Excursions from Explora Patagonia National Park

This excursion takes us on a hike through one of the less crowded regions of the park.

We'll walk through a lenga forest where we'll be able to hear and see woodpeckers and visit an old shepherding post hidden in the woods.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 9km/5.6 miles | 3½hrs

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We'll leave Explora and cross areas marked with cattle ranching before meeting the Baker River, known for its turquoise waters and its powerful flow.

We'll then hike to the Baker-Neff confluence, the point where the two rivers meet, before heading to the south shore of Lake Chelenco to take in the stunning panoramic views and learn more about the geological formation of this area and much of Patagonia.

Full-day | Difficulty: Easy | 164km/101.9 miles | 8hrs

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On this excursion we'll ascend through a region with varied ecosystems consisting of valleys, forests and plateaus.

From the plateaus we'll have classic Patagonian mountain views. The intense wind and the rapidly changing climate give this excursion its name.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 43.9km/27.3 miles | 6½hrs

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We will leave the lodge on foot and hike through large expanses of steppe, connecting with the nature and wildlife in this part of Patagonia.

We'll take in the sound of birds and perhaps glimpse an interaction between a puma and guanacos.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 16.5km/10.3 miles | 6hrs

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We'll leave the lodge on foot and hike through an expansive region of steppe bordering the Chacabuco River.

This is one of the areas most populated by pumas and guanacos. Here we'll learn more about these species and how to protect them.

Half-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 10.9km/6.8 miles | 4½hrs

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On this excursion we'll pedal through the diverse scenery of the Chacabuco Valley. We'll hike to the confluence of the Baker and Chacabuco Rivers, the principal influence on this area.

Birds will accompany us along the route and we'll also have the chance to spot other animals native to Patagonia.

Half-day | Difficulty: Easy | 23.3km/14.5 miles | 3hrs

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On this excursion we'll explore the diversity of the Chacabuco Valley. We'll hike to the confluence between the Baker and Neff Rivers, the main influence on this area of the valley.

We'll also visit various lagoons (Edita, Cisnes, Los Flamencos and Seca) and forests, observing Patagonian fauna and wildlife in different habitats.

Half-day | Difficulty: Easy | 20km/12.4 miles | 3½hrs

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On this excursion, we'll leave the lodge on foot and take an introductory hike in the Patagonia National Park. We'll begin in the areas where there are streams and low forests with significant presence of chacya (riparian shrub).

As we enter the park, we'll begin to hear a variety of birdsong, such as churrin, bandurria tapaculo and black-faced ibis. Guanacos can also be spotted grazing in this area.

Half-day | Difficulty: Easy | 5.2km/3.2 miles | 2½hrs

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We'll hike through the steppe before arriving at a lagoon with a huge variety of birds.

Here we can become acquainted with the Patagonian fauna and take time to observe the numerous and varied species that inhabit the area.

Half-day | Difficulty: Easy | 6.9km/4.3 miles | 3hrs

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We'll leave Explora by van and head to the Edita Lagoon area, where we'll start our hike with a fairly steep ascent of the steppe slopes of the Chacabuco Valley. After reaching a high point, we'll descend through a nothofagus forest where the silence is only interrupted by birdsong.

We'll then reach La Pepa Lagoon with its deep blue colour and awesome views of the mountains surrounding it.

Half-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 6.4km/4 miles | 3hrs 15mins

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On this excursion we'll cycle along a trail with numerous ascents and descents, from which we'll be able to see lagoons, ranches and nothofagus forests.

Our destination is La Pepa Lagoon which we'll cycle round before returning back along the same route.

Half-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 24.3km/15.1 miles | 3½hrs

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We'll leave the lodge on foot and hike up to view the valley from a different perspective. The extra height reveals the mountains and plateaus that are dotted with lagoons and forests.

This excursion is a great option for birdwatching in the region as condors, eagles and other species can be seen.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 21.5km/13.4 miles | 8½hrs

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We'll leave the lodge on foot and hike up a trail between the steppe and the forest. As we ascend we can take in the captivating slopes of the Chacabuco Valley, amid hills and high-plateau lagoons.

From Mt Tamanguito we'll have broad views of the Chacabuco Valley basin and Lake Cochrane.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 25.7km/16 miles | 10hrs

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This exploration will take us across the steppe to one of the summits in the Patagonia National Park.

As we ascend we can take in the captivating slopes of the Chacabuco Valley. Numerous lagoons can be seen in the depressions of the plateau.

We'll be surrounded by expansive and impressive views of a significant area of Patagonian geography.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 28.5km/17.7 miles | 10½hrs

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We'll leave by boat along the Cochrane River and Cochrane Lake basin. These are considered among the most crystal clear waters in the world.

Along the way we'll take in the valley walls that are a promient feature of this region of the park. We'll also be able to see different nothofagus species and livestock in the Tamango area.

Halfday | Difficulty: Easy | 3¾hrs

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We'll leave Explora by van with our bikes. We'll reach the outskirts of the town of Cochrane, our starting point, after 40-mins.

The bike ride will begin in an area of fields with crops and livestock, the main economic activities in the area. We'll approach from the Cochrane River from the north, taking in its transparent waters and the trees planted by the pioneers.

Along the route, we'll come across rolling hills that we'll take a relaxed ride across so we have time to soak up the fantastic views. We'll end our trip at the bridge over the El Salto River, whose waters come from the Calluqueo Glacier.

Half-day | Difficulty: Easy | 13.8km/8.6 miles | 2hrs

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We'll head to the southern area of the Patagonia National Park and take a hike along the banks of the Cochrane River. Our route will be amongst woods and along moist slopes which allow dense forest to grow.

This area is a home to huemuls and varied bird life.

