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Glamping Review: Patagonia Camp

Inside Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, there are many fabulous and transporting options for lodging, most of them highlighting the incredible natural riches of the area. But perhaps nothing will get you closer to the outdoors than a stay at Patagonia Camp and its collection of 18 luxury yurts on the edge of Lake Toro.

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Patagonia Camp has an ecological mission to minimize its impact (as well as its guests’) on the environment. For example, instead of mowing down trees (like the lenga, a tree indigenous to Chile)) that surround the property to make space for your bedroom, all the camp architecture is placed on wooden stilts and platforms. Patagonia Camp also recycles its water through a waste treatment plant, which is why you’re discouraged from using your own bath amenities and should instead go to town on the ones already in yurt. And before visions of ho-hum shampoos and soaps clog your mind, know that the hotel collaborated with a company in Santiago to create products that are not only biodegradable but sweet-smelling, too. The travel-size bottles of body treats are packed with ingredients like aloe vera and lavender that will make you forget you ever brought your own stuff. I loved the shampoo so much I took it with me at check out.

Amenities

The All-Inclusive option, which is what most guests go for when booking here, includes a variety of perks, from local transfers and the park’s entrance fee to an open bar, meals and a selection of excursions. More intrepid (read: fitter) travelers will definitely want to do the Torres Base Trek, one of the famed hikes in Patagonia that will inflict all sorts of physical demands such as the final 45-minute uphill climb to the foot of the Three Towers, one of the geographical icons of South America. Patagonia Camp’s location right by Lake Toro, however, affords its guests plenty of exclusive excursions, too, like fishing on the lake and a fairly easy hike to one of the nearby waterfalls. If you want to spring for activities not included in the program but well worth the added expense, kayaking on Lake Grey is one of those Bucket List experiences you never thought you had. An afternoon spent paddling around with floating glaciers close enough to touch is simply unforgettable. All of it is guided by kind (and thankfully patient) locals who have mastered this area and, more than likely, the English language. Patagonia Camp is constantly developing new excursions to give travelers truly immersive opportunities when they’re in Patagonia. Who knows what new-fangled itinerary they’ll come with next?

Front desk

After a day of adventure that will acquaint you to Patagonia’s natural majesty, you’ll retreat back to camp for a little R&R before that evening’s meal. The main house is essentially the one-stop shop at Patagonia Camp. It’s where you check in, there’s a lounge where you can hang out and perhaps meet other guests, there’s a small bar where you can try some Chilean vinos, and it also houses the main dining room where all meals are served. Almost everything that comes from the kitchen is local and sourced from Puerto Natales, a small town outside the park. One of the more spectacular meals at the camp is the traditional lamb BBQ, which is organized three nights a week. An entire lamb is slow-roasted for five hours leaving it deliciously tender. Its served with all sorts of sides and vegetables, filling enough to reclaim all the calories you would lose after a full day’s hike.

Night

The yurts themselves aren’t particularly huge (each is about 300 square feet in total plus a terrace), but they are wonderfully decorated with locally handcrafted furniture like the pale wood desk and bed plus colorful woven textiles and plush animal hide area rugs. Each unit is simple, uncluttered and stylish. The bed is placed directly under a clear patch of the yurt’s roof allowing you to soak in star-lit skies before going to bed. It’s a fantastic inclusion that you may not think you want but given the low air pollution in Patagonia, you’ll (especially city dwellers who never see the star) be glad it’s there. And the large windows that look out to the lake will constantly remind you of just how gorgeous and unspoiled this pocket of the world is. Leaving the curtains open at night and letting the stream of sunlight to wake you up in the morning is the perfect start to a day in Patagonia. And the bright turquoise of Lake Toro will be the first thing you’ll see.

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Nature Immersed Glamping Destinations

Clayoquot

The search is always on for the unique, the nature immersed experiences – this is what drives most glampers . If you’re looking for the next luxury stop, then here are a few out-of-the-box destinations that are sure to please!

It takes a seaplane ride to arrive at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. 45 minutes out of Vancouver will take you to the island where luxury tents make a comfortable stay – plush beds, en suite bathrooms, heated floors, running water, and thermostat-controlled propane wood stoves. Activities like bear-watching and zip-lining will fill your stay and horses are the main means of transportation.

Take yourself 5,000 feet elevated into the Swiss Alps and you’ll find yourself at Whitepod. The area is explored mainly through skiing, with the option of snowshoe, dogsled and foot. Here you have a choice between 15 geodesic domes that blend into the Alp landscape with white canvas in winter and green canvas in summertime. The view, as you might expect, is truly inspiring.

Whitepod

If you want to see what it’s like to live out-of-this-world, the Earthship Biostructure may be the closest you can find. This desert setting in Taos, New Mexico, gives an otherworldly feel to this off-the-grid resort – which is still able to offer the amenities of wi-fi and TVs (complete with netflix) through electricity gathered by sun and wind. Everything is built with natural or recycled materials. Rainwater storage is utilized for drinking and showering, as well as for watering the garden.

