art of travel
the journey
not just to get there but to go there
to see with new eyes and let life take place
explora The unforgettable experience of exploring the natural and cultural environment of remote regions at the Southern tip of America. The luxury of the essential.
Pedro Ibáñez Founder & Chairman
[Por el momento va texto enviado por Carla, aquí debiese ir un texto oficial más adecuado..] An intrepid traveler and philanthropist himself, Pedro Ibáñez first founded explora in 1989 along a group of friends enthusiastic about unconventional travel and adventure. The idea was to offer journeys in remote areas of South America that were different because of the experience they provided and their intense interaction with nature and local culture. That dream materialized in 1993 with the opening of the first operation, explora Patagonia, Hotel Salto Chico in Torres del Paine National Park. Under Ibañez’s continued guidance, explora now owns and operates three properties in Chile – Hotel Salto Chico, explora Patagonia, Hotel de Larache, explora Atacama, and Posada de Mike Rapu, explora Rapa Nui – as well as the Travesías or nomadic journeys throughout the Bolivian Altiplano, Northwest Argentina and Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia.
Our trips LODGE-BASED JOURNEYS On these journeys, one of our lodges is the center of operations for exploring the natural and cultural surroundings. explora Atacama explora Patagonia explora Rapa Nui
TRAVESĂ?AS OR NOMADIC JOURNEYS On these nomadic trips we travel for several days through remote, little-known places, crossing country borders, trekking and staying overnight in a variety of places specially equipped by us. explora explora explora explora
to Uyuni from Uyuni Los Andes El ChaltĂŠn
pacific ocean
explora rapa
south america
Salar de Uyuni
ocean
Cachi
Iquique Calama
at l a n t i c
San Pedro
explora atacama
Buenos Aires Santiago
El ChaltĂŠn Torres del Paine Punta Arenas nui
explora patagonia
lodge-based journeys
explora Atacama The base of our explorations in Atacama is Hotel de Larache, placed in the oasis of San Pedro, in the Atacama Desert. Located 2,500 m (8,202 ft) amsl, this oasis is a heaven full of life in the heart of the driest desert in the world. Numerous animals and plants can be found here, many of them endemic and surprisingly strong and adaptable. Enormous mountains and volcanoes rise up to 6,000 mamsl, while large salt flats extend over large areas of this land. The Altiplano is full of the unexpected, surrounded by lakes, wetlands and geysers.
Explorations At explora Atacama we offer over 50 explorations which vary in type and duration. Our treks, horseback rides, cycling trips, high-mountain climbs and stargazing sessions will help you to discover Atacama’s ancestral culture and unique wildlife.
WE INVITE YOU TO DISCOVER OUR SPECIAL PROGRAMS: High Mountain Expeditions, Photographic Expeditions, Horseback Riding Expeditions and Ethnocultural Expeditions.
Stables Our stables can be found at the entrance of the hotel area, and house approximately 20 horses of distinct races, which have been trained specifically for explora horse rides. In the middle of a dry zone with little vegetation, we cultivate 13 hectares of alfalfa to feed our horses.
Hotel de Larache Opened in 1998, is situated on a plain known as the Ayllu de Larache, an ancient terrain of 17 hectares (42 acres) previously home to the oldest Atacame単o families.
Astronomical observatory The night sky at Atacama is among the clearest in the world and therefore one of the best locations for stargazing. Given these conditions, in early 2008 we opened our own observatory so as to offer you the unforgettable experience of exploring the night sky.
Quincho At 50 meters from the hotel, we have reconditioned an old adobe house with a patio that can fit 100 people. On certain nights we use this place to host barbecues of lamb, beef and fish, while listening to Andean music and watching Atacama folkloric dances.
Termas de Puritama About 45 minutes away from the hotel, you will find Termas de Puritama, a complex of eight large interconnected hot watered pools located at an altitude of 3.500 mamsl. The first and largest pool is reserved exclusively for explora travelers.
