Trekking

CHILE – THE UNKNOWN PATAGONIA, FROM THE STEPPE TO THE GLACIERS.
The itinerary

Probably the best-known Patagonian wisdom says that whoever hurries only arrives late!
This trip has been created to explore the incredible variety of Patagonian landscapes on foot and without long bus rides. Our round trip takes us into the heart of the largely unknown region of Aysén.

Route

The unknown Patagonia - From the steppe to the glaciers

Region

Aysen, Chile

Duration

14 days

Dates

January, February, March, April, November, December

Price

Send us an email for detailed information. per person (does not include flight)

PHYsical level

Medium

Technical level

Easy

Altitude

Security

Oxygen, Satelital phone, First-aid kit, Emergency medicine, All permits for the expedition

We circle the unreal turquoise glacial lake General Carrera, the second largest lake in South America. Many of our hikes take us into the Patagonia National Park, the country’s newest and one of the largest protected areas. In the Patagonian steppe near the Argentinian border we can observe the native wildlife undisturbed. Condors wheel in the sky, flamingos wade through the ankle-deep lagoons and guanacos crowd the open grasslands by the thousands.

They are the puma’s preferred prey and the chances of seeing the rare big cat in the wild are almost nowhere better than here. The day hikes offer unique panoramic views of the Patagonian Ice Cap and the surrounding mountains. We explore valleys that are far off the tourist track and visit secluded estancias that give us an authentic insight into the traditional way of life of the gauchos. The hiking pleasure is clearly the focus of this trip, although stamina and surefootedness are absolutely necessary. A trekking trip that deliberately avoids the most famous and most visited places and still leaves nothing to be desired. Welcome to the unknown Patagonia!

Expedition Itinerary

Ready for the adventure?

DAY 1: Arrival

Arrival is via the international airport in Santiago de Chile with a direct flight to Balmaceda, near the regional capital of Coyhaique where our Apacheta Staff will welcome you. Then we continue to the nearby village of Puerto Ibañez on the shores of Lake General Carrera, where we will spend the first night in a simple accommodation.

(L, D)
Overnight: Simple guest house
Driving time: 2 hours

DAY 2: Puerto Ibáñez – Chile Chico – Jeinimeni Camp

After breakfast we cross the crystal clear Lago General Carrera, South America’s second largest Lake. The two-hour ferry ride offers spectacular panoramas: east of the Argentine border, to the west we see for the first time the glaciers and mountains of the north Patagonian icefield such as Monte San Valentín with 4,058m. Patagonia’s highest peak. We reached the small town of Chile Chico, from where we set our first Camp on the shores of the turquoise Lake Jeinimeni in the Patagonia National Park. After a 90-minute drive, we stop halfway to see and explore the bizarre rock formations of the “Valley of the Moon” on.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 3 hours
Driving time: 1.5 hours

DAY 3: Day 3: Day hike to Gloria Pass

Today we hike straight from camp and explore the rivers and lakes of this stunning part of Patagonia National Park. In order to get to the Gloria Pass viewpoint, several smaller rivers have to be crossed. We are more than compensated for the efforts of the day with ever new views of the surrounding peaks and the turquoise shimmering Lago Verde and then return to our camp for another night.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walkig time: 5-6 hours

DAY 4: Mallín Grande – In the footsteps of the gauchos

We start on the 3-hour drive towards Mallín Grande. The tiny town is right on the edge of Patagonias National Park. The area surrounding the town is characterized by dreamy mountain landscapes and the authentic, still largely traditional Patagonian way of life. At a nearby farm we meet the gaucho Don Eliberto and his pack horses, who will accompany our hike for the next three days. Always uphill we follow an old forest path that meanders idyllically through the characteristic southern beech forest along remote farms. Today’s camp is just above the treeline, offering spectacular views towards the snow-capped peaks of the Jeinimeni Mountains. With a bit of luck we will meet Don Miguel, a local gaucho, who tends his flock of sheep here during the warm summer months and is always happy to have some company. At the nightly campfire we can listen to his always entertaining stories and get a unique insight into the Patagonian gaucho culture.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Driving time: 3 hours

DAY 5: Pampa del Zorro

Right at the beginning of the day we continue to climb until we reach a spectacular high plateau from which, on a clear day, we can enjoy a magnificent view over Lake General Carrera and the Northern Patagonian Ice Cap. We hike most of the day above the tree line through a landscape of bizarre contrasts, which owes its unique coloring to the high concentration of mineral rocks. With a keen eye, we can even spot dinosaur bone fossils! At the end of the day we descend into the forest and arrive at today’s camp in the idyllic Pampa del Zorro, overlooking the hanging glacier of Monte Tronador.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 4-5 hours

DAY 6: Descent and drive to Fundo San José

Today we make our way back towards Mallín Grande. A long day of hiking with several river crossings separates us from the “return to civilization”. But the same applies here: the path is the goal and we are rewarded for our efforts with beautiful views. We finally meet our driver again and, after a short drive, arrive at our hotel in a beautiful country house on the Fundo San José, directly on the shore of the lake. Here we can give our battered feet a well-deserved break.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: San Jose Farm
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Driving time: 40 minutes

DAY 7: Fundo San José (rest day)

Today is for relaxation and enjoyment. If you want, you can explore the area on your own, watch the gauchos at work or just relax on the beach. In any case, we look forward to a traditional lamb asado in the evening!

