Explora Patagonia

Torres del Paine, Patagonia (Chile), Chile
50 rooms / 4 stars

The architecture of Explora hotels is designed to bring its guests into intimate contact with the magnificent natural world of the remote Patagonian peninsula. The Hotel Salto Chico, located on a remarkable site on the shores of Lago Pehoe in Patagonia, was built to provide a convenient departure point for explorations of the surrounding region. Today, the hotel serves as a place of contemplative refuge and restful return after each journey into the awe-inspiring natural beauty of this extraordinary environment. Careful consideration has been given to every amenity to ensure comfort, including bed linen imported from Barcelona, tapestries from New York and wicker furniture from Chimbarongo.

Rooms & Suites
The hotel has 50 rooms:
• 6 Suites Exploradores (39 m2/ 420 sq.ft) with a view of Macizo del Paine.
• 37 Cordillera Paine rooms (26 m2/ 280 sq.ft) with a view of Macizo del Paine.
• 7 rooms with view to the Salto Chico waterfall (26 m2/ 280 sq.ft).

Services & Facilities
Amenities include a general store, library, video game room, open-air Jacuzzis, saunas, a gymnasium (complete with massages), heated swimming pool, and private dock, assigned lockers for each room, located at the entrance of the hotel, for the safekeeping of all exploration gear. Restaurant and bar, room service. In-room telephones with national and international direct dial service. (Fax service is also available.) A satellite dish for communication access to Chile and the world. Meeting rooms to accommodate up to 60 people. Radio communication with all exploration vehicles. Laundry service. Babysitting service.

Activities & Explorations
The excursions include contemplative activities like bird watching, photography, trekking, and horseback riding. The programs are centered on Torres del Paine National Park, a site of such marvelous beauty that it has inspired a host of legends and myths, firing the imaginations of any who visit. The fifteen explorations, which provide intimate contact with the wonders of the Park. Each is intended to present the mysterious beauty of each site, and to recreate for every visitor the wonder of its inscrutable existence. Each exploration is designed for persons of normal physical condition and is classified according to duration and fitness requirements. Five explorations are offered each day, and our experienced guides can suggest those best suited to the interests and the exertion level of each guest. The expeditions include lunch and are limited to ten guests, plus the guide.

Explorations Menu
1. Hike to the Peninsula of Lago de Grey
2. Hike to Glacier de Grey & Crossing of Lago de Grey
3. Horseback Riding to Laguna Verde
4. Hike to Las Alturas Del Toro
5. Picnic at Laguna Azul
6. Barbecue in Quincho at Laguna Azul
7. Hike to Mirador de Nordenskjold
8. Hike to Mirador del Toro
9. Hike through Las Cornisas
10. Hike to Laguna Verde
11. Hike to the Glacier del Valle del Frances
12. Horseback riding Valle del Frances
13. Hike to the Base of Torres Del Paine
14. Archeological hike between Guarderia Sarmiento and Guarderia Laguna Amarga
15. Try a magellan barbeque at explora''s Quincho
16. Enjoy a horseback ride to Rio Serrano
17. Explore Torres del Paine National Park at your own pace
18. Be open to the unexpected: enjoy 4 seasons in one day!
19. Half day hike to Mirador Ferrier
20. Full day horseback riding to Laguna Verde.

Note: It is recommended that the following items be brought on the treks: a parka or waterproof windbreaker, waterproof trousers (long underwear or thermal underwear is advisable in some cases), high quality hiking boots (leather or waterproof fabric), comfortable gloves, and a hat to protect from the wind, sunglasses with fasteners, lip protection, sneakers, and a camera/video camera.