Main Info
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- Explore this NEW Trekking at Bi-National Patagonia Park.
- Exclusive access to areas with no other tourists.
- Senior mountain guides/instructors English speaking.
- Hike by Jeinimeni Reserve.
- Guardaparques Glacier circuit
- Chacabuco Valley and Baker River.
- Aviles Valley and amazing views of General Carrera Lake.
- San Lorenzo Mount trail and Cueva de las manos.
PATAGONIA PARK BINATIONAL CONSERVATION PROJECT
Patagonia Park was created in December 2018, becoming the major conservation project between Chile and Argentina, where private and public initiatives are protecting 320,000 hectares between the two countries. The area sets the scene for quality eco-adventure activities among steppes, forests, unique rock formations and alpine terrain.
This diversity of habitat provides a critical area rich in fauna such as Huemul, Puma, Guanaco, Condor, Ñandú, and Flamingos among others. Also a historically important area for both indigenous people and early settlers where important archeological sites reveal the artistic legacy of the Tehuelche culture and the pioneering gauchos..THE TREK
During this Hut to Hut Trek that crosses the Jeinimeni – Northern Patagonia Park we will spend our first and last nights in Chile Chico. You will have the chance to experience Lake General Carrera ferry as well as the famous “Carretera Austral” (Austral Road) with its breathtaking landscapes. The route follows a path traditionally used to move cattle. We pass through numerous sites which tell the tales of gaucho and local customs through meals, traditional techniques and interactions with locals and guides who are from the area or long-term residents embedded in the rich culture.
We provide an active and memorable experience. The group is led by a mountain guide with years of experience staying in tents in our camps “Hut Glaciar” our remote shelter with hot water and fire stove, and the new “Hut Renoval”, in the middle of the evergreen forest. -
Main Info:
Trekking at Patagonia Bi-National Park we invite you to come and experience an adventure in the true Patagonia that you have always imagined. We follow along an ancient trail for local indigenous people, as well as gauchos of the past. Today this path traverses what is the wildest area of the main conservation project and eco-adventure destination in Chile and Argentina: The New Patagonia Bi-National Park. The Hut-to-Hut trekking across the Patagonian backcountry allows us to get to remote and outfitted basecamps built exclusively by hand. Inside the forest and along the alpine, we will face superb landscapes which are the heart of this new destination in the southern cone of South America. You will have the chance to visit Chacabuco Valley. This steppe grasslands and wetlands valley was donated by Tompkins Conservation to create the new Chilean Patagonia National Park. We cross the entire valley, continuing to the Argentinean side of the park, to learn about the first people settled in this area more than 9.000 years ago, hiking to Cueva de las Manos an UNESCO World Heritage location.
Contact us to book our Trekking at Patagonia Bi-National Park – info@ecotours.cl
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Itinerary
*** Ask us about variations of length for this unique Trek!!
JOURNEY FROM COYHAIQUE/BALMACEDA AIRPORT TO CHILE CHICO
Early in the morning the bus will pick up you from your hotel in Coyhaique to drives you to the north shore of Lago General Carrera (the second largest lake in South America). This 2 hour journey will transport you through Cerro Castillo National Park and Ibáñez Pass known for it’s stunning views of the dramatic Castillo mountain range and the Rio Ibáñez. Upon arrival at Puerto Ibáñez you will board the Tehuelche Ferry (named after the native people of northern Patagonia) for a 2.5 hour sailing. You will arrive to Chile Chico on the lake’s southern shore. Your Trip Leader will greet you and arrange a transfer to your night’s lodging.
Overnight and dinner in Chile Chico.
