EXPLORA HOTEL IN EL CHALTÉN OPENING SEPTEMBER 2020

With views to the Electric Valley and the Marconi Glacier, explora El Chaltén will open its doors in September 2020. 

17 km away from El Chaltén and within the heart of Los Huemules private reserve, the lodge will be a headquarters from which to explore a world-renowned destination for those who love nature and trekking.

All the programs that the lodge will offer will include accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, meals and beverages, and a selection of exploration routes designed by their own outdoors team.

 

There will be Standard and Suite rooms with the typical design of the ancient Argentinean Patagonia estancias. Comfortable, luminous and spacious they promise to ensure the travelers’ deep rest. 

The hotel will offer more than 30 activities for every level of difficulty and skills, including overlands, trekking, ice hikes and rock climbing, all as diverse as the El Chaltén surroundings.

One of the places to be explored will be Los Glaciares National Park, with vast ice fields and the world-renowned Perito Moreno Glacier. Also, the Southern Patagonia Mountain Range, Mount Fitz-Roy, the towering heights of the area, and the surroundings of the Los Huemules Natural Reserve, in addition to the Patagonia forest and its rich wildlife.

The explorations may cover a full day or half a day, in groups of no more than eight travelers accompanied by a bilingual guide trained at explora’s Guide School. 

To complete and improve even more the guests’ experience, the hotel will provide a full spa service with hydromassages, sauna, and a massage room especially designed to enjoy the views; a gastronomic experience that has the Argentinean Patagonia as inspiration for the menu, offering different lunch and dinner options that fully renew on a daily basis; bars to enjoy a drink after an active day and a shop with local crafts and literature.

To be able to deeply discover this environment and fully enjoy the activities, it’s recommended a stay between four and six nights. Bookings are available now!

 

ACTIVITIES AND HISTORY AT CORRENTOSO HOTEL IN PATAGONIA

The oldest hotel in Patagonia provides an upgraded guest experience including some activities during the travelers stay. 

Founded in 1917 by Primo Capraro and Rosa Maier, one of the first pioneer couple of Patagonia, Correntoso Lake & River Hotel was born as a fishermen refuge and grew to become a perfect exponent of the hospitality industry. 

Today, being part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it complies with all the standards of international excellence without losing the essence of those adventurers who came to the region so many years ago.

Located in Villa La Angostura at the mouth of Correntoso River in its union with Nahuel Huapi Lake, the hotel offers amazing views of the Andes Mountain Range and the National Park Nahuel Huapi.

Included with the accommodation rate, there is a wide range of tours and activities between historic and virgin places to enjoy the lake, mountain and forest through outdoor activities that respect nature, and indoor ones to relax on the premises. 

All of them are supervised by the hotel staff and are organized on a daily basis subject to weather conditions. Guests should enroll at the reception desk the previous day and may also be coordinated privately in the surroundings.

These are the activities included to improve the passenger experience:

Hike to the old bridge: A very easy trek. We meet at the lobby and start hiking, observing the ornamental species of the gardens, matched with the local flora in the neighborhood of Villa Correntoso, which is also part of the tour, eventually reaching a lookout point with great views of the two lakes that surround the hotel.

Ayur yoga class: An activity based on an open system that matches the lessons learned from the most ancient yogic tradition, the Nathas Siddhas, with the principles of Ayurveda, a traditional medical science from India.

Wine tasting: Thanks to the expertise of Mercedes, Correntoso’s sommelier and local host, you will taste various grape wine varieties, from diverse regions and for all tastes, in a cozy environment. You don’t need to be an expert in wines; it is just a space to know a little bit more about an icon of our culture.

Sailing on Doña Emma: We depart from the dock of the hotel towards Brazo Rincón, Última Esperanza and Machete. Sailing on Inalco and Arauco bays, Paradón de las Gaviotas and Menéndez Island.

100 years hike: The history of Correntoso is very rich and interesting. Joined by a host, go across the gardens and saloons of the most ancient hotel of Patagonia, observing the details and anecdotes of the first settlers. Learn about the different building stages and the challenges faced by the hotel during more than a hundred years of history.

Besides, short sailings to Fray Menendez Island, guided treks to the river, painting demonstrations, talks about the local flora and fauna, are some of the activities that will be included in the accommodation rate at Correntoso Lake & River Hotel.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Guests at Correntoso may request any activity at the front desk, free of charge. There are also other activities upon request, with an extra charge.
  • Activities are subject to weather conditions and may vary without notice.
  • All activities are available in English and Spanish.

