Patagonia Adventure Holidays

Carretera Austral (Route 7) is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Opened to traffic in 1988, this highway was built to connect remote communities. We’ll explore the section that passes a few miles north from the North Patagonian Ice Field –part of the largest ice sheet outside of the poles and the nearest to the equator–, characterized by its cold and humid weather condition. Nevertheless, the General Carrera basin, which shelters the second biggest lake of South América, has a stable microclimate, a weather pattern enjoyed by few settlements such as Puerto Sánchez. Located at the northwest shore of the lake, this old mining town will be glad to welcome all travelers looking to experience a unique encounter with native nature, its history and its people.

We invite you to explore North Patagonia through a unique route with wonderful wild landscapes and share unforgettable days in Puerto Sánchez, a  place of relaxation and adventure where we will carry out multiple activities framed by its sub Antarctic forests, rivers and waterfalls, and surprising views to northern ice fields, and the imposing General Carrera, where its turquoise waters have carved marble caverns within its unique islands.

P. Sánchez was colonized in the early 1950s by a few Chilean families who arrived thanks to the mining industry managed at the time by the Aysén Mining Company; zinc and lead were sought, in addition to copper, which was found later. Then, in 1980, the company became the Empresa Minera de Aysén (EMA), owned by CORFO.

Faced with the failure of mining, the EMA tried to make a productive reconversion for the 80 families inhabiting the land, giving people training and a series of free benefits such as water, electricity and firewood. Despite the efforts, the town remains suspended in time and with its inhabitants trapped in a vicious cycle generated by the combination of social benefits and almost no productive activity. In 1992 CORFO would put this town up for sale. Yes, a town, with its houses, school, multicourt, church, post office, sewage system and even a hydroelectric plant.

On that date, the Walker family decides to buy the lands of Pto. Sánchez, with the opportunity to use them for livestock and alfalfa cultivation. On February 9, 2006, the long-awaited official foundation of the town was finally achieved, in which the free transfer of 6.3 hectares to the Municipality of Río Ibáñez became effective. As of that year, the people were able to access the benefits of public policies and state investment in infrastructure and services. The government built a road from Murta to Pto. Sánchez, which for years went unnoticed by tourists, unaware of the wonders that this shore of the lake hid.

From Balmaceda airport we will take the Carretera Austral and head south to Cerro Castillo, a majestic jagged mountain which name means castle. At the base of the mountain we’ll find an archaeological site with handprints of the Tehuelche culture, who inhabited these green lands more than 7,000 years ago. The trip continues south passing through rivers and a beautiful green lagoon, until we reach General Carrera Lake and round the shore west to Puerto Sánchez. The rest of the team will receive us in the hostelry with the chimney fire going and fresh foods.

The hostelry has a beautiful open view of the lake and the Panichine island, which we’ll explore during the morning by kayaking between its rarely visited marble caverns. We’ll round the island and park on a bay to enjoy a delicious picnic. After lunch we’ll make a soft hike to admire the charms of the sector and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. We’ll return to Puerto Sanchez by boat.

For the next day we’ll mount Chilean horses and ride uphill to the old mine along a path with panoramic views of the lake and the Andes mountains. On the return back we will take a path through a forest of Coigüe that will lead us to La Playa sector by the lakeshore. Here we will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch and relax in this exclusive sector. In the afternoon we will get ready to try luck on fishing. For this activity we will ge in the boat to scroll through certain corners of the lake propitious for fishing for brown and rainbow trout.

An expedition to the Northern Patagonian Ice Field is a must, therefore we’ll spend a full day to witness first row one of the glacial tongues that hang from the ice field. We’ll begin on boat to Puerto tranquilo, then we’ll take the road along the river through an evergreen valley. We will stop in the middle of the Andes and do a short hike to observe the amazing Exploradores Glacier and mount San Valentín, the highest of the Chilean Patagonia. On our way back we’ll stop to have lunch at the Germans’ house. Back in Puerto Sánchez will have some spare time before we enjoy a Chilean lamb barbecue with fresh salads and wine.

During the last morning in Puerto Sánchez we’ll have some spare time, with the option to cook traditional handmade bread. Then we’ll get back on the road to Cerro Castillo Village from where we will beginning the horse riding through Cerro Castillo National Reserve. This protected area is one of the most emblematic icons of the Aysén region due to its impressive rock peaks, glaciers, lagoons, forests and overhanging panoramic views. This excursion consists of 6 hours (back and forth) in which you combine horse riding and hike to reach the breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Cerro Castillo with its hanging glaciers and its homonymous lagoon of turquoise color that lay down at it feet.

After this adventure we will continue north direction by the Southern Highway again to get -after two hours- to Coyhaique city. Here we will go around by the it  streets that include a visit to the craft market in the main square where you can find ceramics and wool articles. Dinner and accommodation to coordinate.

On the last day we prepare our luggage and then head to Balmaceda airport, located 58,5km (36m) from the city.

End of the services.

Day 1: Carretera Austral road trip

• Pick up at Balmaceda airport
• Road trip by the southern highway to Cerro Castillo
• Short hike in the archaeological site, lunch
• Back in the road heading south
• Reception in Puerto Sánchez
• Spare time and dinner

Day 2: Marble caverns kayaking and hiking in Panichine island

• Breakfast
• Kayak by Marble Caverns of
• Pic-nic in Panichine Island
• Hike by the island
• Visit the museum of Puerto Sánchez
• Dinner

Day 3: Horseback riding and fishing

• Breakfast
• Horseback riding to old mines
• Lunch in La Playa sector
• Fishing on General Carrera lake
• Dinner

Day 4: Trip to Exploradores glacier

• Breakfast
• Transfer By boat to Puerto Tranquilo
• Car ride through Exploradores valley
• Trekking to Exploradores glacier
• Local lunch in the germans’ house
• Arrival To Puerto Sánchez
• Free time. Lamb barbecue.

Day 5: Horseback riding and hiking on Cerro Castillo N. R. and join Coyaique city

• Breakfast
• Car ride to Cerro Castillo National Reserve
• Horse riding and hikking
• Arrival to Coyaique

Day 6: Balmaceda airport

• Breakfast
• Back to Balmaceda airport
• End of service
  

We’ll stay at the town’s hostelry that has 7 double bedrooms with private baths, a big dinner table and fireplace in the living room, a spacious kitchen with a firewood oven, a lovely patio and a quincho; a small house for meetings and barbecues. Our chef from Santiago with a local cook will prepare a healthy and tasty Chilean and international cuisine with fresh products from Patagonia and the Central Zone of Chile.

May 25, 2016 / View more photos