Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of emergency medical services are there?
All of our guides have earned the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification and thus have the expertise and skills to assist people in remote areas.
Fifteen minutes from the lodge, a paramedic is stationed at the park administration building throughout the year. More serious emergencies can be treated at the hospital at Puerto Natales, an hour and a half away from the lodge and, if necessary, at the Clínica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, five hours from the lodge.
2. How can my family contact me in case of emergency?
They can call (56 2) 3952580, (56 2) 395258 or (56 2) 3952582, send a fax to (56 2) 3952584 or email recpatagonia@explora.com
3. What equipment should I bring?
We will provide you – at no additional cost – with walking sticks and leg guards for treks and all of the necessary equipment for horseback riding. Find out about the equipment you need to bring.
4. Is it possible to change the type of room I have?
When making the reservation, you should choose a room with either a king-size bed or two double beds. Once you are in Patagonia, should you so desire, you may change rooms, as long as there is availability.
5. Are the rooms air-conditioned?
No, just heated.
6. What kinds of vehicles are used to travel around at explora?
Vans which are roomy and comfortable with capacity for 8 people.
7. What transfer options are there from Hotel Salto Chico to Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or the Cerro Castillo border crossing?
We provide the following transfers from explora:
To Punta Arenas airport, departure is around 7 hours prior to your flight (earliest departure from explora at 5:00 a.m.).
To a hotel in Punta Arenas, departure around 3:30 p.m.
To the border with Argentina (Cancha Carrera), departure around 9:15 a.m. to arrive at 12 noon.
8. What are the distances from Hotel Salto Chico to the main locations in the area?
Hotel Salto Chico / Punta Arenas: 390 kilometers (242 miles)
Hotel Salto Chico / Puerto Natales: 140 kilometers (87 miles)
Hotel Salto Chico / Cerro Castillo: 78 kilometers (48.4 miles)
Hotel Salto Chico / Cancha Carrera: 87 kilometers (54 miles)
Hotel Salto Chico / Calafate: 376 kilometers (233.6 miles)
Hotel Salto Chico / El Chaltén: 400 kilometers (248.5 miles)
9. Is it possible to travel to Torres del Paine by plane?
No. The nearest commercial airport is at Punta Arenas. However, there are private flights available from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales airport and from other towns in Argentina to Cerro Castillo airport on the border with Chile. explora can coordinate transport from our lodge to both airports.
10. Is there mobile phone reception at Hotel Salto Chico?
There is no signal at the lodge nor in the surrounding area.
11. Does the overall rate include a tip?
No. At explora, tipping is voluntary. If you would like to leave a tip, you may give it to lodge reception when your stay is over. This tip will be divided among all who made your trip a unique experience. For those who are unsure about the appropriate amount for a tip, we suggest leaving US$ 100 per traveler per stay.
12. What are the lodge’s coordinates?
S 51º 06’ 96’’
W 072º 59’47’’
13. What is the altitude of the lodge?
Around 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level.
How to get here
Upon arrival at the airport in Santiago, Chile, take a connecting flight to the city of Punta Arenas which lasts around four hours. At the airport in Punta Arenas, our staff will be waiting for you and will drive you in our comfortable minibus to Hotel Salto Chico where you can relax or go on an exciting Patagonia adventure tour.
The minibus journey is just under four-and-a-half hours: The journey from Punta Arenas to Llanuras de Diana, along 200 kilometers (124 miles) of paved road takes two-and-a-quarter hours. From there, the 190 kilometers (118 miles) to Torres del Paine National Park is mainly along dirt roads and takes two hours and 20 minutes. We stop at Llanuras de Diana for about half an hour for a light meal provided by explora.
On arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, take a connecting flight to the town of El Calafate which lasts from four to five hours. From El Calafate you can take a regularly scheduled bus or private transfer with an Argentine agency to Cerro Castillo, a journey of 296 kilometers (183 miles) which takes around four hours. At the border our staff will be waiting for you and will drive you in our comfortable minibus to Hotel Salto Chico.
explora Patagonia pick-up points
Punta Arenas airport: Our staff will meet you at the airport, in accordance with the various arrivals times at Punta Arenas before 5 p.m.
Puerto Natales airport: There are flights from Santiago to Puerto Natales during the high season. Our staff can meet you there if you arrange this once you have made your reservation.
Hotels in Punta Arenas: Our staff can pick you up from a hotel in Punta Arenas at around 8 a.m., in order to arrive at the park around 1.30 p.m. in time for lunch at Hotel Salto Chico and perhaps an exploration in the afternoon. The maximum waiting time beyond the time indicated is 15 minutes.
Port of Punta Arenas: This is mainly for the arrival of Mare and Via Australis cruise ships. In this case, the procedure is the same as for Punta Arenas airport.
Hotels in Puerto Natales: Our staff can pick you up from a hotel in Puerto Natales at around 11:30 a.m. or 12 noon in order to arrive at Hotel Salto Chico in time for lunch and perhaps an exploration in the afternoon. The maximum waiting time beyond the time indicated is 15 minutes.
Cerro Castillo Argentine border crossing: Our staff will pick you up here at 12 noon.
*You must be ready to depart at the times listed.