Explora provides travelers with trekking poles, helmets and riding gaiters for horseback rides and give them a bottle of water.
Required for all activities:
- Fleece/wool/windproof hat
- 1st layer: T-shirts and thermal underwear
- 2nd layer: Fleece
- 3rd layer: Down jacket
- 4th layer: Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Long- and short sleeve t-shirts
- Hiking trousers and shorts.
- Hiking shoes and hiking socks (long)
- Thin gloves and windproof gloves
- Waterproof leggings
- A hat for the sun, sunglasses, and Buff or protective neckwear
- Sunscreen
- Small backpack (25 liters)
- *If you travel between May – September, consider bringing a headlamp
Optional for all activities:
- Swimsuit, Sandals, Camel back
In El Calafate, the weather is part of the adventure. Located deep in Argentine Patagonia, this remote place experiences all four seasons with striking contrasts — from crisp, wind-swept summers to silent, snow-dusted winters.
- Summer (December to February) brings long days and mild temperatures that rarely exceed 20 °C (68 °F). The wind can be strong, sweeping through the steppe and over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, but the light is golden and endless — perfect for exploring the glacier, hiking trails and all the explorations we crafted in this part of the world.
- Autumn (March to May) paints the landscape with ochre and copper tones. Temperatures cool, the wind softens, and the region becomes quieter, offering a sense of stillness and reflection.
- Winter (June to August) transforms El Calafate into a serene retreat. Snow may blanket the landscapes and mountains, creating a peaceful atmosphere where silence reigns and the glaciers appear even more imposing under the pale winter light. On calm days, you will quickly feel warm during the hikes.
- Spring (September to November) brings renewal. Wildflowers bloom across the steppe, days grow longer, and wildlife reappears — guanacos, condors, and flamingos return to the shores of Lago Argentino.
Throughout the year, El Calafate’s weather reminds visitors that Patagonia is a land of extremes and beauty. No two days are ever alike, and that unpredictability is precisely what makes it unforgettable.
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Unlike hotels in the town of El Calafate, Explora El Calafate is a remote all-inclusive lodge set within the historic Chorrillo Malo estancia, surrounded by the Patagonian steppe with sweeping views of the pampas, the Andes, and glimpses of the Perito Moreno Glacier. The experience goes far beyond accommodation: 30+ guided explorations are included with your stay, led by bilingual expert guides trained at Explora’s own School of Guides. All meals, drinks, transfers, and National Park entrance fees are also included — making it a seamless, immersive Patagonian journey rather than just a place to sleep.
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Explora El Calafate offers more than 30 guided explorations across five distinct zones of Argentine Patagonia:
- Hielos Milenarios — up-close encounters with the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers on Earth, by boat and on foot.
- Brazo Sur — the most remote corner of Los Glaciares National Park, with hidden valleys, lagoons, and glaciers.
- Valles y Montañas — forested hikes and panoramic viewpoints where ice, water, and forest converge.
- Pampa — overland journeys across the vast Patagonian steppe, tracing the region’s ranching history.
- La Estancia — horseback riding and hiking through the lodge’s own historic estancia territory.
All explorations are customized to your skill level and interests, and group sizes are limited to eight guests for a deeply personal experience.
-
El Calafate can be visited year-round, with each season offering a distinct experience:
- Summer (December–February): Long golden days, mild temperatures up to 20°C (68°F), and ideal conditions for glacier explorations and hiking.
- Autumn (March–May): The steppe turns ochre and copper, crowds thin out, and the landscape feels wonderfully still.
- Winter (June–August): Snow blankets the mountains and glaciers appear more imposing under pale winter light — a serene, intimate retreat.
- Spring (September–November): Wildflowers bloom across the steppe, guanacos, condors, and flamingos return to the shores of Lago Argentino.
No matter when you visit, Patagonia’s signature unpredictability ensures no two days are ever alike.
-
The most convenient way to reach the lodge is by flying into El Calafate Airport (FTE), approximately 1 hour from the lodge. Regular flights connect El Calafate with Buenos Aires. Explora includes round-trip airport transfers on preset schedules as part of your stay.
Guests traveling within the Patagonia Network can also arrive:
- From Explora El Chaltén by road (approx. 3.5 hours), with transfers available on select days October–April.
- From Torres del Paine, Chile by road (approx. 6 hours), crossing the Chile–Argentina border — a spectacular scenic journey.
Private transfers are also available at an additional cost.
