Patagonia

Patagonia is a name well known; yet a land seldom traveled. There is a certain magic that comes from being isolated at the bottom of the world. To be sure you will have to walk some and fraternize with the locals (penguins in their Antarctic tuxedos), but you will find these lands have something very unique. From the towns of the former woolen boom, to the glaciers and peaks of spectacular national parks, there is something very special here.

Punta Arenas & Torres Del Paine Park

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, facing out across the Strait of Magellan, is the southernmost city in Chile. It was founded in 1848 and evolved through the 19th century into an important center for wool production. Nowadays, Punta Arenas is not only the center for sheep farming, but also the natural starting point for all kinds of trips through Patagonia. The towering granite "cuernos" or horns as they are called in Torres del Paine National Park, is perhaps the best known image of Chile. The entire zone north of Puerto Natales with its low altitude and proximity to the Pacific Ocean enjoys a particularly good climate. Being close to the sea, it is temperate and offers many sunny days. Rainfall is low and evenly distributed throughout the year. This is the southern extreme of the Patagonian Icefield - the world’s largest. Glacier Grey melts slowly into Lago Grey providing spectacular crashing ice and tremendous green and blue icebergs. The park is also home to a great deal of unique wildlife from guanacos to nandus (a relative of the ostrich) as well as hundreds of species of birds.

Hotel Cabo de Hornos - Punta Arenas

The 4-star Hotel Cabo de Hornos has recently renovated its rooms. It has a good location on the main square, sauna, fitness center and great views of town center and the Strait of Magellan.

Hosteria Pehoe - Torres Del Paine Park

The Hosteria Pehoe, located on a small island on Pehoe Lake, offers a beautiful view of the "Paine Horns." It also has a small restaurant, bar and public area.

Hosteria lago Grey - Torres Del Paine Park

This lodge looks out across Lago Grey at the Grey Glacier. This modern lodge has been tastefully built integrated into a forest of Lengua trees with boardwalks. Both restaurant and bar look out at the Glacier. All rooms have central heat.

Explora in Patagonia

Explora hotel in Patagonia

As in the northern deserts of Chile, the Explora also provides the premier Patagonia experience. The organization is dedicated to providing, sophisticated arrangements to this remote area of Chile. At Pehoe, chosen for its beauty Explora has built the 30-room Hotel Salto Chico. As the hotel is located right in Torres del Paine National Park, the scenery is spectacular. Each day Explora guests can choose from a variety of activities that are part of the basic package. Whether it is sightseeing, horseback riding, bicycling or taking a guided hike, all are included (even wine with the finest meals). The rooms are carefully detailed with bed linen from Barcelona, tapestries from New York and chinaware from England. For outdoor recreation, there are numerous facilities such as outdoor jacuzzis.

Explora offers three different types of packages:

    4 days arriving any Thursday of the year
    5 days arriving any Sunday of the year
    8 days arriving any Thursday or Sunday of the year

Torres Del Paine with Four Nights at the Hosteria Pehoe - 5 Days

Hosteria Pehoe

Day 1 - Punta Arenas / Paine Park - You are met at the airport or at your hotel in Punta Arenas. Drive through the vast Patagonian "Pampas" to the Hosteria Pehoe, located within Paine National Park.

Day 2 - Paine Park - Spend the day touring inside Torres del Paine National Park. A busy day exploring, walking and appreciating unforgettable views of the towers, the Torres Massif and the tremendous wildlife.

Day 3 - Paine Park - Early start for another full day of exploration inside Torres del Paine National Park. See more angles of Torres del Paine and the Torres Massif, as well as Lago Grey and the Grey Glacier. There will be lots of wildlife today which you can get close to, as you will be approaching on foot. Weather permitting, there is an optional boat excursion on Lago Grey to get closer to the Glacier.

Day 4 - Paine Park - The adventure continues in this extraordinary park at the end of the world. Walk, hike and/or horseback ride. There are many optional excursions beginning directly at your hosteria.

Day 5 - Paine Park - Transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas, in time for the flight to Puerto Montt or Santiago.

The Patagonia Experience & The San Rafael Lagoon

The Patagonia Express - 4 Days

Day 1, Saturday / Tuesday - Puerto Montt / Termas de Puyuhuapi - Fly from Puerto Montt to Balmaceda and begin a fascinating drive to the Puyuhuapi Hot Springs, passing by Coyhaique, the capital city of this region. The road (mostly unpaved) was opened only a few years ago and runs through southern Chile’s most beautiful countryside. Between Coyhaique and Puyuhuapi, enjoy a contrasting landscape of an area that has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve. After reaching the village of Puyuhuapi, continue by boat to the Termas de Puyuhuapi Hotel & Spa.

The Patagonia Express and Termas de Puyuhuapi thermal complex

Day 2, Sunday / Wednesday - Termas de Puyuhuapi - Take advantage of what this fantastic Patagonian lodge has to offer. Enjoy a drink in the cozy bar or dine in the restaurant with its typical Chilean gastronomy. You can also try the new spa, which offers several indoor pools, jacuzzi, fitness, game rooms and a fully equipped thalassotherapy center.

Day 3, Monday / Thursday - Termas de Puyuhuapi / San Rafael Lagoon / Chacabuco - Sail on the Patagonia Express catamaran to the San Rafael Lagoon. Cruise through the Ventisquero Cove to the Elefantes Estuary and enter the San Rafael Lagoon. The San Rafael Glacier contains enormous mountains of 20,000-year-old ice, rising and sparkling like turquoise colored jewels. Approach the bizarre ice sculptures in rubber rafts and drink a whisky chilled by a piece of ancient ice. Later, begin the return trip to Puerto Chacabuco for the overnight.

Day 4, Tuesday / Friday - Puerto Chacabuco / Balmaceda / Puerto Montt - After breakfast, enjoy the two & one half hour bus trip along the banks of the beautiful Simpson River. Drive through Coyhaique and on to the Balmaceda Airport for your return flight to Puerto Montt or Santiago.

Note: A 6-day program is also available. Ask for details.