We have chosen this beautiful and relatively unknown area because we think it is a good representative of Northern Patagonia. It has huge granite walls which are the remains of ancient glaciers. It is also called the Chilean Yosemite because climbers from all over the world are starting to explore new routes. As we go deep into the valley we will cross many rivers and see the exuberant nature and biodiversity on this corner of the planet. We will be able to listen to birds like chucao and huet huet singing, see the alerce, a tree that can live up to 3,500 years and reach 50mt / 164ft high. We will also find beautiful lakes where settlers live all year round surrounded by nature and connected with each other by paths that can only be accessed by horses or on foot. The settlers use these paths to take their products to the nearest town or market. We will spend some time with them, listen to their stories and buy their 100% organic products. This is a trip that will take us through wild nature in Northern Patagonia.
Include:
All meals with a balanced diet from day 1 to day 8, including break fast, march snack, box lunch, dinner, wine, appetizers, board cheese and other delicious food.
All land transportation: private transfer the entire trip including airport pick up.
All water transportation: ferry crossing Tagua Tagua Lake and Reloncavi Estuary
2 night refuge, 5 nights camping in the wild.
All camping equipment, tents for two (Mountain Hard Wear), Therma Rest mattresses, kitchen tent, 70lts dry bags to protect your personal equipment and more
Professional First aid kit, GPS, UHF Radios, handy, maps, repair kits, complete harness and ropes
Bilingual Guide (Spanish-English) accredited by Wilderness First Response; widely experienced in mountaineering, trekking and trips in Patagonia.
Local Guide with load horses raised and trained for mountain trips (ratio horse/clients 1-3)
Primary assistance insurance
No Include:
Air Trips, accident or rescue insurance, lodging in the cities, personal equipment, tips or any other service not mentioned in this program.
Day by Day
Day 1 Puerto Varas / Las Juntas
5hrs / 9km / 350mts ascension
We will go to Cochamó , a town by Reloncavi Estuary --the first fiord of the Patagonia-- and meet our local guide. We will also meet and load the horses and begin our trekking through a valley with lots of vegetation and spectacular views of granite walls. Camp and relax. BL-D
Day 2 Las Juntas / Mount Trinidad
7hrs / 3km / 900mts ascension
Today is a big day; when the sun rises we will be surrounded by granite mountains. We will climb up and into the forest and have a close look to mañío, coigüe, alerce and lenga trees. After 5 hours walking and climbing 2 fix ropes (easy and safe to do) we will find ourselves in the highlands of the mountains of Cochamó and admire remarkable views of the valley, place of condors and climbers. After a nice lunch we will walk back to the refuge to celebrate the day. B-BL-D
Day 3 Las Juntas / El Arco
6hrs / 8,5km / 350mts ascension
As we go up in the valley we will see a different view of Cochamó. We will cross many rivers, pass through alerce forests and visit a peculiar rock formation called El Arco. Camp and free afternoon to explore B-BL-D
Day 4 Las Juntas / Andean Lake
5hrs / 6,5km / 400mts ascend
We will go deeper into the Andean Range, crossing rivers and passing trough old alerce forests. While we ascend we find the beautiful lenga forest that surrounds the Andean Lake where we will set up camp, make a bonfire and enjoy the silence of the place. B-BL-D
Day 5 Andean Lake / Vidal Gormaz Lake
4hrs / 6km / 350mts descend
Passing this lake we encounter marshes where we will find traces of early settlers (early 1900´s). We will finally reach Vidal Gomez Lake, meet a family who lives there and set camp by the lake. B-BL-D
Day 6 Vidal Gormaz Lake / Torrentoso 6hrs / 15km / 400mts descend
This day we will hike for 3 hours to get to the south side of the lake and share with Panchito Soto and his family, later on we will hike down to Torrentoso and look for some rock paintings that indigenous people made 800 years ago when they use to live in this territory. In the afternoon we set camp and enjoy the river next to us. B-BL-D
Day 7 Torrentoso / Steffen River 5hrs / 11,5kms / 70mts
We will drink some mate and go down the valley of the Manso River. We will visit several families on our way and cross quite a few hanging bridges built by the community to avoid isolation when rivers flood during heavy rain days. We will visit the home of Don Juan, set camp there and enjoy a hot bath, toilets and Don Juan’s hospitality.B-BL-D
Day 8 Steffen River / Tagua Tagua Lake 4hrs / 9,3kms / 200mts descend
We will leave early to take the ferry that crosses the Tagua Tagua Lake and sail these waters which are used by local people to transport all kinds of goods, including animals. After a few hours we will get to the Manso River Bridge where we will catch our bus to Puerto Varas. B-BL
Optional day 8: rent an easy going horse for an extra 20.000 pesos and ride in local horses used to do this trip. 100% recommendable!
