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Andes to the Ocean - Storming |
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Andes to the Ocean - Perfect Weather
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Day 3 Sunday: Your Trip Starts at The Greatest Playground on Earth! Futaleufu Chile
Awake to a breakfast at your hotel in Trevelin Argentina, and prepare for the 9 am pick up. Organize the clothes that you will need for your first day of our water route through the Andes. As we drive to the border (45 minutes) we see the National Park Los Alerces, whose virgin forests are the headwaters of the Futaleufu. We cross over the Futaleufu river and in several hundred yards cross into Chile. We drive direct to our put-in where we start our water crossing of the Andes on a raft down the beautiful Las Escalas valley. This is a beautiful section of whitewater that is threatened by hydro projects There are several difficult Class 5 rapids that we walk around before we enter our Introduction to Futaleufu whitewater section of class 3/4 whitewater. If anyone choses to hike, a stellar trail leads from the start of the whitewater section to our camp. At your arrival to Campo Tres Monjas your bags have magically arrived. Pisco sours and a hearty dinner await us.
Day 4 Monday: Beginning the Voyage
Today you will wake up at the beautiful Campo Tres Monjas. At breakdfast you will meet up with your sea kayak guide. We will pack and prepare for our sea kayaking trip that starts after lunch. We start on one of the most visually stunning sections, the lower Rio Futaleufu Valley. Then it is off into the winding emerald serenity of Lago Yelcho, with its world-class trout fishing, steep glacial peaks, native trees and exotic birds. Sea kayaking in Chile gets no better than this! Before the evening arrives we will make camp on a white sand beach near Isla Monita. You'll feel like you're stranded on a deserted island in the heart of Patagonia, Chile - nothing but the breeze, the lake and our beach. If you can't find peace and quite here, you won't find it anywhere.
Day 5 Tuesday: Sea Kayaking - Isla Monita to Río Correntoso
Numerous waterfalls tumble down the lush mountainsides as we silently sea kayak through this pristine Patagonia wilderness. The glass-like reflection shining off the water is only interrupted by the gentle wake from our boats. We sea kayak on until we reach a beautiful camp where the Correntoso River enters Lago Yelcho. Here we will find an incredible series of sand beaches and crystal clear waters. We'll set up camp on the beach and enjoy a wonderful meal under the southern stars. Trekking, fishing, and swimming opportunities abound. Outside your tent, you will be treated to a view of Ventisquero Yelcho - a giant glacier crowned peak with ice extending to within 600' above sea level. Words can't describe this wonderful campsite.
Day 5 Wednesday:
Sea Kayaking
- Exit Lago Yelcho and Enter Yelcho River to El Campo
Arbol Acostado
Within 3 hours of leaving the Río Correntoso,
we'll be sea kayaking under the Puerto Cárdenas
bridge and into the Río Yelcho. The change
in scenery and water character is dramatic at this
juncture of our Chile sea kayaking adventure. We'll
still have huge mountains surrounding the waterway,
but the banks of the river are densely covered with
ferns, virgin temperate rain forest, and other impenetrable
rain forest vegetation. For most of its length, the
river is smooth and fast flowing - a Class I/II river
with few obstacles. After arriving at a bend in the
river, we will sea kayak down a lush, meandering stream
to El Campo Arbol Acostado (Camp of the Leaning Tree).
At this camp there are curious winding trails, amazing
fish and bird life, and incredible flora. To top it
off, you can enjoy a stunning sunset view of El Trono
del Diablo (Throne of the Devil), an impressive two-tiered
glacier. Unwind in this site's solitude while taking
in all its grandeur.
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Day 6 Wednesday: Sea Kayaking - Exit Lago Yelcho and Enter Yelcho River to El Campo Arbol Acostado
Within 3 hours of leaving the Río Correntoso, we'll be sea kayaking under the Puerto Cárdenas bridge and into the Río Yelcho. The change in scenery and water character is dramatic at this juncture of our Chilean sea kayaking adventure. We'll still have huge mountains surrounding the waterway, but the banks of the river will be densely covered with ferns, virgin temperate rain forest, and other impenetrable rain forest vegetation. For most of its length, the river is smooth and fast flowing - a Class I/II river with few obstacles. After arriving at a bend in the river, we will sea kayak down a lush, meandering section to El Campo Arbol Acostado (Camp of the Leaning Tree). At this camp there are curious winding trails, amazing fish and bird life, and incredible flora. To top it off, you can enjoy a stunning sunset view of El Trono del Diablo (Throne of the Devil), an impressive two-tiered glacier. Unwind in this site's solitude while taking in all its grandeur.
