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#2 of 2 all-inclusives in Torres del Paine National Park
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Our lodge is located right in the heart of the extraordinary Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia. The diverse and untouched landscapes of this area led UNESCO to declare it a biosphere reserve.Our Patagonia hotel lodge opened in 1993 on the banks of the Salto Chico waterfall. It affords an excellent view of the unique Paine Massif and two of the three impressive torres, or towers, which give the park its name.The lodge has 49 rooms and a variety of inviting spaces. Situated on a 3-hectare (7.4-Acre) site, the design borrows certain organic forms from the landscape itself, adapting to it with simple elegance. It was designed to create a dialogue with its environment, putting human beings in touch with the sublimity of their surroundings.For travellers, the lodge provides the welcome surprise of comfort in a remote area. Nonetheless, you are not isolated from nature, but rather placed "within" it.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
River View
Lagoon View
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Salto Chico S/n, Torres del Paine National Park 5661000 Chile
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Nestled in the serene Patagonian landscape, Explora en Torres del Paine captivates guests with its unrivaled location and breathtaking views, considered a high point by many travelers. While the cost may be steep, the luxurious experience, coupled with the hotel's tranquil atmosphere and design, often justifies the expense for visitors. The rooms garner praise for their comfort and vistas, despite some ventilation concerns at night.
Service at Explora is lauded for its professionalism and the staff's warm demeanor. Guests have called out the lack of a gym, but the hotel's other amenities, including the gourmet dining options and spa services, receive rave reviews.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Comprehensive
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We stayed 5 nights here on a fully inclusive basis in a Salto Chico room. We were picked up from our hotel (Remota Patagonia) in Puerto Natales by an Explora lodge van and driven to the lodge (around 1.5 hours drive). On arrival, we were greeted by Manuel, the manager at the door and bags delivered to our room. Manuel showed us around the lodge and explained how the days work here at the lodge. We were booked in for a walk from the lodge that afternoon. Our room was fabulous - I had been concerned that the 'lesser' Salto Chico room may have been disappointing, but no - we were very lucky to have Room 28 which was a corner room. Not a huge room but very comfortable. Unless money is no object, I would highly recommend the Salto Chico rooms - you really don't spend a lot of time in your room if you are here on a fully inclusive basis, and out for most of the day. The lodge has amazing view from the lounge and restaurant to enjoy any time. A lovely touch is the welcome card in the room as well as a quality water bottle and small dry bag of useful items. We sat down with a guide over a drink before dinner to plan out activities during our stay - this was revisited over a drink with a guide every evening to take into consideration the weather conditions expected for the next day. This lodge is stunning - the views amazing, the service fabulous and the food exceptional. It's the location though, in one of the wildest places of extraordinary beauty that we are here to experience. And so we did - we packed our days with activities - either full day activities where we would take a packed lunch or two half day activities where we would be back at the lodge for lunch in between. We had 4 full days and I would recommend this - we felt it allowed us to see a lot of the park in all directions. The Cuernos walk was stunning - difficult in its length - a full day of hiking with a few steep bits. Sarmiento - very interest - blowing a gale and horizontal icy rain yet we still enjoyed it!. Mirador Toro walk - lovely lookout. Pingo Chorillo - lovely walk to a waterfall. Laguna Largo - easy with the most stunning views of the horns. Aonikenk + La Loma - a full day. They offer horse riding - we didn't take this up. Groups were generally small - at most 8 with a guide, but often just us and 1 or 2 others. A highlight was our close enounter with a Puma - spotted high on a hillside by our driver when we were enroute to a walk one morning - to our amazement it walked towards the road and then ran between our group - amazing photos. I can't recommend this lodge enough - sure it is expensive but the location is the best, the guides and activities so good, the food and service could not be faulted. An experience we will always remember.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:5 nights is about right to enjoy the fully inclusive offering. No need to spend extra on the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explora Torres Del Paine is a very nice property in a stunning setting. Your jaw will drop when you look at the expansive blue water, the soaring mountains, and the striking glaciers.
The excursions and the guides are excellent. Easy hikes to challenging hikes, from horses to boats you will find something for every taste, and every level. A lot of variety and choices for three or four days. The lunches they pack are plentiful and tasty. Imagine yourself in the middle of the wilderness and your guide pulls out a thermos of hot soup, lays down a small tablecloth, and serves you fresh charcuterie. And, in the mid afternoon, they stop and serve you hot coffee, and Baileys!
The rooms are comfortable. Daily turn down service and always a chocolate awaiting your return at night.
The bartenders are outstanding. Don’t be shy. Ask them for their favorite drink. Definitely try the local El Calafete drink which is their version of the Pisco Sour made with local fruit.
Much has been written about the mediocrity of the restaurant. Most of what you read is fair. Dinner is not that of a five star property. By no means were we expecting Michelin quality food but the menu items are limited. Management is aware of the issue and working to resolve it but until they do, the property will not return to its 5 star rated days.
