Insider Journeys: Explora El Chalten

Property Overview

Explora El Chalten is a luxury eco-lodge nestled in the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve in southern Argentina. With 20 rooms and suites offering privacy and comfort, guests can unwind in the lodge's guest lounge or dining room, where traditional Argentinean wood-fired dinners are served.

The outdoor hot tubs, with stunning forest views, provide the perfect relaxation after a day of hiking. The lodge offers guided excursions to nearby attractions like Fitz Roy, Laguna Torre, and Laguna de los Tres. The location is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore Patagonia’s landscapes and wildlife.

All meals, snacks and beverages are included in your stay at Explora, with meals served in the dining room. Local ingredients were showcased and we found the mix of simple freshly-prepared dishes and unique local cuisine – often cooked on a traditional Argentinian wood-fired grill – just right for fueling our active days outdoors. Dining options included the warming empanadas and starter platters featuring home-made hummus and grilled breads, fresh salads, hearty fish, meat and vegetable dishes, and freshly baked pastries and local chapati (wood-grilled cheesy bread) at breakfast. There were always sweet treats and fruit available in the guest lounge, and a pisco sour or local wine being served at the bar.

What we loved

There was so much to love about Explora El Chalten. The setting of the lodge within a valley, with a river flowing past and a mountain outside the lodge window, was truly unique. It was one of the most-impressive settings we’ve encountered, and befitting of a journey into the Patagonian wilderness. It's away from the crowds that can descend on Torres del Paine National Park and the main towns in Summer, giving us the Patagonia experience we had imagined.

The guides and lodge staff have a clear connection with the natural environment and take pride in sharing it with visitors. From the moment we arrived we felt surrounded by like-minded people keen to get into the great outdoors and explore this pristine nature areas surrounding the lodge.

Another thing we loved was returning to the lodge after a day hiking to a soak in the open-air hot tubs overlooking the forest. There is simply no better feeling that sinking into warm water to ease sore muscles, especially on a cold day. This was the view from the hot tub on a particularly 'cool' day on my visit.

What surprised us?

It is often the case on luxury journeys that multi-course dining and rich meals can leave you wanting something simple and authentic, and Explora offered just that. The dining at the lodge both surprised and delighted us. The fact that everything at the lodge is home-made and featured fresh ingredients, simply-prepared with traditional techniques, heightened our sense of place and overall experience. It was a real highlight.

The sheer variety and quality of excursion options, and the evening presentations and education available via the guides, was a pleasant surprise too. The lodge is all about getting you outside. The activities are designed to entice you. and the staff’s passion for the region is contagious. At times it felt similar to being on an expedition ship with evening lectures and preparation for the next day’s adventures. Explora sets itself apart as a true adventure lodge.

Recommended experiences

Explora El Chalten offers a wide range of guided excursions, catering to various interests and fitness levels, allowing guests to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia. Here are my top picks.

First is the bucketlist-worthy, Laguna de los Tres Hike. Arguably the best day hike in El Chalten, this trek takes you through forested valleys to the stunningly blue Los Tres Lagoon at the base of Mount Fitz Roy. Along the way, you'll cross rivers, ascend trails, and enjoy lunch with panoramic views of Fitz Roy. A short walk to the left of the lakeshore reveals spectacular vistas over Lago Sucia in the adjacent valley. Normally it is a 20-kilometer hike, but a benefit of staying at Explora is you gain access to a unique route to the main trail, passing through scenic remote landscape away from the crowds, which can shorten the distance. My hike began with snowfall, creating a winter wonderland as I crossed streams and walked through the peaceful forest, eventually moving higher taking in views of mountain peaks and nearby glaciers.

As the day warmed, I emerged from the mountains into the sunlit, rocky valley surrounding the town of El Chalten - considered Patagonia's hiking mecca. As you can see, it was quite incredible to have so much diversity in the landscape and the weather in one day.

The Laguna Azul hike in the Los Huemules Conservation Park was another favourite experience during my stay at Explora. This scenic half-day hike began with a tranquil walk through a fragrant Lenga forest, leading to breathtaking views over the vibrant blue waters of Laguna Azul ("blue lake") . From there, our trail continued to the serene Laguna Verde ("green lake") and crosses a charming bridge into another peaceful forested area. The hike’s true highlight is its remoteness, offering the rare experience of exploring such a pristine and untouched natural paradise in solitude.

What’s Nearby?

I paired my stay at Explora El Chalten with time at a wonderful Relais and Chateau Estancia near El Calafate – the gateway to El Chalten and location of the nearest airport. Eolo Estancia was my base for discovering the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier (pictured), which is one of the largest and arguably the most scenic in Patagonia. I also combined my visit to Explora El Chalten with time across the border in Chilean Patagonia, visiting Torres del Paine National Park and hiking on the W Trek. Explora has another lodge here, which can be combined with Explora El Chalten in an immersive Patagonia journey.