Nature Outdoor Tourism and Conservation
North Patagonia’s Lakes, Rivers and Volcanoes
The discovery of a new park in Patagonia – Chacabuco Valley, Valchak
Come to the Chilean Patagonia Aysen región and participate directly in the creation of a new park for Chile and the entire world , the future PATAGONIA park . Enjoy a privileged climate, a fantastic view of the Patagonian landscape, discovering the abundant wild life especially our famous huemul deer and much more that this place has to offer and of course the exquisite Patagonian barbecue . Knowing this project is an opportunity to collaborate with the planet, do something and be aware of life and biodiversity in our planet.
The future Patagonia National Park and the surrounding areas are Paradise for adventure. Much of the area of the future park is wide open and easily accessible, making it an ideal place for hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering. Conservacion Patagonica is still developing trails and hiking circuits in the park, but visitors can rest assured that they will find innumerable options for exploring this landscape. This is a great área for Hiking and Wild life Observation .
Walking through the valleys and up the mountains of the future park is one of the best ways to see this landscape. Some of the best hikes include Lagunas Altas the first official trail of the future park, this 23km loop provides a challenging day hike with spectacular views of the entire valley and opportunities to swim in high alpine lakes.
Aviles Valley one of the trails planned for construction, this route runs up the dramatic Aviles Valley, which connects the Jeinimeni national Park to the Chacabuco Valley. Ambitious hikers who want to spent some nights camping can hike up this valley, cross over and head towards Chile Chico on the shores of Lago General Carrera. Even a half-day hike up this valley will provide excellent views of this area. Lago Pepa trail close to the park headquarters, this stunning lake sits above Lago Cochrane. You can either walk there from the park headquarters or drive to the lake and then walk down toward the shores of Lago Cochrane and connect to Cochrane town
Wild life observation from herds of guanacos to Chilean flamingos on lagoons, the park contains a wealth of animals. Also Horseback riding: is a traditional way to move down in Patagonia The Gauchos still use this way to move around fields , we can arrange horseback rides around the valley. Horses have served as the main mode of transportation in this area for decades, and can be an excellent way to travel and see the area.
In addition to visiting the park, we encourage travelers to explore some of the other natural attractions of this region, which include visiting the border with Argentina and crossing to Argentina to visit Los antiguos town , also you can experience a half day rafting classIII on the Baker River.
Boat trip around the marble caves of Lake General Carrera near by the town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, on the Carretera Austral and also continuing exploring Carretera Austral will lead you to Caleta Tortel, a small fishing village on the Pacific coast
Iitnerary
Day 1
Arrival to Airport in Balmaceda and drive for 3 hours hours in one of the grates road trip you will experience to Puerto Tranquilo . We will visit the marbol cathedral in Genral Carrera lake and will finish our day with dinner in our hotel , we will sleep in tranquilo.
Day 2
Today we will explore , vallle exploradores beautiful road that lead us towards Exploradores glacier following a scenic road following exploradores river .
After one hour drive we will experience a ice hike in the glacier and come back to Tranquilo and continue later to Valle chacabuco in the evening . we will sleep in the lodge in Valle chacabuco
Day 3
Drive up the valley to the Stone House Campground (25 km/15.5 miles, about half an hour). Park and cross the Berkley Footbridge across the Chacabuco River and look for the marked trail taking off behind the house. Walk up the valley to a hanging footbridge over the Aviles River, cross the river via the hanging footbridge, and return on the other side, crossing the Aviles River close to the end of the hike. This trail connects the Chacabuco Valley to the Jeinimeni Reserve to the north: 16 km (10 miles) total.
Day 4
The drive through Patagonia Park is one of the most beautiful drives you find anywhere in the world. The hour and a half long drive exposes visitors to the majesty and beauty of Chilean Patagonia. Vistas present views of the flamingo filled waters of Lago Seco, expansive views of snow-capped Cerro Kristine, and clay-red peaks covered in glacial ice. For those who prefer to drive than walk, La Ruta Escénica exposes all riders to the varying ecosystems that make Patagonia Park so critical to protect.
