Secret Lake Crossing
A unique opportunity to explore outposts established by
pioneering settlers who opened a route through Chile’s
Northern Patagonia
Full itinerary
Day 1: Puerto Varas / Llanada Grande
Early morning departure from the hotel in Puerto Varas, driving along
the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue towards the village of
Ensenada. Stop to admire and photograph the spectacular symmetrical Osorno Volcano. Continue on to the village of Cochamó visiting its historical church built in 1850 with Chilean larch shingles. Continue our route towards the Puelo River valley, a steep-walled valley originating in Argentina. We drive along this river to reach Lake Tagua Tagua.
After a lakeside lunch and boarding the ferry, we cross the lake and then continue along a recently opened road, built to allow access to pioneer settlements
in this isolated region. Upon arrival at our lodge, Posada Martin
Pescador log cabin, we take time to settle in and enjoy some refreshments.
During the afternoon we have two options:
1. Visiting the Llanada Grande
Falls, cascades that fall vertically from an impressive height.
or
2.
Conoeing on Lake Totoral contemplating its magnificent surroundings.
On our return, our comfortable log cabin awaits us, along with a hearty
Patagonian–style meal.(L,D)
Day 2: Llanada Grande
After breakfast we have the choice of a walk to Valley of the Huemules,
carrying our lunch, or a horseback ride through the Puelo River valley
enjoying the beautiful scenery in the heart of the Andes. There will be a
chance to observe a variety of birds such as Condors, Eagles, the Chucao
Tapaculo, and the Ringed Kingfisher. We return to the lodge where after
a restoring sauna we enjoy supper and then drift off to
sleep…(B,L,D)
Day 3: Llanada Grande / El Bolsón
We depart from the lodge to Lago Azul. After walking for about 45
minutes we arrive at this wonderful lake, where a boat awaits us to take
us on our first sail on its intensely blue waters. On disembarking
on the opposite shore we walk some 30 minutes to Lago Las Rocas. Here
we embark again to sail this lake. A half-hour’s sail brings us
to the Lago Inferior area where Chilean border police check our travel
documents.
We have lunch on the shore of this lake before our
final sail towards the Argentine border. Lake Inferior connects with Lake
Puelo through a short stretch of river. Once there, we go through
Argentine border control, then sail on to the pier on Lake Puelo. From
here we travel 20 kilometers to El Bolson, where we settle into our
accommodations and enjoy a good supper.(B,L,D)
Day 4: El Bolsón / Bariloche
Breakfast and transfer to the city of Bariloche.( B )
Optional route to Bariloche: (Not included in price)
En route we visit the base of Mount Tronador and Los Alerces
Falls. Our route departs from El Bolson on route 258, bordering Lake
Guillermo, then crossing the Pilmaiquen River and the Melgarejo Brook.
Further on we follow the shores of Lake Mascardi until reaching route
254 and the road to Mount Tronador. This route crosses the bridge over
the upper Manso River and continues to Pampa Linda. Nearing the end
of the road, we pass through a shady forest and arrive at the Rio Manso
Glacier, commonly called Ventisquero Negro. The route ends at the foot
of Mount Tronador. Its three identifying peaks are: the Argentine at
3,554 m, the International at 3,554 m, and the Chilean at 3,410 m.
Los Alerces Falls constitutes a variation on this route. Instead of crossing
the bridge over the Manso River, we continue on the road bordering Lake
Los Moscos and the Manso River until arriving at the Hess River. The
road ends after crossing the Roca River at Los Alerces Falls. A short 300
m walk brings us to an impressive viewpoint of these imposing falls.
The return trip follows the shoreline of Lake Mascardi, then crosses the
Pilmaiquen River and the Melgarejo Brook. Further on we follow the
shoreline of Lake Gutierrez, finally arriving to Bariloche.
NOTE: Because the road to Mount Tronador is winding and narrow,
traffic is limited to one direction, using the following schedule: Uphill
until 14.00 and downhill from 16.00.
Further Information
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Frequency: Daily
Capacity: Minimum 1 person, Maximum 6 persons
Transportation: Private services
Languages: Spanish / English (Consult for other
languages)
Accommodations: Posada Martin Pescador 2 nights
Cabañas La Montaña or similar 01 nights
Meals:
Breakfast days 2 through 4
Box lunch days 1 through 3
Supper days 1 through 3
Special diets on request
Does not include: Alcoholic beverages, gratuities
Bring: Hiking boots, comfortable clothing, raingear, hat,
sunglasses, sunscreen, bathing suit, camera,
personal medications and other personal items.
Safety: Communication by VHF radio throughout trip,
First-Aid kit, Guides trained in First-Aid
Lodging: Posada Martin Pescador (Llanada Grande, Chile)
Cabañas La Montaña (El Bolsón, Argentina)
Luggage:Please note that this crossing involves several
Short treks so the baggage must be
adaptable to be carried by horses. If you do not
have appropriate luggae we recommended you only bring that which is necessary for the trip and the extra baggage can be sent on to your final destination by bus.
Weather: The region has a temperate rainy climate which means there may be rainfall on the trip. The weather may also affect the itinerary for the trip. In summer, temperatures may fluctuate between 15 ° C to 31 ° C.
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