2024 Impact Report






As a B Corp, Explora is committed to delivering a triple positive impact—on People, the Planet, and, through adequate Profit. Profit remains a key indicator of any private company’s sustainability, reflecting the value created not only for shareholders but also for customers, markets, and the broader economy.
We closed 2024 with achieving our profitability target and successfully normalized debt to a healthy <2x EBIDTA. Revenue grew 14%, with future sales increasing at an even faster rate. Our customers’ strong endorsement— reflected in an average Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 88%—has been the main driver of this growth and the resulting profitability. We are deeply grateful for this trust, and for the renewed recognition as the World’s Leading Expedition Company, awarded by the World Travel Awards.
In terms of expansion, we operated more small-group Expeditions to Tierra del Fuego following the success of their first year. We recently began sales of new Expeditions to the Sacred Mountains of Peru and to Iceland, marking our expansion into the Northern Hemisphere in 2025. Additionally, we are working towards the announcement of our eighth lodge, set to open in Q4 2026.
In terms of People and Planet, we are celebrating multiple milestones—specifically the creation of a Conservation Action Plan, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), for 650,000 hectares within the
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine.
We launched a participatory process for the Conservation Management Plan of the Puritama Reserve in the Atacama Desert.
During 2024 we began the process of recertification three years after joining the B Corp movement, which we proudly just received, showing significant progress across all measured dimensions—governance, workers, environment, community, and customers. The commitment of Explora’s nearly 800 employees remains strong: to continue delivering the distinctive service that defines us, to expand our network of destinations, and to deepen our positive impact on the extraordinary places we invite you to explore.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Gonzalo
Undurraga, Explora CEO
+16,500 Travelers.
73,4 Engagement Score.
Over 100 Local Students Exploring Over $4MM USD in Local Spending
Over 50 Local Providers Trained
70 Hours of Outdoor Scientific Research
for 60 local students in four destinations
South America's Leading Expedition Company World's Leading Expedition Company
Explora Parque Nacional Patagonia
World’s Leading Lodge
Explora El Chaltén
Andrew Harper Editors’ Choice Award
Explora Torres del Paine
Top 15 World’s Best Resorts in South America, US Readers Choice Awards, 2024
Top Resorts in the Caribbean, Central and South America, UK Readers’ Choice Awards, 2024
Explora Valle Sagrado
Top 15 World’s Best Resorts in South America, UK Readers’ Choice Awards, 2024
Top resorts in the Caribbean, Central and South America, UK Readers’ Choice Awards, 2024
Explora Parque Nacional Patagonia
Top 15 World’s Best Resorts in South America, US Readers’ Choice Awards, 2024
Explora opens its first lodge in Torres del Paine
Explora restores and opens the Puritama hotsprings in partnership with the Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños
Explora joins Los Huemules conservation project in Argentina
Explora implements the first ecological and archaeological base line study and conservation plan in Puritama
Explora publishes Reserva Natural Puritama, a book which documents the region’s ecological and archaeological value
Explora is awarded “World’s Leading Expedition Company” for the first time
Explora implements the first flora and fauna study in Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve
Explora implements its first carbon footprint assessment
Explora launches its new mission and statement Explora receives the B Corporation certification
Explora is a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism
Explora joins the Race to Zero Campaign
Explora is a partner of The Nature Conservancy for the perpetual conservation of the Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve
Our
Our lodge in Atacama, Chile opens Puritama Conservation Reserve in Atacama, Chile opens
We are passionate people. We seek to fulfill the Explora promise to “Go Deeper” into nature and to connect our travelers with transformative, genuine experiences in remote locations.
Across our seven lodge operations, our headquarters, Conservation Reserves, and our Expeditions, each member of our team contributes to advances our purpose “to explore as a journey towards conservation,” and provide travelers the opportunity to connect with the remote essence of our destinations.
We explore because we enjoy it. We serve Explora’s mission with enthusiasm. We conserve with purpose those territories in which we have the privilege of working in and visiting.