 

OFF THE BEATEN PATHS AT LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK

A unique trekking experience on real off the beaten paths to have the glacial landscape all to yourself!

We know that El Calafate and its main attractions during the peak season can be collapsed with people, complicating the access and transit of visitors. That’s why we found this exclusive trekking tour in remote places of Los Glaciares National Park. Ideal to combine with the stay at the Nibepo Aike Patagonian ranch and to offer an original activity to customers who enjoy off the beaten path experiences.

We travel the route, we sail on two different boats, we walk through Patagonian forests and glacial valleys, to reach the end of the journey in front of an incredible lake covered with icebergs, overlooking the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers; all this in a virtually desolate natural environment, where we will rarely meet someone.

In groups of no more than 15 people, the excursion includes the transfer from the hotels starting at 8:00 am. After 60 km, we arrive at Los Pioneros boarding, in the southern part of the Los Glaciares National Park.

We sail for an hour and disembark at the end of the South Arm where we begin the first 2-kilometer trek to Lake Frias, which we navigate in Zodiac boats. When disembarking on the opposite bank, the second trekking of 4.5 kilometers begins, going through a forest with centuries-old lenga trees, and then through an old glacier valley. We walk until we reach the Superior Lake Frias, which is covered with icebergs. From here we can see the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers.

To complete the adventure, we rest for a while and have the box lunch on this beach with amazing views and then return on the same path and navigations to Nibepo Aike port. Return to the city of El Calafate, or to the Nibepo Aike ranch to complement the glacier experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Includes: Spanish/English bilingual trekking guide. Roundtrip transfers, box lunch and entrance fee to the National Park.
  • Not included: Tips or any other extra costs.
  • Operation: From October 1st to April 30th.
  • Duration: Full day – from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
  • Difficulty: Moderate. Trekking paths are on irregular terrain.
  • Max. 15 people + guide.

 

BIKE ADVENTURE IN THE IGUAZÚ NATIONAL PARK

If you want a refreshed experience to complement the traditional excursion to the Argentinean Iguazú Falls, you should bike through the jungle!

Located in the north of the Province of Misiones, the Iguazú National Park occupies a total area of ​​55,000 hectares. It is one of the first National Parks created in the country, with the objective to preserve the magnificent Iguazú Falls and the lush subtropical jungle that surrounds it.

The Yaguareté (jaguar) Trail is within the Iguazú National Park and this is the perfect adventure to go deep into the rainforest. You will ride a mountain bike along a red soil wild path across the jungle, having fun, observing and learning about the local flora and fauna. 

Early in the morning, we meet our biking guide at the Guard Station on the National Route 101. The earlier we ride not only the weather is “cooler” but there are more chances of seeing wild animals such as small mammals, birds and butterflies. 

The guide provides the bikes and the rest of the equipment and we set off riding on the 101 for about 2 kilometers. Then, we turn left to take the Yaguareté Trail. The pedaling is smooth and stable, at a suitable pace for all cyclists on this red soil trail with narrow paths that crosses the jungle.

The aromas of the jungle, its sounds, its freshness, its life…everything is a great complement to this adventure in search of full contact with nature.

Along the way, we make some interpretation stops to recognize wildlife. After 3 kilometers more, we reach the Iguazú River shore, where after checking up the group’s status we decide whether to go on riding or not.

Once we’re done with the pedaling, we return to the guard station where we leave the bikes and say goodbye to our guide.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Estimated duration: 2 to 3 hours.
  • Distance: 6 to 12 km of pedaling, flexible distance and subject to current and previous weather conditions, terrain conditions and cyclists’ fitness.
  • Difficulty: medium/high.
  • Starts VERY early in the morning: 5:30 to 6:30 am during the summer, and 8:00 am in winter. It can also be arranged in the afternoon.
  • Includes: Mountain bike; helmet; gloves; Water; 1 or 2 English speaking guides according to group size; Cyclist insurance; breakfast or snack depending if it’s AM or PM.
  • Not included: Transportation to starting place at route 101.
  • Recommendations: DO NOT wear white footwear, nor white clothes: dirt cannot be easily washed. The excursion can be combined with the visit of the Argentine side of the falls. Please, notify in advance if pax have food restrictions. The tour goes through areas of a wide variety of insects (mosquitoes, spiders, etc.), if travelers suffer from any allergies they must take their own medications to avoid consequences. Please, send on forehand the passenger list with the personal information to prepare insurance. On the spot guests will have to sign a disclaimer.