Explora Patagonia

Explora Patagonia is perfect for riders of all abilities. The hotel has its own stables, located close to the hotel, with horses which are specially bred for the Patagonian weather and geography. It also owns a huge ranch – the Estancia 2 de Enero – so the hotel can offer a truly authentic Patagonian experience in the company of gauchos. There are 16 horse riding excursions on offer, covering a wide range of the park, through pampas (grasslands) and rivers, with experiences to suit all riders, from beginners to the most advanced.

Hikes of all lengths and levels are available across the whole park: from half-day walks with lunch at the hotel, to full-day walks with lunch in the park. Some of the hikes offered by Explora cover sections of the famous W trek – to the base of the Towers, the Grey Glacier and the Valle del Francés.

The Explora was the first luxury hotel to open in Patagonia, in 1993, pioneering the fully-inclusive excursions experience. Despite being nearly 25 years old, it feels just as modern on the inside as a new hotel, and has the added benefit of over two decade’s worth of experience.

The spa is located 100 metres away from the main building, connected by a sloped wood path. It is equipped with a heated, covered pool, a sauna, and four open-air jacuzzis with views to the Paine River. There is also a massage room where you can enjoy an essential oil massage.

Explora Patagonia is the only hotel in the area with its own horses, bred and trained especially by the hotel for their guests’ horse expeditions. Their 26 horses of different breeds and crosses have been raised in the Ibáñez family estate in the central valley of Chile. Care of the horses is the responsibility of Gaela Hourcq, a veterinarian horse specialist, and her team. Gaela has over 15 years of professional equine experience, having worked in prestigious stables worldwide. She has been with Explora for five years, supervising the breeding, raising, breaking, feeding and care of the horses. 53 km from the hotel, is the Estancia 2 de Enero, a 6,000-hectare ranch property of Explora, which is particularly suitable for more advanced riders.

Explora Patagonia is the only luxury hotel located within the Torres del Paine National Park. The hotel is sits on the shores of the turquoise Pehoé Lake, alongside its own waterfall, Salto Chico. It has breathtaking views to the Torres del Paine Massif.

The hotel is conscious that its guests may have physically strenuous activities during their stay, so they endeavour to provide food that is substantial enough to sustain them but that feels light and healthy. They use quality ingredients, and focus on bringing out the best of each product and offering pure flavours. They offer superb Chilean wine as standard with all meals, but there is also a menu of Premium wines for guests that want other alternatives.

The Explora boasts 49 rooms with awe inspiring views, silence and privacy. They have hydromassage baths, and beds designed for a deep sleep to recover from your day's exploring.

• Salto Chico Room 7 rooms measuring 28m² (300 feet²). View of the Salto Chico waterfall.
• Cordillera Paine Room 36 rooms measuring 28m² (300 feet²). View of Macizo del Paine.
• Exploradores Suite 6 suites measuring 42m² (450 feet²). View of Macizo del Paine.