Patagonia National Park
Patagonia, Chile
Travel Tips
How to get there
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.
Pick-up & Drop-off
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 & Check-out
Check-in: After 13:00
We recommend arriving at noon for an afternoon exploration.
Check-out: 10: 00
We want you to be able to maximize your time during your stay, which is why the possibility of going on a half-day exploration on your check-out day before leaving for the airport (if your flight schedule allows) has been considered.
In this case, you will have to check out at 07:00 am before going out to explore, while we watch your bags.
* Lunch service is not included on the day of check-out and is available at an additional charge per person.
**If you want to access to a late check-out for your own convenience, we recommend that you consult availability and rates with our team.
Connection to or from Torres del Paine National Park
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.
How to get there
How to get there
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.
Pick-up & Drop-off
Pick-up & Drop-off
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 & Check-out
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: After 13:00
We recommend arriving at noon for an afternoon exploration.
Check-out: 10: 00
We want you to be able to maximize your time during your stay, which is why the possibility of going on a half-day exploration on your check-out day before leaving for the airport (if your flight schedule allows) has been considered.
In this case, you will have to check out at 07:00 am before going out to explore, while we watch your bags.
* Lunch service is not included on the day of check-out and is available at an additional charge per person.
**If you want to access to a late check-out for your own convenience, we recommend that you consult availability and rates with our team.
Connection to or from Torres del Paine
Connection to or from Torres del Paine National Park
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.
In Patagonia you can experience the four seasons in the same day. Explora provides travelers with trekking poles, helmets for bikerides and give them a bottle of water.
Required
for all activitiesExplora provides travelers with trekking poles, helmets and give them a bottle of water.
- A hat for the sun
- Fleece/wool/windproof hat
- 1st layer: T-shirts and thermal underwear
- 2nd layer: Fleece
- 3rd layer: Down jacket
- 4th layer: Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Long- and short sleeve t-shirts
- Hiking trousers and shorts.
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking socks (long)
- Thin gloves
- Windproof gloves
- Waterproof leggings
- Sunglasses
- Buff or protective neckwear
- Sunscreen
- Small backpack (25 liters)
Optional
for all activities- Swimsuit
- Sandals
- Camel back
Climate
In Patagonia you can experience the four seasons in the same day. However, there are certain weather events that mark the different periods of the year:
Spring-Summer: From October until March, the weather is mainly temperate, with average temperatures between 10ºC and 20ºC (50ºF and 68ºF). There is sunlight during most of the day and nights are fairly short.
Autumn: Daily sunlight hours and temperatures reduce starting March. Patagonia forest are tinged with classic autumn colors, including red, ocher and yellow.
Winter: They typical Patagonian wind is almost gone during this season. Days are shorter and average temperatures vary between -5ºC and 5ºC (23ºF and 41ºF).
Tips
Tips are voluntary.
If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.
Wi-fi and voltage
- Because we are in remote areas, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited.
- The voltage in Patagonia National Park is 220V.
Climate
Climate
In Patagonia you can experience the four seasons in the same day. However, there are certain weather events that mark the different periods of the year:
Spring-Summer: From October until March, the weather is mainly temperate, with average temperatures between 10ºC and 20ºC (50ºF and 68ºF). There is sunlight during most of the day and nights are fairly short.
Autumn: Daily sunlight hours and temperatures reduce starting March. Patagonia forest are tinged with classic autumn colors, including red, ocher and yellow.
Winter: They typical Patagonian wind is almost gone during this season. Days are shorter and average temperatures vary between -5ºC and 5ºC (23ºF and 41ºF).
Tips
Tips
Tips are voluntary.
If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.
Wi-fi and voltage
Wi-fi and voltage
- Because we are in remote areas, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited.
- The voltage in Patagonia National Park is 220V.
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