La Ruta starts at the western entrance to the park and travels all the way to the eastern entrance at the border to Argentina. The drive to the border takes about an hour and a half each way, but if you bring your passport and papers for your vehicle, you can make this a full-day trip. Do the drive on your own, or hire a Patagonia Park guide. Make sure you have plenty of gas—there is nowhere to refuel.
Day 5
Departure by van to Balmaceda Airport
Extra two days visiting Caleta Tortel
Day 6 y 7
Drive carretera Austral heading south to a really charming town made of Cipres wood and stairs a lot of them . Explore the town and sleep in a bed and break fast, and come back to Valle chacabuco next day
Suggested Itinerary – 3 Nights
“Hike the High Lakes”
Day 1: Travel to the Park
To reach Patagonia Park, arrive by air to the Balmaceda Airport, then enjoy one of South America’s most spectacular road trips down the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway) by rental car, transfer, or bus. You’ll pass Lago General Carrera—the continent’s second-largest lake—countless glaciated peaks, and lush temperate rainforests. When you arrive at the Lodge, our team will welcome you with a quick orientation to the park. You’ll walk around the park headquarters area, and, if you’re up for it, take a quick stroll on the La Vega Trail, which begins right behind the Lodge. Spy your first guanacos, the curious South American camelid that roam the grasslands. Enjoy a cocktail on the terrace at the Lodge followed by dinner at the Bar and Restaurant El Rincón Gaucho.
Day 2: Hike the Lagunas Altas Trail
After a hearty breakfast challenge yourself on the spectacular 23-km Lagunas Altas day hike. Starting from the Lodge, you’ll hike up toward the summit of Mount Tamanguito before winding around stunning alpine lakes with dramatic views of the valley. The first major trail we created, it was named one of “Patagonia’s best five treks” and continues to offer visitors an incredibly rewarding challenge. Once you return, savor a cocktail and curl up with a book before a delicious dinner at the restaurant.
Day 3: Tour the Chacabuco Valley and hike the Lago Chico Loop
Experience the dramatic transformation in ecosystems as you drive east to the border with Argentina. In less than two hours, you’ll be looking east across the vast expanse of the Argentine Patagonian steppe. Along the way, stop to count flamingos, black-necked swans, and myriad other bird species that reside within the park. On your return, take a detour to hike the crowd-pleasing Lago Chico trail, a 12-km (7.5-mile) loop in the eastern sector of the park. You’ll appreciate the big views of Mount San Lorenzo, Patagonia’s second-highest peak, and the massive Lago Cochrane. For those interested in a shorter hike, a ten-minute stroll from the parking lot brings you to an excellent lookout point over the lake. For dinner, gather around the parrilla (grill) in the restaurant for a traditional asado (BBQ) and buffet alongside team members and other guests.
Day 4: Depart Patagonia Park
Pack your belongings and say goodbye to the park. Drive back to Balmaceda or continue on in your Patagonian travels to Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares, or other destinations.
Suggested Itinerary – 5 Nights
“Patagonia Sin Represas! Ride the Río Baker”
Start with the first three days from the 3 Nights itinerary, plus…
Day 4: Float the Baker
The Baker River is Chile’s largest and one of the most spectacular. Draining from Lago General Carrera and the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, it forms the western border of the park before continuing on to the sea at Caleta Tortel. Spend the day rafting a scenic section of the river with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Learn about the controversy around proposed mega hydroelectric dams—the HidroAysen project—which we are delighted to report seems to be blocked for now. When you return, speak with park experts about the campaign to keep these rivers free, which has been the biggest environmental fight in Chile’s history.
Day 5: Hike the Aviles Trail
Set out for a final day of hiking on one of the park’s most remote and dramatic trails, the Aviles Valley Loop. After breakfast, head up the valley to the historic Stone House, site of the park’s second public campground, to begin this 16-km (10-mile) loop trail up the Aviles Valley Canyon. Halfway through your hike, you’ll cross the dramatic hanging footbridge—100 feet long, 100 feet up—that our team constructed in 2012. Stop for a picnic lunch near the span and then continue on down the valley. In the evening, tuck into a farewell asado (another BBQ—a real Patagonian tradition).
Day 6: Depart Patagonia Park
Pack your belongings and say goodbye to the park. Drive back to Balmaceda, or continue onwards in your Patagonian travels to Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares, or other destinations.
