Explora Torres & El Chaltén

If hiking in Torres del Paine in Southern Chile is on your radar and you are looking to extend your time in Patagonia, this trip is ideal. Designed to fit within a two week window, we’ll meet in Puerto Natales and transfer to Torres del Paine National Park where we’ll spend 5 days hiking and on horseback returning each evening to the sublime Explora Torres hotel to feast and recount the tales of your day’s adventures.

From Torres del Paine, we’ll transfer to El Chaltén in Argentina and begin our exploration of Los Glaciares National Park and the Huemules Conservation Reserve based out of Explora El Chalten, the sister property of Explora Torres. This breathtaking location beckons exploration with hiking options from easy to epic. Enjoy leisurely hikes in jaw-dropping scenery or perhaps a high mountain ascent to bag your first Patagonian peak. Either way, you’ll be treated to some of the finest accommodation and dining the region has to offer- It’s the ROAM way to travel.

Itinerary at a Glance

• Arrive in Peurto Natales and explore this small but vibrant town in southern Patagonia
• Transfer 2.5 hours to your hotel overlooking Salto Chico Falls and Lake Pehoe
• Check in to your deluxe rooms then meet for cocktails and dinner
• Explore Torres del Paine National Park at your own pace with the help of expert guides
• Hike to French Valley then ascend to the base of the granite towers for a once-in-a-lifetime experience
• Explore the eastern sections of the park on foot and by shuttle
• Horseback ride on specially trained horses to Laguna Negro
• Transfer to El Chaltén and settle in to your world-class accommodations
• Spend your days hiking and climbing in breathtaking landscapes, returning each evening to feast
• Transfer to El Calafate for outbound flights or stay over and explore Perito Moreno Glacier.

What’s Included

• 1 night accommodation in Puerto Natales at Hotel Altiplanico
• 8 nights deluxe standard accommodations at Explora Torres and El Chalten (double occupancy) Suite upgrades may be available.
• All meals and drinks at the above lodges (premium wines and spirits are available at additional cost)
• Choice of daily guided excursions on a shared basis (private tours available at additional cost)
• Shared transfers from Puerto Natales to Explora Torres del Paine, El Chalten and El Calafate

What’s Not Included

• Airfare (international or domestic)
• Items of personal nature (laundry, spa services, premium drinks)
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Post trip tours or accommodations in El Calafate
• Activities not offered in the standard plan

What to Expect on the Explora Torres and El Chaltén Hiking Adventure

Day One

Today is your arrival day to Puerto Natales in southern Chile. Although the transfers from Puerto Natales to Explora depart at 12 noon, we highly recommend arriving a day early to acclimatize and rest.

We’ve included Hotel Altiplanico as a wonderful rest stop or, if price is no concern, we can upgrade to The Singular Patagonia.

Hotel Altipanico, Puerto Natales, Chile

Day Two

After a good rest and a morning walk around the village, you will take a 12pm or 3pm transfer to Explora Torres del Paine. Today’s transfer will be about 2.5 hours.

Upon arrival, we will get you checked into your deluxe rooms and begin an orientation as to what activities are available for the following days. Beautiful self-guided trails and vistas are yours to enjoy today at your leisure as no guided excursions are scheduled. Tonight we will meet for cocktails in the lounge and enjoy the  first of many delicious dinners.

Hotel Explora Torres del Paine

Days Three – Six

Our explorations provide travelers with an in depth experience of this austral territory, for which we have outlined a number of different exploration zones, each with its own set of unique geographic, cultural and biosphere characteristics.

Explora offers a Torres del Paine National Park tour for every level of hiker, from beginner to expert. We offer full-day hikes, during which you can enjoy a lunchtime meal in the middle of this unique natural landscape. We also provide half-day hikes that give you the opportunity to take part in a different exploration in the afternoon. Examples include:

Hikes
Walking at your own pace, allows you to immerse in the natural and cultural landscapes we explore, varying in intensity –beginner or advanced– and duration.

Example: 

French Valley: 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.

High Mountain Ascents
We strive to introduce our travellers to truly remote locations – and mountains are one of them. Each one has its own different demands and rewards, yet they all guarantee incredible vistas.

