Explora Torres del Paine

On the shores of Lake Pehoe, Explora Torres del Paine is conveniently located as the perfect home base for exploring the park. It is a luxury hotel with breathtaking views. The construction is based around essential luxuries with wood playing a fundamental role in the design.

With an exclusive location and unparalleled views, you can choose among 40 explorations –either hiking or horseback riding– to one of the most popular circuits, the mystic W that goes around the trails that surround the Paine Massif and other less explored routes that will help you discover the geography and wildlife of Patagonia.

Rooms
There are 49 rooms that are designed to take full advantage of the silence, privacy, and spaciousness of the surrounding landscape. The rooms perfectly combine simplicity and comfort to ensure a deep rest after a day of exploration. With amazing views to the Paine Massif, Paine River, or Salto Chico Falls, their welcoming and cozy atmosphere makes them a perfect place to disconnect and relax.
Room features:

One King-size or two twin-sized beds
Cribs and extra beds for children are available upon special request (as well as interconnecting rooms for families)
Safe
Slippers and bathrobes
Heating
Wake-up call
Toiletries and hairdryer
Jetted bathtub

Food
The dishes enable you to perform various explorations and still feel light, agile and healthy. They seek to offer pure flavors from quality ingredients. Each dish is accompanied by fine Chilean wine with the option of choosing premium wines.

Explora Torres del Paine also offers the Quincho experience, which consists of a traditional roasted lamb barbeque prepared by the Gauchos themselves in a unique location with incredible views of the Paine Towers.

The Explorer's Bar is a meeting place for the guides planning explorations. It is stocked with liquor and Chilean wines. The bar is a great place to meet in the evenings to discuss the day's adventures.

Spa
A massage room and pool area are located only 100 meters from the main building, connected by a wooden path. It includes a heated, covered pool, sauna, and 4 outdoor Jacuzzis with stunning views of the Paine River. You can choose from their essential oil massages: therapeutic, relaxation, energetic, and more.

Store
Explora's store carries all the items necessary for explorations, along with local artisanal goods and books of the area.

Stables
Explora Torres del Paine is the only hotel in the area with its own horses, bred and trained specially for your horse expeditions. The stables house 26 horses of different breeds. Their care is the responsibility of a team led by Gaela Hourcq, a veterinarian and horse specialist.

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Itineraries

Activities: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Spa Relaxation, Wildlife Viewing, Wine Tasting
Activity Level: Easy Active

Explora Torres del Paine is in the middle of the Torres del Paine National Park. It offers beautiful views of the Lake Pehoe and 49 rooms. Explora also has its own spa, ranch, and stables for your enjoyment and you can choose from a variety of excursions to create your optimal itinerary.

Hike through Patagonia
Search for Patagonian wildlife
Choose your excursions

Tour Details

Excursion

Explora Torres del Paine offers over 40 different excursion options, covering all areas in the Park either on foot, horseback, or by van. Travelers have the opportunity to explore the park each day according to their personal preferences. Explorations are always led by a competent and bilingual guide, with a maximum of eight travelers per group. Excursion examples include walking to crystal clear lakes, and lenga tree forests, hikes to viewpoints, and horseback rides through the Park’s pampas (grasslands) and along its rivers.

Hikes of varying lengths and difficulty levels are available to suit all physical abilities. Horseback rides are tailored for beginner, advanced, and expert riders. During full-day excursions, you will have the privilege of enjoying lunch out in nature, or if choosing a half-a-day tour you'll return to the hotel for lunch and have the opportunity for another excursion during the afternoon.

Hiking Excursion Example

Moderate
La Pampa
We hike across the steppe of the reserve, surrounded by mountains, steppe, and valleys. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy views of the Paine range, Cerro Obelisco, Laguna Jara, and Sierra Baguales. The local flora is rich in coirón, matabarrosa and ñirre, while the fauna includes guanacos, pumas, chingues, caranchyos, condors and flamingoes, among others.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 3h
Distance: 6,8 km / 4,2 mi

Easy
Rio Zamora
We walked through the western sector of the Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve, with views of the Zamora Canyon and river, passing through Magellanic forests and rock monoliths. Throughout the journey, one can admire views of the impressive "V"-shaped canyon of the Zamora River and the Paine mountain range, including the Obelisco Hill. The local flora is rich in coiron, matabarrosa, lenga, mataguanacos, and nirre, while the fauna includes guanacos, pumas, chingues, caranchos, condors, bandurria, chuncho, among others.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h
Distance: 4,9 km / 3,1 mi
Max. Altitude: 489 m / 1604 ft
Elevation gain: 157 m / 515 ft
Elevation loss: -126 m / -413 ft