Total NPS is a key metric that allows us to measure guest satisfaction and loyalty. In 2024, Explora achieved 88%, up from 85% in 2023. We consistently evaluate this metric to understand our guests’ experiences, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen our value proposition. Based on their feedback, we analyze trends, detect areas for improvement, and implement concrete actions to enhance guest satisfaction. This approach enables us to continuously improve our services and ensure our guests have exceptional and memorable experiences with a strong commitment to sustainability.
88%
Total NPS
Lodges
Travesías
Expeditions
Conservation Reserves
6 Lodges 1 Travesía
2 Conservation Reserves
1 Expedition
Explora Valle Sagrado
Explora Uyuni
Puritama Conservation Reserve
Explora Atacama
Explora Rapa Nui
+22,000 explorations conducted
+16,000 travelers
Explora Parque Nacional Patagonia
Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve
Explora Torres del Paine
Explora El Chaltén
Tierra
Expedition
In 2024, Explora Valle Sagrado received notable awards. The lodge earned accolades in both the US and UK editions of Conde Nast Traveler, which highlighted the quality of the lodge and destination experience. We also introduced Bed and Breakfast rates, adapting to a competitive environment and offering new options for our guests. Additionally, we launched new explorations to enrich the lodge experience with fresh, immersive activities and enable travelers to
discover more of the Sacred Valley. These developments, combined with our continued commitment to exceptional service, reinforce the value proposition we offer to every guest.
2,647 travelers 2,972 explorations 9,643 total occupied nights
Scan the QR code and see what makes our lodge unique
Explora Atacama experienced a year of growth and resilience, achieving the highest number of travelers in our history. Despite challenges in the year, we focused on refining our offerings and enhancing the guest experience. We introduced new explorations to elevate outdoor adventures, allowing our guests to discover the stunning landscapes of the region in fresh, exciting ways. In a highly competitive market, we worked diligently to differentiate ourselves, particularly through
a stronger commitment to staff training and engagement. This allowed us to improve internal functions, enhance the overall guest experience, and ensure we continue to deliver the exceptional service our travelers expect.
4,268 travelers
6,557 explorations
17,477
total occupied nights
Scan the QR code and see what makes our lodge unique
This year, we continued our efforts to preserve and highlight the natural and cultural richness of Rapa Nui. We established two new partnerships: one to support coral reproduction and another to preserve the Rapa Nui language in collaboration with the HOŊA´A O TE MANA school. We also supported a pilot project for cetacean passive acoustic monitoring, which is expected to contribute new insights into their language and navigation. Additionally, we implemented a new clean point at our lodge, which significantly increased the amount of
waste recycled to 10 tons. We also worked to enhance the traveler experience by hosting weekly UMU sessions, a traditional Rapa Nui preparation that deepens understanding and connection with this fascinating culture.
2,203 travelers 3,886 explorations 8,298 total occupied nights
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We were honored to be recognized at the prestigious World Travel Awards, where Explora Parque Nacional Patagonia was named “World’s Leading Lodge.” This award is a testament to the quality of service and the unique experience we offer in this remarkable destination. In 2024, we continued our commitment to sustainability and the preservation of this national park. We focused on improvements in the camping and museum areas and installed Starlink
to enhance connectivity. Additionally, more than 50% of our purchases came from local suppliers to support the regional economy and reinforce our dedication to the community.
580 travelers 963 explorations
2,430 total occupied nights
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In 2024, our lodge in Torres del Paine strengthened its commitment to conservation and providing an exceptional guest experience. We actively participated in the creation and launch of the Torres del Paine Biosphere Reserve’s conservation plan, a key project that enhances our collaborative work with local organizations and stakeholders. Additionally, we made significant progress in the reforestation efforts within the national park, planting over 16,000 lenga trees to help preserve this unique ecosystem. In terms of gastronomy, we refined our culinary offering to provide a more authentic experience.
We incorporated local ingredients and preparations that better align with the tastes and expectations of our travelers. These milestones, along with the ongoing popularity of our explorations and nature experiences, have further solidified our position as a unique destination to explore the majesty of Torres del Paine.
