Explora Patagonia half-day excursions
WALK TO LAKE GREY PENINSULA Duration:3.5 to 4 hours (half-day). Walking 2 to 2.5 hours. Distance: 5 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van toward the Grey Ranger Station (40 min). Cross the Pingo River hanging bridge by foot and continue through a forest of beech, followed by the Lake Grey beach and peninsula. View of the Grey Glacier and icebergs along the shore. Return by van (40 min). Level: Easy.
WALK TO NORDENSKJÖLD VISTA POINT Duration:3 hours (half-day). Walking: 2.5 hours. Distance on foot: 6 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (10 min) toward the Pudeto Refugio. Walk to the shore of Lake Pehoé, first passing the Salto Grande waterfall, then toward the Paine Massif until reaching the vista point of Lake Nordenskjöld. Spectacular view of the French Valley, the Paine Grande Massif and the Horns. Note: Frequent strong winds. Level: Easy.
WALK TO THE TORO VISTA POINT Duration:2 hours (half-day). Walking 1.5 hours. Distance on foot: 3.5 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (15 min) toward the Weber bridge, climb 100 meters until reaching the Toro vista point. Observe birds, regional fauna and characteristics of the local aquatic flora. Views of Lake Toro and the Serrano River flanked by grand Andean peaks such as the Ferrier and Donoso mountains, among others. Return by van to explora (15 min). Level: Easy.
WALK ALONG LAS CORNISAS (THE CORNICES) Duration:3 to 3.5 hours (half-day). Walking 3 to 3.5hours. Distance on foot: 6.5 km. Itinerary: Leave explora on foot. Ascend 250 meters to the cornice of the ridge behind explora, offering views of the Paine Massif, the Condor vista point, and lakes Pehoé and Nordenskjöld. The road continues along the cornice, with passing tiny lakes and forest, with views of the Paine River, Prat Mountain, Serrano Prairie and Lake Toro in the distance. Descend the La Feria Ravine. Note: Frequent strong winds. Level: Medium.
WALK TO LAGO SARMIENTO Duration:2.5 to 3 hours (half-day). Walking 2 to 2.5 hours. Distance on foot: 4 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (20 min) passing the Lagunas Mellizas (Twin Lakes). The walk leads to Lake Sarmiento, which has unusual yet beautiful calcium formations along its shore. Possible sightings of guanacos and diverse birds, and a wide variety of flora (especially during the spring). View of Lake Sarmiento in its entirety. Return by van (20 min). Level: Easy.
WALK TO PINGO RIVER Duration:4 to 5 hours (half-day). Walking 2.5 to 3 hours. Distance on foot: 8 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (40 min) toward the Grey Ranger Station. Relatively flat trail that follows the turbulent, glacier-fed Pingo River, through open prairie to arrive at the Salmon River Cascade. Great variety of birds and exuberant vegetation. Return to the Grey Ranger Station, and back to explora by van (40 min). Level: Easy.
WALK TO THE CONDOR VISTA POINT Duration:2 hours walking. Distance on foot: 4 km. Itinerary: Leave explora on foot. This walk offers sweeping views of the park, and allows for the observation of diverse flora and species of birds. Ascend 250 meters to the Condor vista point. Note: Frequent strong winds. Level: Medium.
WALK TO FERRIER VISTA POINT Duration:4 hours (half-day). Walking 3 hours. Distance on foot: 7 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (40 min) toward the Grey Ranger Station. Steep climb (550 meters) to Ferrier vista point. Lovely vegetation along the trail and the possibility of viewing huemules,a local deer. Ancient forest of deciduous beech and a spectacular panorama of the Paine Massif from the eastern flank of the Pingo Valley. View of lakes Grey, Pehoé, Nordenskjöld and Sarmiento. Return by van (40 min). Note: Frequent strong winds. Level: Difficult.
WALK ALONG THE AONIKENK TRAIL Duration:3 to 4 hours (half-day). Walking 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Distance on foot: 7.5 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (30 min) toward the Lake Sarmiento Ranger Station. Walk a moderate trail north to the limit of the park, with moderate ascent (150 meters). The excursion allows for walking through rock walls it is possible to see Aonikenk Indian paintings, primitive inhabitants of the region. There is an abundance of guanacos here. Gradual descent to the Laguna Amarga Ranger Station. Return by van (35 min). Level: Easy.
