Explora Atacama

Atacama Desert, Chile

The 50-room Explora Atacama is a 5-star adventure property, offering four pools, horseback riding, hiking, and cycling. Similar to the Explora property in Patagonia, the service and guides here are top quality and world-class. Located on 42-acres in the Ayllu de Larache (the former land of the ancient Aymara people), the grounds are comprised of 20 indigenous parcels that are preserved by Explora. Upon arrival, you will sit down with one of Explora’s guides and plan out your excursions for the next day, repeating this process each day of your stay. Excursions are meant to be shared experiences among Explora’s guests; however, with no minimum participant number, you may sometimes enjoy a private excursion experience. One of the unique features of the lodge is its special stargazing observatory, located just a short walk from the main building. 

Explora Torres Del Paine

Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

The extraordinary Explora Patagonia is our favorite luxury lodge in the entire 1,242-foot stretch of the Patagonia Andes. The 49-room Explora Patagonia is located in the very heart of Patagonia in the unspoiled Torres del Paine National Park, sitting on the shores of Lake Pehoe. This lodge is the quintessential base for exploring the array of ecosystems in Torres del Paine National Park, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve! Despite its remote location, Explora Patagonia provides all essential luxuries in a comfortable, understated way that reflects Patagonia’s natural environment. The sleek, linga-wood designed rooms seem large when looking out at the splendid views. A deciduous mountain tree, the Patagonia linga is now fully preserved in its unique South American environment. Though it is perhaps not as architecturally striking as the Singular, the Explora Patagonia more than makes up for it with one of the most spectacularly picturesque settings of any lodge we have stayed at in the world!

Explora’s luxurious amenities include open-air hot-tubs with the Paine River insight, a heated pool, spa, sauna, Chilean bar, and its own horse stable. With the area’s highest quality guides, wonderful food selections, and many hiking and horseback riding options, this place is certainly worthy of a four-night stay. We must mention, however, that we do not find the food or pool at this property to be extraordinary, with the location, outstanding views, and excursion guides being the main reason to stay here. Of special note, Explora is the only lodge in Patagonia with its own bred and trained stable of horses. All horses have been raised on the Ibanez Estate, not far from the Explora property. It should be noted that Wi-Fi here is only available in the common areas and not in the rooms, as the goal of Explora is for guests to relax and sleep in rooms while engaging in camaraderie and communication in the common areas. For this to happen, disconnection is key!

Explora Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve (Opening 2026!)

Torres del Paine, Chile

We are eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Explora Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve, set to open in December 2026! The new property is situated in a vast sanctuary on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park. With over 15,000 acres of protected land, the property is part of the Torres del Paine Biosphere Reserve and was created in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. The architecture team at Aguiló & Pedraza diligently spent over three weeks surveying the reserve’s vast landscape on foot and on horseback to conceptualize the best way to implement their design expectations in keeping with Explora’s sustainability efforts. The result of these efforts is ten thoughtfully designed lodges with views of the mountains and protected forests. The lodge’s dining room takes shape from a former sheep stable, outfitted with fire pits that are ideal for lamb and beef roasts. Chilean wines are carefully paired with local cuisine. Over 30 explorations are all included with your stay, ranging in skill level. Each exploration of the Reserve’s Northeastern Steppe is led by a team of Explora’s bilingual certified guides. 

Explora Patagonia National Park

Chacabuco Valley, Chile

Opened in 2021, Explora Patagonia National Park is another interesting addition to the Explora portfolio in South America. Set in the remote Chacabuco Valley, the lodge is located within one of Patagonia’s most important conservation areas, part of the Tompkins Conservation legacy. Special shoutout to Douglas and Kristine Tompkins who spearheaded this conservation effort, leading to the creation of Patagonia National Park in 2018! FYI Kristine Tompkins was the president and cofounder of Patagonia, and the late Douglas Tompkins founded North Face inc. This privately protected valley is home to thriving ecosystems, from open grasslands to ice-capped peaks, and is rich in wildlife including guanacos, condors, ñandú, and the endangered huemul deer. The lodge has just 13 rooms (5 suites and 8 standard rooms), all featuring panoramic views and built using local stone, reclaimed wood, and recycled copper. A strong focus on sustainability runs through the property, in line with Explora’s core values.