Then there’s the famous Uluru’s Longitude 131 set in the red sand dunes of Australia. There are just 15 tents, which are more aptly described as freestanding luxury rooms. One-way privacy films coat the expansive windows, so you’ll feel out in the open and perfectly hidden all at the same time. The location is neighbor to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, meaning the views are uninterrupted and the local plants and animals are in your “backyard” of sorts.

Longitude 131

What’s made of 25 individual domes and 3 community domes? The EcoCamp in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia! The EcoCamp is the Park’s first sustainable accommodation, with geodesic domes that resemble high-tech igloos with transparent ceilings for stargazing. Complete with private terraces, comfortable beds, private bathrooms, wood stoves, gas heaters and splendid views of Torres del Paine peaks. There is no lack of luxury, either, when it comes to the community domes and their Chilean cuisine restaurants.

Add the word “Ger” to your glamping dictionary. At the Three Camel Lodge in Gobi, Mongolia, you’ll experience the traditional mongolian herder tent in luxury. Here there’s a selection among twenty Deluxe Gers that are all handmade using lattice wood covered in felt and canvas.Unlike the typical Mongolian herder your stay will find you in perfect comfort with wood stoves, private bathrooms and king-sized beds, with a view marked by the iconic Gobi-Altai Mountains.

Treehouse enthusiasts will appreciate Chole Mjini, the “castaway fantasy” set in the remote Chole Island in Tanzani, Africa, where they have seven treehouses to choose from. This castaway fantasy is complete with all the creature comforts, including outdoor showers with hot water. The resort has worked alongside the local island community to add a taste to your visit unlike anywhere else, and activity options – including diving, island excursions, swimming with whales, sunset sailing and more – are certain to leave an impression.

Chole Mijini

If you can manage a slot or two out of the 14 allowed spots inside Chumbe Island Coral Park in Zanzibar, Tanzania, it’s certainly worth a stay. Exclusion stems from the need to protect this island coral reef sanctuary, visitors will stay in eco-bungalows with waterfront views. Each bungalow has it’s own sleeping area, living room, hammock, self-contained bathrooms to ease the body and mind between adventures. Everything is included when staying at this glamping spot, including guided snorkeling in the reef sanctuary.

Australia’s Wildman Wilderness Lodge is rebuilt from the same materials as the former Wrotham Park Lodge which was shut down 1,740 miles away. While the materials may have been recycled, nothing about this resort feels second hand. Being settled in the scenic land of Mary River National Park Wetlands gives visitors front row seats to the rivers, billabongs and wallaby wildlife. Safari tents are well equipped with all the luxuries of comfy beds, en suite bathrooms, running water and electricity, while the camp land is kept clear of unwelcomed guests such as crocodiles.

For an unforgettable and unparalleled experience you might try the Human Nest at Treebones Resort. While the stay might not be particularly luxurious – you’ll have to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow to lug up to the nest – it will make an impression. The view from your perch will take in the Los Padres National Forest and the Pacific Ocean. Ah, California you don’t disappoint!

So… do you still have room on your glamping bucket-list? 🙂

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Desert Luxury at Longitude 131

I looked out of my plane window and saw a reddish-orange desert landscape peppered with a surprising amount of green shrubs.  I stared at the flat, barren land surprised at how vibrant it was.  This isn’t at all what I expected from Australia’s desert and outback.  However, this vibrant color in the desert was the beginning my many surprises and yin yang experience in the Red Centre.

From the air you could barely notice them, but suddenly I was able to pick out the semi circle of 15 white roofs peeking out through the red and green landscape.  I fixated on the roofs and their proximity to the Uluru – one of the world’s largest and most spiritual monoliths.  This was the draw of Longitude 131 – proximity to this important landmark in Australia.  However, while most people go to the Red Centre of the Northern Territory to primarily see Uluru with lodging being an afterthought – it was opposite for me.  It was the opportunity to stay at the all-inclusive Longitude 131 that was my impetus for coming to Uluru.  Some might say my priorities are screwed up, but after two days soaking in the experience of Longitude 131, I think my priorities were just fine.

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I had camped out in the dessert before in Northern Africa, however upon arriving at Longitude 131, the premier glamping destination of the Northern Territory, I knew this was going to be nothing like I had ever experienced before.  This exclusive glamping spot good enough for the Royal Family and Oprah is best known for their luxury, service, seclusion, and view of Uluru.  This was a place where you came to relax, learn, and soak in the culture and environment around you.

For me it was also a place of complimentary contrasts – yin and yang.  I felt these opposite yet complementary forces at work constantly during my time at Longitude 131.  This feeling for me started with the desert landscape and continued to the tents, the food, and the people I met.

