With views to the Electric Valley and the Marconi Glacier, Explora El Chaltén opens its doors in 2020. 17 km away from El Chaltén –in the Argentinian Patagonia– the lodge is a headquarter from which to explore a world-renowned destination by those who love nature and trekking.
Patagonia is not a country, nor a place. It is a vast territory shared by Chile and Argentina, whose remarkable geography –shaped by mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers– offers countless exploration opportunities.
Rooms
The hotel has 20 rooms, of which three are suites. The rooms offer views to the Eléctrico Valley, the Marconi Glacier, and the area’s mountain range, perfectly anticipating the landscapes and explorations that Argentinian Patagonia has to offer.
Food
Argentinian Patagonia is the inspiration for our menu, offering different lunch and dinner options that change to highlight the region's specialties on a daily basis.
Spa
The hotel provides a full service spa for our travelers to refuel their energy after a day of exploration. We have hydromassages, a sauna, and a massage room specially designed to enjoy the views of our unique locations.
Store
Explora's store carries all the items necessary for your explorations, along with local artisanal goods and books featuring the Patagonian region.
Our explorations provide travelers with an in-depth experience of this austral territory, allowing them to become immersed in its unique characteristics and go deeper into what makes Patagonia unique. To do so, we have outlined four different exploration zones, each with its own set of unique geographic, cultural and biosphere characteristics.
EXPLORE BY AREA
LOS HUEMULES CONSERVATION RESERVE
The future of conservation depends on shifting our role in the world: from mere observers to custodians – active protectors of the places we explore and are part of who we are. It is rare to find a place on Earth in which so much is packed into such a relatively compact area. The Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, where the Explora lodge in El Chalten is located, encloses features that cannot be easily found elsewhere in Patagonia. This allows travelers to set off on exploration routes from the very doorstep of our lodge, thus minimizing transport and road time. The ecosystems it hosts are as varied as the climates it can witness. A place for introverts, its privacy means you can walk for days without ever seeing another person, walking side by side with nature itself.
PARQUE NACIONAL LOS GLACIARES
The Los Glaciares National Park is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged, towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes scattered within its borders. This area allows travelers to explore a part of the park, encountering the many ecosystems it hosts within. Home to fauna from the sub-Antarctic steppe and woods, the park is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with over 100 species – from the Andean condor to the white-throated caracara – inhabiting the forest and steppe.
LAGO DEL DESIERTO
Once a center of conflict between two neighboring countries, the Desert Lagoon (Chile) or Desert Lake (Argentina) is a wildlife enclave around which numerous Patagonian ecosystems can be observed and explored. Framed by lush forests of lengas and ñirres, as well as two minor mountain ranges – the Vespignani range and its hanging glaciers to the west, and the Bosque (Forest) range to the east – this coveted fresh water source spreads over 10 km. from north to south, and approximately 1 km. from east to west. In addition, it’s fed by the Diablo River as well as numerous streams that replenish and maintain the purity of its waters. Naturally, the site attracts substantial wildlife and irrigates varied ecosystems within a relatively small area.
EXPLORE BY ACTIVITY
HIKE
We hike throughout our locations. Walking at your own, committed pace, immerses you in the natural and cultural landscapes we explore, varying in intensity –beginner or advanced– and duration – half day to full day.
OVERLAND
These are van-led explorations interrupted by short-duration hikes along the way. The combination allows travelers to access areas of particular beauty and ecological significance.
CLIMBING
Rock climbing is a form of exploration that can be found throughout the world. At Explora we see it as a way of truly encountering the territory’s essence, which is why we facilitate it on different.
SELF GUIDED
The company and knowledge of one of our guides, is available for you to discover unique locations in the areas surrounding our lodge – either on foot or bicycle. For further information approach our exploration team.
EXPEDITION
Through our expeditions we are able to access remote locations of great beauty and ecological significance, setting up a temporary camp away from our base lodge for one to two nights.
HIGH MOUNTAIN ASCENT
We strive to introduce our travelers to truly remote locations – and mountains are one of them. Each one has its own different demands and rewards, yet they all guarantee a revitalizing experience for mind and body alike.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
The immediate response and knowledge of the tours. Jess was terrific with accessing our budget and type of tour.
Tiffani LoBue
6 hours ago
Easy to book
Matt Hunter
8 hours ago
This is the 5th trip Kassandra has planned for us, and if it is anything like the last four, it will be beyond perfect. Kassandra listens intently to each traveler's individual interests, and blends that information beautifully into a spectacular trip that is made to order. She is completely open to suggestions and uses her vast knowledge to enhance the experience. I am sure that as soon as we return from our latest adventure, Kassandra will be busy planning our next perfect excursion!
Sallie
3 days ago
Kassandra Magruder from Adventure Life planned an amazing trip for us again. She listens to what you want and makes suggestions concerning accommodations and activities. She is very responsive and timely concerning any questions I had.
We were choosing between two different places and she priced out both trips.
She is very happy to help!
Emily Shepard
5 days ago
Adventure Life has done a great job helping us plan both an Arctic and an Antarctic expedition cruise. We trust them completely!
