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Explora Patagonia
Patagonia is a vast region in the southernmost tip of South America. Civilizations with magical rites, sailors and pioneers have contributed to its fame. It is a mythical place, synonymous with exploration.
Torres del Paine National Park
Located in the heart of Patagonia
400 kms (249 miles) north of Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park encompasses 242,242 hectares (598,000 acres). At 51º07’ south latitude and 73º10’ west longitude, the park is surrounded by the impressive Paine mountain range (Cordillera del Paine).
With unusually-shaped granite peaks, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls, plus unique flora and fauna, Torres del Paine Park is considered one of the most beautiful places on Planet Earth. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.
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Hotel Salto Chico,Patagonia.
The architecture of our hotel allows guests to enjoy comfort in this remote region. The design creates an aura of simplicity while showcasing the unfathomable beauty of the natural environment.
Strategically set on the shore of Lake Pehoé, explora's Hotel Salto Chico was conceived as an exploration base site. It features refined comfort for total relaxation and the best gear ideally suited for exploring Patagonia.
The nearby Casa de Baños del Ona features an indoor heated pool, exercise machines, sauna, massage room and open-air Jacuzzis.
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Accommodations
At explora, we prefer refinement to luxury; plenty of hot and cold water, comfortable temperatures in winter and summer, tasty meals both during explorations and at the hotel, privacy, silence and darkness at night.
The interior has been conceived utilizing traditional lenga and cypress woods, handcrafted slate and copper plus furniture specially designed and made by local artisans.
The hotel has 50 rooms:
• 6 Suites Exploradores (39 m2/ 420 sq.ft) with a view of Macizo del Paine.
• 37 Cordillera Paine rooms (26 m2/ 280 sq.ft) with a view of Macizo del Paine.
• 7 rooms with view to the Salto Chico waterfall (26 m2/ 280 sq.ft).
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Services
• Dining room with the explora quality cuisine
• In-room phones with national and international direct dialing service
• Open Bar. Including alcoholic drinks and a wide selection of wines
• Room service
• Shop with souvenirs and explora clothing
• Laundry services
• Lockers: every room has a locker at the hotel entrance
• Internet connection available
Casa de Banos del Ona
• Indoor heated pool
• Sauna
• Massage rooms
• Open air Jacuzzis
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Food & Wine
Our food is based on the simple details of quality and incorporates local products. Food is an essential part of our culture. For us, it is equally important to have the appropriate food not only at the lodge, but also while enjoying an exploration. During the latter, no matter how remote the location, our staff will always surprise you.
In addition, we frequently organize at our Quincho (traditional barbecue area), near the Estancia 2 de Enero, outdoor food activities where guests, staff and locals find a good reason to get together.
Wines are brought from different vineyards belonging to sister-companies.
For those looking to explore deeper into Chile’s wine alternatives we have designed a premium selection list.
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Explorations in Patagonia
Visitors at explora can join a wide range of carefully developed explorations. Each day you can choose from 5 different explorations out of a total of 25 alternatives which have been selected according to the weather, guests' desires, the duration and its difficulties.
On foot, horseback, by van or on a boat, accompanied by our expert bilingual guides, you will be astonished by the nature and environs of Patagonia. Explorations are led with a maximum of 10 people per guide, and all the necessary equipment.
At explora, we embrace the changes in weather and seasons. Rain, wind, a sudden snowstorm, or bright sunshine are simply part of the experience. The point is you will be well prepared to enjoy the adventure in every climate condition. |
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- Hike to the Peninsula Lago Grey (easy; half day)
- Hike to Glaciar de Grey (difficult; full day; picnic)
- Hike to Laguna Azul (medium, half day, snack)
- Hike to Las Alturas del Toro (Medium; full day; picnic)
- Excursion to the north of the park with stop at Laguna Azul and barbecue luncheon at the Quincho (easy; full day; lunch)
- Hike to Mirador de Nordenskjold (easy; half day; snack)
- Hike to Mirador del Toro (easy; half day; snack)
- Hike through Las Cornisas (Medium, half day, snack)
- Hike to the base of Torres del Paine (difficult, full day, picnic)
- Hike to Glaciar del Valle del Frances (medium, full day, picnic)
- Archaeological hike between Guarderia Sarmiento and Guarderia Laguna Amarga (easy; half day)
- Hike to Lago Sarmiento (easy, half day, snack)
- Laguna La Cal & Sarmiento Walk (Medium, full day, picnic)
- Rio Pingo Walk (easy, half day with snack or full day with picnic)
- Mirador Condor Walk (medium, half day, snack)
- Horseback riding Mirador Donoso (medium, full day, picnic)
- Horseback riding Rio Serrano (easy, half day, snack)
- Horseback riding Laguna Linda (easy, half day, snack)
- Horseback riding to Refugio Pehoe (medium, full day, lunch)
- Horseback riding at the Quincho (easy, half day, before or after Quincho lunch)
- Horseback riding at 2 de enero estancia (Easy, half day; trail snacks)
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Climate
Torres del Paine National Park has a microclimate regulated principally by its proximity to the sea, and its low altitude (from 50 meters to 300 meters high), which allows for pleasant temperatures during the day and a very low precipitation year round.