PHOTO SAFARI TO OBSERVE FLORA, FAUNA AND BIRDS Duration:3 hours (half-day). Itinerary: Leave explora by van to the quincho barbecue site. This excursion has an emphasis on photography and learning the flora and fauna of the park. During the journey it is possible to observe a numerous varieties of fauna such as guanacos, rheas, condors, foxes, skunks, ducks, geese and other varieties of birds, especially during the spring. Views of the Horns and the Towers, the Almirante Peak and the Paine River Cascade. Return by van (1 hour). Level: Easy.
WALK ALONG LAGUNA AZUL (BLUE LAKE) Duration:4 to 5 hours (half-day). Walking 2 to 3 hours. Distance on foot:8 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van to the quincho barbecue, and walk from the extreme northeast of Laguna Azul along the northern shore until reaching the Torres del Paine vista point. Forests of deciduous and Antarctic beech, views of the Towers and Laguna Azul. Abundant flora and opportunities for birdwatching. This walk may be taken before or after the barbecue lunch. Level: Easy.
Explora Horseback Riding Excursions
Horseback rides in the Laguna Azul (Blue Lake) area begin at the quincho barbecue site, about an hour from explora by van, and visit a few of the estancias (ranches) in the area. Rides are designed for guests with riding experience, and who feel comfortable trotting and galloping.
HORSEBACK RIDE AT THE QUINCHO Duration:1 to 1.5 hours of horseback riding (halfday). Itinerary: Leave explora by van toward the quincho barbecue site (1 hour drive). Leave from the quincho on horse, passing through forests of deciduous and Antarctic beech, with views of the Baguales peaks, the Las Chinas River, Mount Almirante Nieto, the Towers and the Condor Nest peak. Pass by the Laguna Azul ranch and return to the quincho bordering the Las Chinas River. Level: Easy.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO THE 2 DE ENERO ESTANCIA (JANUARY 2 RANCH) Duration:3 hours of horseback riding (half-day). Itinerary: Leave explora by van to the quincho barbecue site (1 hour). Cross the Zamora River on horseback, passing through sections of prairie, Lake Jara and finally arriving at the 2 de Enero estancia at the base of the Obelisco peak. Possibility of seeing condors and eagles. Views of the Sierra Baguales peaks and the Paine Towers. Note: This excursion requires previous horseback riding experience. Level: Difficult.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO THE SANTA GEMITA RANCH Duration:2 hours of horseback riding (half-day). Itinerary:Leave explora by van to the quincho barbecue site (1 hour). Cross the Zamora River on horseback. Ascend and descend the hills surrounding the quincho, arriving at the Santa Gemita ranch. Return via steep slopes. Possibility of seeing condors and eagles. Spectacular view of the Towers and Laguna Azul. Level:Medium.
Note:The horseback rides that follow begin at the explora stable located 15 minutes from the hotel, unlike the rides that begin at the Quincho barbecue site. These rides are designed principally for participants with riding experience and who feel comfortable riding for several hours on flat prairie and hills. Participants should know how to trot and/or gallop. explora provides the highest-quality Chilean and English saddles, gaiters and helmets.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO THE DONOSO VISTA POINT Duration:6 hours (full day). Five hours riding. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (15 min) to the stable. Narrow trails through forest, along lakes and across prairie land. View of Donoso Mountain, in one of the least-explored, virgin areas of the park. Picnic lunch next to Los Choros Lake. Prairie, streams, mountains and exuberant flora are a few of the highlights of this horseback ride. Return by van (15 min). Level: Medium.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO SERRANO RIVER Duration:3 hours (half-day). Two hours riding. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (15 min) to the stable. The horseback ride begins crossing the Serrano prairie and along the turquoise waters of the Serrano River, with a view of the snowy peaks of Mount Balmaceda. Return via the golden Serrano prairie, with views of the Paine Horns. Return by van (15 min). Level: Medium.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO LAKE LINDA Duration:3 hours (half-day). Two hours riding. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (15 min) to the stable. Leaving north from the stable, the trail first passes through hills dotted with charred trees. Views of the Negra Lake, Linda lake, the prairie around the administration building, Paine River, Toro Lake, and the Paine and Andean mountain ranges. Return by van (15 min). Level: Easy.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO THE PEHOÉ REFUGIO Duration:4 hours (half-day) Three hours riding. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (15 min) to the stable. The ride begins through the prairie next to the stable, in the direction of the Las Carretas campground. View of Lake Grey and its icebergs. Picnic lunch in the area. The ride continues to the Pehoé Refugio, with spectacular views of the Paine Massif, Lake Pehoé and the Andean mountain range. Return by boat from Refugio Pehoé (30 min). Note: The boat crossing is dependent on climactic conditions. Level: Medium.
