Following on the previous post for Chile - here is an option for hikers:
9 Night / 10 Day Hiking Tour in Chile 2006/2007
1.-ITINERARY
DAY 01 CITY TOUR SANTIAGO
Arrival in SCL at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport. Transfer to Hotel Eurotel or similar www.eurotel.cl 4* hotel or Hotel Director www.director.cl . After accommodation we will pick up from your hotel and start your adventure in the oldest area in Santiago called Barrio Concha y Toro. Its architecture reminds our guests of the European neighborhoods. Its buildings were raised at the end of the XIXth. Century and beginning of the XXth.century. Then we will drive on through cobble stone streets toward a beautiful private club called “Club Hípico de Santiago” inaugurated in 1870. The building, projected and raised in 1918 by he architect Joshua Smith, is inspired on the French racetrack of Long Champs. French Baroque-style boulevards and gardens are integrated into the construction through terraces and perrons. We will explore much more of the city today.
Lunch at Mercado Municipal with fish and seafood.
Tour Lakes and volcanoes
Difficulty: This program can be catered in two degrees - depending on what you the customer would prefer. Note, all in the group must agree as we cannot provide some a low level and others a strenuous level program.
1) Low / Medium, intended for all people, suitable and recommendable for older adults in good health with overall good mobility who are comfortable participating in up to [5] hours of physical activity per day. Programs at this level generally involve activities of light to moderate intensity at an easy pace, mostly walking, sometimes on uneven and/or difficult terrain
2) Medium, intended for active people who are comfortable participating in up to [7] hours of physical activity per day. Programs at this level generally involve some activities of higher intensity and/or a more vigorous pace. These activities may include hiking on difficult terrain, and the use of basic mountain gear.
Available from: October to March
Including: specialized tour guide, private transportation, meals as per itinerary (all breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 box lunches), entrance fees, insurance and all activities according to the itinerary.
Not Including: flights, tips, extra drinks and dinners.
Activities included: Guided hikes including natural interpretation on the volcanology and the indigenous flora and fauna of the parks, as well as cultural interpretation and focus on the history and traditions of indigenous communities; hot springs.
Lodging: All types of accommodations are described and included in the Rates
Itinerary
DAY 02: Temuco – Malalcahuello – RN Nalcas Malalcahuello B/L/-
Early morning transfer from Hotel to the airport for flight to Temuco, the capital of the Araucanía.
Upon your arrival, our friendly staff will meet you at the local airport and we’ll head north on the Pan American Highway, traveling 25 kms (15 miles) until we reach the town of Lautaro, where we take a secondary road that goes east toward the Andean area. As we move closer to the mountains, the scenery becomes absolutely amazing with views of three volcanoes (all of them still active), Tolhuaca (2,806 meters / 9,206 feet), Llaima (3,125 m / 10,253 feet) and Lonquimay (2,865 m / 9,400 ft). En route we pass through the town of Curacautín and the village of Manzanar, until arriving at the quaint village of Malalcahuello (2-hour drive). The close proximity to the National Reserve Nalcas-Malalcahuello (Lonquimay volcano) and the Conguillío National Park (Llaima volcano, Sierra Nevada range and Lake Conguillío) make of this little village the perfect location to explore the astounding natural beauties of this Andean area. Arriving at Malalcahuello, we’ll follow the first 7 km (4.35 miles) alongside the main road between Malalcahuello and the little town of Lonquimay. Then, upon crossing the Cautín River Bridge, we’ll take a dirt road that leads to the National Reserve Nalcas-Malalcahuello, passing through Las Raices Range, having magnificent views of Lonquimay volcano and the Cautín River. Once we begin traveling on the mountain roads, the scenery reveals a phenomenal forest of araucarias (Araucaria araucana) and many other indigenous trees such as coigües (Nothofagus dombeyi) and lengas (Nothofagus pumilio). At this point we will be traveling through the Pewenche territory, having a closer look at how the indigenous people live between mountains, prairies and pristine forests. Then we’ll go to the town of Lonquimay, where we’ll have a simple yet delicious lunch. At the end of the day we’ll arrive at the village of Malalcahuello, where we’ll stay overnight at the hotel of your choice. (L)
Optional: Malalcahuello Thermal Resort (local payment of USD 20 p/p)
Malalcahuello Hot Springs are the most modern thermal resort of the region, where you can relax and enjoy the soothing baths. The resort has a fully equipped large indoor thermal pool, and two small pools at different temperatures (one very cold and one very hot). The Spa offers massages and beauty therapy services for an additional cost. For those more interested in revelry and merry making, there is a restaurant and bar.
