On this customizable journey of 9 days (2 lodges), 13 days (3 lodges), or longer, explore one of the most spectacular natural areas in the world. Discover Patagonia’s golden pampas, turquoise rivers, glaciers and much more. Connect the different corners of this vast territory via Explora’s Patagonia lodges, traveling between each in exclusive Explora aircraft and vehicles. These programs come with accommodation in Explora lodges, transfers in private planes (added cost) and vans, all meals, open bar, guided explorations and all entrance fees to national parks.
Connect two or three Patagonia lodges: Chilean Patagonia’s 49-room Explora Torres del Paine Lodge or 13-room Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge, or Argentinean Patagonia’s 20-room Explora El Chaltén Lodge. Each lodge embodies a luxury accommodation with conservation-minded architecture in a privileged and remote location.
After full days of exploration, return to your wilderness lodge to relax and rejuvenate in a tranquil setting. Each evening, meet with your guide to plan the next day’s explorations, choosing from a menu of half- and full-day options, from easy to expert, by bike, kayak, horseback, foot, van, or a combination.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Patagonia tours and Patagonia trips.
Few areas in the world possess a more mysterious past than Easter Island. Rapa Nui (as it’s called by native Polynesian inhabitants) is one of the most isolated places on Earth, about 2,300 miles from Chile in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Endowed with the most intriguing statues in the world, these monolithic stone moai radiate a magnetic pull to this tiny island. The award-winning architecture of Explora Rapa Nui Lodge blends the island’s unique geography and heritage with over 30 different activities in the categories of hiking, biking, fishing, snorkeling and diving.
These 5-, 6- and 7-day adventures on Easter Island have strong cultural and archaeological overtones, vary in difficulty, and are led by an expert bilingual local guide in a small group of no more than eight (4-day stays available; inquire for pricing). Explora Rapa Nui programs are unique not only because they access certain key sights from alternative routes, but also because they visit hidden locations others do not get the chance to experience.
Marvel at the engineering of the different moai platforms, witness true native Polynesian culture in Hanga Roa, discover the volcanic cones of Pui Rano Raraku, catch snapper via traditional fishing techniques learned from local fishermen, bicycle through eucalyptus and ceibo trees to Anakena and Ovahe beaches, snorkel amongst the corals, fish in the crystal-clear water, and hike by archaeological sites and petroglyphs to be rewarded with sunset at Ahu Tongariki.
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Explora Rapa Nui Lodge on Easter Island, Chile is one of the most isolated places on Earth, about 2,300 miles from Chile. The hotel has privileged views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding countryside. Explora Rapa Nui is located in a quiet and peaceful area of Easter Island about five miles east of the island’s main town, Hanga Roa. Rapa Nui (as it’s called by native Polynesian inhabitants) or Easter Island is home to the famous moia statues, which bring people from all over to discover the magical history of these giant heads.
Explora Rapa Nui’s staff are mostly local, which allows travelers to interact with authentic Rapa Nui who are extremely knowledgeable and proud of their heritage.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Explora Rapa Nui Lodge review includes a detailed description and photo gallery. Our adventure travel experts can help compare the Explora Rapa Nui Lodge with other adventure lodging and Chile land tours.
Choose the Explora Rapa Nui Lodge for its unique design, commitment to sustainability and sweeping sight lines.
The award-winning architecture at Explora Rapa Nui on Easter Island is thoughtful and representative of the area and local culture. Every detail has been accounted for, and the beauty of the lodge and its amenities will be sure to delight all your senses. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, the building sits on a 2,372-acre plot of land that is unsuitable for agriculture and contains no archaeological remains. This awe-inspiring location makes for an amazing basecamp for the lodge’s comprehensive exploration program. Explora Rapa Nui has its own organic orchards, which are part of its sustainable development program.
The lodge hosts an outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, ancestral sauna and massage area, all perfect for recovering from the wear and tear of a long day of exploration. An onsite store carries all the items necessary for adventure, along with local artisanal goods and books of the area.
Meals are artistic and thoughtful, made with only the finest quality ingredients and authentic flavors. Meals will always be paired with a good wine, while a selection of premium wines are also available. The Explorer’s Bar is the meeting place for guides and guests to plan explorations.
Explora Rapa Nui Lodge offers over 30 different guided excursions, including hikes, cultural visits, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and biking for all activity levels. Travelers have the option to choose different explorations every day. These excursions have different lengths and difficulty levels. Full-day explorations often enable lunch at the seaside, while half-day adventures allow guests to return to Explora Rapa Nui to choose a second activity for the afternoon.
