This itinerary can be organised at any time for private groups or join one of our group departures.
Our trip starts from Puerto Varas, 20km north of Puerto Montt. We will travel through the Northern Austral Highway, with it's picturesque fisherman villages and we will cross the Reloncaví Estuary by ferry here at the first fiord of Patagonia.
On our journey we will see antique wooden ports covered by larch and we will enjoy the view of the Hornopirén volcano (1572m) with the snow covered summits of Yates volcano (2111m) in the background. To the south, in front of the town of Hornopirén and in the midst of the fiord you will be able to appreciate the Isla de los Ciervos (Deer Island) .We will continue our trip deep into the fiord, crossing the turbulent waters of the Blanco River, passing by a cliff with an imposing rock wall and an estuary.
Finally, the Comau Fiord appears in front of us bordered by tall mountains. This is the place where we are going to board our kayaks and start the adventure through the Comau, Quintupeu and Cahuelmó fiords, going deep into the spectacular scenery of the Hornopirén and Pumalin Parks, one of the largest private parks in the world.
We will paddle through unforgettable places. We experience ancient forests, enormous waterfalls that fall directly into the sea, gigantic walls of rock rising from the water, fumaroles and natural hot springs, pioneers and their histories, seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and incredible hiking trails crossing rivers to arrive at hidden lagoons...what a perfect way to discover the hidden beauties of Patagonia.
You can also kayak for 4 days, 12 days or in Paine.
Itinerary
Day 1
We will meet at 10 am in Puerto Varas.This is a small and pleasant city 20 km north of Puerto Montt (40 min. by taxi from Puerto Montt airport) located next to Llanquihue lake and in front of Osorno Volcano (2652m) and 1,000 km south of Santiago.
On the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue, opposite the perfect cone of Volcán Osorno, Puerto Varas combines the best of the lake region's nature and culture. Well preserved German architecture reflects this charming town's history of mid- to late- 19th century immigration. Depending on your time of arrival, you can spend this day any number of ways – hiking on the flanks of Volcan Osorno, horse riding, fly-fishing or simply enjoying the town and the splendid views across the lake.
We meet the rest of the members of the group and have a detailed briefing on all aspects of our the trip, logistics, how the radios, flares, satellite phone, etc works, the tides and winds, rescue procedures, remoteness, saftey etc.
We meet then again at 3 pm to head off on our adventure.
The adventure starts with a drive along teh norhtern end of the Carretera Austral, where we have views of the beautiful coastal towns and many small islands. It will be necessary to use a ferry to cross the Reloncaví Fiord, the first fiord of Patagonia.
We will head south until the town of Hornopirén, and from there driving south on a very bad road, surrounded by cliffs we continue driving until we reach our campsite at Comau Fiord. Dinner with a family of pioneers and they share their stories about life in this area 70 years ago (D)
Day 2
After breakfast we start with an intense general sea kayak practice of paddling strokes and rescue techniques that we will practice then in the sea.
After that will continue navigating to LLancahue Island (if the weather allows) where we will enjoy hot springs on the shore of the Pacific. We Return to the continent and enjoy a delicious lunch with our new local friends.
After that we will go for a hike to explore the area and return for dinner with this colono´s family . We will talk about the new logistics and prepare for the expedition. Camp at Comau Fiord (B-L-D)
Day 3
To avoid windy conditions, our days start very early in the morning or almost at night. We fill the kayaks with all the gear for this self-supported trip.
After breakfast we head for the Comau fiord. After 2 hours, the Quintupeu fiord will appear. At the entrance of this fiord is where a German ship was hidden during WWI. This area is known as Pumalín Park...one of the largest, untouched private parks in the world.
Once there we will try, if the weather allows, to continue to Cahuelmo Fiord for better logistics, otherwise we keep paddling entering Quintupeu Fiord. This fiord is our favorite one and there is a river which we will try to explore by kayak, depending on the tide.
