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
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 Base Miles
Earn 1 Pygmy Mile for every $1 USD you spend with Pygmy Elephant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Gallery
Lauren Loria-Corbat
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