Accommodations
Corralco Mountain Resort: First class services & facilities; very cozy and located within the National Reserve. www.corralco.com
DAY 03 : Malalcahuello – Conguillío National Park – Pucón BB/BL/D
After an early breakfast, we’ll go to visit Conguillío National Park, one of the most attractive and outstanding parks of the Lakes & Volcanoes District. This well-conserved territory is situated between 900 and 3.125 meters high (2.953 to 10.253 feet) covering an area of 60.832 hectares (150.320 acres). While we visit the park you will witness how the Llaima volcano has permanently shaped the landscape of the area with its eruptions and you’ll have the fantastic opportunity to walk on the lava flows that once came from the heart of the earth.
We'll also visit the Park Information Center, where we'll learn about the different fauna, trees, and other interesting aspects of the sector.
Then we’ll have a box-lunch at Playa Linda (nice beach) located at the shores of Conguillío Lake; followed by hiking along the Sierra Nevada trail (2 ½ hours round trip) surrounded by native trees, including ancient monkey-puzzle trees or araucarias (Araucaria araucana), raulí (Nothofagus alpina) and coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi). Normally, it takes about 1½ hours to get to the second look-out point which overlooks the majestic lake Conguillío and the Sierra Nevada Range. We'll also be able to spot endemic birds such as the magellan woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus), which we will see searching the tree trunks for insects. We will also hear and possibly catch a glimpse of the chucao tapaculo (Selorchilis rubecula) and the noisy slender-billed parakeet (Enicognatus leptorhynchus). After spending some time taking pictures and enjoying the amazing view, we'll hike back to the bottom of the trail and then get in the minibuses to drive to the pristine Arco Iris (Rainbow) Lagoon with its clear waters that reflect stunning colors and the Truful-Truful Falls. After that visit we’ll commence our return to the urban areas, driving 2 ½ hours approximately towards Pucón and stay overnight at the hotel Apart Hotel del Volcán www.aparthoteldelvolcan.cl or Araucarias www.araucarias.cl
DAY 04: Pucón – Huerquehue National Park – Huife Hot Springs B/BL/D
Pucón is known in Chile as the main adventure destination in the Lakes & Volcanoes District, and today we’ll head southeast in the direction of Huerquehue National Park, located at the foothills of the Andes, 35 km (22 miles) from Pucón. The park covers 12.500 hectares (30.890 acres) with various lagoons, dense vegetation and gigantic trees that are the habitat of several endemic birds.
We pass the entrance post and drive another 3 km until the road ends; from this point we are at only 400 m from the trail.
The hike starts easy but after a short distance the trail becomes rougher and sometimes steeper, but is still considered a relatively easy hiking level.
After walking 30 minutes at an easy pace, we’ll get to the Nido de Aguilas (nest of eagles) waterfalls and then we’ll keep hiking on a steeper terrain, surrounded by gigantic coigües (Nothofagus dombeyi) and mañíos (Podocarpus nubigena). We have arrived at the first lookout point where the views of Villarrica Volcano (2.847 m / 9.349 feet) and Tinquilco Lake are absolutely stunning; here you’ll find great photo opportunities as well as chance to reenergize with a snack. As we continue hiking, our guide will point out some wild flora of the area (i.e. mutisias, orchids and alstroemerias), and if luck is on our side, we can spot some birds that live in the forests of Nothofagus, such as chucao tapaculo (Selorchilis rubecula), black-throated huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii) and the magellan woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) among others.
After hiking another 20 minutes, we’ll arrive at the Trufulco Falls where we stop for a short time. At this point the trail gets more demanding, but not so much that everyone won’t be able to reach the second lookout point, where the view gets even better.
We catch our breath again and resume the hike along the trail; now that we are over 1000 m / 3.280 feet above sea level we begin to see the first araucarias (Araucaria araucana). Soon we will walk through a mixed forest with many of these trees, considered to be a national monument for their exceptional characteristics.