At night, we will camp with a marvelous view of the Andes... just in front of us). (B-L-D)
Day 4
Very early, practically at night, we start paddling. This is the day we need to paddle the most exposed section of the trip - although it is still inside the fiord. After 2 hours, we can see an island in the distance and the Ancud Gulf behind it.
We paddle close to the coast then reach the entrance to Cahuelmó fiord, where a colony of sea lions can be spotted.
We pass by without making a noise so that we can get close and take pictures without bothering them.
The best of the day is yet to come while paddling slowly and taking advantage of the opportunity to explore the walls that fall directly into the sea.
We head to a beach at the end of the fiord where you can see vapor rising directly from the pools !!
This will be a moment to relax ourselves and forget about everything... soothing hot springs our reward.
Local people had carved many rustic tubs in rock at the water edge years ago. Each one is a different size and all have very hot water, easily regulated by simple and natural methods to attain the temperature desired for an extremely pleasant bath. Dinner and campsite at the Hotsprings. (B-L-D).
Day 5
After enjoying our breakfast we are ready to start the next adventure…..hiking to Abascal lake.
It is necessary to cross some branches of the river and walk considering the tides - otherwise we will be covered by the sea. The rewards are a new perspective of an untouched area where few people have been before.
We return in time for lunch and for a relaxing bath at Cahuelmo Hot springs . Dinner and campsite at the Hotsprings.(B-L-D)
Day 6
This is a long day so we start at night before the wind of the morning shows. After enjoying a lunch with our local friends we return to Puerto Varas almost at night. (B-L) (end of our services)
Please consider an additional day required at the end of the trip in case the weather or any other unexpected situation delays our return to Puerto Varas.
Weather
November, December, January, February and March, are generally very pleasant, although it could rain at any given moment. The temperatures in this months fluctuate, according to the weather, between the 8 till 20 centigrades. The temperature of the sea has an average of 11 to 13 centigrades during the summer.
The area where we will be paddling has a tide variation of up to 6m (18 feet), which implies that the sea may withdraw several thousand metres, offering variable landscapes along the day. This also requires a very complex logistic to be combined with the wind schedule and steep shores, which involves night or pre-dawn paddling and a lot of teamwork.
Location
The Ancud Gulf is relatively a small body of water between Chiloé island and the continent, approximately 42°15"S, 73°W. This area makes up the northern part of the Chilean Patagonia. The fiords are along the continental side of the gulf, before the Huequi peninsula, while the islands are found on the east margin of Chiloé.
Requirements
Swimming
Previous experience in kayaking and camping recommended
Good physical state and health
Previous indication of any illness or health problem
Strictly abide by the indications of the guides during the trips
Positive mental attitude in front of unexpected situations
Understand that this trip will requiere a lot of teamwork and the participation of each person in all the stages of the trip.
Understand that all activities performed in nature can indicate some risk also death.
The program could be modified at any stage due to weather conditions or sudden incidents that could affect the security of the group.
Included:
Safety-talk , paddling and rescue practice before departure.
Transport in our van from Puerto Varas, traveling the Northern Austral Highway (Carretera Austral) until Comau Fiord, start of the kayak trip, and return to Puerto Varas.
Reloncaví Estuary crossing by ferry.
Food during the trip according to program (dinner day 1 to lunch day 6)
(B:breakfast; L: lunch or box lunch (trail food)..depending on the day; D: Dinner )
Navigation Equipment: Single and double sea kayaks imported from Canada, USA and Germany, expedition models, with original rudder, spray skirt, paddles, life jackets, paddling jackets.
Camping and cooking equipment (2 person shared tents, tarp)
Hiking (day 2 and day 5)
3 days of hotsprings: Llancahué (day 2) and Cahuelmó Hotsprings (day 4 and day 5)
Safety Equipment: Satellite Telephone, Marine Band Radio, rescue equipment, tide table and map.
Guide: Juan Federico Zuazo - BCU 4 STAR Sea Award , English speaking, first aid and rescue knowledge (NOLS Course and Wilderness First Responder Course).
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