Moderate
Mirador del Obelisco
We will walk through the Cerro Obelisco sector, crossing lenga forests before reaching a viewpoint where mountain ranges and valleys can be observed, in addition to the old 2 de Enero estate in what is currently the Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 5h
Distance: 7,3 km / 4,5 mi
Max. Altitude: 928 m / 3045 ft
Elevation gain: 656 m / 2152 ft
Elevation loss: -686 m / -2251 ft

Moderate
La Estrella
We will walk through a lenga forest and observe different types of vegetation and panoramic views. The sound of woodpeckers will accompany us along the way.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 6h
Distance: 6 km / 3,7 mi
Max. Altitude: 1000 m / 3281 ft
Elevation gain: 513 m / 1683 ft
Elevation loss: -536 m / -1759 ft

Easy
Los Bosques
We will walk through the Laguna Jara sector and see different landscapes, such as La Vega (wetland), steppes, forests, mountains, and valleys. As we tour this territory, we will be able to observe different flora and fauna like coirón, matabarrosa, ñirres, guanacos, pumas, chingues and flamingos, among others.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h
Distance: 5,6 km / 3,5 mi
Max. Altitude: 489 m / 1604 ft
Elevation gain: 110 m / 361 ft
Elevation loss: -141 m / -463 ft

Moderate
Aonikenk
We travel by van to the eastern sector of the park, where we hike, exploring the wildlife. During the walk, we visit a cave with paintings that are over 4,000 years old. We can observe the geese, ducks, and swans in the lagoons that are on the way. The terrain has various ascents and descents without steep slopes. Return by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 3h
Distance: 7,6 km / 4,7 mi
Max. Altitude: 329 m / 1079 ft
Elevation gain: 303 m / 994 ft
Elevation loss: -237 m / -778 ft

Expert
Campamento Britanico
This exploration takes us along one section of the W. circuit. We cross Lake Pehoé by catamaran to the Paine Grande shelter, where we will begin our hike to Valle del Francés. We cross lenga forests to the Mirador Británico, a place with 360° views of the natural amphitheater formed by the Horns and imposing rock formations such as the Shark’s Fin and the Fortress.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 8h
Distance: 29,6 km / 18,4 mi
Max. Altitude: 712 m / 2.336 ft
Elevation gain: 1192 m / 3911 ft
Elevation loss: -1184 m / -3884 ft

Expert
Guardas
We cross Pehoé Lake on a catamaran to the Paine Grande Refuge where we begin our trek to the Grey Refuge. From there, we walk towards the viewpoint at Guardas camp with panoramic views of the glacier. We return to the refuge. There we board a boat that will take us to the glacier and then leave us on the other side of Grey Lake. We walk back to the van.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 6h
Distance: 18,5 km / 11,5 mi
Max. Altitude: 306 m / 1.004 ft
Elevation gain: 939 m / 3081 ft
Elevation loss: -920 m / -3018 ft

Advanced
Valle Del Rio Pingo
We travel by van to the Grey Lake refuge where we start walking along the Pingo River. We cross the river to reach forests through which the Paine Grande can be seen. We return on the same road to the refuge to get on the van and return to Explora.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 8h
Distance: 21,6 km / 13,4 mi
Max. Altitude: 313 m / 1.027 ft
Elevation gain: 745 m / 2444 ft
Elevation loss: -745 m / -2444 ft

Advanced
Cuernos
We leave by van for the Cerro Paine estate, where we begin our walk along Lake Nordenskjöld until reaching the trail up the Bader Valley. We’ll have amazing views of the Horns, the lakes Sarmiento and Nordenskjöld, and the Almirante Nieto glacier.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 7h
Distance: 18,8 km / 11,7 mi
Max. Altitude: 269 m / 883 ft
Elevation gain: 664 m / 2178 ft
Elevation loss: -664 m / -2178 ft

Moderate
Valle Del Frances
We cross the Pehoé Lake by catamaran to the Paine Grande refuge where we start the trek. We enter the Francés Valley through a forest, cross the suspension bridge over the Francés River, and continue to the Italian Camp. From there, we see the glacier and the granite peaks that frame the area. We return by the same trail.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 6h
Distance: 18,4 km / 11,4 mi
Max. Altitude: 275 m / 902 ft
Elevation gain: 632 m / 2073 ft
Elevation loss: -632 m / -2073 ft

Advanced
Plateau
We travel on our catamaran to the Francés Valley where we start our trek to the plateau. We arrive at the Italian Camp and then to an overlook from where we have privileged views of the towers and the Francés Glacier. This hike follows a rocky path through the moraine of the glacier.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 7h
Distance: 21 km / 13 mi
Max. Altitude:  485 m / 1.591 ft
Elevation gain: 906 m / 2972 ft
Elevation loss:  906 m / -2972 ft

