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ABOUT EXPLORA PATAGONIA NATIONAL PARK - in their own words:
Inspired by iconic national park lodges from around the world, the Lodge at Valle Chacabuco’s detailed woodwork and original photography of local culture and nature provide a uniquely Patagonian experience. The central living and dining room are the ideal setting for resting after a day of travel, hiking, or exploration. Drink regional wine at the living room bar and enjoy views of looming Mount Tamanguito to the south through expansive paned windows. Nestle into overstuffed sofas, lounge by the fire, or venture to the patio by night to view an endless spread of stars.The Lodge’s respect for the land and commitment to the environment is central to the guest experience. Complementing its surroundings, the Lodge is built from stone quarried in the Chacabuco Valley. Its high beams and floors come from recycled and refurbished wood, and its lush grounds welcome frequent and personal wildlife encounters. We make a concerted effort to use mostly organic and biodegradable cleaning products. The park is moving toward a 100% renewable energy system, which will make it the first energy-independent park in the world.
The Lodge is open from October 1 through April 30. We are CLOSED from May through September.
Unplugged and Wild
This park is remote, which is part of its great charm. There is no cellular phone coverage at the lodge, or anywhere in the park, although you may fi nd some is available in Puerto Bertrand or Cochrane on your travels to and from the park.
Lodge visitors have access to WiFi, however, the connection is slow and can be sporadic. Please do not plan on streaming video.
Getting Here
You can find flights from Santiago to Balmaceda (BBA), the closest airport to the park. There are several planes that leave daily. We recommend that you take the first flight of the day as the road trip from Balmaceda to the park can range from six to eight hours.The drive from Balmaceda/Coyhaique to the park can take anywhere between six and eight hours. This mostly dirt highway—the only continuous north-south road in Aysen—makes for an exciting road trip, with miles between houses, and hours between gas stations. You’ll encounter potholes, crazy drivers, terrifyingly sharp curves, steep cliffs, and few guardrails—but also spectacular views of bright blue rivers, snowcapped mountains, and wild terrain.
El Rincón Gaucho: Bar and Restaurant
Bar and Restaurant El Rincón Gaucho sits in the heart of the park headquarters and is designed with the same elegant detail as the Lodge. Loft ceilings made of recycled wood beams frame a perfect view of the valley’s grassland and surroundings peaks.
Lodge meals are largely sourced from our on-site greenhouses and from the local livestock. Breakfast for Lodge guests only is served within the Lodge, and lunch and dinner are available for all park visitors at El Rincón Gaucho: Bar and Restaurant October 1st. through April 30th. The breakfast buffet includes toast, eggs, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruit, ham, cheese, jams, honey, juice, coffee and tea. Picnic lunches of assorted sandwiches, fruit, homemade cookies, and juices are available for guests who wish to explore the park during the day. Dinners vary depending on seasonal availability, but generally include salad, a main course, and dessert. On occasion, we’ll hold traditional Patagonian asados (barbeques) for all guests and staff. We’re happy to accommodate special dietary concerns, though we do request advanced notice.
Accommodations - click here for photos and details
In character with the rest of the Lodge, each of the six en-suite rooms celebrates attention to detail and the beauty of the surrounding environment. The Lodge is your home away from home and can comfortably accommodate singles, couples, and small groups. We have also available a new extension of the lodge, with 04 double matrimonial rooms.
Puma Verde Handcraft Store
The Puma Verde Handcraft Store, located in the lobby of Restaurant El Rincón Gaucho, offers visitors a helpful array of field books and guides as well as handmade gifts from some of the best craftsmen in Chile. Much care has been put into sourcing these products, which include honey, wool, wooden crafts, tanned hides, horsehair handcrafts, and souvenirs.
The store’s wool products are all made from organic wool produced at the farms that surround our sister park, Pumalin Park, where a cooperative of women work together on different wool products, such as sweaters, hats, throws and blankets. Tanned sheepskin is also available, tanned by women in Cochrane, the closest town to Patagonia Park. Cypress bowls, Mapuche and Chimbarongo woven baskets, and custom linen pillows, embroidered with some of the park’s local plants such as orchids and colas de zorro (foxtails), are the perfect way to decorate your home with a little taste of the Lodge at Valle Chacabuco.
