Explora El Chaltén – Argentina
The adventure begins the moment you land at El Calafate, with your drive to the lodge passing through some of Patagonia’s most stunning landscapes – dominated by the mighty Mount Fitz Roy. Set on the winding Eléctrico River, amongst lenga and ñirre forests, with a backdrop of the Marconi Glacier, the luxury Explora El Chaltén is an incomparable place for exploring the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Built to blend in with its surroundings – the 14,000 acre private Los Huemules Conservation Reserve – it’s also just a short distance from Los Glaciares National Park. Its luxury offering, includes fine dining, exceptional adventure itineraries and hugely knowledgeable staff.
At A Glance
Luxury Lodge
Why We Love It:
For its extraordinary location and action-packed itineraries.Style:
Refined Scandi-Patagonian luxe.Location:
In the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve in Argentine Patagonia – 10 miles north of El Chaltén – around a three hour drive from El Calafate airport.Rooms:
17 cosy rooms and three stylish suites with phenomenal panoramic views.Children:
The lodge is very family friendly, although best suited to older children.Accessibility:
There are facilities for guests with limited mobility, and scenic vehicle based excursions.Price:
Available on requestrooms
Simple and pared back, but never losing any comfort, the rooms and suites have a distinctive Scandinavian feel. Kingsize beds and well-appointed bathrooms offer a welcoming sanctuary after a day’s hike, whilst the main event here is the picture windows and what you can see through them – the views are engrossing.
food
The lodge celebrates the gastronomic heritage of Argentine Patagonia, with open fire roasting of succulent cuts of beef and lamb, and mouthwatering dishes from a traditional mud oven. The menu, created by one of Buenos Aires’ top steakhouse chefs, is full of local and seasonal produce, all paired with some fine Chilean wines. Naturally, the views from the restaurant are pretty stunning too.
activities
This lodge is for the adventurous. With over 30 different explorations within the conservation area and neighbouring Los Glaciares National Park, all designed to match your fitness level and interests, you can be sure of a packed schedule. The hiking is spectacular – through the forests, across glaciers, past azure lagoons, along high ridges and up to the peaks. There’s high ascent mountain climbing for the experienced, and opportunities for beginners to tackle smaller climbs.
For something a little more sedate, you can kayak along the Río de las Vueltas on glacier meltwater. Whichever you choose, the wildlife spotting opportunities are entrancing, with rare huemule deer, foxes, guanacos and perhaps a puma or two. And when you reach the lodge at the end of the day, there’s a hot tub for weary limbs.
family
Children are very welcome, and extra beds can be put into the rooms and suites. Due to the taxing hikes and longer excursions, the lodge is best suited to children over the age of 12.
sustainability
Explora El Chaltén is a certified B Corp eco lodge. It was built off-site and on stilts to minimize the impact on the environment, alongside a native tree planting project. The focus is very much on carbon neutral operations, and preserving the natural habitat, with produce sourced locally; an on-site water treatment plant and educating guests on the surrounding flora and fauna.
Location
Explora El Chaltén
In the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve in Argentine Patagonia – 10 miles north of El Chaltén – around a three hour drive from El Calafate airport.