4,350 travelers 5,178 explorations 17,891 total occupied nights
Scan the QR code and see what makes our lodge unique
Explora El Chaltén has become a prominent destination for nature and trekking enthusiasts. This year, the prestigious Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report recommended us and validated the quality of our offerings. In 2024, we focused on strengthening our teams and operations to ensure an exceptional experience for our travelers. To achieve this, we implemented two key initiatives: a new hiring model aimed to provide greater stability of our guiding team and ensure a more consistent and expert team to offer the best outdoor experience for our guests. We also introduced weekly group outings
where all Explora El Chaltén staff participate in one of the explorations we offer at the lodge. These initiatives aim to deepen our team’s connection to the destination, break from routine, foster stronger relationships, and increase staff loyalty. Furthermore, we continue to strengthen our partnership with Argentine chef Leo Lanussol, who has
1,330 travelers 1,540 explorations 5,059 total occupied nights
designed an innovative culinary concept to highlight the region’s local flavors and ingredients, surpass the culinary expectations of our visitors and take the lodge experience to a whole new level.
Scan the QR code and see what makes our lodge unique
We welcomed over 1,300 guests from around the world in 2024, nearly triple the number of travelers compared to previous years. This significant growth was largely due to our decision to operate year round, including rainy season, for the first time. By offering alternative routes and vehicles, we provided greater flexibility and more travel options. This allowed us to cater to a broader audience and offer a more tailored and immersive experience. As a result, travelers were able to explore the Uyuni Salt Flat throughout the entire year.
1,395 travelers
1,037 explorations
2,216 total occupied nights
code and discover this unique journey.
In 2024, our Tierra del Fuego expedition continued to impress with exceptional feedback and evaluations from our travelers, thanks to the personalized and outstanding work of our team. This year, we enhanced the experience by including employees from various Explora destinations, people who truly represent the values of our brand and stand out for their level of excellence. Additionally, we continue to work towards contributing to the local economy by prioritizing the purchase of local food and utilizing accommodations, boats, and flights from regional partners, ensuring a
sustainable and community-driven approach to the expedition.
Looking ahead, in 2025 we’ll unveil two new expeditions to remarkable, remote destinations—one of them marking our first outside South America.
18 travelers
3 expeditions
1500 km of explored trails
Scan the QR code and discover our expedition
In line with our ongoing conservation efforts and species monitoring, we placed new camera traps in collaboration with our partners at AGA (Andean Cat Alliance) and Panthera. This addition not only enhances our monitoring points but also allows us to identify and catalogue area species for the first time. Furthermore, in March, we celebrated the opening of a new store available to all visitors. The store offers a selection of products, including food, beverages, and equipment aimed at enhancing the overall visitor experience.
75,000 visitors
7,152 hectares 20 km of trails
We had several significant milestones in 2024 that both strengthened our operation and enhanced the experience for our travelers, partners, and neighbors. We kicked off the year with the filming of a new documentary by Ann Johnson Prum, an award-winning wildlife television producer and cinematographer. This new film will showcase the conservation efforts being made by Explora and other conservation actors. Additionally, we made two key improvements to our experience. The first was the opening of our new Guesthouse to welcome our first partners and those
interested in joining our community. We also launched a weather station, which not only contributes valuable data to science but also serves as an important resource for our neighbors and their winter season planning. Lastly, we closed the year by celebrating the second anniversary of the Reserve, inviting
travelers and the local community to participate in a volunteer program and celebrate the significant conservation milestones achieved during these first two years.
2,877 visitors 6,051 hectares +14 km of trails
The southernmost deer in the world currently endangered.
We love exploring because it allows us to connect with the inner and outer beauty of our planet
Our greatest assets are the territories we explore, each with its own unique beauty, ecosystems and culture.
Impact Framework & Strategy
This emotional connection inspires us to take action for the protection, regeneration and conservation of the world’s remaining wild places and ecosystems
Through exploration, we gain knowledge and understanding of the land, ecosystems and a renewed curiosity and interest in nature
Understanding the natural processes of landscapes and wildlife drives us to form an emotional connection to something greater than ourselves
We explore unique ecosystems that need active protection. We strongly believe collaborative efforts are the best way to multiply our impact and reach our goal.