The 30 rooms of Explora Rapa Nui are designed to take full advantage of the silence, privacy and spaciousness of the surrounding landscape, ensuring deep rest after a long day of exploration. Enjoy disconnection from the everyday routine with rooms that are free of televisions or WiFi (available in the hotel’s common areas).
Explora Patagonia National Park is a lodge-based trip with a home base right in the park, in the heart of Chile’s Chacabuco Valley. The park is located along the breathtakingly scenic Carretera Austral, the iconic road that runs 770 miles from Puerto Montt, in the Lake District, to Villa O’Higgins, traversing the amazing landscapes of Chilean Patagonia.
This choose-your-own-adventure trip offers over 30 in-depth, guided explorations, including hiking, biking, kayaking, a helicopter flight and more. Choose from half-day or full-day adventures for all activity levels. While a 4-day itinerary exists (inquire for pricing), we recommend a longer 5-, 6- or 7-day itinerary as an ideal way to experience Explora Patagonia National Park, or we can customize your experience.
The highlights of the Explora Patagonia National Park experience are many. Enjoy opportunities for close encounters with diverse local fauna, such as guanacos and Andean condors. Appreciate traveling through a vast, uninhabited territory with unending natural beauty: dense forests, fjords, glaciers, canals, the Andes Mountains and spectacular turquoise-colored lakes and rivers. Lastly, know that your tourism dollars are going toward ongoing conservation efforts.
Start and end each day at Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge, a highly comfortable 13-room accommodation with conservation-minded architecture designed to match the unique natural beauty of the area. After a long day exploring Patagonia, relax in this bed & breakfast-style property or take in exhibits at the nearby Tompkins Museum before planning the next day’s excursions with your guide. Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge’s unrivaled location and activities are the ultimate Patagonia National Park experience.
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Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge sits in a remote sector of the park: Valle Chacabuco, roughly 5.5 hours overland or a 45-minute flight from the Balmaceda Airport. Its strategic and privileged location features the nearby Northern Ice Fields, Marble Cathedrals, Baker River and various stunning lakes. Every exploration from this intimate 13-room lodge is a conservation-minded journey in a park created with rewilding in mind.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge review includes a detailed description and photo gallery. Our Patagonia experts have stayed at similar Explora properties and can provide firsthand knowledge into these properties, as well as compare the Explora Lodge in Patagonia National Park with her sister Patagonia properties of Explora Torres del Paine Lodge and Explora El Chaltén Lodge, plus other adventure lodging and Chile travel.
Choose Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge for its intimate, remote and private feel as a small property tucked in among the hills and valleys of Patagonia National Park. And feel good about the largely self-sustaining nature of this lodge, with locally sourced food and construction materials.
This lodge was built in partnership with Tompkins Conservation, a foundation that works with nonprofits and local communities to rewild various habitats and animal populations in Chile and Argentina. The design aims to complement the surrounding wilds, a blend of traditional Patagonian estancias and successful structures from iconic national parks around the world. Materials are largely sourced locally, including stones from nearby quarries, recycled wood and copper roofs. Finally, this property is operated by a certified B Company which is carbon neutral.
An inviting living room offers comfortable seating, 180-degree views and plenty of reference material on the surrounding parklands. Steps from the lodge is the spa with three outdoor hot tubs and two massage rooms—encouraging relaxation after a day of exploration. Additionally, the Patagonia National Park Museum is onsite, offering insights into the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley. Exhibits shed light on the human influences on the park over the years, and how conservation efforts are making a positive impact. This property also offers the Buttler House, with a kitchen, dining room and event space for specialty groups needing their own spot.
Each meal served at Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge features fresh, local ingredients from small-scale farmers. Tastes reflect the gaucho culture with options including asado (barbecue) over a wood fire. The restaurant is an excellent place to make new friends among both lodge guests (whose meals and drinks are included) and other travelers who are simply passing through the park. A casual and cozy bar serves up special wines, pisco sours and more alongside views into the open kitchen, as well as window-lined seating for views of the surrounding mountains. Expect top-notch cuisine with a menu designed by owner Pablo Jesús Rivero and consulting chef Guido Tassi of “Don Julio,” chosen as the 10th Best Restaurant in Latin America according to the ranking of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021.
Select from over 30 activity options, ranging from easy to moderate, advanced and expert. Guests at Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge are treated to a sit down with a guide to tailor their activities. Choose among hiking, biking, kayaking, high mountain excursions, overland crossings, helicopter sightseeing or a combination of outings. Activities can be self-guided or fully guided and they range across six different exploration areas, each highlighting unique geographic, cultural and environmental characteristics.