TREK THROUGH JEINIMENI AREA – HUT GLACIAR
From Chile Chico we will drive for about 1 hour across the Patagonian plains and along the Jeinimeni River (the geographical border between Chile and Argentina) to the north entrance of Patagonia Park. Here we will check in, shoulder our packs and start our 16Km hike along the vibrant turquoise waters of Jeinimeni Lake. After two river crossings we start to get a real taste of true Patagonian adventure. Climbing through La Gloria Pass we encounter the steepest section of the trail with stunning views of Lago Verde and the glorious valley ahead. Walking down to Valle Hermoso (Beatiful Valley) we view the Jeinimeni mountain range and awesome hanging glaciers as we progress in our hike. The rustic Hut Glaciar welcomes us with fire, hot water, a welcome drink and a sunset stroll around the glacier lake.
This is our longest day: Trekking time: 8 hours
Elevation gain: 300 mts
We’ll enjoy a lunch box en route; dinner and rest at campsite
TREK GLACIAR HUT CAMP TO GUARDAPARQUE GLACIER CIRCUIT
Day three of this unique Trek involves mountaineering to the base of the glacier and following a circuit around it’s lake. The picturesque hanging glacier of Punta Guanaco peak is where we stop to enjoy lunch. The hike is steep and ascends eroded rock and gullies until it arrives near the serac band of Guardaparques Glacier where lakes and waterfalls are visible. We’ll return via the same path to Hut Glaciar Camp for dinner.
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation gain: 300 mts aprox.
Breakfast and Dinner at campsite
TREK TO RENOVAL HUT
We will rise early to enjoy impressive views of the Jeinimeni mountain range and ragged peaks. Our path leaves behind the open alpine to enter the lush northwest evergreen forest. We walk down to the Avilés Valley, first around lagoons to get to an old Lenga forest, and then on the trail which leads us to the new “Hut Renoval Camp”. Along the way, we see gaucho shelters giving us a glimpse of the past. We’ll enjoy a box lunch en route.
Hiking time: 6 hours approx
Elevation gain: 150 mts approx.
Breakfast at Hut Glaciar and Dinner at Hut Renoval Campsite
TREK FROM AVILÉS RIVER TO CHELENCO LAKE – CHILE CHICO
The last day of the trek takes us across wide rivers of the Avilés Valley. Depending on weather conditions, exhilarating river crossings complete with rope systems and harnesses could be a fun part of this day’s journey. This leg follows cattle trails that gauchos have use to get their animals to summer pasture, with picadas (narrow cut trails) beside a canyon and corrals. It delivers us to the road Close to the old mining town of Fachinal in General Carrera Lake. Concluding our hike, our van will return us to Chile Chico. We then drive to the northeast through the spectacular lakeside scenery. This is a rugged, bumpy road, from where we can appreciate the gorgeous mountain terrain across this incredible lake.
Hiking time: 6 hours, no elevation gain
Box lunch en route, breakfast at Hut Renoval Camp and Dinner in Chile Chico.
** The Trek can end on this day, returning on the ferry to Puerto Ibañez and later to Balmaceda airport. As optional we can extend your stay with extra 2 to 4 days exploring the Patagonia Park; check below extra excursions available for you.
After an early breakfast, you can board a ferry to start your return journey to the airport in Balmaceda, or a shuttle bus to continue your trip either to the south or north of Patagonia in either country.
From Chile Chico there are various connections to Chaltén, Calafate, Bariloche and the Chilean Austral Road.
We offer an optional 2 days trip to provide a total experience of this new eco-adventure destination. You will have the chance to visit Chacabuco Valley. This steppe grasslands and wetlands valley was donated by Tompkins Conservation to create the new Chilean Patagonia National Park. We cross the entire valley, continuing to the Argentinean side of the park, to learn about the first people settled in this area more than 9.000 years ago, hiking to Cueva de las Manos an UNESCO World Heritage location. And finally we have a farewell party visiting La Ascensión, a historical estancia (ranch).
