Hotel

Explora Patagonia National Park

4.3/5 From 6 Reviews

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Hotel overview:

Stay in the heart of the Patagonia National Park with guanacos wandering around the lodge, hikes from the door and a chance to witness this huge rewilding project firsthand. Explora will enable you to explore this little visited region with their exceptional guides, first-rate food and the best service.

Location

Patagonia Park

Room Options

2 room types available

Star Rating

4.3/5 from 6 reviews

Minimum Stay

3 nights

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What our customers think of Explora Patagonia National Park

Explora Patagonia National Park trips scored 4.3/5 from 6 reviews

The lodge was also incredible, and the staff very attentive as at one point we were the only guests. How special was that. Probably the best food of the trip. We were also upgraded to a suite, which was very luxurious. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2024

Mary Acker - USA

I absolutely loved my stay at the Explora at the Patagonia National Park!! This was my first time at their hotel and it was perfect! The accommodation and hotel grounds were amazing. All the personnel and guides were wonderful. And the food was fantastic- I have never eaten so well- and as a foodie, I felt I was in heaven😁 Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

Hana Vegher - USA

I have really enjoyed learning more about the creation of the National Parks of Chile and, especially, about the conservation efforts by Kristine and Douglas Tompkins. Very inspiring! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

Hana Vegher - USA

Watching 50 to 70 guanacos in their natural habitat about 200 feet from me in the late afternoon in a stunning valley with mountains surrounding the valley - Valle Chacabuco Parque Patagonia Read the full review

Travelled: January 2020

Carolyn Adams - United States Of America

The lodge at Valle Chacabuco looked like some one had dumped a midwest USA country club in the middle of Chile, but it was comfortable and beautifully appointed nonetheless.

Travelled: December 2017

Jane Hemstritch - Australia

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Lagunas Atlas hike was beautiful and solitary - only saw one other couple all day.

Travelled: March 2017

Sarah Tilley - UK

Review:

Why we like this hotel

  • You're right in the heart of the serene Patagonia National Park.
  • The main structure was built by craftsmen with incredible wooden carvings, hardwood floors and deep armchairs where you can disappear with a book. 
  • The hiking nearby is fantastic: head up to a ridge to take in the panoramas, gaze at condors, and weaving lakes or down to the confluence of the Baker and Chacabuco rivers, to marvel at the volume of water drained off the northern ice field.
  • Fresh, flavourful food including a featured item from the BBQ and wonderful veggies from the garden.
  • Guanacos on your doorstep gives a safari sensation. Plus chances to see pumas, huemul deer and nandu if you go looking (and keep very quiet).
  • You can witness the work of the Tompkins Foundation firsthand—with its pioneering conservation impact.
  • They have 70 workers + 8 guides, which is the most compared to other lodges and hotels. 

We think it's worth noting

  • There is not much infrastructure in the area beyond the lodge itself.
  • Only 3 of the 13 rooms have bathtubs - the Suites in the smaller building.
  •  The parking lot is shared with day tours and guests which could be frustrating during high season. 
  • Horse-riding excursions are not allowed in the park.

Swoop says

Swoop Says background image

With just 13 rooms, the lodge has a boutique feel with personalised service. Spacious rooms keep the charm of the original Chacabuco Lodge. The food is incredible, up there with the best luxury hotels in Patagonia, with a different menu for all 7 days of the week. And the Tompkins Museum is a must for the park’s conservation story.

Sydney Miller Patagonia Specialist

Swoop says

Swoop Says background image

There is a family of puma living in the valley near the hotel. When I went on a walk, searching for them, one strolled past the dining room window, making themselves right at home.

Peter StanleyJones Patagonia Specialist

Stay at Explora Patagonia National Park with these trips

Explore Patagonia National Park from a Luxury Lodge

Discover the unspoilt region of Aysen while based at the best (and only) Luxury Lodge in the heart of Patagonia National Park. Home to roaming guanacos and native pumas, thanks to the Rewilding efforts of the Tompkins Foundation, you’ll enjoy…

  • 5 Days
  • $3,838

Getting to/from Patagonia National Park

Explora Patagonia National Park

From Balmaceda Airport you can take a 45min flight to Cochrane every Monday, Thursday and Friday and then a 25min transfer to the lodge. Passengers can take a soft suitcase up to 20kg, plus 5kg of hand baggage. The price per person (one-way) starts at USD $900 and is dependent on a minimum of two passengers staying four nights in Explora.

Alternatively, you can take a 6hr transfer from Balmaceda Airport along the Carretera Austral to the lodge. This operates every day and has no additional cost for those on all-inclusive programs. It's now possible to fly from Puerto Natales to Balmaceda every Monday.

You can connect trips between Explora Patagonia National Park and Explora Torres del Paine. It’s just 1hr 30mins on the lodge-to-lodge flight which operates every Monday. Passengers can take a soft suitcase up to 20kg. The price per person for this one-way flight starts at USD $1,700 and is dependent on a minimum of two passengers staying four nights in each lodge.

Swoop says

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Nowhere else on earth has such a large donation of private land been made to create a protected nature reserve. Explora is the best, and only, accommodation found in this flagship national park.

David Hilton Patagonia Product & Partnership Manager

Places to visit

View over Patagonia National Park

Patagonia National Park

Explore the beauty of Chile’s greatest conservation project, where fences were torn down to recreate a thriving ecosystem amid spectacular valleys and mountain scenery.

Discover More
Leones Glacier in Aysen

Aysen

Remote, beautiful and with one of the most famous road-trip roads in the world, Aysen is a destination for those seeking the very best of Patagonia without the crowds. 

Discover More
Marble Caves

Marble Caves

The Marble Caves are one of Aysen’s most beautiful natural sights: surreal rock cathedrals in a glacial lake that can be explored by boat or kayak.

Discover More

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