Atacama
Launch a participatory process for defining the Conservation Management Plan for the Puritama Reserve.
Partnership
Photosintesis & Tierra Austral.
Wildlife monitoring through camera traps documented Andean pumas, colocolo and Andean cat, quique (galictis cuja) and foxes.
Partnership
Alianza Gato Andino.
Torres del Paine
Reforestation of endemic species in the Explora Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve and the Torres del Paine National Park .
Partnership CONAF
Parque Nacional Patagonia
We helped plant and improve restorative gardens with healing and native plants at the local hospital.
Partnership Naturaleza Pública
Collaboration agreement for rewilding and conservation efforts within Patagonia National Park.
Partnership Rewilding Chile
El Chaltén
Fire prevention through online training, monitoring stations, and on-site posters.
Partnership
Amigos del Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
Collaboration agreement for the protection of the native huemul deer, and other rewilding initiatives.
Partnership Rewilding Argentina
Valle Sagrado
Community based conservation reserves supported reforestation in Cuncani and Thastayoc.
Partnership ECOAN.
Rapa Nui
A pilot project to study cetaceans via passive acoustic monitoring is expected to contribute new information about language and navigating routes.
Partnership CEAZA
TORRES DEL PAINE
For two years, we have supported the work of The Nature Conservancy Chile in the creation of a Conservation Action Plan for most of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine. The plan was formally launched on December 5th, 2024 with the participation of local and national authorities, the private sector and the community. This high-profile conservation plan is intended to guide public and private efforts towards conservation in this huge, globally treasured landscape.
During the first week of December, we invited our guests, partners, volunteers and community to celebrate nature with us. The highlight event of the week was the launch of our Conservation Plan for the UNESCO Torres del Paine Biosphere Reserve. Participants had the chance to participate in trail restoration, fence removal for wildlife recovery, attend presentations and enjoy a great lunch at our Torres del Paine reserve.
In their free time, our staff are hands-on and often volunteer to help pick up litter that might have gotten into the trails.
In Sacred Valley, staffers collected about 60kgs from August to December from several communities. In Rapa Nui they removed about 250kgs of trash over one year from coastal areas.
Destination Collected Waste
Rapa Nui 250kg
Sacred Valley 100kg
Uyuni 150kg
An unprecedented audiovisual fund is launched for nature filmmakers from Latin America in collaboration with the Festival Internacional de Cine Santiago Wild, Ladera Sur and Fjallraven. The 8 awardees were given the opportunity to create short films depicting the incredible wonders of Nature and culture in each of the Explora destinations.
Films will be exposed in the Santiago Wild festival 2025, the most important of its kind in Latin America. Learn more here.
The ability to visit, explore, and learn in natural reserves plays a crucial role in childhood education.
Children benefit greatly by playing and learning in nature, which helps stimulate their brains, bodies, and develop a curiosity about the natural world around us.
Through 2024, we invited children from schools in Atacama and Torres del Paine to visit our reserves to learn about and from nature.
The collaboration with local schools and the Symbiotica team provided a powerful alliance for this goal. Ten students were given the opportunity to learn about hydrology and become water quality monitors in Puritama. Forty-seven students learned about the Andean condor in our Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve.
An additional 150 people and students from local schools and kindergartens had the opportunity to visit Puritama. Learn more here.
Our daily operations at each lodge include monitoring energy and water use, waste creation, and carbon footprint. We have set goals and created action plans to reach those goals and lower our environmental impact.
Relevant reduction in water comsumption in 2 destinations where wáter is a critical resource: Atacama (8%) and Rapa Nui (60%)
General Waste reduction of 20% compared to 2023: 286 tons.
Over 100 tons of recicled materials.