Moderate
Alto Del Toro
We travel by van to a steep path facing the Paine River. We begin our trek towards the mountain range passing through an old forest. We continue ascending to an overlook with unparalleled views of the Paine massif and the lakes that surround it. Then, we begin the descent towards the van.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 5h
Distance: 13,7 km / 8,5 mi
Max. Altitude: 411 m / 1.348 ft
Elevation gain: 693 m / 2274 ft
Elevation loss: -693 m / -2274 ft

Moderate
Origines
The hike starts at the lodge through a well-marked upward track, surrounded by low shrubs and ample views. Orchids follow along during the summertime. We get to see some hidden lagoons in the Torres del Paine National Park, condor nesting sites, and some forests. We get a front view of the Paine massif until we get to the Sarmiento Chico Lake to examine rock formations of a protracted geological history. We return to the lodge by van.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 6h
Distance: 13,8 km / 8,6 mi
Max. Altitude: 347 m / 1.138 ft
Elevation gain: 515 m / 1138 ft
Elevation loss: -478 m / -1568 ft

Easy
Mirador Grey
We cross the Pehoé Lake in the Explora catamaran towards the northwest bank. From there we will ascend to observe the Grey Glacier and the extraordinary extension of the Southern Ice Fields. Then, we will return along the trail with views of icebergs. We return by catamaran to Explora.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 5 h 30 m
Distance: 12 km / 7,5 mi
Max. Altitude: 276 m / 906 ft
Elevation gain: 488 m / 1601 ft
Elevation loss:-488 m / -1601 ft

Moderate
Graciar Grey
We cross the Pehoé Lake by catamaran to the Paine Grande refuge to cross one of the stretches of the W. Around the midpoint of the hike, we can see the Grey Glacier and the Southern Ice Fields. We continue walking to the beach of Grey Lake where we board a boat that brings us to the glacier and then leaves us on the other side of the lake. We walk along the beach and through a forest to the van.
Type: ull-day
Duration:
5 h 30 m
Distance:
12,4 km / 7,7 mi
Max. Altitude: 538 m / 1765 ft
Elevation gain: 538 m / 1765 ft
Elevation loss: -516 m / -1693 ft

Easy
Laguna Azul
Our walk begins at the park ranger’s house, from which we will walk along the lagoon shore. We will see a wetland with diverse birds and the Torres del Paine along the way. We reach a viewpoint at the end and then return to the lodge by van.
Type:  Half-day
Duration: 45 m
Distance: 1,1 km / 0,7 mi
Max. Altitude: 234 m / 768 ft
Elevation gain: 22 m / 72 ft
Elevation loss: -16 m / -52 ft

Moderate
Juncales
We travel by van to an area rich in wildlife and birds. We begin the walk bordering a lagoon with reed islets, where a natural habitat for different types of birds has been formed. We will continue walking with views of Toro Lake and the hills of Castillo and Tenerife. We recommend this exploration to travelers interested in bird watching.
Type: Full-day
Duration: 6 h
Distance: 10 km / 6,2 mi
Max. Altitude:  85 m / 279 ft
Elevation gain: 241 m / 791 ft
Elevation loss: -239 m-784 ft

Expert
Ferrier
We travel by van to Grey Lake where we begin a demanding ascent during which we get views of the Lake and the huge ice mass of the South Ice Fields. We cross a forest and continue to the top with panoramic views of the Grey and Pehoé lakes. We descend and return by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 3h
Distance: Half-day
Max. Altitude: 642 m / 2.106 ft
Elevation gain: 612 m / 2008 ft
Elevation loss: -612 m / -2008 ft

Advanced
Mirador Sierra Del Toro
We travel by van to the mouth of the Paine River, where we begin a steep and rocky ascent of the Sierra, a place off the beaten track. The vegetation is low, allowing incredible views of Toro Lake, Paine River, the Pampa Serrano, and the mountains of the area. We return by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 3h
Distance: 4,8 km / 3 mi
Max. Altitude: 432 m / 1.417 ft
Elevation gain: 454 m / 1490 ft
Elevation loss:-454 m /-1490 ft

Moderate
Mirador Condor
We leave the hotel, walking along the shore of Pehoé Lake. In the distance, we see a hill on the summit of which is the Condor lookout, our destination. On the way, we pass through Lenga and ñirre forests. When we get to the top, we have a 360° view of the park. We descend down a rocky slope to the van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2 h 30 m
Distance: 3,6 km / 2,2 mi
Max. Altitude: 239 m / 784 ft
Elevation gain: 253 m / 830 ft
Elevation loss: -232 m / -761 ft