CLIMATE San Pedro de Atacama enjoys clear skies and sunshine 90% of the year. Because of its altitude, San Pedro has more moderate temperatures. WHAT TO WEAR - Lightweight pants - Lightweight shirts and t-shirts - Comfortable trekking shoes - Fleece - Windbreaker - Sunglasses - Sunscreen - Sun hat - Daypack (20 to 30 liters) - Swimsuit TO CLIMB IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS: - Thermal underwear - Trekking pants (ideally thermal) - Trekking boots - Down jacket - Thick gloves - Mountaineering hat
lodge-based journeys
explora Patagonia The base of our explorations in Patagonia is our Hotel Salto Chico, the only lodge in its class, located in Torres del Paine National Park which covers 242,242 hectares (598,593 acres). Close to 500 species of animals live in Patagonia: 400 birds, 60 mammals and several types of fish. There are thousands of plant species in the park,many of which are endemic. Declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978, its geography has been shaped by successive waves of geological and glaciological phenomena occurred millions of years ago.
Explorations More than 20 treks and over 15 horseback rides will help you to discover the landscapes and wildlife of this singular place, as well as the unique way of life of its human inhabitants: the gauchos.
Stables Located 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from the lodge, our stables are home to 26 horses of different breeds which we have bred and trained specially for our travelers to ride. From time to time we organize barbecues at the stables, which you can enjoy with the gauchos who work here.
WE INVITE YOU TO DISCOVER OUR SPECIAL PROGRAMS: photographic expeditions, and horseback riding expeditions.
Estancia 2 de Enero Located at the northeastern edge of Torres del Paine National Park, you can drink “mate� tea - a typical drink in Patagonia - with the gauchos who work here and watch them as they go about the typical ranching tasks: shearing sheep, driving livestock, breaking in horses and branding animals.
Hotel Salto Chico Our lodge opened in 1993 and is located on the banks of the Salto Chico waterfall, on a site measuring 3 hectares (7.4 acres), with excellent views towards the massif and Torres del Paine.
CLIMATE The park features a microclimate, but the general climate in the region is maritime. Wind can blow as strong as 110 km per hour (70 mi per hour), producing continually changing climactic conditions. WHAT TO WEAR - Base layer: thick socks, warm underwear and a thermal t-shirt - Second layer: trekking pants and a thin fleece - Third layer: a windproof fleece - Fourth layer: waterproof overpants and rainproof jacket - Comfortable trekking shoes - Gloves - Sunglasses with UV filter, a strap - Sunhat to protect your face and ears against the wind - Sunblock - Daypack
Birdwatching Over 100 species of birds make their home in Torres del Paine National Park and many of them are native to the area. We have guides specializing in the birdlife of the area who will take you to one of the four “biotic environments� that we have identified in the park for birdwatching.
Quincho Located near to Estancia 2 de Enero, the quincho (barbecue area) is the starting point for some of our horseback rides. Here, at certain times of the year, you can enjoy barbecued Patagonian lamb, cooked slowly throughout the day by the gauchos who work at the estancia. It is certainly worth the wait.
lodge-based journeys
explora Rapa Nui The base of our explorations in Rapa Nui is our Posada de Mike Rapu, located at the center of the island, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. About 3,600 km (3,200 mi) from the American continent, surrounded by some of the world’s most transparent waters, Rapa Nui was the cradle of an unusual andenigmatic culture that persists to this day. Language, music and many other traditions, remain alive amongst the island’s inhabitants, whilst the more than 900 moai -enormous statues carved out of volcanic rock- are a testimony of their cultural richness.
Explorations We offer 25 explorations which vary in type and duration. More than 15 treks, bicycle rides, and explorations by sea, enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the culture and geography of Rapa Nui, its ancestral, megalithic figures, the moai, and the special idiosyncrasies of its people.
WE INVITE YOU TO DISCOVER OUR ETHNOCULTURAL EXPEDITIONS that have been designed for travelers with a thirst for a deeper knowledge of the places they visit.
Posada de Mike Rapu Our lodge, which opened in December 2007, was built on 9.6 hectares (23.7 acres) of land 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) from Hanga Roa, the most populated part of the island.