During the winter there is some snow, which typically melts quickly. Wind is a very important factor, above all during the summer (November-March), with gusts of up to 110 km (70 miles) per hour. This can be a disadvantage, but it nevertheless produces a continual change in climactic conditions; for example it can be raining one moment but the wind can shortly disperse the clouds and allow the sun to shine, making the climate an element of emotion.
The most attractive seasons are usually the autumn for the changing foliage colors and the spring for the rebirth of flora and fauna. During the winter there are often days of transparent and radiant sun, and there is sufficient light for a full day of exploration, also making it an attractive season to visit.
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Temperature Chart
| Month |
High.f |
Low .f |
| January |
72,8 |
53,3 |
| February |
75,3 |
54,0 |
| March |
71,9 |
55,2 |
| April |
69,2 |
46,4 |
| May |
31,1 |
41,2 |
| June |
55,7 |
36,1 |
| July |
57,3 |
36,5 |
| August |
60.0 |
40,1 |
| September |
61.5 |
40,3 |
| October |
67,2 |
45,7 |
| November |
70,1 |
48,7 |
| December |
70,1 |
52,2 |
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| Explora Patagoniai - FACTS |
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Getting there
Daily flights from Santiago, Chile, to Punta Arenas (approximately 4 hrs). Our staff at explora will welcome guests at the airport and transport them in a comfortable van to Hotel Salto Chico. The trip takes approximately five hours: 2 ½ hrs from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales on a 250 kms (155 miles) of paved road, and 2 ½ hrs from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park, along a 150 kms (93 miles) of dirt road. The trip includes a snack break, organized by explora.
Vehicles:
When traveling from and to the airport and to access most of our excursions we use comfortable vans for 10 passengers.
Language:
At the hotel, most of the personnel is able to communicate in English. Guides are fluent in both English and Spanish. You are likely to find someone that will speak with you in German, French or Portuguese.
Pets:
Animals are not allowed in the hotel area.
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Adequate clothing:
Explorations require the use of a parka and/or water-repellent windbreaker, wide pants (longjohns or thermal underwear may be advisable at times), good hiking boots with rubber soles (leather or waterproof fabric), or trekking shoes for easier walks, gloves, caps, sunglasses or ski goggles, lip protector and sun block. At the hotel each guest may wear whatever is comfor-table. The hotel’s interior has a pleasant temperature (not too warm), ideal for light and informal clothing.
For details, go to equipment for patagonia explorations.
Insurance:
Although all safety measures are taken for explorations, and we provide the necessary means to resolve contingencies, it is recommended that every visitor has an insurance policy.
Currency
We accept Chilean pesos, American dollars, and Euros. VISA, MASTERCARD, DINERS and AMERICAN EXPRESS credit cards are welcome for all purchases within the hotel.
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| RATES AND ENTRANCE DATES |
| Explora Patagonia For Programs Entrance Dates 2008,2009 |
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| YEAR
2008 |
| MONTHS |
Program
Entrance Date
5 Days / 4 Nights |
Program
Entrance Date
9 Days / 8 Nights |
| August |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27-31 |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27-31 |
| September |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
| October |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
| November |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27 |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27 |
| December |
01-05-09-13-17-21-27 |
01-05-09-13-17-21-27 |
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| YEAR
2009 |
| MONTHS |
Program
Entrance Date
5 Days / 4 Nights |
Program
Entrance Date
9 Days / 8 Nights |
| January |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
| February |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27 |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27 |
| March |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27-31 |
03-07-11-15-19-23-27-31 |
| April |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
| May |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
| June |
03-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
03-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
| July |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
| August |
01-05-09-13-17-21-25-29 |
01-05-09-13-17-21-25-29 |
| September |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
02-06-10-14-18-22-26-30 |
| October |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
| November |
01-05-09-13-17-21-25-29 |
01-05-09-13-17-21-25-29 |
| December |
03-07-11-15-19-23-29 |
03-07-11-15-19-23-29 |
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| YEAR
2010 |
| MONTHS |
Program
Entrance Date
5 Days / 4 Nights |
Program
Entrance Date
9 Days / 8 Nights |
| January |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
04-08-12-16-20-24-28 |
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| Terms and Conditions |
General Conditions
Programs
• 4 nights
• 8 nights
Children
Children under two years old are free of charge when they share their parents’ room.
Reservations:
All reservations must be made via written confirmation.
explora will confirm reservations in the same manner as sent. Reservations will be considered tentative until the guest confirms and pays 30% of the total reservation fee. The remaining must be paid 30 days prior to the guest’s arrival at the hotel. Programs at explora are non-divisible and cannot be transferred.
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Changes and cancellations
Changes to confirmed reservations will be subject to the approval and availability of the hotel.
Cancellation fees
Individuals:
• 60 to 30 days prior to check-in: US$ 200 per room.
• 29 to 10 days prior to check-in: 30% of the total value of the reservation.
• 9 to 0 days prior to check-in: 100% of the total value of the reservation.
Groups:
• Consult our cancellations policy.
Liabilities
explora reserves the right to alter, change or eliminate parts of the exploration itineraries without prior notice, when advisable for the well-being or safety of guests.
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DESTINATIONS