Reporting Period: 2024
Define our goals and general action plan
Check on performance indicator
CEO VP of Sustainability Chief of Environmental manager
Supervise implementation
Define on material topics
Lead implementation program
Report on performance indicators
Propose implementation strategy
Design and develop collaboration agenda
Internal coordination & sponsorship for implementation
Monitor performance indicators
Build internal capacity
Reduce our footprint to 2710 TCO2eq by 2030 (aligned with SBT)
Compensate for our historic footprint from 1993 in scopes 1-2
Reach carbon positive status as a company through regenerative efforts in our Conservation Reserves Effectively protect 200K* hectares by 2030
(TCO 2 eq )
After five years monitoring our footprint, we expect 2024 to be the year of our peak emissions. We developed a thorough energy transition plan over the last year, with implementation starting in 2025. This plan will significantly allow us to transition away from fossil fuels, welcoming the energy of the sun and water.
In addition to this transition, we have developed a plan to neutralize our emissions with carbon-capturing nature regeneration projects within our Conservation Reserves (frequently known as “insetting”), which we will deploy in the following years, achieving our goal to make up for all our past and present emissions before 2030.
2 eq )
Regeneration initiatives which allow us to recapture the carbon we do emit are fundamental to our plan. Capturing around 100,000 tons of CO2eq is a great challenge, but we have the capacity to achieve it. During 2024, we planted over 16,000 lengas (nothofagus pumilio) in the Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve in addition to the 15,000 lengas planted in 2023, with more to come.
We continued our regenerative farming program on 285 hectares within the reserve, which sequesters carbon through rotational grazing.
Education plays a critical role in the long term success of our regenerative efforts, this is why we supported educational visits from local schools, communities and other associations to the Puritama and Torres del Paine conservation reserves. Around 200 people had the change to learn and enjoy the beauty of Nature in these visits.
We understand conservation requires an ecosystem-wide approach without regard to the invisible property lines drawn on maps. This is why we have acted to secure funding for the development and implementation of the Conservation Action Plan for the Torres del Paine UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, undertaken by The Nature Conservancy. This funding has been critical to develop the plan as well as engage local stakeholders, both private and public, in the commitment to its success.
In Torres del Paine and El Chaltén, fire prevention also plays a critical role, since fires destroy nature and release carbon into the atmosphere.
We also need our staff trained and prepared to understand, explain and act in alignment with our climate strategy. To achieve this, we created an online course which was completed by almost 70 explorers during 2024.
As global warming progresses, protection of water is increasingly crucial. Communities in the high Peruvian Andes are playing their part by reforesting areas around local water sources with native queñua trees. Through our partnership with ECOAN, Explora supported the communities of Cuncani and Thastayoc in planting over 3,000 queñuas in critical areas near water springs and glaciers.
Collaboration is at the heart of tackling climate change. In each destination we are building alliances to educate and take firm actions towards mitigation and adaptation.
In San Pedro de Atacama, we promoted the organization of the first of a series of workshops reflecting on the impacts of climate change in the area and the role tourism should play in this.
Learn more here
In Parque Nacional Patagonia, we supported the NGO Naturaleza Pública in their work linking health and nature by creating beautiful gardens with native species at the Cochrane hospital.
Learn more here
During 2024 we supported Sistema B Chile in the “Empresas B por el clima” (B Corps for climate) initiative at the corporate level. Explora provided permanent council and the award for the climate action competition.
Learn more here
+4MM USD
Local Sourcing
During 2024, our lodge purchases contributed over 4 million USD to local providers in our seven destinations. That is about 40% of our total purchasing across lodges.
Local Hires 58%
58% of our staff (460 people) live in the destination where they work.
+25,000 hrs
Capacity Building
More than 25,000 hours of capacity building, accounting for more than 30hrs per person.
74,3 points
Engagement
74,3/100 was an increase of 4,3 points from 2023 and above our goal for the year. This score put us among travel companies with the best engagement around the world.
187
Recognitions
We recognized 187 employees for their commitment to our core values and great performance.
350 employees were recognized for their years of service to and within Explora.
During 2023, we launched our “Reconocemos” program to award and celebrate the best practices of our staff related to our purpose and values. In 2024, each team selected the “Espiritu Explora” champion as the best representative of our brand culture. The 8 winners were awarded with a trip to Atacama, where they enjoyed the full Explora experience plus an unforgettable celebration. We are proud of our people and the 940 recognitions awarded during 2024 to acknowledge the great performance and commitment of our staff to our core values. We are also very happy and proud of our 495 collaborators who were recognized on their years of service within Explora, including some who have been with us more than 20 years.