Aside from active exploration, Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge also offers the nearby Tompkins Museum, an onsite shop for necessities and local handicrafts, and an added-cost massage service for relaxation after a busy day.
This small property offers only 13 rooms, providing the feel of a bed and breakfast. Each room or suite features warm wooden furniture and flooring, plus wood ceilings with exposed beams. The clean and natural décor is complemented by plenty of windows to let in light and keep the focus on the surrounding countryside. Common to each room or suite is a crib and additional bed (subject to availability), individual heating and a private bathroom with hair dryer. Interconnecting rooms may be available for families or groups. Onsite laundry service is available for an added fee.
Explora El Chaltén is a lodge-based exploration of Argentinean Patagonia, witin four zones: Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, Los Glaciares National Park, Desert Lake and Argentina’s Southern Ice Field. This remote, modern lodge sits 11 miles northwest of El Chaltén, looking onto the Electric Valley and Marconi Glacier.
This customizable wilderness adventure offers more than 30 activity options, including hiking, climbing, high mountain ascents, overland trips by van and even multi-night trekking expeditions. Choose from half-day or full-day adventures for activity levels spanning from easy to moderate, advanced and expert. While a 4-day itinerary exists (inquire for pricing), we recommend a longer 5-, 6- or 7-day itinerary as an ideal way to experience Explora El Chaltén, or we can customize your experience.
This tailored-to-you trip offers numerous highlights in a world-renowned destination for those who love nature, climbing and trekking. Take in the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park—a unique and renowned glacier per its ability to grow at the same rate as its loss, therefore maintaining its relative size. Los Glaciares National Park hosts over 100 bird species, including the Andean condor. Desert Lake, on the border of Chile and Argentina, features amazingly pure water hemmed in by mountains and is thus a popular ecosystem for a substantial amount of varied wildlife. And the Southern Ice Fields are not only stunning but also source the network of brooks, streams, lakes and rivers around which life unfolds and thrives.
Your wilderness headquarters is Explora El Chaltén Lodge, a modern 20-room wilderness lodge with a feel that complements the unique natural beauty of the area. After a long day exploring Argentinean Patagonia, relax in this intimate property and its onsite spa amenities. Each evening, sit down with your guide to plan the next day’s explorations. This lodge’s remote, very private location offers a privileged jumping off point for an unforgettable Argentinean Patagonia experience.
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Deep in the private Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, 11 miles northwest of El Chaltén, Hotel Explora El Chaltén features the best of Argentinean Patagonia. This lodge earns its stripes as a remote, secluded property following an 8-hour overland drive from the El Calafate Airport on the border of southern Argentina; the trip is well worth it. Relax and explore among the surrounding dense forests, Eléctrico River and Marconi Glacier. Nearby is the world’s third largest fresh water reserve, Southern Patagonia Ice Field.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Explora Lodge El Chaltén review includes a detailed description and photo gallery. Our Patagonia experts have stayed at similar Explora properties and can provide firsthand knowledge into these properties, as well as compare the Explora hotel El Chaltén with her sister Patagonia properties of Explora Torres del Paine Lodge and Explora Patagonia National Park Lodge, plus other adventure lodging and Chile travel.
Choose Explora El Chaltén Lodge for a remote, modern property that fosters detachment from the everyday. Explore the solitude and remarkable geography shaped by mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers, from an understated property with upscale service. And revel in this unique location within the Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, that provides unique views and explorations of the Perito Moreno and Mount Fitz Roy glaciers.
Explora Lodge El Chaltén is designed to put a spotlight on the quiet, remote and vast landscape in which it sits. Light wood interiors contrast with a dark steel exterior and view windows wrap the building so that the great outdoors are always top of mind. Large, open-concept common areas invite both contemplation and community. Skylights throughout the lodge create sun-soaked interiors. And decor reflects the wildlife and woven goods common to this mountainous region.
Hotel Explora El Chaltén invites guests to meet likeminded travelers in spacious common areas. Couches and simple chairs line bright windows, wooden coffee tables, a display of reference materials and a crackling fireplace. A central bar lines a simple dining room with modern furniture and continuous views into the valley. A separate spa and outdoor Jacuzzi space encourages further immersion into the surrounding wilds.
Explora Hotel El Chaltén offers elevated food in a relaxed atmosphere. Tastebuds will delight in flavors of the region thanks to a menu of locally sourced ingredients, including wild harvested products, from small farms with agroecological standards. The menu is designed by owner Pablo Jesús Rivero and consulting chef Guido Tassi of “Don Julio,” Latin America restaurant #10 according to the ranking of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021.