Half-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 8.9km/5.5 miles | 3hrs

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We'll begin by exploring the southern area of the Patagonia National Park, very close to the town of Cochrane.

We'll ascend through forests, taking the huemul trails that connect the Chacabuco Valley, and approach the habitat of this beautiful animal which is in danger of extinction and which remains on the red list of threatened species.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced| 21.8km/13.5 miles | 10hrs

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We'll hike along the southern slopes of the Patagonia National Park, amongst its diverse vegetation: a mix of areas of low shrubs, forest regrowth and dense coigüe forests.

We'll have fantastic expansive views of the mountains in the area and the crystalline river and Lake Cochrane – a binational lake covering 325km² that is shared by Chile and Argentina.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 9.5km/5.9 miles | 5hrs

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We'll hike along the southern slopes of the Patagonia National Park and cross areas with diverse vegetation: low shrubs, forest regrowth and dense coigüe forests.

Numerous species of Patagonian bird life and fauna will surround us while we take in fantastic broad views of the mountains and hills in the area. We'll also see the crystalline Lake Cochrane – a binational lake shared by Chile and Argentina.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 9.8km/6.1 miles | 4hrs

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On this excursion we'll kayak along the Cochrane River upstream to Lake Cochrane. Along the route we'll see how the blue tones of the river contrast with the green slopes, full of nothofagus. When we reach the beach we'll continue exploring on foot, crossing into the Chacabuco Valley.

This excursion is only for travelers with experience in distance kayaking or similar. It's available on Wednesdays and Friday, subject to availability on check-in.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 12km/7.5 miles | 8hrs

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On this excursion we'll paddle the Cochrane River rapids in kayaks. We'll also hike to the Lake Cochrane viewpoint and return via the Los Carpinteros trail in the Tamango area.

We'll cross coigüe forests on the first half of the the hike and then walk along the riverbank with views of the pampa and Patagonian steppe.

This excursion is available on Wednesdays and Fridays, subject to availability on check-in.

Full-day | Difficulty: Easy| 4.2km/2.6 miles | 4½hrs

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We'll leave by boat along the Cochrane River and Cochrane Lake basin. These are considered among the most crystal clear waters in the world.

When we reach the Correntadas sector we'll hike along the southern slopes of the park through forests full of wildlife.

Full-day | Difficulty: Easy | 4.2km/2.6 miles | 6hrs 10mins

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We'll leave by boat along the Cochrane River and Cochrane Lake basin. These are considered among the most crystal clear waters in the world.

We'll continue by land along the southern slopes of the park, one of the main habitats of the huemul, and cross a forest accompanied by birdsong the entire way.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 9.6km/6 miles | 7hrs

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We'll hike through the river valley to Lake Cochrane, which has some of the most crystal clear water in the world.

We'll take in views of the southern slopes of the Patagonia National Park, one of the main huemul habitats, and visit the Huemul Post, the base for protecting and monitoring the huemuls that transiting through these areas.

Our hike will take us through a forest full of birdsong and wildlife.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 19.8km/12.3 miles | 9hrs

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On this excursion we'll visit a rancher's post to learn about part of the history of the Chacabuco Valley. We'll view what remains of this place and get to know more about the lifestyle of its residents.

Afterwards, we'll take a sloping path among ancient lenga forests, passing lagoons with diverse views and through areas used by huemuls.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 41.8km/26 miles | 6½hrs

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We will hike across the Chacabuco Valley's natural corridors and as we ascend we will see the contrasting views of the landscapes around us.

We'll be able to drink pure water from natural streams and get our feet wet crossing one of them. The silence of this place is most obvious in autumn and winter, contrasting with the constant birdsong that can be heard for the rest of the year.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 16.5km/10.3 miles | 7hrs

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On this excursion we'll hike across contrasting natural corridors in the valleys.

There will be plenty of birds in this area and we could well see condors gliding above us.

We'll cross different habitats until we come to an area with expansive views of the valleys, some of them historic natural corridors in the area.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 18.3km/11.4 miles | 10hrs

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We'll cross a thick forest of ñirres and lengas and hike along a ridge with a fantastic view of the Chacabuco Valley and the Lake Cochrane basin.

The marked summit of Mt Oportus rewards us with a broad view as far as the northern ice field. The peak is named after Carlos Oportus who, in 1928, surveyed the region for its residents.

Full-day | Difficulty: Advanced | 13.9km/8.6 miles | 10hrs

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The Patagonia National Park is a paradise for bird watching. On this excursion we'll head to an area of the Chacabuco Valley with great potential for watching diverse types of birds on the river and lagoons.

Half-day | Difficulty: Easy | 90km/55.9 miles | 7hrs

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We will begin by hiking into a dense Patagonian forest to get acquainted with the flora and its habitat.

We'll hike through the area known as 'Los Gatos' and then descend to Lake Cochrane, known for having some of the most crystal clear water in the world. Here we can get out feet wet.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 7.1km/6.9 miles | 5hrs

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We will hike around the shore of Lake Chico, where forests, lagoons and ravines all meet. We'll have fantastic views of Lake Cochrane and Mt Oportus.

Along the route there will be numerous birds to watch out for.

Full-day | Difficulty: Moderate | 11.8km/7.3 miles | 5hrs

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On this excursion we'll focus on the valleys of the Chacabuco River. These form natural corridors traveled by nomadic people and wildlife.

We'll explore the anthropological and paleontological mysteries of the rock formations, caves and fossils that are records of a past that it is still possible to bear witness to.

These areas are characterised by their lack of snow in the summer and their low vegetation, devoid of trees. On this flat and open landscape you can really feel the icy southern wind!

Full-day | Difficulty: Easy | 144km/89.5 miles | 8hrs

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