We have hiked around 2½ hours when we arrive at the first lake called Chico (small), with its clear waters reflecting the image of hundred of araucarias and snow-capped peaks. The trail gets more even and in only 15 minutes we arrive at Lago Toro (Bull Lake). Here we eat our well deserved box lunch and spend some more time taking pictures or simply resting. We can watch the breathtaking landscape and spot some of the birdlife that inhabits the shores of this lake, such as the Andean ducks (Oxyura ferruginea), aiding our observation with binoculars.
Following the break, we keep going through an easy terrain and visit the third lake called Verde (green) which is the last attraction of our hike. Now we can commence a two-hour decent by the same trail to the parking area.
We leave the park and drive 40 minutes through a scenic rural road to visit and unwind at Huife Hot Springs, which will be the perfect end to this very active day. The thermal center is located by the Liucura River and is surrounded by stunning native forests. This place offers three outdoor thermal pools at different temperatures, a good restaurant and a cafeteria. In addition, the center also includes massage and beauty therapy services for an additional cost. Here you can enjoy the scenery while relaxing in the therapeutic thermal waters. Return to hotel in Pucón. (B, BL) www.termashuife.cl
DAY 05: Pucón – Frutillar – Puerto Varas – PN Vicente Pérez Rosales B/L/-
We depart from Pucón and travel 4 hours until we get to Frutillar, a quaint little city with a strong German heritage, situated by the Llanquihue Lake, overlooking the Osorno Volcano. You’ll be charmed by the German-style houses, the beautifully maintained gardens and the scenery of the Lakes & Volcanoes District. Here, we visit the German Club where we’ll enjoy a tasty and filling German-style meal lunch.
On the way out from Puerto Varas, we’ll travel alongside the Llanquihue Lake en route to the village of Ensenada, where we head toward the Osorno Volcano and stop at the starting point of the El Solitario trail (1½ -hour drive) at Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the very first wild protected area in Chile. The park covers a territory of nearly 627 thousand acres with extraordinary landscapes that include native forests, mountains and volcanoes with snow-capped peaks. Here we begin hiking through the native forest with the volcano on our left-hand during the entire route and passing by a valley covered by lava flows that were formed by old eruptions. After almost 2 hours of hiking, we’ll arrive at the road that leads to the main entrance of the park, where we’ll get in the vehicle and drive for a few minutes toward the entry. Upon our arrival we’ll visit the powerful Petrohue Falls with its turquoise waters; there are three beautiful waterfalls that make their way through solid basaltic rocks that once came from the depths of the earth. If the weather permits, we will have a view of the Osorno Volcano (2652 m / 8,700 ft) with its rounded top; the volcano appears so close that it becomes the perfect backdrop for such an idyllic landscape.
After a few minutes of wandering around the picture-perfect surroundings and taking photos, we’ll walk for 20 minutes through an easy and even trail called Los Enamorados (the lovers), passing by the shores of the river Petrohué and the pristine native forest. If we are lucky, we can spot the ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata stellata) that can be seen perched on a branch looking for fish in the clear-water ponds. Then we go back to the vehicles and head back to Puerto Varas where you check in at the hotel Bellavista www.hotelbellavista.cl (B, L)
DAY 06 BB/- /D PUERTO MONTT-PUNTA ARENAS-PUERTO NATALES
Depending on your flight, departure from the hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt airport. Flight to Punta Arenas.
The passengers are greeted at President Ibañez Airport, Punta Arenas.
Depart to Puerto Natales driving on the North route on the typical Magellan steppe where the visitor will be able to observe ovine and bovine cattle pasturing. If lucky you might be able to see the duty of driving cattle performed by the shepherd and especially by his dogs. Ostriches, bandurrias and other small birds will delight the passenger on his journey. Approximately 65 Kms. Northwest of Punta Arenas the visitor can fin this picturesque spot where every year hundred of penguins come to nest.
After driving a few kilometers on Route 9, the vehicle go West on the road to Kon Aiken cattle settlement. Fron there take the route to Pecket Mine until reaching the shores of Otway Cove where penguins colonies are found.
Being a protected area to maintain species from mankind destruction, thousands of penguins can be seen out of their nests and at the sea shore. Young penguins can also be observed in their nests in holes made in sand.
The rich fauna of the Region can be enjoyed during the journey, like wild gooses, American Ostriches and a great variety of sea birds.