VISIT TO CHACABUCO VALLEY – REFUGIO RIO PINTURAS PATAGONIA PARK
This is going to be a spectacular trip! Departing early in the morning, we drive for 2,5 hour a scenic lakeside road that will take us through spectacular settings to the most voluminous Chilean river. We stop at viewpoints, a beach and huge whitewater spots along the lake and the Baker river. We continue to Chacabuco Valley which unites the old Jeinimeni and Tamango Natural Reserves, becoming the new Chilean Patagonia National Park. This is an old estancia where now has the fencing removed to allow for the natural regeneration of flora and return of healthy wildlife. Our scenic drive is broken up with visits to the cafe, the interpretation centre, and short hikes to get closer to and appreciate the rich flora and fauna of Patagonia. We drive until get to the border, and then we continue for a couple of hours, always seeing the Massive Mount San Lorenzo to the south. Our goal is to get to Refugio Río Pinturas: an old hostería that become the entrance to Río Pinturas area of Patagonia Park –Argentina.
Driving time, variable but you should consider it as an overlander day
Hiking time: variable, but short hikes, 0 m elevation gain.
Breakfasts in Chile Chico, lunch in Park Café and dinner in Refugio Rio Pinturas
VISIT TO CUEVA DE LAS MANOS – ESTANCIA LA ASCENCIÓN
Departing early in the morning, we drive for 20 minutes to Cerro Guanaca Sector where we start our hike. This beautiful 3 hours hike through “Cañadón Río Pinturas” allows us to arrive to “Cueva de las Manos”. Here we will have a guided excursion in one of the most recognized archeological site in Patagonia, an UNESCO World Heritage location, with a huge concentration of native paints, from different periods and considering several forms and techniques. Finishing the visit, we will come back, though a short but steep hike, to the bus that is going to bring us to Estancia la Ascensión. Arriving to de estancia, we are going to chill out having local beer, empanadas, wine, lamb sandwiches, alfajores, coffee and mate serve and produced by local entrepreneurs, exploring the facilities and trails of this traditional estancia. Finishing the day, we get in our bus to cross de border and arrive finally to Chile Chico, with a deep knowledge of this conservation endeavor between people from two nations.
Driving time, variable but you should consider it as an over lander day
Hiking time: around 3 hours, 100 m elevation gain.
Breakfasts at Hosteria Río Pinturas, lunch on route and dinner in Estancia La Ascención
DEPARTURE
After an early breakfast, you can board a ferry to start your return journey to the airport in Balmaceda, or a shuttle bus to continue your trip either to the south or north of Patagonia in either country. From Chile Chico there are various connections to Chaltén, Calafate, Bariloche and the Chilean Austral Road.
*We totally recommend extending your stay by adding the Cerro Castillo 5 day Trekking tour with our local guides and experience one of the most upraising destinations for Hiking in pristine areas of Chile.
Maps
Dates
PRICE FROM: $ 1800 USD per person
-02/07 NOV 2019
-21/26 DEC 2019
-04/09 JAN 2020
-01/06 FEB 2020
-14/19 MAR 2020
-28 MAR / 02 APR 2020.
Other Information
Conservation – We are Wild Regenerators:
-Operations under a long-term concession with Chilean Park Service to regenerate an old and forgotten trail as “the Hut to Hut Smugglers’ Trail” considering dynamic control systems of use impact on trails & sites , besides flora & fauna monitoring with the highest regard of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
Operations – Meeting Your Natural Pristine Self:-Trips based on active and custom made experiences, training you as a Pathfinders. -Trips are led by senior mountain guides/instructors with strong client care skills, knowledge of the terrain and weather patrons, wilderness first aid certifications, all-time satellite communication, and straightforward procedures.
Development – Featuring the Wild:-We have been working hard to develop the trail and remote base-camps with shelters designed to make use of the topography, natural and historical resources available on site. -Training young local guys as a Pathfinders and Bootstrappers Adventure Guides.
Our operations have a Risk Management procedure and an evacuation protocol, approved by the Park Authority. It considers that clients must have medical and evacuation insurance protection.