Day 7 Thursday: Sea Kayaking - Yelcho River to Chaiten Viejo Camp
An hour after departure, we'll encounter Tres Piedras - a Class II rapid with the impressive Volcán Michimahuida providing a glacier and snow covered backdrop. We will sea kayak on between more mountains covered to their tops with virgin temperate rainforest. Charles Darwin and the Spanish Conquistadors agreed in their assessment of Patagonia, Chile and its forests - impossible to penetrate and breathtakingly beautiful. A leisurely afternoon paddle will lead us to our last camp, Chaitén Viejo close to the Pacific ocean but still on the river. We'll find ourselves near remote ranches by this point, but still well off the beaten path.
Day 8 Friday: Sea Kayaking - Out of the River and into the Ocean
Within 15 minutes, we'll be at the mouth of the Río Yelcho and preparing to sea kayak the salt waters of the Pacific. Our route will depend on the tides, the winds and other factors that come with Chile sea kayak travel. We often see dolphins swimming near our kayaks, and a sinister smoking, recently erupted volcano 10 miles away. We will sea kayak directly in front of the evacuated village of Chaitén complete with mud flows. Your Chile sea kayaking loop is complete. We pack up our gear departing at 1 pm and get ready to return the 3.5 hour spectacular drive to Futaleufu in an exchile vehicle. As you catch a final view of the Futaleufu Valley; surrounded by snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. We drive to the border and cross into Argentina where you will be dropped of at a pre-reserved hotel in Trevelin. Enjoy one of the fine restaurants within walking distance in the town of Trevelin.
Day 9 Saturday: Return to Capital City
Depart early by cab from you hotel to the bus station in Esquel for the trip to Bariloche and your flight back to Beunos Aires. A private transfer can be arranaged direct from you hotel to the airport in Bariloche. IF you have a flight from Esquel you have the morning to enjoy and buy gifts in Trevelin before your 2 pm flight to Buenos Aires and the connection back to your home country.
Day 10 Sunday: Return home.
Pacific Option: For groups or for those that want to continue traveling in Chile that have very flexible traveling schedule. There is a working ferry traveling from Chaiten to Puerto Montt transporting local farmers, fisherman, and trucks delivering supplies to this extremely remote area. This is true adventure travel and one must be prepared for the occasional delays that accompany this region's transportations system. Food and lodging are very limited in Chaiten and the worse case scenario is that the ferry has been 24 hours late due to a huge storm. This could require further independent camping on the coast, as the town is evacuated. This is only for the very special.
Accomodations:
Eco Camp Campo Tres Monjas:
Wilderness Camping
PRICE PER PERSON: $1,995.00 USD
Special Flexibilities: Exchile will be flexible to make your trip a total success. The actual program for your custom trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, weather, or other factors. Patagonia has constantly changing weather patterns that might affect what day is best for a certain activity. If a certain part of your trip is not possible due to danger risks and weather extremes, our experienced guide staff will work with you to figure out the best possible option to substitute for the weather complications. If you have any concerns, please feel free to ask us more about the situations and what is guaranteed on the trip.
Included: Your described trip, guiding, instruction, activity equipment, local transportation, shuttles, all meals, wine with dinner, acomodations at our eco-camps, cabins, ranches or lodges, while on your trip. We offer a free pick up on Sunday mornings and free drop off to your hotel in Trevelin, Argentina on Fridays.
Not Included: Transportation to and from your home town, and your accommodations and meals in Trevelin Argentina or alternate trip pick up point. You can reserve and prepay on the web your transport from your final air destination, to and from your pick up-drop off point before and after your trip, or you can direct us to charge your visa card and do it for you. We higly recommended having exchile make hotel reserves in Trevelin. (room capacity in this small village is limited). Expediciones Chile is not financially responsible for your travel complications getting to your trip pick up point and from the drop off point, HOWEVER, we will be relentless allies in offering our services to help solve any issues that you may encounter.