Ancient cultures The culture of Rapa Nui still preserves many of its original forms, which are expressed through cuisine, sports, dances, music, ceremonies, craftwork and most of all through the language, vananga. The culture has been passed from generation to generation, mainly through oral traditions. The elders have played a very important role in preserving the history and ancestral legends and myths.
Marine wildlife There are 150 species of marine wildlife belonging to more than 60 different families. About 25% of all species can only be found in this corner of the planet. That’s not all. The ocean of Rapa Nui is known for being among the most transparent in the world, with excellent visibility up to a depth of 50 m (164 ft).
Tapati There are traditional festivities on the island throughout the year. The one which involves the most preparation and which people most anticipate is Tapati, which takes place in February. People split into teams to compete in a number of traditional trials. Travelers to the island can also take part.
CLIMATE Rapa Nui has a warm and moderately humid climate with pleasant temperatures year-round. WHAT TO WEAR - Comfortable trekking shoes - T-shirts and lightweight trekking pants - Thin fleece - Windbreaker - Sunglasses with UV protection, sunhat and sunblock - Daypack
Our guides For us at explora, our guides are so essential that we have developed a very rigorous recruitment process to select new ones. We also have our own Guide School, where we train staff in our own particular art of travel to ensure that you have the best travel experience. The explora guides are very knowledgable about the geographical areas in which our lodges are based and can provide you with expert orientation to help you choose the explorations which best suit your interests and abilities.
Arquitecture From the very begining, explora’s architecture, has been fundamental to the explora experience. It makes it possible to inhabit the remote, it intends to reveal its mystery without solving it while showcasing the unfathomable beauty of the natural environment. José Cruz Ovalle is the highly acclaimed architect responsible for the innovative and architecturally stunnings Hotel Salto Chico, explora Patagonia (1993), Posada de Mike Rapu, explora Rapa Nui (2007) and most recently, the interior renovation of Hotel de Larache, explora Atacama (2008). [Mención a Germán del Sol..]
Sustainability The explora project is based in areas which offer two great treasures: nature and local cultures. Therefore, the sustainability of our operations is of strategic importance and is based on two central principles: Commitment to the environment: Our environmental policy arose from our desire to minimize the impact of our operations on the areas where we are based. Commitment to the communities: Patagonia, Atacama and Rapa Nui all possess a great treasure: the people who live there. We are committed to actively promoting the well-being and development of these local communities.
Awards The explora architecture for both Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia & Hotel de Larache in Atacama – have been awarded prizes at the “Bienal de Arquitectura” of Santiago, Miami, Quito and also in Architecture contests in England and Hong Kong. Entre 2011 y 2013, los lectores de la prestigiosa revista de viajes Travel+Leisure reconocieron a explora Rapa Nui como el Mejor Hotel de Centro y Sudamérica y el Nº1 en calidad de servicio; ubicaron a explora Patagonia como el Lodge de Aventura Nº1 en Latinoamérica; y destacaron a explora Atacama por posicionar este destino en el mapa del turismo mundial.
Profile of travelers Average age: 55 Profession or activity: Business people and professionals working in healthcare, education, finance or law Where they live (main cities): New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston, Denver, Seattle, Houston, Phoenix Percentage of travelers who return to explora (CESA members): 15% Percentage of travelers who combine destinations (explora Passport): 2 destinations: 25% 3 destinations: 12% What is the motive of their journey: To get to know the destination. To carry out activities / explorations. To get to know the lodge.
Group programs En sus 20 años de operación, explora ha sido reconocido internacionalmente como una de las mejores experiencias de viaje en el mundo. Hemos diseñado programas especialmente orientados para grupos, lo invitamos a ser parte de esta experiencia.
PR agents [aquĂ van agentes de PR, pendientes] Helena Papadelis US Regional Manager helena@explora.com Ana Maria Varela Sales Manager North America amvarela@explora.com Helena Papadelis US Regional Manager helena@explora.com Ana Maria Varela Sales Manager North America amvarela@explora.com