(B,L,D)
Overnight: San Jose Farm

DAY 8: Drive to Patagonia National Park and hike to Áviles Valley

With a heavy heart we leave Fundo San José and make our way to the Patagonia National Park, Patagonia’s newest national park, which has been dubbed the “Yellowstone of South America”. Along the Chacabuco Valley we will be driving to the starting point of our trek in the Áviles Valley, where we will set our camp and begin today’s day hike. On the 16-kilometer circular route, we explore a spectacular side valley, which stands out for its colorful red-orange mountains and plateaus formed by glaciers. We spend the night in an idyllic campsite with hot water near a historic, newly restored farm building, the “Casa Piedra” (“stone house”).

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Driving time: 3 hours

DAY 9: Day hike Lago Chico

We continue up the Chacabuco Valley towards the Argentinian border. The further east we drive, the more barren the landscape becomes. This part of the national park is characterized by the vastness that makes the Patagonian steppe so unique. After a short drive we reach the starting point of today’s hike, which leads us in a circular route around Lago Chico. Along the way, views of the vast glacial lake Lago Cochrane open up, and on a clear day the mighty, glaciated Monte San Lorenzo, Patagonia’s second highest peak, rises right before our eyes. In addition, in this part of the park we have a good chance of seeing free-roaming guanacos, the wild relatives of llamas, in their natural habitat. After our hike, our driver will drive us back to a beautifully situated campsite at the park entrance, where we will set our tents for the next two nights.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 4 hours
Driving time: 1.5 hours

DAY 10: Day Hike “Lagunas Altas”

Today we have a long (21 km) hike ahead of us, which has been named one of the top five best day hikes in Patagonia. It stands out due to its variety of different vegetation zones, fantastic panoramic views over the Chacabuco Valley and its diversity in flora and fauna. Nature lovers will get their money’s worth here.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 7-8 hours

DAY 11: Drive to Fundo San Lorenzo

We pack our things and make our way to Fundo San Lorenzo, about 3 hours away, one of the most remote farms in the entire region. Here we are greeted by Luis Soto and his wife Lucy, true pioneers who have been bringing Patagonian culture up close to adventurous travelers for the past 30 years. We set up our camp and in the afternoon explored the valley of the Río Tranquilo, which is directly behind the house. A short, steep climb takes us to the moraine of what was once a huge glacier, from where we can enjoy a magnificent view over the farm and the imposing peak of the San Lorenzo massif. We spend the night in the immediate vicinity of Luis and Lucy’s farmhouse, who invite us to traditional Patagonian home cooking.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Camp
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Driving time: 3 hours

DAY 12: Hike to Laguna San Lorenzo

After a restful night we set off – accompanied by Luis and his pack horses – towards the legendary Monte San Lorenzo (3,706m). Halfway we pass our night’s camp, the idyllic, rustic Toni Rohrer Hut, from which we can always enjoy the uninterrupted view to the San Lorenzo glacier. Here we take a break, gather our strength and continue to climb. A short, steep stretch takes us to a flank that leads us to a small glacial lake. This is fed by small ice pieces that break off from an overhanging glacier. We enjoy the panorama and the far-reaching views over the majestic valley before descending again and spending the night on our sleeping mats in the cozy Toni Rohrer hut.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: camp/shelter
Walking time: 5-6 hours

DAY 13: Drive to Cerro Castillo

Our last day in San Lorenzo is all about saying goodbye: we hike back to Fundo San Lorenzo, say goodbye to our hosts and set off on the long journey towards Villa Cerro Castillo at the foot of the spectacular mountain of the same name. The drive along the famous Carretera Austral (Ruta 7) compensates for the many hours in the bus and we enjoy a visit by boat to the marble caves on Lake General Carrera. After lunch in the nearby town of Puerto Río Tranquilo, we finally reached our overnight accommodation for a final dinner together.

(B,L,D)
Overnight: Simple guest house
Driving time: 6-7 hours

DAY 14: Simple guest house

Villa Cerro Castillo is about an hour’s drive from Balmaceda Airport. From there the Departure via Santiago de Chile International Airport.

(B,L)

difficulty level

Physical requirement

Technical level

Easy

X

Medium

X

Hard

Expert

expedition season

Jan

X
Feb
Mar

Apr

May
Jun
Jul

Aug

Sep
Oct
X
Nov
X

Dec

X

What IS includeD?

Mountain guide

Experienced, multilingual mountain guide (Spanish, English, German).

Hotel

3 – 4* Hotels.

Security

Safety and emergency equipment: radio equipment, satellite phone, oxygen, emergency medicine, all permits for the expedition.

Transfers

Private vehicles (Toyota Hilux 4×4 or similar) throughout the Expedition.

Food

1 cook throughout the expedition.

not included

Not included

  • National and international flights.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Any additional costs incurred for program changes due to exceptional circumstances (eg extreme weather, natural disasters, strikes, etc.).
  • Any additional costs incurred due to the participant’s request.
  • Program changes.
  • Porters.
  • Drinks in hotels/restaurants.
  • Personal excess baggage charges.
  • Any additional costs incurred due to the participant’s request program changes.
  • Individual supplement in hotels/pensions.
  • Individual occupancy in double tents.
  • Tips.
  • Personal Equipment (See recommended equipment).
  • Any other service not included in the program.

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"Our travel destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."

Henry Miller.