Moderate
Pingo Chorrillo
We travel by van to Grey Lake. From there, we walk along a path along the Pingo River through a forest of native trees. During this exploration, we can enjoy different views of the Paine massif and bird watching. The return is by the same path.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 3 h 30 m
Distance: 9 km / 5,6 mi
Max. Altitude: 105 m / 344 ft
Elevation gain: 235 m / 771 ft
Elevation loss: -235 m / -771 ft

Moderate
La Loma
From a steppe area, we walk to a small hill overlooking the Torres del Paine. Then we cross native forests, observing the rich wildlife of the park. At the end of our excursion, we make a descent through open terrain, allowing us to feel the Patagonian wind. We return to the lodge by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h
Distance: 3,7 km / 2,3 mi
Max. Altitude:  430 m / 1.411 ft
Elevation gain: 58 m / 190 ft
Elevation loss: -234 m / -768 ft

Moderate
Sarmiento
We will walk along a trail with low vegetation and views of the Paine Horns and Almirante Nieto. We then go down to the beach on the shores of Lake Sarmiento, where we will have the chance to walk among incredible calcium carbonate rock formations.
Type: Half-day
Duration:  2h 30m
Distance: 4 km / 2,5 mi
Max. Altitude: 125 m / 410 ft
Elevation gain: 100 m /328 ft
Elevation loss: -100 m / -328 ft

Easy
Mirador Toro
We travel by van to the Weber Bridge, from which we walk to Toro Lake. On the way, we can observe evidence of the ice that once covered the park. We ascend to an overlook with panoramic views. On the descent, we pass by a lagoon. We return by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h
Distance: 2,1 km / 1,3 mi
Max. Altitude: 83 m272 ft
Elevation gain: 98 m322 ft
Elevation loss: -98 m-322 ft

Easy
Nordenskjold
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h
Distance: 6,3 km / 3,9 mi
Max. Altitude: 116 m381 ft
Elevation gain: 133 m436 ft
Elevation loss: -139 m-456 ft

Easy
Mirador Masle
We start by hiking around the Laguna Azul where guanacos and different species of birds commonly meander. Then we ascend by a path through which we arrive at an overlook with views of the Paine massif. Descending, a van waits for us to return to the lodge.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 1h
Distance: 3,5 km / 2,2 mi
Max. Altitude: 375 m1.230 ft
Elevation gain: 164 m538 ft
Elevation loss: -164 m-538 ft

Easy
Lago Grey
We leave by van for the Lake Grey sector. From there, we begin our walk by crossing the Pingo River through a forest until reaching the lakeshore. We’ll walk along the beach with views of the Grey Glacier and the ice floes that break off of it.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h 30m
Distance: 5,3 km / 3,3 mi
Max. Altitude:  82 m / 269 ft
Elevation gain: 126 m / 413 ft
Elevation loss: -126 m / -413 ft

Easy
Laguna Larga
We skirt the Larga Lagoon, walking among stromatolite rock formations, whose singular appearance contrasts with the colors of the lagoon and the overall landscape. We continue walking with views of the Paine Horns to a viewpoint overlooking Nordenskjöld Lake. We return to the hotel by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 1h 30m
Distance: 4,8 km / 3 mi
Max. Altitude: 291 m / 955 ft
Elevation gain: 55 m / 182 ft
Elevation loss: -212 m / -696 ft

Easy
Mirador Pehoe
We will leave the lodge on foot along the shore of Lake Pehoé, observing the lenga and ñierre trees that make up the local flora. We walk up to a viewpoint, from where we will be able to see the expanse of the lake and the Paine range. This walk is a great introduction to the park, as it will allow us to understand where we are and the place around us.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 2h
Distance: 3,9 km / 2,4 mi
Max. Altitude: 181 m / 594 ft
Elevation gain: 187 m / 614 ft
Elevation loss: -185 m / -607 ft

Easy
Ribera Serrano
We travel by van to the Serrano entrance, where we start our walk. We hike through the Pampa of the same name, guided by the channel and some birds of the Serrano River. We will appreciate the contrast of the green meadows and the granite of the Paine massif. We return to the hotel by van.
Type: Half-day
Duration: 1h
Distance: 3 km / 1,9 mi
Max. Altitude: 28 m / 92 ft
Elevation gain: 15 m / 49 ft
Elevation loss: -18 m -59 ft

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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.

Jack Charney

Explora Torres del Paine

Photo Gallery

Itineraries