It’s interesting that one of our excursions was a hike that ended at the Estancia, where we were served a beautiful lunch of freshly grilled beef, lamb, chicken, and vegetables. This was the variety and quality of food that we were hoping for at the hotel. If they can accomplish this at the estancia, then why can’t they do this at the restaurant?
You pay a premium for this property, and in our estimation, having done many similar types of trips, with well-rated outfitters, this property is worth the premium they charge. You have an unbelievable location, outstanding views, comfortable accommodations, and with a boat dock on property, you are 15 minutes away from the beginning of many hikes - not 90 minutes that you will encounter with some other properties. The guides are extremely impressive, the rooms and facilities are comfortable, and if you don’t need a Michelin rated restaurant, you’ll be very happy.
One other note. The manager at the property, Marisol, is outstanding. She greets the customers, asks how everyone is doing, and strives to meet you every need.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Be prepared for a bumpy car ride to any property in Patagonia as most of the road are gravel...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Otro at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Mar 1, 2024
Dear John, We greatly appreciate your feedback! It's wonderful to see that you've highlighted the significant contribution of our staff and guides, as they are an essential part of our company. They lead our explorations and assist our travelers in uncovering the destinations we visit. As you mentioned previously, we are assessing the situation regarding our restaurant for improvement as soon as possible We look forward to having the opportunity to welcome you back to one of our lodges! Kind regards, Explora Team
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Explora is an amazing lodge in the stunningly beautiful Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. I don't even know where to start to tell how much I loved my trip here. But I'll start with the staff-- everyone was so thoughtful, so helpful, and so kind. I can't thank them enough for helping to make my trip so wonderful. I travelled here on my own and always felt completely comfortable and welcomed. My room was lovely and the view of Torres del Paine from the window cannot be described it was so beautiful.
I was also impressed by how well designed the lodge was with nice little touches such as the snack station near where you meet your guides for hikes! The food at the restaurant was very good and beautifully plated. More food, snacks and drinks were available from the bar at any time.
There are many choices for the activities you can do but I chose to do 2 half day hikes every day. I loved them all and the guides were all wonderful. I was constantly amazed by their knowledge of fora, fauna, geology, history and all things Patagonia.
Yes Explora is on the expensive side but all food, activities, even transport to the airport was included. I went during low season (August) which meant prices were lower and the park had very few people-- it was so magical feeling like I practically had Torres del Paine to myself. The weather was perfect (sunny, cool, and dry). This was a trip of a lifetime and it is so worth the splurge.
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Otro at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Sep 4, 2024
Dear Karen, Thank you for your wonderful review on TripAdvisor! We’re pleased to hear that our team’s dedication had a positive impact during your visit, as they truly represent the values we strive for at Explora. Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment and to attend to every detail of your stay, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in exploring and connecting with the nature and culture around you. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable journey! Warm regards, The Explora Team
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I had a wonderful stay at Explora and thoroughly enjoyed the experience overall. The food was excellent, with gourmet dinners and fantastic breakfast spreads, and the views of the Paine Massif and the Horns were absolutely stunning. The excursions offered were well-curated and a highlight of the trip.
However, there were a couple of areas where my experience could have been better.
Room Ventilation: The central heating system in the rooms made them quite warm at night. While opening the windows helped, it also let in daylight, which can be disruptive if you prefer to sleep early, like I do.
Mount Británico Hike: This was the most disappointing part of my stay. The guides maintained a very fast pace, which felt rushed and didn’t allow me to enjoy the stunning scenery or take photos at the many beautiful viewpoints along the trail. As an avid hiker, I usually maintain a good pace, but I prefer to hike at a speed that allows me to truly appreciate the journey, not just the destination.
The guides seemed intent on returning by 5 PM to catch Explora’s private catamaran, which created unnecessary pressure. Ironically, we ended up returning at 7 PM because I couldn’t keep up with the pace. If the guides had planned for a later return, I could have completed the hike to Mount Británico and enjoyed it without feeling rushed.
For a trip to Patagonia, which is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this was a significant disappointment. I hope Explora can revisit the scheduling and pacing of their excursions to better accommodate guests with different hiking styles and ensure a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Overall, Explora is a fantastic place to stay, and I hope my feedback helps improve future visits for other guests.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our family stayed at Explora Torres del Paine for 4 nights and we couldn't fault anything in the whole experience. Each single member of staff provides flawless service. The hotel manager, Marisol, is attentive and kind and makes sure that the guests' needs are addressed even before they are expressed! The waiters, cleaning staff, drivers and guides are all welcoming, friendly and professional.
We enjoyed all the meals we had, they were all plentiful, fresh, healthy and tasty. Breakfast was a beautiful spread of healthy food every morning. And the view over the lake and the mountains in the dining room is spectacular.