Example: 

Base of the Towers: This exploration goes through one of the most iconic sectors of the W trek. We travel by van to the Cerro Paine ranch where we begin our ascent to the base of the Torres del Paine. At the top, we can appreciate the magnitude of the granite towers and the lagoon at our feet. We return by the same road.

Overland Explorations
These are van-led explorations interrupted by short-duration hikes along the way. The combination allows travellers to access areas of particular beauty and ecological significance.

Example: 

Estepa Patagonica: We travel through the eastern sector of the park combining stretches in the van with short walks. This sector is mainly characterized by the presence of animals such as guanacos, pumas and diversity of birds, as well as its extensive pampas, typical of the Patagonian steppe. First we visit the Nordenskjöld Lake viewpoint and the Paine Grande waterfall, then we travel by van to the Los Cisnes Lagoon and finally to the Amarga Lagoon.

Horseback Riding
On horseback, exploration takes on a whole new perspective, reframing the landscape around us while enjoying the company of specially trained horses.

Example: 

Laguna Negra: We depart from the stables and ride across rivers, forests and pampas as we ascend towards the viewpoint of the Negra Lagoon. On the way we pass by several lagoons, ideal for spotting different species of birds such as Queltehues or Magellanic geese.

Day Seven

Today you will be transferred to El Chaltén. The scenic trip is approximately 6-7 hours and involves a border crossing. Upon arrival, we will get you checked into your rooms and begin an orientation as to what activities are available for the next few days. Tonight, we will meet for cocktails in the lounge and then join the group for first of many delicious dinners.

Explora El Chaltén

Days Eight & Nine

Activities and Excursions
You will have a choice of 4-5 different activities and routes each day. They are fully guided with a maximum group size of 8 guests. Each evening the guides will go over the maps and options. Here’s a few classics that we recommend, but there are many options ranging from easy to most challenging.

Hiking
Walk and go deeper in to the remote. From easy to expert, Half day or Full Day. Always walking with your guide, your Explora companion and host.

Overland Exploring
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 individual rhythm.

Self-Guided Exploring
The company and knowledge of one of our guides, is available for you to discover unique locations in the areas surrounding our lodge – on foot. For further information approach our exploration team.

High Mountain Ascents
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.

Examples of Excursions:

Laguna Pollone – challenging
We begin by crossing the Eléctrico River and gradually enter a great nothofagus forest, accompanied by Patagonian birdsong the entire time. We then change landscape and move on to the sandy riverbanks of the Eléctrico River, with views of glaciers and mountain ranges up to Lake Eléctrico. We return along the same trail, which will give us other views of the valley.

Lago del Desierto – challenging
We hike from the lodge crossing a lenga and ñire forest, watching different types of birds and huemul deer tracks. We hike up to the Azul Lagoon, a water reserve that will reveal what has happened there. Different water birds will follow us along during this hike.

Laguna de los Huemules – easy
We hike from the lodge crossing a lenga and ñire forest, watching different types of birds and huemul deer tracks. We hike up to the Azul Lagoon, a water reserve that will reveal what has happened there. Different water birds will follow us along during this hike.

Laguna Condor – easy
We will walk through a rainforest area, where biodiversity plays a key role. The route includes a gentle ascent along a rocky ledge, which will give us unique views and perspectives of the Las Vueltas River valley. Diverse birds can be observed in the Laguna sector.

The Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, encloses features that cannot be easily found elsewhere in Patagonia.

Cerro Madsen- most challenging
The ascent to Cerro Madsen, in the Fitz Roy area, is a perfect challenge for beginners in the mountains or for those who want to make their first summit in Patagonia and treat themselves to one of the most wonderful views in the world.

*Exploration subject to availability upon check-in.

The Los Glaciares National Park is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged, towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes scattered within its borders.

Rio Arriba – easy
We leave by van northward toward the Laguna del Desierto Provincial Reserve, passing beautiful waterfalls that are formed thanks to the Las Vueltas River Valley’s geography. We will cross the nothofagus rainforest until we reach the Lake of the Desert lookout point, which offers a great panoramic view of the lake, the mountains that surround it and their glaciers.

The Desert Lake (Argentina) is a wildlife enclave around which numerous Patagonian ecosystems can be observed and explored.

Day Ten

Transfer back to El Calafate and flights home
After breakfast we will make the 2.5 hour drive to El Calafate for flights outbound or more adventures evolving around the Perito Moreno Glacier.