Wild Patagonia Explorer

On this Patagonia hiking tour, we will pick you up from the Balmaceda Airport (BBA), the main airport for this remote and wild Aysén Region of Chile, and transfer you to our elegant accommodation in Coyhaique. We will have dinner and an introductory briefing in the evening. Given the dehydrating nature of flying and travelling, be sure to drink plenty of water while en route.

• Driving Duration: 6-7 hours
• Hiking Mileage: 1-2 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal

Our expedition begins! We will meet at Patagonia House to pack our van and head south through the extremely scenic Aysén region.  We’ll drive roughly 2 hours to Puerto Ibanez, transitioning from the lush temperate rain forest into the arid Patagonian steppe. During the drive we will travel along the immense glacial-blue Lago General Carrera, South America’s second largest lake. Today’s road is variable depending on the season, and when it was last graded. Needless to say we will see some bumps but we will also see some gorgeous sights like Cerro Castillo, a famous mountain in the region. The final part of the drive is 1.5 hours along the shores of the lake to a family guesthouse and ranch, where we’ll spend the first night getting oriented.

This afternoon we’ll talk through systems for horsepacking and backcountry living: setting up camp, cooking, meal prep, and backcountry hygiene.  To shake off our travels, we’ll take a walk around the ranch’s beautiful landscapes; those who want to swim in the clear waters of Lago General Carrera are encouraged to do so! After a meal prepared for us at the ranch, we’ll gather to share our goals for the trip, pour over maps, and get to know each other better.

*Depending on availability and conditions we may take a ferry across the lake as part of today’s journey.

• Hiking Mileage: 5 miles (8 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet (762 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2100 feet (640 m)

After a hefty breakfast at the ranch, we’ll pack up and head into the mountains. We meet the local families and their horses who will support our trek. After dividing and organizing food and gear for the horses to carry, we’ll set off on our adventure. We start by winding through a traditional Patagonian campo (grass plain with stunted trees) before heading higher into the mountains. The uphill makes us grateful for the horses! Our campsite is a spectacular perch overlooking the Jeinimeni Mountains, where we have the opportunity to spend time with an experienced gaucho tending sheep in the high mountains. In the evening, we’ll gather around a fire for conversation about Patagonian history and culture.

• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles (12.9 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1200 feet (366 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2400 feet (732 m)

After breakfast, we’ll begin our day climbing higher on a dramatic plateau which, on a clear day, affords sweeping views down to Lago General Carrera and across to the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. We spend most of the day hiking in the alpine zone above the tree line. The surreal landscape is full of strange colored rock formations and hanging glaciers. After a trail lunch we’ll descend to a Gaucho camp that has been used for centuries in a beautiful, lush valley. The horses meet us here to deliver our supplies, and we set up a base camp for the next two nights. In the evening, we’ll gather around a campfire to learn more about the fascinating area we are hiking in and the amazing establishment of nearby Patagonia National Park.

• Hiking Mileage: 5-10 miles (8-16.1 km) – optional
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 800-2000 feet (244-610 m)

Today is all about exploring the surrounding area on a day hike. Your guide will decide from two spectacular hiking options that will depend on the weather, and other outside factors, as to which is the best option. One option is to hike toward the toe of a nearby glacier; the other is to hike up to a high plateau for sweeping views into the park and beyond.  Once back at camp, we’ll share dinner and reflections on our own wilderness experiences & travels.

• Driving Duration: 30 minutes
• Hiking Mileage: 11 miles (17.7 km)
• Elevation Gain: 100 feet (30 m)

Our final day of the horse supported trekking portion of this trip takes us through a beautiful southern beech forest and scenic glacial valleys as we make our way back toward the clear blue waters of Lago General Carrera. As we return to the land of Patagonian campos, we will meet our shuttle for a short transport back to the lakeside guesthouse and ranch where we spent the night before our trek. Here awaiting are well deserved hot showers and a celebratory dinner. Tonight’s culinary treat will be a traditional Patagonian barbeque dish, asado al palo. 

• Driving Duration: 3 hours
• Hiking Mileage: 1.5 mile (2.4 km)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 100 feet (30.4 m)

Today is our opportunity to recharge our batteries. We will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the cabins while reveling in the accomplishment of our horse-supported hike.  Afterward we’ll head to the “Yellowstone of South America” or Patagonia National Park by car. On the way we’ll stop in the town of Puerto Guadal, known as the “Perla del Lago” for its beauty. While there we’ll visit a local market, town square and see a bit of regional culture. We’ll then head to the park with potential for a day hike at the confluence of the Baker and Nef Rivers which boasts one of the most scenic areas in the region. Tonight you’ll be camping at Casa Piedra, a handsome front country campsite within Valle Chacabuco, the central corridor of Patagonia National Park.

• Hiking Mileage: 10 miles (14.4 km)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 feet (274 m)

After breakfast we’ll set out on a breathtaking 10 mile loop hike, taking us into the colorful red mountains and glacially formed plateaus that make this valley so beautifully unique. Our hike starts in grasslands then follows a turquoise, glacial-fed river crashing down from the mountains above. Our hike leads us up on to the shoulders of the valley above the river, where panoramic views of the mountains explore around us. We rejoin the river 200 feet above it, where we cross a sheer box canyon on a thrilling suspension bridge. The second half of today’s loop hike follows the other side of the river, where we cross a glacial-fed tributary, and finish with a final suspension bridge and short hike back to our starting point. Today offers excellent opportunities to see Guanaco, Andean Condors and other Patagonian wildlife. This evening will see us front-country camping back at Casa Piedra.

• Drive Duration: 45 minutes to trailhead; 2 hours to Puerto Guadal
• Hiking Mileage: 12 miles (20.9 km) or 7 miles (11.2 km)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 2500 feet (762 m) or 400 feet (122 m)

Our final day in Patagonia National park presents us with two options: A challenging 12-mile Laguna Atlas loop, one of Patagonia’s 5 best trails. This trail presents panoramic views and hiking over varied terrain. The second option is a 7-mile hike through the grasslands of the Chacabuco Valley to a suspension bridge over a river canyon. Both hikes are dramatic and offer more opportunities to soak up the stunning scenery of the Aysén Region and to potentially spot Guanacos, Andean Condors, the gorgeous, red-headed Megellanic Woodpecker and more.

After our hike we’ll drive along the turquoise waters of the Baker River, and then near the eastern border of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. The views along this route are truly breathtaking! Tonight we will enjoy a final lodge stay outside of Puerto Guadal, where we can refresh and get organized for our flights home the following day.

• Driving Duration: 6-7 hours

Today we will do the amazingly scenic road trip from day 1 back to the north! We wake early to head up the Carretera Austral, or “Southern Highway,” often called one of the world’s greatest road trips.

Regrettably, this day marks the end of our adventure, but we leave with our hearts and minds full of special memories of one of the world’s most miraculous and stunning conservation projects. The final logistical point is that we can either drop guests at the Balmaceda airport in time for a 4pm flight or take you to Coyhaique to your preferred lodging. What a phenomenal experience it’s been!