Upon arrival, settle in and then meet with a guide to map out your selection of activities during your stay at Hotel Explora El Chaltén. Over 30 activities are on offer, in four unique zones that reach even beyond Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, to Los Glaciares National Park, Lago del Desierto and Southern Ice Fields. All required gear is provided. Opt for explorations that are rated easy, moderate, advanced or expert, and choose to be fully guided, self-guided, or try some of each. Hiking on trails and ice fields, overland trips, high mountain pursuits, climbing and even multi-day expeditions with overnight camping are all exciting options.
After a full day of activity in rugged Argentinean Patagonia, relax with the lodge’s spa amenities. Outdoors, five open-air Jacuzzis, a selection of lounge chairs and an outdoor shower look down on a forest of ñirre trees and the Eléctrico River valley. Indoors, two massage rooms and two saunas further encourage you to unwind.
With a small property of only 20 rooms (including one accessible Standard Room), guests can form lasting bonds at Explora Lodge El Chaltén. All rooms feature the natural feel that Explora lodges are known for, with steel exterior, soft wood interior and plenty of view windows that put a spotlight on the lodge’s incredible natural surroundings. Furniture is minimalist with clean lines and modern aesthetics, with an Argentinean twist. Both Standard Rooms and Suites come equipped with a crib and an extra bed for children (subject to availability), safe deposit box, heating, a hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers. Phone calls and laundry service are available for a fee.
In harmony with the surroundings and local traditions, Explora Atacama is a lodge-based trip in the Atacama Desert, near the village of San Pedro. Rising from the Pacific Ocean up to the Altiplano—the foothills of the Andes comprising a vast high plateau at the base of the volcanoes, extending into Argentina, Bolivia and Perú—the Atacama Desert is known as the driest place on earth.
Choose your own adventure over the course of a 5-, 6- or 7- day stay with more than 50 in-depth explorations that range from hikes, bike rides, high mountain ascents and horseback rides, in small groups of eight or fewer guests (4-day stays available; inquire for pricing). This unique style of Atacama Desert travel offers varying degrees of difficulty ranging from easy to expert and different durations, including half day or full day. Your home base is the exquisite Explora Atacama Lodge.
Explora Atacama’s 42 acres were once inhabited by an ancient Atacameño community and the site’s original layout has been preserved. Its terraces provide breathtaking views of the surrounding areas, including mountains and volcanoes. After a full day of activities of your choosing, end each evening with views of one of the clearest skies in the world at the observatory, soak in the Puritama Thermal Baths or even enjoy a massage in a 300-year-old adobe building. Explora offers Atacama Desert travel at its finest!
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Explora Atacama Lodge is located in the Ayllu de Larache (initially a kin-based community of the ancient Aymara people), near the village of San Pedro de Atacama. It is a hotel built for linking man to temporary space—present and past—and the mysteries of nature. With over 40 different guided hikes, bike and horseback rides, guests are sure to have breathtaking views of the driest desert on earth—Atacama.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Explora Atacama review includes a detailed description and photo gallery. Our adventure travel experts have stayed at Explora Atacama Lodge firsthand and can help compare Explora Atacama with other adventure lodging and Chile land tours.
Choose Explora Atacama Lodge for the finest accommodation and experience available in the Atacama region of Chile, including its world famous equestrian programs and its unique observatory. Explora Atacama’s staff exudes a philosophy of up-close, guided exploration, accessed from upscale accommodations rooted in the region’s culture; this meshes perfectly with the AdventureSmith Explorations style of travel. The lodge is located just outside San Pedro de Atacama, close enough to walk into town but far enough to experience solitude only the desert can provide. Upon entering the spacious main lodge the second thing you notice is the huge guide closet and hydration station where guests and guide prepare for each day’s adventure. Throughout, the airy main lodge bars, lounges and an expansive dining room are punctuated by a guide conference area where guests plan their activities. And an extensive library and educational lecture room stress that the Explora experience is just as important as the accommodations and service. Atacama Lodge is the perfect option if you are seeking an experience in Atacama, Chile, up close and in style.
Explora Atacama sits 8,202 feet above sea level in Chile’s Atacama Desert, which rises from the Pacific Ocean up to the Altiplano, the foothills of the Andes. Atacama is known as the driest place on Earth. Explora Atacama is located in the Ayllu de Larache (initially a kin-based community of the ancient Aymara people), near the village of San Pedro de Atacama. The 42-acre grounds comprise 20 indigenous parcels, some with timeworn pathways from the original inhabitants.
