Tour: Hotel Explora Patagonia

Getting There

Take an international flight to Santiago, Chile (SCL) followed by a 4 hour flight from SCL to Punta Arenas (PUQ). Once in PUQ, an explora representative will meet guests and take them to explora's transfer van. The van ride is approximately 5 hrs. 2 hrs, 30 min (250 km/ 155 miles) on a paved road from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, where we stop for a quick snack, followed by 2 hrs, 30 min (150 km/ 93 miles) on a dirt road from Puerto Natales to Explora Patagonia Hotel.

Climate:

The park features microclimates, but the general climate in the region is maritime, with pleasant temperatures during the summer and winter. During the rainiest month, precipitation rarely exceeds more than 3.3 inches (85 millimeters). There is snowfall during the winter, but it is usually light to medium, and seldom impedes excursions.

Wind is an important factor, because it can blow as strong as 110 km per hour (70 mph), producing continually changing climactic conditions. It can be raining and in a short while the wind will blow out the clouds, leaving the resplendent sun. Winds typically blow in from the west and are strongest during the end of spring and during summer. There is hardly any wind during the winter, save the occasional storm, and days are typically radiant and clear.

The majority of snow is found at higher levels or the park, and lower levels and lake areas only see a few weeks of thin snow cover per year.

Altitude:

Although Torres del Paine is home to peaks that reach a height of 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), the lower plains of the park are just 46 meters (150 feet) above sea level.

Best Time t o Visit: Year round.

explora in Patagonia:

Explora Patagonia Hotel Salto Chico can be found on the shore of Lago Pehoé, facing a breathtaking panoramic view of Macizo del Paine. Conceived as a base for explorations, the Hotel Salto Chico features every amenity for guests to really relax, and the equipment necessary to head out and explore Patagonia.
The hotel has a television salon, telephones, fax, and radio contact within the park. There is also laundry service, a restaurant, game room, bar and shop.

An annex, Casa de Baños del Ona, located near the hotel, houses a heated indoor lap pool, two outdoor Jacuzzis, exercise corner, sauna and massage salons.

Accomodations: The hotel has 50 Rooms:

• 6 Suites Exploradores, 39 m² (396 ft²), with view of Macizo del Paine.

• 36 Cordillera Paine Rooms, 26 m² (264 ft²), with view of Macizo del Paine.

• 6 Salto Chico Rooms, 26 m² (264 ft²), with view of Salto Chico waterfall.

• 2 Río Paine Rooms, 19 m² (193 ft²), with view of Salto Chico waterfall. Neither a matrimonial bed nor an additional bed is permitted in these rooms.

Parents may add an additional bed for a child 12 years of age or younger in the Cordillera Paine, Salto Chico and Suites Exploradores.

Services:

• Dining room serving exceptional cuisine.

• Bar.

• Room service.

• Shop with explora clothing and other sundries.

• In-room telephone with international and national direct dial.

• Game room equipped with videos and laser discs.

• Satellite dish with communication access to Chile and the world.

• Meeting room.

• Library.

• Laundry service.

• Lockers: there is a locker for every room at the entrance of the hotel.

• Internet available.

Ona´s bath house:

• Heated indoor lap pool.

• Sauna.

• Exercise corner.

• Massage service.

• Outdoor Jacuzzis.

Explorations:

Explorations have been carefully created and are classified according to duration, level of difficulty and guests desires. Each day our guests can choose from 5 different options. Hiking, horseback riding, in a van or by motorboat; in groups no larger than 10 guests accompanied by a bilingual guide, explorations allow an in-depth contact with the wonders of torres del Paine National Park, year round.

• Hike to the Península of Lago de Grey.

• Hike to Glaciar de Grey.

• Hike to Las Alturas del Toro.

• Excursion to the north of the park, with stop at Laguna Azul, and barbecue at the Quincho.

• Hike to Mirador de Nordenskjöld<.br>
• Hike to Mirador del Toro.

• Hike through Las Cornisas.

• Hike to the Glaciar of Valle del Francés.

• Hike to the base of Torres del Paine.

• Hike along the Aonikenk path.

• Hike to Lago Sarmiento.

• Horseback riding to Refugio Pehoé.

• Horseback riding on the Quincho.

• Hike to Laguna Azul.

• Horseback riding to Mirador Donoso.

• Horseback riding along Río Serrano.

• Horseback riding to Laguna Linda.

• Horseback riding to Estancia 2 de Enero.

• Hike along Río Pingo.

• Hike to Mirador Cóndor.

• Hike to Mirador Ferrier.

Clothing:

Outdoor explorations require a waterproof parka or windbreaker; loose-fitting pants; long underwear (and a warm sweater or fleece is advisable due to changing climatic conditions); hiking boots or good walking shoes with a rubber sole (we recommend that shoes be waterproof); gloves; hat; sunglasses; sunscreen, lip protection, sneakers. At each hotel, guests may dress for comfort. The hotel maintains an agreeable temperature inside, the reason why we recommend that guests wear casual, light clothing while indoors.

Programs:

There are programs of 4 and 8 nights (according to calendar) available all year round at explora in Patagonia. To facilitate generous time and space available to enjoy this unforgettable experience, explora suggests a stay of 8 nights.