Explora Patagonia National Park, Southern Carretera Austral

Location

Puerto Bertrand to Cochrane (Southern Carretera Austral, Chile)

Description

This Explora lodge is in a priviledged site on what was once a a large estancia right at the heart of the Chacabuco valley and centrepiece of the Patagonia National Park. First visited by Douglas and Kristine Tompkins in 1995, the estancia covers 200,000 acres of Patagonia steppe and was purchased in 2004 by Conservación Patagonica to protect the endangered native Huemul deer.

The lodge is part of a self-sustainable project, so its building materials were stones from local quarries, recycled wood and copper for the roofs. There is a welcoming main communal sitting area, dining room and bar. The décor is warm and inviting with the key themes of conservation and ecology visible throughout. The outdoor hot-tubs at the spa are a wonderful place to relax at the end of the day and massages can be booked too.

Activities

Explora operates an all-inclusive package with a daily choice of excursions in the Patagonia National Park: treks, mountain biking, kayaking, trips in a van etc. all with bilingual guides and which can be suited to all levels of activity.

Accommodation

The rooms are in 2 separate blocks, away from the main building housing the restuarant. All rooms are stylish and very comfortable with tasteful décor and wonderful views to the Tamango and Tamanguito hills, and the park in general. The 8 standard rooms measure 25 x 32 square metres and the 5 suites measure 35 x 42 square meters.

Our comments

The valley has long been coveted by environmental groups as it forms a natural bridge between the National Reserves Jeinimeni (to the north) and Tamango to the south and showcases all the region's indigenous species (including guanacos, puma and condors).