Pinewood from plantations;
- Furniture made of wicker;
- All ben linen, rugs and curtains made
from natural fibres;
Sketch By EcoCamp Founder Javier Lopez

18. www.facebook.com/ecocamppatagonia