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Day 1 Friday. Balmaceda - General Carrera lake
After arrival at the airport of Balmaceda we start to drive south on the Carretera Austral, the unpaved extension of the Panamerican Highway. We cross rivers, lakes, and valleys surrounded by mountains and virgin forests. Our destination is General Carrera Lake, one of the world’s greatest reserves of clean fresh water. When we arrive to Puerto Tranquilo we board a motor boat to get to the nearby “Catedrales de Mármol”, a peninsula of marble caves of impressive shapes due to the effect produced by water of the lake and the strong wind for thousand of years. We enter the caves by boat to appreciate the spectacular combination of colours of the water with the whiteness of the rocks. We turn back to the mainland and continue with our drive to finally arrive at the lodge. A delicious dinner awaits us. Overnight at Mallin Colorado Ecolodge.
Day 2 Saturday. Horseback riding to Mallin Colorado Lagoon
A morning tour through the surrounding forest of Coigues, Ñirres and Lengas include wonderful views over the lake General Carrera, lake Bertrand and the breathtaking Northern Ice Field and it’s snowdrifts falling down to the lake. We arrive up to a wide plain where you can see Mallín Colorado lagoon, with a marshy surface. Lunch at the cabins after which the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the cabins.
Day 3 Sunday. Tamango National Reserve and Caleta Tortel, the access to the Southern Icefield
After breakfast we leave the cabins and start to drive south along the Austral Highway to the town of Cochrane. From here we continue to the Tamango National Reserve. This reserve is the only area where you can observe the huemul; Chile s native dear and highly protected specie. We hike through the park, observing the abundant vegetation and fauna. During the hike we will enjoy a satisfying lunch in spectacular surroundings. We continue driving south along the Carretera Austral to Tortel , located in a deep Fjord on the Pacific Ocean, between northern and southern ice field. This town was originally founded to facilitate the exploitation of the local cypress trees. The streets consist of wooden walkways. No cars will be encountered. We spend the night at a local family’s home with no private bathroom, Overnight at Caleta Tortel.
Day 4 Monday. Visit to Glacier Montt
After breakfast we embark our boat to sail for about four hours through the uninhabited Patagonian fjords. We disembark for a freshly prepared lunch in one of the fjords. From here, we go directly to the immense glacier Montt, which is gliding down from the Southern Ice field. We appreciate this overwhelming scenery with a nice whisky on the rocks. We spend the night at a local family’s house at the glacier, there is no private bathroom. Overnight at Glacier Montt.
Day 5 Tuesday. Caleta Tortel – Chacabuco Valley - Mallin Colorado
We take the boat back to Tortel and Puerto Vagabond. From here we drive back to the cabins of Mallín Colorado to relax and have a nice farewell dinner. On the way back to Mallín Colorado we visit the Chacabuco Valley where we encounter a landscape which is very similar to the Patagonian pampas of Argentina; we can observe guanacos, condors, sheep, cattle and diverse bird species. Dinner and overnight at the cabins.
Day 06 Wednesday. Mallín Colorado at leisure
After these days of adventure, we have one day to relax in Mallín Colorado, taking a soft walk to the waterfall located in middle of a Lenga and Coigue forest. Possibilities to take an optional tour to San Rafael Glacier in a waterplane starting from the shores of the lake, or a simple one hour tour overflying the Northern Icefields, which is a unique experience in Patagonia. Dinner and overnight in Mallín Colorado.
Day 07 Thursday. Transfer to Balmaceda
After our breakfast we drive to the airport of Balmaceda to board your connecting flight.
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