Our children (9 and 7 years old) were made to feel very welcome and enjoyed every minute of their stay. The hotel staff went above and beyond to assist us when both myself and my husband fell ill with a virus, making special tea and soups for us.
Every excursion was memorable and we even managed to spot a puma walking across the snow.
The spa area is very tranquil and again offers wonderful views. The rooms are extremely comfortable and have all the amenities you may wish for.
Explora Torres del Paine comes at a premium price but you get what you pay for. We highly recommend staying at this hotel when visiting the national park.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Otro at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Jun 12, 2024
Dear Tuscany82, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us on TripAdvisor! Our team at Explora is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences, and we're thrilled to hear that you had a memorable stay at our lodge in Torres del Paine. We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable journey, whether you're exploring the stunning landscapes of Atacama in Chile or immersing yourself in the rich culture of the Inca Empire in Sacred Valley, Peru. Warm regards, Explora Team
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We enjoyed our stay and the location/views are stunning. The room was comfortable with a fantastic view of the mountains. The guides were friendly, helpful and had a good approach to their jobs. As non riders we really enjoyed the horseback riding. Further to an earlier review we were told by other guests there was a bug going around the hotel during our stay, but it didn’t affect us or anyone we spoke to. A big letdown was the choice, quantity and quality of some of the food. Although some meals were quite good, some were poor, especially the bizarre offerings for some of the side dishes. The restaurant and bar staff were friendly and helpful although some seemed a little under trained. As previously mentioned the hotel management was somewhat inconspicuous. The spa was ok but on the morning we used it neither the steam room or sauna were hot enough to enjoy, although the outside jacuzzi was nice and had a great location on the lake. The option to take a cold plunge into the lake is also a good one. If this hotel had cost $1000 per night I’d say it was worth it but for $3000 it’s massively overpriced.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Otro at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Mar 1, 2024
Dear Bulblu, Thank you for taking the time to share your invaluable feedback and recommendations with us. We are delighted to know that you had a pleasant stay at our lodge in Torres del Paine. However, we sincerely regret to hear that the overall experience fell short of justifying our nightly rate and did not meet your expectations. All the best, Explora Team.
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I’ve visited three Explora properties, with the Patagonia visit occurring in January 2022 and Sacred Valley in Peru happening in July 2022. I still consider the Torres Del Paine location to be the most beautiful/striking of all, with breathtaking views in just about every hike. It is no exaggeration that I’ve never seen anything more beautiful on the whole planet than this region. It was amazing sleeping with the sound of the water outside, and I found the guides to be outstanding. However, having recently visited the other Explora property and seen it excellently managed, here are my observations on how this particular Explora can improve:
1. The food - this became the primary, consuming issue for our group. There were nights in which there was nothing appetizing to order (and I’m not a picky eater with the exception of meats). One dish was so salty that I barely touched it, and the waitress didn’t even acknowledge it or ask questions. At one point I spoke to the hotel manager, who told me I could order from the kid’s menu (steak & fries, etc). That same day, when I tried to do so, the waitress told me I couldn’t (they clearly weren’t told). There were other guests who also found out about the kid’s menu and tried ordering (successfully and unsuccessfully) from it. But think about this…if you have grown men and women trying to order from the kid’s menu so they don’t go hungry that night, does that tell you something? On several nights I went to bed hungry and angry that a lodge at this price point had such bad selections of food, and that the service was so lacking. Where at other locations it feels like the staff tries real hard to get to “yes” regarding REASONABLE requests, at this location we were constantly told no and made to feel like a nuisance. I think this may be a training/cultural matter, and I’m certain there’s “behind the scenes” dynamics that we guests aren’t privy to. But at this price point, this is unacceptable.
2. Activities - someone else mentioned caution with horseback riding and I had a similar experience. I have never ridden a horse and was told I could do it as the horses were well trained. Within 5 minutes, horse drama ensued with my horse nipped at another horse who got too close. I got so nervous I asked to stay behind as I wanted to leave this beautiful location with my spine intact. I clearly got the emo horse as one of the guides made a comment about “it happening again.” I recommend you do this if you have experience and know how to keep positive control of your horse.
