Patagonia Adventure
8 days Hiking and Kayaking
Moderate to challenging
Lodging in hotels and permanent camps
US$ 1475 (all inclusive)
November through April
Highlights
After a dream-like road trip along the southern highway,
a paddle in South America's second largest lake to explore the mushroom
shaped marble islands, we cross the turquoise waters of Bertrand lake,
slip through the gap in an old terminal moraine and navigate to the head
of Lago Plomo, the Grey lake. After hiking the length of the Soler Valley
to the forested "Palomar" camp we begin exploring the glacial terrain
around the Neff Glacier. This is an awe inspiring place, a dynamic area
for exploring ice caves, taking first ice climbing steps and just marveling
at the power of the hills and enjoying Patagonia's amazing wilderness.
The return trip down river is by either kayak or raft to add a different
perspective to the valley and traveling through it. The combination of
scenery, gaucho culture and the possibility to hike and raft make this
a powerful introduction to adventure travel into the heart of Patagonia
which optimizes time and diversity.
Day 1
Arrive in Balmaceda airport meet with your PAEX guide and transfer to
Coyhaique. Lodging at the hotel el Reloj.
Day 2
Drive the Southern highway to General Carrera lake. Paddling trip in inflatable
kayaks to the Marble chapels, a mushroom shaped island riddled with tunnels
and caves which can be explored by kayak. Continue South to Puerto Bertrand.
Hotel.
Day 3
Leave Puerto Bertrand by boat to cross Lago Bertrand and into Lago Plomo.
At the mouth of the Soler River we leave the lake and hike up the valley
side to the rock-garden camp of the Aysen Glacier Trail. About 4 hours
hiking.
Day 4
Following the valley side and the route of the river, we hike up to the
Palomar camp to the head of the valley. About 6 hours hiking.
Day 5
From the camp hike up the valley side to the northern edge of the Neff
Glacier. Spend the rest of the day hiking out on to the ice, opportunity
to explore crevasses and even do a little ice climbing before dropping
back down valley to the camp site. Between 7 and 10 hours hiking.
Day 6
Summit day. A demanding hike to a summit on the edge of the Northern ice
cap with expansive views. This day needs reasonable weather and a good
bit of commitment to make it work. 7 to 10 hours.
Day 7
Meet up early with a horse guide who will take backpacks down to the lake
while you paddle inflatable kayaks the length of the Soler river and out
to Lago Plomo. Here we switch to the boat for the return journey to Puerto
Bertrand for a comfortable night in the Green Baker Lodge.
Day 8
Return drive from Puerto Bertrand to Balmaceda airport for international
flights out.
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