Exploration activities include hiking, e-biking, kayaking, and helicopter explorations across mountain lagoons, rivers, and glacial terrain. The spa features three outdoor hot tubs facing the surrounding mountains. All meals are included, with menus centered on Chilean ingredients and traditional gaucho-style cooking. The lodge has earned significant recognition—including the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award four years in a row (!) and “World’s Leading Lodge 2024” by the World Travel Awards.

Explora El Chaltén

Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, Argentina

Opened in 2021, the 20-room Explora El Chaltén is a luxury boutique lodge located in Argentine Patagonia, an approximate five-hour drive from the Explora Patagonia property in Torres Del Paine National Park. Situated in Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, the lodge offers views of the surrounding Electric Mountain Valley, Marconi Glacier, and rivers. We appreciate how the Explora brand aims to blend its hotels with their nature surroundings, and this property is no exception! The hotel’s design emphasizes sustainability and merges seamlessly with the natural landscape. Its use of local materials and thoughtful architecture minimizes the environmental impact while maximizing guests’ immersion in Patagonia’s wilderness. Each room has windows that frame the panoramic views of the Southern Andes, allowing nature to take center stage.

Offering the only naturalist guide schools in all of South America, we wholly trust all Explora properties to provide top-tier nature excursions. Guided excursions at this property include hiking, climbing, biking, kayaking, glacier walks, and cultural experiences. We were particularly impressed when exploring the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, the world’s third largest fresh water reserve! In addition to daily naturalist guided adventures, luxury amenities include all-inclusive cuisine emphasizing fresh local ingredients, an outdoor hot tub, and all-inclusive spa, with two massage rooms, two saunas, and five open-air Jacuzzis.

Explora el Calafate (Opening 2026!)

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Located in Argentina, Explora El Calafate is a luxury lodge set on a historic estancia in the Patagonian steppe. Surrounded by picturesque views of the Andes, it is best known for its proximity to Los Glaciares National Park, including the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier, and Lake Argentino, providing access to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The lodge features 20 rooms (17 rooms and three suites) with views over the valley, glacier, or mountains. Designed by Chilean architect José Cruz Ovalle, its architecture combines contemporary elements with natural materials and large windows, creating a seamless connection between interior spaces and the dramatic surrounding landscape. Serving as a base for exploration, Explora El Calafate offers more than 30 expertly guided excursions, including glacier treks, horseback rides, and overland journeys across valleys and lakes.

As with all Explora lodges, cuisine is a highlight. World-class chefs serve traditional Patagonian dishes built around local ingredients such as lamb, trout, and native herbs. Explora’s experience includes meals, a spa and wellness center featuring saunas, hot tubs, and massage treatment rooms, national park entrance fees, and round-trip airport transfers – a completely remote and seamless journey.

Having last visited the Explora properties in December 2024, we are eager to return for the grand opening of El Calafate in December 2026!

Explora Valle Sagrado 

Sacred Valley, Peru

Being big fans of the outdoor-oriented Explora properties in Patagonia, Atacama, and Easter Island, we were excited about the opening of the Explora Valle Sagrado (Explora Sacred Valley). The 50-room, architecturally-striking lodge is set in a tranquil rural location, with a somewhat spartan Scandinavian aesthetic, including unvarnished wooden walls, stripped beams and pillars, and vaulted ceilings. We particularly like the naturally-lit rooms’ alpaca-wool blankets and panoramic views of the surrounding plantations and mountains. Two of our favorite features here are the outstanding dining room with its cathedral ceiling and the spa in an adjacent 17th-century country hacienda. The emphasis here is on exploring nature (hiking and mild mountain hiking)! Please note, there are neither TVs nor Wi-Fi here.