Aysen Glacier Trail: Patagonia Trek

Itinerary in Brief:  An Exceptional, Remote Patagonia Adventure

• One of the world’s great treks
• Way off the beaten path adventure
• 7 nights camping/3 nights hotels
• Northern Patagonia Ice Cap
• Stunning, endangered wilderness
• Cross the Neff Glacier
• Trek across 3 glacial valleys
• Outstanding meals throughout
• See below for further details
• Email or call us with questions

Day by Day Itinerary

(Included meals are indicated in parentheses: B,L,D)

Day 1        Arrive to Santiago

Arrive to Santiago. Upon arrival to Santiago you will be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. (Depending on your arrival time, we can also arrange a privately guided city tour of Santiago.)
Hotel Orly or similar

Day 2       Balmaceda to Puerto Bertrand

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Coyhaique or Balmaceda. Upon arrival you will be met by your guides. You will start by transferring along the beautiful Southern Highway to Puerto Bertrand (population 65), located at the headwaters of the Rio Baker, Chile’s most voluminous river. After settling in at the lodge you will have a welcome dinner with your guides and an orientation that will include final instructions and packing for the start of the trek.
Green Baker Lodge in Puerto Bertrand (B,L,D)

Day 3        Soler Valley

In the morning you will spend a few more minutes for any last minute packing, have breakfast and then take a boat trip across the emerald blue Lago Bertrand and Lago Plomo (1 hour). We will then meet up with the horse team to off load some of the luggage before starting a 3 hour hike, traversing the flanks of the Cordon Soler above the river and then down to camp.
(200 meters ascent and 100 meters descent, 10 km)
Rock Garden Camp (B,L,D)

Day 4        Soler Valley

Today you will trek up the Soler Valley, passing by the meeting point of 3 major glacial valleys and finally arriving to the old growth beech forest of the Palomar ranch (non-functioning ranch).
(6 hour hike, 200 meters ascent and 150 meters descent, 18 km)
Camping at the Palomar Ranch (B,L,D)

Day 5         Neff Glacier

In the morning we will ascend about 200 meters to the northern margin of the Neff Glacier, crossing where the glacier is approximately 6 kilometers wide. We will then descend down the south side of the glacier and climb up to the mirrored lakes where we will camp for the night.
(7 to 10 hours hiking, 300 meters ascent, 100 meters descent, 10-12 km total, 6 to 8 km on the glacier)
Laguna Espejo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 6        Neff Glacier / Mirador Summit

You will have today free to explore the area or climb to the Mirador summit for expansive views of the 3 glaciers that fill the valleys in this corner of the northern ice cap. Alternatively, the day sometimes has to be used to allow for non ideal weather for the glacier crossing.
Laguna Espejo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 7        Buena Cueva Valley / Lake Cachet

Today we will hike down the Buena Cueva Valley among old growth beech forests, Cypress filled wetlands, and huge boulders, stopping for lunch in a setting that captures three major glaciers in plain view. We then continue along the shore of Lake Cachet and the challenging talus slope.
(6 hours hiking, 200m descent, 100 ascent, 8 km. total)
Cachet Camp (B,L,D)

Day 8       Colonia Glacier

The day begins amongst glacial kettles and drumlins with constant views of icebergs and the 50 meter ice wall of the Colonia glacier. We will follow the trail into the old growth beech forest above a 200 meter deep canyon with a roaring river below. The night is spent overlooking the 4 km wide end of the Colonia Glacier.
(300m ascent / descent, 10 km. total)
Colonia Camp (B,L,D)

Day 9      Lago Colonia / Sol de Mayo Ranch

After hiking down to the moss covered beach the trail will follow tracks of the Huemul deer to the northern shore of Lago Colonia. After a quick boat ride across the lake, with some astounding views of local waterfalls, we will hike for about 40 minutes to the Sol de Mayo Ranch.
(250 meters descent, 6 kilometers, 2 hours walking, 30 minute boat ride)
Sol de Mayo Ranch Camp (B,L,D)

Day 10       Colonia River / Baker River

From Sol de Mayo we follow the Colonia river, hiking on the southern side of the valley, passing through several small farms on the way to the Balsa Colonia. This is the crossing point of the Baker River for all the farms on the west side of the river, and our meeting point for the rafts and river gear for anyone continuing down the Baker River. This is an area that would be completely flooded by the Aysen Dam project. From here you will be transferred back to Puerto Bertrand by vehicle. For those wishing to continue the trip down the Baker River, there is the option of adding a 3 night rafting excursion, following the Baker all the way out to the Pacific Ocean, camping along the way until you get to Caleta Tortel, where the river empties into the sea. (If interested in this option, please inquire.)
Green Baker Lodge in Puerto Bertrand (B,L,D)

Day 11       Return to Balmaceda

In the early morning we will drive to the Balmaceda airport and fly to Santiago, where you connect with your international flight home, or continue your trip to other parts of Chile. (B)

For those wishing to do the rafting trip down the Baker River, the itinerary would continue as follows starting with Day 11:

Day 11     Baker River

In the morning we will start our trip down the Rio Baker to the Pacific Ocean, running some fun class 3 rapids while enjoying the Patagonian scenery. We camp at the Salton San Carlos, an un-runable class 6 gorge.
River Camp at Salton San Carlos (B,L,D)

Day 12         Baker River

The morning is dedicated to exploring the gorge and tunnels cut by Lucas Bridge, an early explorer of the region who opened up the Colonia valley for farming in the late nineteen thirties. We portage rafts and gear around the waterfall, re-launching the rafts below the powerful Salton Falls and continue to the Rio Ventisquero area for the night.
River Camp at Arratia ranch (B,L,D)

Day 13       Baker River / Caleta Tortel

We continue the float toward the ocean as the river meanders through increasingly verdant forests. We visit the Island of the Dead, a cemetery with a history dating back to the first explorations of the area. Arriving in Caleta Tortel, a small fishing town built on stilts and celebrate our arrival to the Pacific Ocean. After pulling the rafts out of the water and breaking down our gear we will transfer to our hostel for the night, and enjoy dinner looking out across the islands dotting the Pacific.
Caleta Tortel Hostel (B,L,D)

Day 14       Caleta Tortel / Puerto Bertrand

In the morning we will start our 5 hour drive from Tortel back to Puerto Bertrand, completing the “full cycle.” In the evening we will settle into the Green Baker Lodge where we can enjoy the Hot tub and a good meal on the deck overlooking the Baker River.
Green Baker Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 15        Return to Balmaceda

In the early morning we will drive to the Balmaceda airport and fly to Santiago, where you connect with your international flight home, or continue your trip to other parts of Chile. (B)

* The itinerary is subject to change due to weather patterns, the strength of the group, or other reasons.