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A Tent With a View

I arrived and was shown to my personal glamping ‘tent’.  It was part canvas tent, and part pre-fab building elevated off the ground making it look as if my room was floating above the red sand desert floor.   Each tent had a 3 walls and one wall that was a huge window.  The window looked out on your own personal view of Uluru.  After all, Uluru is the main attraction.  The room was even designed so that in the bathroom (thanks to sliding mirrors) you could also see your own personal view of Uluru.

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The design of the room had an earthy feel and old world charm with muted colors, dark wood, wooden trunks, and a chaise lounge.  Yet the old explorer feel had modern touches with an iPad and Bose speakers in each room with preloaded playlists for romance, chilling out, rock & roll, and local indigenous music.  The turn down service included fur covered hot water bottles to warm your bed during the cold desert nights.  And each tent was stocked with a selection of teas and Nespresso coffee maker.  Overall it reflected a sense of place with respect of its surroundings and history.  I didn’t really want to leave my gorgeous room, but with so much to see and do at Longitude 131, I knew I couldn’t stay in my comfortable tent forever!

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Experiences with a Luxury Twist

Longitude 131 wasn’t just about luxury accommodations – it was about celebrating the culture and spirit of the area.  Each day there is a touring program that is run by a Longitude guide, and is centered around sunrise and sunset – two very special times at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.  You go as a group to the experiences which makes them not only educational but social. The first night we went to the cultural center in the park to learn more about the Anangnu people and their history.  Then as the sun started it’s descent into the red horizon, we went to a private viewing area for the sunset complete with champagne.

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After the sun had set and the pictures were taken, we were whisked away to Table 131, a one-of-a-kind dinner under the stars.  This was my first taste of the talent of Chef Seona Moss.  She infused local ingredients unique to the desert into her creations and each plate was served up with incredible attention to detail – even in the dark under the stars.   After dinner we were handed a glass of port and treated to a star talk to learn about the astronomy of the Southern Hemisphere by our guide Andy.  He didn’t just talk about stars, but also the rotation of the planets and solar system, moons, black holes and star stages.  The dessert is the perfect backdrop with no light pollution for stargazing!

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Each experience was focused on learning the stories of the Anangnu.  The song lines (stories) reminded me of ancient mythology tales full of love, loss, and super powers.  The experiences also included some hiking and light walking.  Backpacks, water bottles, and fly nets were provided for every guest for the outings.  Each experience in the evening ended with cocktails and canapés in the outdoors.  A beautiful setting for happy hour as you watch the fantastic colors on Uluru change by the setting sun and get to know your fellow travelers.

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Guides as Teachers

“There are millions of wattles!” our guide Graham remarked with a laugh.  His comment made me laugh as I wasn’t even sure what a wattle was. However, I did know that a wattle was a plant, as Graham had been educating us and subsequently quizzing us on the plants and trees during our Kata Tjuta hike.   For some reason all I could remember was the word “wattle”, but all of the other names describing the specific wattles were lost on me in a sea of new information we were receiving on the hike.

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On each outing we had a different guide for the experience – this was done on purpose so that we could get different perspectives.  I really liked this aspect, as each guide’s passion and interest seemed to come out in their stories.  Some of guides I connected to more than others – but all were extremely knowledgeable and professional.  Graham had been there a long time and had visited years ago when the land ownership picture was quite different – so he offered a very unique perspective on the history.

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However, my time with Mark was probably my most memorable.  Mark is Scottish and as unique as they come.  He was extremely interested in the Anangnu culture and often spent time in their village connecting personally with them.  He did a nice job of helping me understand the Anangnu’s deep connection with the land.  He was the best studied in the native language and the stories in my opinion.  He even taught me how to count in Pitjantjatjara language. I spent one morning with him walking around Uluru learning of some of the important song lines.  He even provided me time on my own to simply walk and soak it all in.

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Modern and Indigenous Flavors

Just as Longitude 131 successfully mixes luxury with a rugged environment, Chef Moss infuses indigenous plants and fruits into her impeccably presented recipes at the Dune House (the communal dining and lodge facility).  She’s been the head chef at Longitude for 4 years and regularly goes out into the Anangnu community to learn from them in how they use the nature around them in their culture and cooking.  She’s even working on taking on a local apprentice or starting some programs for the locals.

The presentation was so colorful – like a piece of art coming out on each plate.  One lunch Chef Moss made an entire menu using edible flowers.  However my favorite presentation was the ceviche served in a shell on a bed of red sand with a small rock placed on the plate representing Uluru.  I was amazed at how fresh the food was in this barren desert land; utilizing fresh parsley, mint, and fennel making you forget entirely that you were in the middle of a desert.

These contrasting yet complementary feelings were the foundation for my stay at Longitude 131.  Relaxed yet active, luxurious yet rugged, old world yet technologically advanced, old ingredients and new – all perfectly mixed together to create the ultimate glamping experience in Australia.