Patagonia: Expedition and Cultural Exploration

Arrive in Chile

Arrive in Balmaceda, Chile (BBA) at anytime today. You’ll be given transfer instructions to the Patagonia House in Coyhaique closer to your departure date.

Check-in at the hotel and meet in the evening for a welcome dinner and orientation.

Dinner

Overnight: Patagonia House

Begin your Patagonia Expedition

Depart the hotel at 8 am and travel by van south along the historic Carretera Austral for an approximate 5-hour drive to the shores of Lago General Carrera, the second-largest lake in South America. After stopping for a mid-day lunch, arrive at your accommodation, outside of the little town of Puerto Guadal.

Settle into this idyllic spot and shake off the days of travel with a 2-3 mile walk around the thousand-acre ranch.

Today’s Walk: 2-3 miles on a flat walking track, 1.5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Vientos del Sur

Prepare the Horses and Begin your Journey

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll pack up and head into the mountains. Meet the local families and horses that support your trek. After dividing and organizing your food and gear for the horses to carry, you’ll set off on our trek.

The trek today starts winding through a traditional Patagonian campo before heading higher into the mountains. You’ll be grateful to have the horses carrying your gear! Arrive at your campsite — a spectacular perch overlooking the Jeinimeni mountains, where you may have the opportunity to spend time with an experienced gaucho tending sheep.

Gather around a fire for a delicious camp dinner and conversation about Patagonian history and culture.

Today’s Hike: 5 miles, 5-6 hours, 2,100 ft elevation gain on dirt trails and 4×4 tracks with potential muddy sections.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Backcountry Camps

Hiking

After breakfast, you’ll begin your day climbing higher on a dramatic plateau, which, on a clear day, affords sweeping views down to Lago General Carrera, across to the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. You’ll spend most of the day hiking above treeline, through strange-colored rock formations, before descending to your idyllic camp in a lush valley, surrounded by hanging glaciers.

The horses will meet the group to deliver your supplies, and you’ll set up a base camp at a rustic yet idyllic spot called Pampa Zorro for the next two nights. In the evening, you’ll gather to learn more about the establishment of nearby Patagonia National Park.

Today’s Hike: 8 miles, 6-8 hours, 1,200 ft elevation gain, largely off trail on gravel and scree, potentially on snow (6-8 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Backcountry Camps 

Hiking

From your base camp in the meadows and forests of Pampa Zorro, you can day hike uphill to a dramatic pass above treeline looking into Valle Chacabuco, the heart of Patagonia National Park. From there, the walking options in the open alpine terrain are endless, depending on the weather and group energies.

Today’s Hike: 6-8 miles, 5-6 hours, 1,600 ft elevation gain, largely off trail on gravel and scree with a section on a steep dirt trail.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Backcountry Camps

Close the Horse-Supported Loop

Our final day of the horse-supported loop takes you through beautiful southern beech forest and glacial valleys as you make your way back toward Lago General Carrera. As you near the pick-up point, you’ll return to the land of Patagonian campos.

With your longest day of hiking complete, you’ll return to your accommodation for a traditional asado and celebratory feast.

Today’s Hike: 11 miles, 6-8 hours, 100 ft. elevation gain, mix of 4×4 track and dirt horse trail.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Vientos del Sur

Recharge at the Ranch

After enjoying hot showers and comfortable beds after yesterday’s long hike, spend the morning by the shores of Lago General Carrera, hiking with views of the Northern Patagonian Icefield and Patagonia’s highest peak, Monte San Valentin. If the day is inviting, you might even take a swim in these pristine blue waters! Gather for a big lunch. After lunch, options will be available for shorter and longer small group hikes around the ranch in the afternoon.

Tonight, we’ll share another traditional Patagonian dinner back in the historic dining room, and perhaps stargaze as night arrives.

Today’s Hike: Various options, from 3-8 miles, mostly on dirt paths and 4×4 tracks.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Vientos del Sur

Hiking the National Park

After an early breakfast at La Naviera, transition to the center of Patagonia National Park. You’ll drive to the Aviles Valley Trailhead, where you’ll set off for a dramatic 9-mile loop hike through the colorful red mountains and glacially formed plateaus that make this side valley unique.

Today’s Hike: 10 miles, 5-8 hours, 900 ft elevation gain, established dirt hiking trail with several steep sections.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Frontcountry Camps

Continue Hiking the Patagonia National Park

On your final day in Patagonia National Park, you’ll have two hiking options. Those looking for a challenging, stunning finale can tackle the 12-mile Lagunas Altas loop, named one of Patagonia’s five best trails, with panoramic views and varied terrain. Those looking for a slightly shorter option can hike through the expansive grasslands of the Chacabuco Valley to a new suspension bridge high over a river canyon, approximately 7 miles.

This evening, you’ll transition to a lodge in Puerto Guadal for a farewell dinner and final evening of celebration.

Today’s Hike: Either 13 miles, 7-9 hours, 2,500 ft elevation gain, dirt trail with some steep sections; or 7 miles, 4-6 hours, 400 ft elevation gain, dirt trail mostly through grasslands.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Patagonia 47g

Head North to the Carretera Austral

Wake up early to head north up the Carretera Austral, or “Southern Highway,” often called one of the world’s great road trips. Drive for 6-7 hours along the turquoise Baker River, and then near the eastern border of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.

You’ll arrive at the Balmaceda airport (BBA) in time for afternoon flights. Please do not schedule your return flight until after 3 pm.

Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.