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Journeys worth taking

Torres del Paine, Chile

Explora Patagonia

Patagonia

Experience the Best of Torres del Paine National Park

Lodging

Eco Hotel

Nights

4, 6 or 8

Trip Details

Group Excursions

Price

From $2,740 per person

Transport

Van, Feet, Horseback

Pygmy miles

4,760

Experience
Experience
Itinerary
Pygmy miles
Accommodation
Practical info

Experience

Journey

Explora Patagonia is a hotel that encourages its guests to be immersed in the rugged landscape and culture of the region. It promotes disconection from t.v. and the internet and connection with other travlers and local guides. The hotel operates on an all inclusive basis. Included in the price is not only room and board, but also transfers to and from Punta Arenas and "explorations" into and around Torres del Paine National Park. Every night, guides meet with hotel guests to discuss the following day's explorations. Each day, you will join a group of up to 8 other travelers on one of 50 different "explorations". Travelers give high marks to the quality of guides, interaction with fellow travelers from all of the world and the outstanding views of the massif. 

 

Activities

Trekking

There are 34 different hiking explorations, graded from easy to expert (for example, hiking to the base of the towers is considered expert).

Horseback Riding

There are 16 different explorations on horseback. Explora is the only hotel in the area with their own horses, 26 of them to be exact.

Gastronomy

The highly regarded restaurant of Explora concentrates on pure flavors from quality ingredients. Bringing out the best of each product is Explora's motto. Dishes have been designed to enable guests to perform various explorations and still feel light, agile, and healthy.

Boat

Explora Patagonia has its own catamarán, which is used exclusively by explora travelers to cross the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé towards the Grey Glacier and the Valle del Francés.

Wildlife Viewing

There are several explorations that search for the wildlife of Patagonia including rheas, puma, condors and guanaco.

And also

One of the favorite activities of many guests is attending a spit-fire lamb bbq, near Qunicho. This activity is not done all the time, so it's a good idea to check in advance. 

Explora Patagonia also features a massage room and pool area. It is equipped with a heated, covered pool, sauna, and four open-air jacuzzis with views of the Pehoe Lake and Paine Massif. 

Place

Torres del Paine is a national park in the Chiliean part of southern patagonia. The park is located 70 miles (112 km) south of Puerto Natales and 194 miles (312 km) from Punta Arenas, the larges city in the region and where most international travelers arrive. The peaks of the Paine Massif, the center piece of the park, reach up to 9,462 ft (2,884 mt). Several different species of wildlife can be found in Torres del Paine including Guanaco, Rheas (a large ostrich like bird), South Andean Deer and Foxes. The weather is unpredictable and its often possible to experience four seasons in a single day. Especially remarkable is when snow that is produced above the mountains is pushed down to lower altitude, where temperatures is warm enough for a t-shirt. Quite a rare experience. 

Itinerary

Track

Itinerary

Every night, guides meet with hotel guests to discuss the following day's explorations. Each day, you will join a group of up to 8 other travelers on one of 50 different "explorations". As such, there are no pre planned itineraries. 

Check out the map for a few examples of explorations. 

Pygmy miles

Pygmy Miles Total

Challenge
Hiking
Bicycle
Sustainability
Miscellaneous
2740pygmy miles

Base Miles

Earn 1 Pygmy Mile for every $1 USD you spend with Pygmy Elephant.

200pygmy miles

Transfer from Punta Arenas

Explora will pick you up from the airport at Punta Arenas and transfer you to the park and hotel. For every mile you drive from Punta Arenas Airport to reach Explora, you earn 1 Pygmy Mile.

200pygmy miles

Hiking Distance

You earn 10 Pygmy Miles for every mile you hike. With two days hiking and days on horseback riding, we estimate you will hike 20 miles.

300pygmy miles

Horseback Riding

You earn 10 Pygmy Miles for every mile you ride on a horse. With two days hiking and days on horseback riding, we estimate you will ride 30 miles.

660pygmy miles

Minimizes Environmental Impact

Explora Patagonia practices several green initiatives. They use local water from the streams (purified), maximize ambient light to reduce electricity consumption, compost waste, recycle and have partnered with the Conaf to repopulate part of the forrest with Lenga trees. All guides follow a Leave No Trace policy.

660pygmy miles

Generates economic benefit for local communities

Recently, Explora has begun working with the closest local village Cerro Castillo to further it's development. Explora also employs many Gauchos, helping to secure and perpetuate their important cultural heritage.