-
An all-inclusive stay at Explora El Calafate covers everything you need for a complete Patagonian experience:
- Accommodation in 20 thoughtfully designed rooms (Standard or Suite) with views of the pampa and mountains
- All guided explorations — 30+ excursions by foot, horseback, boat, and overland vehicle
- All meals and drinks — cuisine inspired by local Patagonian ingredients (lamb, trout, native herbs, seasonal produce) and Patagonian wines
- Spa facilities — outdoor hot tubs to unwind under the open sky
- National Park entrance fees
- Round-trip airport transfers according to preset schedules
The only things not included are flights, optional private transfers, and personal expenses.
-
Explora El Calafate was designed by acclaimed Chilean architect José Cruz Ovalle, with a philosophy of blending seamlessly into the Patagonian landscape. Natural materials, organic forms, and expansive windows frame panoramic views of glaciers, rolling plains, and distant mountains — making guests feel part of the landscape rather than observers of it.
The lodge offers 20 rooms — Standard (with views of the pampa and mountains) and Suites — each designed for rest and comfort after a day of exploration. Shared spaces encourage connection: stories shared over exceptional cuisine, a glass of wine by the fire, and the quiet luxury of a hot shower after a day in the wild.
-
Unlike hotels in the town of El Calafate, Explora El Calafate is a remote all-inclusive lodge set within the historic Chorrillo Malo estancia, surrounded by the Patagonian steppe with sweeping views of the pampas, the Andes, and glimpses of the Perito Moreno Glacier. The experience goes far beyond accommodation: 30+ guided explorations are included with your stay, led by bilingual expert guides trained at Explora’s own School of Guides. All meals, drinks, transfers, and National Park entrance fees are also included — making it a seamless, immersive Patagonian journey rather than just a place to sleep.
-
Explora El Calafate offers more than 30 guided explorations across five distinct zones of Argentine Patagonia:
- Hielos Milenarios — up-close encounters with the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers on Earth, by boat and on foot.
- Brazo Sur — the most remote corner of Los Glaciares National Park, with hidden valleys, lagoons, and glaciers.
- Valles y Montañas — forested hikes and panoramic viewpoints where ice, water, and forest converge.
- Pampa — overland journeys across the vast Patagonian steppe, tracing the region’s ranching history.
- La Estancia — horseback riding and hiking through the lodge’s own historic estancia territory.
All explorations are customized to your skill level and interests, and group sizes are limited to eight guests for a deeply personal experience.
-
El Calafate can be visited year-round, with each season offering a distinct experience:
- Summer (December–February): Long golden days, mild temperatures up to 20°C (68°F), and ideal conditions for glacier explorations and hiking.
- Autumn (March–May): The steppe turns ochre and copper, crowds thin out, and the landscape feels wonderfully still.
- Winter (June–August): Snow blankets the mountains and glaciers appear more imposing under pale winter light — a serene, intimate retreat.
- Spring (September–November): Wildflowers bloom across the steppe, guanacos, condors, and flamingos return to the shores of Lago Argentino.
No matter when you visit, Patagonia’s signature unpredictability ensures no two days are ever alike.
-
The most convenient way to reach the lodge is by flying into El Calafate Airport (FTE), approximately 1 hour from the lodge. Regular flights connect El Calafate with Buenos Aires. Explora includes round-trip airport transfers on preset schedules as part of your stay.
Guests traveling within the Patagonia Network can also arrive:
- From Explora El Chaltén by road (approx. 3.5 hours), with transfers available on select days October–April.
- From Torres del Paine, Chile by road (approx. 6 hours), crossing the Chile–Argentina border — a spectacular scenic journey.
Private transfers are also available at an additional cost.
-
An all-inclusive stay at Explora El Calafate covers everything you need for a complete Patagonian experience:
- Accommodation in 20 thoughtfully designed rooms (Standard or Suite) with views of the pampa and mountains
- All guided explorations — 30+ excursions by foot, horseback, boat, and overland vehicle
- All meals and drinks — cuisine inspired by local Patagonian ingredients (lamb, trout, native herbs, seasonal produce) and Patagonian wines
- Spa facilities — outdoor hot tubs to unwind under the open sky
- National Park entrance fees
- Round-trip airport transfers according to preset schedules
The only things not included are flights, optional private transfers, and personal expenses.
-
Explora El Calafate was designed by acclaimed Chilean architect José Cruz Ovalle, with a philosophy of blending seamlessly into the Patagonian landscape. Natural materials, organic forms, and expansive windows frame panoramic views of glaciers, rolling plains, and distant mountains — making guests feel part of the landscape rather than observers of it.
The lodge offers 20 rooms — Standard (with views of the pampa and mountains) and Suites — each designed for rest and comfort after a day of exploration. Shared spaces encourage connection: stories shared over exceptional cuisine, a glass of wine by the fire, and the quiet luxury of a hot shower after a day in the wild.
