Horseback ride to Mallín Colorado:
Duration: 4 hours. (Ascent from 300 to 670 metres above sea level.)
The ride through a forest of evergreen, low and high beeches includes stops at spectacular
vantage points that afford views of lakes General Carrera, Bertrand and Plomo, and a
striking view of the Andean slope buttressing the Northern Ice Field. Picnic lunch
included.Lake Bertrand
outing:
Duration: 4 hours.
Cruise around the Lake General Carrera bridge, crossing the lake’s mouth into narrow,
hidden Lake Bertrand where there are several beaches for landings. A quiet outing ideal
for photography and observation of snow-capped mountains, flora and fauna.
Hike through the Mallín
Colorado forest:
Duration: 4 hours. (Ascent from 300 to 670 metres above sea level.)
Hike of intermediate difficulty through Mallín Colorado’s native forest of high and
evergreen beeches during which there will be plenty of chances to see showy birds amid
abundant native flora, and enjoy splendid views of glaciers and lakes General Carrera,
Bertrand and Plomo.
Baker River and Baker-Nef
Confluence:
Duration: 4 hours.
A 4x4 excursion along the Carretera Austral road amid mountains and lakes 35 km south to
Puerto Bertrand, a small town in a lovely setting near the headwaters of the Baker River,
Chile’s biggest river. After a drive around, we get out to look at the headwaters of
the river, with its mighty flow of water amid high, imposing mountains covered with
abundant pristine vegetation. We continue south to a broad esplanade from which we can see
the confluence of the Baker and Nef rivers, of which the latter has its headwaters up in
the Northern Ice Field. Photo-opportunities and observation of mountain ranges.
Puerto Guadal fossils:
Duration: Full day.
A 20-km drive in a 4x4 followed by a two-hour hike through a dense high beech forest and
above the tree line to lava fields where there are many marine fossils and mountain
flowers. Spectacular panoramic view of Lake General Carrera and the Northern Ice Field.
Lunch on the spot, rest and return.
Excursion to the Marble Cathedral
and hike to Exploradores glacier:
Duration: Full day.
Boat excursion to the Puerto Tranquilo sector of Lake General Carrera to see the famous
lake-level rock formations known as the Marble Cathedral. The trip continues 50 km
overland, beside the river in a narrow valley bordered by high mountains and several
glaciers, for a one-hour hike to the Exploradores glacier which descends directly from
Mount San Valentín (4,000 metres, the highest peak in Patagonia). A great opportunity for
taking photos and filming.
Horseback ride to Laguna Leones:
Duration: Full day.
We drive in a 4x4 to the Leones River, where we mount the horses and ride up through a
native forest to the Leones Lagoon, the greyness of whose waters reveals their origin in
the Leones glacier, gateway to the Northern Ice Field. We return to the cabins and end the
day with a lamb barbecue in Mallín Colorado.
Tamango National Reserve and
Valle Chacabuco ranch:
Duration: Full day.
A 4x4 trip 70 km down the Carretera Austral road to see Cochrane (pop. 3,000), and the
Tamango National Reserve, the only place where it is possible to see huemul deer
(the species the reserve was created to protect). A walk through the park reveals abundant
vegetation and wildlife. After lunch there is a stop at the Valle Chacabuco ranch in a
landscape similar to the steppe on the Argentine side of Patagonia. We will see guanacos,
condors, herds of sheep and cattle, and several species of birds.
Trip to Chile Chico:
Duration: Full day.
A trip along the road bordering the southern coast of Lake General Carrera that offers
spectacular lake views for 122 km all the way to Chile Chico. The change in geography,
landscape and climate as we near the extensive, arid Argentine steppe is notable. Lunch in
Chile Chico and looks at farms under a benevolent, sunny climate that reminds us of
central Chile.
Hike to the Lake Bertrand
glacier:
Duration: Full day.
After a boat ride on the lake, we walk up toward the lagoon and glacier, from which we
have a view of narrow, recondite Lake Bertrand where the Baker River has its headwaters.
Lunch at the lake and return to Mallín Colorado in the afternoon. |
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