Total Pygmy Miles

4760pygmy miles

Accommodation

 

Salto Chico

Torres del Paine

7 Salto Chico rooms measuring 28m² (300 feet²). View of the Salto Chico waterfall.

Cordillera Paine

Torres del Paine

36 Cordillera Paine rooms measuring 28m² (300 feet²). Views of Macizo del Paine.

Exploradores Suites

Torres del Paine

36 Cordillera Paine rooms measuring 28m² (300 feet²). Views of Macizo del Paine.

Practical info

When

jan
feb
mar
apr
may
jun
jul
aug
sep
oct
nov
dec
not available
average
optimal

Most people complete the W-Trek during the southern hemisphere's spring through fall months, between October and March. It is also possible to complete the trek in winter, but a guide is recommended. Peak travel is in January and February. Expect rain almost daily, along with sun, possible snow and high wind. In fact, just expect all four seasons in one day.

How

Join a guided tour

Every night, guides meet with hotel guests to discuss the following day's explorations. The next day, you will join a group of up to 8 other travelers on one of 50 different "explorations".

Service Category

Consult & Book

PYGMY ITINERARY BENEFITS

  • Price Transparency: see where your money is going with line-item pricing
  • Never Lose Your Deposit Guarantee: 50% refund, 50% credit to future trip
  • Customized Handbook with Journey Details: maps, elevation profiles, tips and more
  • Destination Book Digital Travel App: everything in your handbook, in digital form
  • One Year Premium GAIA GPS Membership: your GPS routes, on your phone
  • Complete Itinerary Customization: build the trip you want to take
  • Special Meal Requests: we'll help you stick to your diet of choice
  • Before-You-Go Email Series: helpful emails to get you prepared for your trek
  • Transportation Options Information: timetables, routes and contact info
  • 24/7 Phone Support for Urgent Issues: give us a call if anything goes wrong
  • WhatsApp Support (9 AM to 5 PM, ET): rapid response to your inquiries
  • Email Support (24-hour turnaround): answers for not-so-urgent questions
  • Virtual Pre-Hike Briefing: one-on-one briefing with your travel consultant
  • Baggage Transfers (where applicable): your bags, delivered to your accommodation

Challenge Level

Technical Ability

Level : Low

Mental Strength

Level : Low

Physical Conditioning

Level : Low

Daily explorations range in difficulty from easy to expert. Guides are of the highest caliber and are fluent in Spanish and English. 

Price

Condor Program

4 Nights (Per Person USD, double occupancy)

SALTO CHICO: 2,740 (Winter Season), 3,400 (Mid Season), 3,564 (High Season), 

CORDILLERA PAINE: 3,140 (Winter Season), 3,900 (Mid Season), 4,092 (High Season), 

EXPLORADORES SUITES: 4,100 (Winter Season), 5,100 (Mid Season), 5,352 (High Season)

Children 13-18: 2,000 (all rooms) 

Children 4-12: 1,460 (all rooms) 

 

Toro Program

6 Nights (Per Person USD, double occupancy)

SALTO CHICO: 3,412 (Winter Season), 4,240 (Mid Season), 4,864 (Holiday)

CORDILLERA PAINE: 3,940 (Winter Season), 4,900 (Mid Season), 5,620 (Holiday)

EXPLORADORES SUITES: 5,140 (Winter Season), 6,400 (Mid Season), 7,348 (Holiday)

Children 13-18: 2,590 (all rooms) 

Children 4-12: 1,900 (all rooms) 

 

Huemul Program

8 Nights (Per Person USD, double occupancy)

SALTO CHICO: 4,516 (Winter Season), 5,620 (Mid Season), 5,900 (High Season), 

CORDILLERA PAINE: 5,220 (Winter Season), 6,500 (Mid Season), 6,820 (High Season), 

EXPLORADORES SUITES: 6,820 (Winter Season), 8,500 (Mid Season), 8,924 (High Season)

Children 13-18: 3,420 (all rooms) 

Children 4-12: 2,500 (all rooms) 

 

Seasons (approximations)

Mid Season: May 1st to May 31st | August 15th to November 14th | March 1st to April 30th

High Season: November 15th to February 28th

Winter Season: June 1st to August 14th

Holiday Season: December 21st to 27th | December 27th to January 2nd

Rates include transportation, meals and bar, explorations and access to the relaxation area.  

Talk to our Adventure Expert

Our Managing Director, Andrew, has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. He has biked the death road in Bolivia, trekked 500 miles across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago, cycled from Brussels to Florence and hiked the five sacred mountains of China. Pygmy Elephant is how he spreads his love for adventure and self discovery in the world.