Patagonia National Park

From Santiago, Chile, you’ll need to connect to a flight to Balmaceda city.

Explora is located in the Valle Chacabuco sector within the Patagonia National Park in the Aysén region. The nearest airport is Balmaceda Airport.

Sky and LATAM airlines offer daily flights to Balmaceda from Santiago.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Explora provides one transfer per day* from the airport to our lodge, a journey of approximately 5 hours along the stunning Carretera Austral, with much of the route being on unpaved roads.

If your arrival time does not coincide with our transfers, we recommend staying one night in Coyhaique (55 km north of Balmaceda) and coordinating your transfer to the lodge with us for the following day.*

For the return to Balmaceda: Explora offers a daily transfer from the lodge to Balmaceda Airport, departing between 6:30 and 7:00 am. We recommend selecting flights from Balmaceda to Santiago departing from 2:30 pm onwards (as close to this time as possible to minimize waiting time at the airport).

For private transportation to our lodge, please contact our Reservations team: reserve@explora.com

*Exclusive for programs with included transfer.

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Arrive at our lodge in just 1:30 hrs from the airport. Book a private 45-minute flight from Balmaceda to Cochrane, where we will be waiting to take you to our lodge.

Flights operate every Monday, Thursday, and Friday from October 3rd to mid-April.

Pack light with a soft suitcase of up to 20 kilograms. Prices start at USD 1,368 per person one-way for a 4-night stay and USD 1,800 for a 3-night stay. For reservations or inquiries, contact reserve@explora.com.

Enjoy panoramic views of General Carrera, one of the largest lakes in South America, during your journey.

For the best experience at the destination, we recommend the following flight times to our travelers:

• Arrival: Arrive on the first available flight of the day, reaching Balmaceda no later than 10:40 am.
• Departure: We will take you to Balmaceda airport for flights departing from 2:30 pm onwards (as close to this time as possible to minimize waiting time at the airport).

ARRIVAL TRANSFER

Prior to their arrival, travelers can choose between three modalities for reaching the lodge from Balmaceda Airport:

• Van: The trip takes about 5 hours, along a mostly gravel road that is part of the iconic Carretera Austral. It operates every day between 9:40-10:40 and has no additional cost for all-inclusive programs. If travelers’ arrival times do not coincide with our transfers, we recommend they spend a night in Coyhaique and coordinate transfer to the lodge with us for the next day.

• Pick-up in Coyhaique: The pick-up time at the hotel in Coyhaique – between 08:30-09:30 – will be coordinated with travelers the day before.  The van will then go to pick up the travelers who arrive at the airport before continuing to the lodge.

• Private flight: A flight to Cochrane lasting about 45 minutes, where we will pick you up and take you to our lodge in a 45-minute van ride. It has an additional cost and operates on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays according to a preestablished schedule. More information.

RETURN TRANSFER

• From the Lodge to Balmaceda Airport: Leaving between 6:30 and 7:00 am, a complimentary shuttle service to Balmaceda airport is provided. A 6-hour journey is factored in, along with 1 hour for unexpected delays and 1 hour for airport waiting time, thus accommodating flights departing from 2:30 pm onwards. We suggest scheduling your flight not too late to minimize airport waiting time.

Important: Due to the distance between the lodge and the Balmaceda airport, our transfers (regular or private**) only cover flights departing after 14:30 hrs.

If you need a transfer for another pick-up or drop-off point, please let our reservations team know at reserve@explora.com.

You can opt for a private transfer, which has an additional cost. For availability, please contact your reservation executive or get in touch with reserve@explora.com prior to arrival.

Last-minute flight changes less than 24 hours before check-in may carry an additional cost for travelers if the change requires picking them up in an exclusive transfer.

*Exclusive for programs with transfer included.
** Private subject to availability.

Check-in: After 13:00. We recommend arriving at noon for an afternoon exploration.

Check-out: 10:00

We want you to make the most of your stay. That’s why we offer the option of a half-day exploration on your departure day before heading to the airport (if your flight schedule allows). In this case, you’ll need to check out at 07:00 before exploring, and we’ll store your luggage.

*Please note: Lunch service is not included on your departure day and is available at an additional charge per person.

If you’d like to request a late check-out for your convenience, please consult with our team for availability and rates.

Experience the stunning scenery of Chilean Patagonia at our lodges in Torres del Paine and Patagonia National Park. Take advantage of our private 1.5-hour lodge-to-lodge flight, for our Explora guests, over the Andes Mountain Range and the southern ice field. Available every Monday and Thursday from October 3rd to mid-April, this convenient flight option provides a unique perspective of the region.

Travel light with a soft suitcase weighing up to 20 kilograms. Prices start at USD 2,352 per person, one way, for a 4-night stay and USD 3,420 for a 3-night stay. For booking inquiries, contact reserve@explora.com.