HORSEBACK RIDE TO THE TORO HEIGHTS Duration:4 hours (half-day). Three hours riding. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (15 min) to the stable. The horseback ride begins at the eastern side of the Paine River, heading toward the La Feria Ravine. Ride uphill 250 meters, with views of the Paine Massif and River. Continue along interior valleys dotted with lakes and through beech forest. The trail continues until reaching the Toro Heights, with a spectacular, 360-degree view of the park. Descend toward the Weber Bridge and return to the stable. Return to explora by van (15 min). Level: Difficult.
Explora Patagonia Full-day excursions
WALK TO GLACIAR GREY Duration: 10 to 11 hours (full day). Walking 4 to 6 hours. Distance: 12 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by boat (30 min). Walk from the Pehoé Refugio to the Grey Refugio, with views of the Grey Glacier, icebergs in Lake Grey, the Southern Ice Field, the Paine Massif and the Olguin Mountains. Picnic lunch close to the glacier. Return by boat across Lake Grey (2 hours), with an close look at the glacier wall. Return by van from the Grey Ranger Station to explora (40 min). Note: The boat crossing is dependent on climactic conditions Level: Medium.
WALK TO THE TORO HEIGHTS Duration: 5 to 6 hours (full day). Distance on foot: 12 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (10 min) to the La Feria Ravine, and ascend 250 meters. Views of the Paine Massif and the Paine River. Continue through interior valleys, past lakes and beech forests. Picnic lunch. The trail continues until reaching the Toro Heights Lake, with a spectacular, 360-degree view of the park. Descend to the Weber Bridge. Return to explora by van (15 min). Level: Medium
WALK TO LAGUNA LA CAL / SARMIENTO Duration: 7 hours (full day). Walking 6 to 7 hours. Distance on foot: 17 km. Itinerary: Leave by foot from explora via the trail to the Las Buitreras (Condor Nest) Pass, ascending 200 meters. The trail passes through beech forest and arrives at La Cal Lake, a site where one can usually appreciate the strong Patagonian wind. In the spring, there is abundant fauna in the area. Impressive view of the Paine Horns and Lake Sarmiento, with its calcium formations. Return by van (20 min) Level: Medium
WALK TO THE FRENCH VALLEY GLACIER Duration:7 to 8 hours (full day). Walking 6 to 7 hours Distance on foot: 16 km Itinerary: Leave explora by boat (30 min) to the Pehoé Refugio. Walk along the trail that borders lakes Pehoé and Skottsberg, with undulating climbs of less than 150 meters. Spectacular views of the two lakes, of the Grand Paine Mountain and the Paine Horns. Cross the hanging bridge over French River for a view of the French Glacier, the principal peak of the Grand Paine Mountain and the principal and north Horns. Picnic lunch and return walking back to the Pehoé Refugio. Return by boat to explora (30 min) Note: The boat crossing is dependent on climactic conditions. Level: Medium.
WALK TO THE BASE OF THE PAINE TOWERS Duration:10 to 11 hours (full day). Walking 8 to 9 hours. Distance on foot: 17 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (1 hour) toward the Cerro Paine Ranch. Ascend 350 meters through the Ascencio River Valley to the Chileno campground. Walk through centuryold forests of beech and past gorges until reaching the Torres campground. Climb a glacial moraine until reaching the Towers vista point at the lake (a 350-meter climb). Picnic lunch and return walking back to the Cerro Paine Ranch, with a view of multicoloured lakes. Return by van to explora. Note: This excursion requires that participants be in good physical shape. Level: Difficult.
WALK TO THE PINGO RIVER VALLEY Duration:10 to 11 hours (full day). Walking 8 to 9 hours. Distance on foot: 21 km. Itinerary: Leave explora by van (40 min) towards the Grey Ranger Station. Walk along a relatively flat trail following the turbulent, glacier-fed Pingo River, and through open prairies and exuberant vegetation. Pass the Salmon River and climb lightly (200 meters). Native beech forest, views of the Grand Paine Mountain and the River Pingo Cascade, and good opportunities for bird watching. Picnic lunch and return walking back until reaching the Grey Ranger Station. Level: Difficult
Accommodation: Explora Patagonia