Watch more here.
During 2024 we launched a new online platform for capacity building, which is a long awaited program to provide our staff with a wide range of courses.
Over 1,500 courses are now available, including onboarding, technical, and professional development. Staff can freely choose from these options to enhance their skills beyond any mandatory training. In 2024, 457 employees completed at least one course, and all team members created accounts.
Nobody knows our way of exploring better than our people. That’s why we now invest in advanced training for our best guides, empowering them to lead and shape the instruction of our future guide schools. These lead guides have a deep understanding of our product, service, travelers, and territories. They are well-prepared to take on the mission of training their fellow coworkers and inspire them by role-modeling our unique approach to deep exploration. Our team of 23 instructors is made up of guides and former explorations team members, current exploration managers, and dedicated professionals from our headquarters who stand out in their passion for exploring remote places and sharing our culture at every step.
“My name is Elsa Gudiño, I am from Bolivia. I have been with Explora for two years now, and I have lived in Uyuni for three years with my three children. Before becoming a guide, I often worked as a language teacher. Teaching is a great method to continue learning, and that’s why the idea of being an instructor makes me very happy. I know it’s not a simple job because it requires a lot of responsibility and commitment.
As an Explora guide, I used to be passionate about showcasing the natural and cultural richness of my country, but now I am also interested in preserving what exists in each of the destinations.
As an instructor, I feel the commitment to help others as I would like to be helped, to apply the necessary methods to the fullest to obtain a good response from each of my colleagues.
The instructor training helped me clear up doubts I had about teaching and that not only some methodologies can be adapted, but several of them can be used in a class to reach each of the learners.
This allowed me to understand that each learner has their own learning pace and ways of expressing themselves. The way to highlight the virtues of each one and the way to show their weaknesses.”
Agriculture is at the heart of both local identity and economy of our destinations. However, it can be a difficult business, in particular in our destinations due to extreme weather or scarce market opportunities. This is why we encourage and support capacity building, so local agricultural businesses can thrive while providing our guests with the most authentic and best flavors of the territory they explore.
Since 2021, we have partnered with CORFO, a Chilean government entity that supports business and entrepreneurs, and Aba Consulting to advise local farmers on growing their businesses at our four Chilean destinations.
In the third and final year of consulting and support with CORFO to improve agricultural yields and business practices for local farmers.
Direct Beneficiaries
14 families and Larache community
After three years of implementation, providers are already implementing agroecological practices to enrich the Rapa Nui soil while harvesting high quality traditional fruits and vegetables.
Direct Beneficiaries
15 families
Diagnosis implemented during 2024, with a focus on enriching diversity and quality of products, while also ensuring a sound harvest planning in order to supply the consumption needs of the high season.
Direct Beneficiaries
15 families
The focus was to identify agricultural producers who were able to provide the high demand of the high season of the lodge. The work now is to take local producers to high level standards of diversity, quality and quantity.
Direct Beneficiaries 15 families
For many years, Explora has supported the work of Terevaka Foundation in organizing outdoor research programs for young students. Along with Rapa Nui, Sacred Valley and Patagonia National Park, this year we launched a pilot educational program in Atacama by inviting 15 local students to learn about science at the Puritama Conservation Reserve. It was an unforgettable experience for them and truly rewarding for us.
Third implementation of the educational outreach program for local students, who worked on researching on their archaeological patrimony, endemic species and water pollution.
Direct beneficiaries: 15 students
We launched the inaugural implementation of the educational outreach for local students. They built a 3D map of the Puritama gorge, mapped archaeological sites and studied pollution.
Direct beneficiaries: 15 students
We launched an educational outreach program for local students. They learned to do research on archaeological sites and study ecological topics.
Direct beneficiaries: 20 students
Third implementation of the educational outreach program for local students. They researched endemic species and urban pollution.
Direct beneficiaries: 15 students