On the afternoon we’ll arrive at Puerto Natales, picturesque town by the shores of Ultima Esperanza Cove. Transfer to the Hotel Cisne de Cuello Negro. www.pehoe.cl
DAY 07 B/-/D
FD PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE PARK – MILODON CAVE – LAKES.
Depart towards Torres Del Paine Park. Visit the Milodon Cave where remains where found of an herbivorous animal that lived in it over 12.000 years ago. Departure to Pehoe Inn, located on an island in Pehoe Lake facing the famous Paine Horns.
On the way, the visitors will be able to admire the beauty of the scenery reflected on the colourful water of Figueroa and Sarmiento Lakes. The visit Laguna Amarga area, from where the passengers will be able to admire the imposing majesty of the Paine Towers, famous rocky formation that gives the name to the National Park.
Dinner and lodging at Pehoe Inn. www.pehoe.cl
DAY 08 B/LB/D
FD TORRES DEL PAINE PARK –GREY LAKE AREA–LAGUNA AMARGA.
After breakfast, excursion to the Grey Lake area, where huge icebergs that detach from a glacier of the same name can be admired. The colours of the floating ice blocks will provide the masterly touch to the beautiful scenery created by nature. On the way to Grey Lake we will visit Small Waterfall, Paine River, Toro Lake, Sarmiento and Grey River, all of which are places of abundant sport fishery.
In the afternoon the passengers will visit Laguna Amarga area from where the passengers will be able to admire the imposing majesty of the Paine Towers, famous rocky formation that gives the name to the National Park.
During the journey and after other walks, the visitor will be able to see the Big Waterfall and Paine River, together with its abundant fauna as American ostriches, foxes, skunks, black necked swans, flamingos, condors and eagles. Also groups of guanacos will be able to be photographed by the visitor. Return to Pehoe Inn to enjoy dinner and lodging.
DAY 09 AB/L/- TORRES DEL PAINE-PUNTA ARENAS-SANTIAGO
Early in the morning drive from NP Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas and start the city tour. (Depending on departure time of your flight to Santiago). The first place to visit is the Cross Hill where you get a panoramic view of the City of Punta Arenas and the Strait of Magellan, and in the back Tierra del Fuego (Fire Land) Island. Afterwards the visitor will drive on its avenues and through downtown Punta Arenas, where they will be able to appreciate its characteristics European construction style of the 19th century. Squares will be visited where over 30 monuments have been placed to symbolize the rich history of this southern city. In contrast with the style of construction, the Free Zone district located 2 kms. North of downtown Punta Arenas will be visited. Here the visitor will be able to buy souvenirs from the Region in one if its hundred stores. The City – Tour will be completed after visiting the Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum, place where a rich variety of fauna and flora samples of the Chilean Patagonia have been preserved. Also the visitor will be able to see vestige of the first inhabitants that populated this Region like the Yagan, Ona and Alacalufe Indians.
All of the above will give the visitor a very good knowledge of the city and its inhabitants. End of city Tour. Drive to the airport. Flight to Santiago. Transfer to Hotel Eurotel or Director or similar. Dinner together with Gerd W. Walther Manager and Owner Ecotours and discuss the tour at Eladio Restaurant.
DAY 10 BB/-/-
According To your return flight to the USA, transfer to the Airport. End of services.
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; BL: Box Lunch; D: Dinner AB= American breakfast BB= Buffet breakfast
PRICES PER PERSON IN DBL ROOM ACCOMODATION IN USD
2 PAX = USD 2.815.-
3-4PAX USD 2355.-
5-6PAX USD 1955.-
7-8PAX USD 1825.-
9-10PAX USD 1750.-
SINGLE SURCHARGE USD 399.-
2.- THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Meals as specified every day:
All transfers and sightseeing tours in private transportation
English speaking tour guide
Hotel accommodations 3*/4* hotels and or Hosteria
3.-NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:
International and domestic flights
Insurance - optional program available
Tips
4. - FIXED DATES
You may start this trip everyday between September and April.
5.-HOTELS
As indicated in the program or similar
6.-VEHICLES
Modern van or minibus according to group size. Air-conditioned.
7.- ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS ;
Slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather and or road conditions, or force majeur.
8.-PHYSICAL DEMANDS;
Normal health conditions.
9 WHAT TO BRING;
Bring worn hiking shoes. Towel and swim suit. Sun glasses and sun protector. Parka with hat, raincoat. Warm and also light clothes. Flashlight/headlamp.