I would absolutely return to this location with the understanding/expectation that I’m there to hike, not to eat, and that the service will be spotty due to the transient nature of the staff there. Remember that it’s the location you’re truly paying for, and everything becomes a little more tolerable.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Dueño at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Jul 15, 2022
Hi Dio9mm, Thanks for sharing your experience with us. We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay at our lodge in Torres del Paine and its amazing view. We regret the bad experience you had with our dining and restaurant service, as well as our horses. We are going to review the points you mention so we can improve, as for us it is of the utmost importance for all our travelers to have a memorable experience. We hope you had a good trip home. A warm embrace, Explora Team
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Extraordinary lodge. The service was first rate, the staff was friendly and attentive. Wonderful food. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and spent time getting to know the people in their groups. The rooms, designed for resting and not hanging out, were so comfortable (don't miss the huge jetted tub)--there were windows in the wall between the bathroom and bedroom so you could see the stunning views wherever you are. They provided hiking poles and microspikes whenever needed, as well as snacks and lunches (for all day hikes). It was the perfect setting for adventures with all kinds of people. Truly a first-rate experience.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Otro at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded May 21, 2024
Dear Leslie, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review of your experience with us on TripAdvisor! We truly appreciate your kind words and are thrilled to hear that you had a memorable stay at our lodge in Torres del Paine. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey! Kind regards, Explora Team
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Spectacular property and out of this world views. Marisol the Manager of the property is always a step ahead and we loved the attention to detail and care. Alejandro our primary Excursion Organizer understood exactly what we wanted to see and what would best suit our abilities. We had a corner room #12 and had views of Torres del Paine and Salto Chico waterfall. Loved the staff in the dining room. Entire trip was pure perfection.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Room 12 - corner with views of Torres del Paine and Salto Chico (waterfall)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Propietario at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Jun 12, 2023
Hello Den, First of all, thank you for sharing your experience with us at Explora Torres del Paine. We're glad that you enjoyed your stay, as our team strives to ensure you have a memorable trip from the very beginning. Our all-inclusive programs aim to allow travelers to relax and enjoy the remote locations where we are located, so that they can not only connect with nature but also with themselves. To explore this territory, there is no better company than our guides. In addition to being able to choose different modalities and levels of difficulty, they will teach you all about the history, culture, geography, flora, and fauna of this unparalleled place. We hope you had a safe journey back home and look forward to seeing you soon at one of our other destinations such as Rapa Nui in Chile or the Sacred Valley in Peru. Warm regards, Explora Team.
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My husband and I have traveled extensively. We are not by any means high maintenance travelers. We plan all of our excursions and are very self sufficient. We don’t ask for anything over the top. We were very disappointed with Explora . For the price we sure expected more. Three meals a day if you miss it you’re out of luck. And hungry. We arrived at dinner at 8:30 there are 3 options for dinner we requested the skirt steak which we were told they were out of. When you’ve been hiking all day you’re very hungry. My dinner was vegetables with polenta . We paid a lot of money to stay here. Explora also has their own boat which is nice. If you can convince them to give you a ride just across the lake. We asked for a ride to hike Grey Glacier basically you need to sign up with their “guides” to use this service. We don’t need guides just a ride. It took 10 minutes to get a coffee to go. We planned on staying for six nights we left after two. Had two meals within the two days there. One lunch & one dinner.Its a fixed menu choose one starter one main and a dessert. Portions are VERY small!. We needed to work a little bit Wi-Fi was down they said when the wind blows it goes out. They would not give us the password for the other three Wi-Fi connections. We also drove our car there to find out there is no parking for guests. The main priority for them is booking all of your hikes, horseback riding, boat excursions, and their convenience. Pretty much forcing us to sit through an orientation. No thanks! We did not.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Don’t drive a car there there is no parking. There is no food.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explora Team, Otro at Explora en Torres del Paine
Responded Jan 12, 2024
Dear Darcy, First of all, thank you for sharing your experience with us. We regret the inconveniences you experienced during your stay at our lodge, as all our efforts are aimed at ensuring that every traveler has a memorable stay. we're assessing the situation with our on-site team for improvement, considering the specifics of your experience. Kind regards, Explora Team
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I don’t work there, they did have small children there. A lot of the other patrons found them annoying as the one cried a lot and as it’s a really expensive place.
It’s a beautiful place.
From what I observed, there are (a) a bunch of guests and (b) a bunch of guides. So the plans are made ad-hoc the evening before, depending on what various guests want to do. I think this is why they don't commit to a specific hike.
The hike to French Valley is doable by yourself from the ferry terminal, although I would get plenty of advice and use a GPS device.
I think there’s enough for you to do at the Torres del Paine. You can take day trips to see like 3 different lagoons. The views are to die for and I never got tired of looking at my window. I stayed 3 days and it wasn’t enough.
Yes, you probably can because nothing is mandatory but... the price of the hotel seems to be so high because it includes the guides and guided tours, then to get to some places you need a car which is also included if you go with tours, then the hotel is within the National Parque and some entrance fees are included on the excursions... then all in all I am not sure if it is worth giving up Explora's activities offer as in my opinion it is really that what you are paying there for.
There are more places to choose from in the Torres del Paine National Park area.
PRICE RANGE
C$2,153 - C$2,526 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
explora patagonia hotel salto chico, explora patagonia torres del paine
LOCATION
ChileMagallanes RegionTorres del Paine National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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