The oasis is irrigated with the waters of the San Pedro and Vilama rivers, which have their tributaries in the area mountains. To the east, San Pedro is bordered by a volcanic branch of the Andes Mountains. The volcanoes vary in shape and height, rising between 14,764 feet and 19,685 feet above sea level. The most striking are Licancabur, Lascar and Sairecabur. This area encompasses part of the Altiplano, a vast high plateau at the base of the volcanoes, extending into Argentina, Bolivia and Perú.
Towering on the west side of the oasis are the Cordillera Domeyko and Cordillera de la Sal, mountain ranges with an average height of 10,827 feet and 8,366 feet above sea level, respectively. In the latter chain is Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), an otherworldly terrain fashioned from the wind and water erosion of layers of sediment and vertical salt, gypsum and clay rocks.
The award-winning architecture is thoughtful and representative of the area and local culture. Every detail has been accounted for, and the beauty of the lodge and its amenities will be sure to delight all the senses. Surrounded by foxtail plants and lush native vegetation are four, interconnected, ambient-temperature pools—ideal for relaxing, building back strength and enjoying the deep desert silence after a day of intense exploration. Near the pools are the sauna and steam bath facilities, and open-air Jacuzzis. The massage center is located near the hotel, in a restored Colonial adobe-straw building. An onsite store carries all the items necessary for explorations, along with local artisanal goods and books of the area.
Meals are artistic and thoughtfully made with only the finest quality ingredients and authentic flavors. Meals will always be matched by a good wine, while a selection of premium wines are also available.
Just a short walk from the hotel is the Quincho, an inviting BBQ area that includes a renovated, old traditional adobe house and its patio. Here, on special occasions, guests may enjoy a traditional spit-roasted lamb, beef and fish, as well as other local dishes—all accompanied by Andean music and song and dance performances by accomplished local artists.
San Pedro de Atacama and its surrounding areas are one of Chile’s most enigmatic territories. The diversity of the landscape is one of the most popular attractions. Aware of this, travelers explore every corner, either on foot, horseback riding or bike, including high mountain ascents. Over 40 guided explorations expose travelers to the cultural richness of this fascinating territory.
San Pedro de Atacama boasts some of the world’s clearest skies and is, therefore, one of the best places to practice astronomy. Explora Atacama offers nightly viewings (weather permitting) in its observatory, known as one of the best private Chilean observatories. Its dome houses a potent and advanced optics telescope, the Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced RD, and a main mirror of 40 cm in diameter with extraordinary resolution and sharpness.
Explora Atacama is the only hotel in the area with its own horses, bred and trained especially for Explora’s horse expeditions. The 20 horses of different breeds and crosses have been raised in the Ibáñez family estate in the central valley of Chile. The team is led by an internationally-trained horse expert, who specializes in their horses’ care and trains for riders of all ages, levels of ability and experience. Beginners can take advantage of special classes that will enable participation in the horseback exploration programs suitable for new riders.
Explora Atacama plays host to the Puritama Hot Springs, whose innovative architecture has gained critical acclaim. Covering approximately 19,770 acres of land, this hot springs area is currently in the process of being declared a nature reserve. Guests can enjoy time in the reserve (less than 45 minutes away) based around certain explorations.
Explora Atacama Lodge rooms are quiet and reflect the natural scenery. Relax in the solitude without the distractions of TV or WiFi.
Explora Torres del Paine is a lodge-based trip in the center of Torres del Paine National Park, the heart of Patagonia. This flexible Patagonia trip offers roughly 50 in-depth explorations that each traveler can choose from, including hiking and horseback riding, half-day or full-day adventures for all activity levels. While a 4-day itinerary exists (inquire for pricing), we recommend a longer 5-, 6- or 7-day itinerary as an ideal way to experience Explora Torres del Paine, or we can customize your experience.
Your home base for exploration sits on the shores of turquoise Lake Pehoe, with breathtaking views of the Paine Massif and the Salto Chico waterfall, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and lakes. In your small group of no more than eight you may explore options such as Base Torres, Grey Glacier, French Valley and Lake Pehoe. These explorations are off the beaten path and completely unique not only by accessing certain key sights from alternative routes, but also by visiting completely unknown and isolated locations of remarkable beauty.
Explora Torres del Paine Lodge is a luxury accommodation with award-winning architecture designed to match the unique natural beauty of the area with a focus on details and essential luxuries. After a long day of hiking in Patagonia, rejuvenate in a semi-private outdoor jacuzzi on the shores of Lake Pehoe before planning your next day’s excursions with your guide over a glass of Chilean wine. Explora Torres del Paine Lodge’s unique location and explorations are the ultimate Patagonian experience.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Patagonia tours and Patagonia trips.