Traversing Patagonia National Park

The flight tickets are not included in the price, so you are responsible for arranging transportation to and from Balmaceda Airport (BBA) in Chile. We recommend that you arrive in Balmaceda no later than the early afternoon. For those arriving on the night flight to Chile, there are several alternative departures that fit well. One of our guides will meet you at the arrival gate. Once everyone is gathered, we head south toward Puerto Guadal, a 4-5 hour drive. Here we check in to our cozy accommodation, relax, and get to know the other participants. In the evening, we meet for a welcome dinner followed by an orientation from the expedition leaders to prepare us for the exciting days ahead.

We spend the first day in this beautiful region getting acquainted with the culture and history. We visit a cozy, family-run ranch with cabins, walk nice hiking trails, and learn about life in Patagonia. The highlight of the day will be a traditional asado al palo - a juicy lamb steak grilled over an open fire. For those who want to relax, it is possible to enjoy a warm soak in a wood-fired hot tub, perfect for enjoying the surroundings and recharging for the trek that awaits us.

At breakfast, we go over today's hiking route and receive guidance on how to pack our gear, including group equipment and food. We start with a bus ride headed toward the remote Jeinimeni trail in Patagonia National Park. We drive the historic mountain pass Paso de las Llaves, which is considered a heritage trail of great historical significance. Before the road opened in the 1990s, this was the only route for local pioneer families transporting livestock to market and fetching supplies, a journey that could take several days. We also drive through Chile Chico, a small town located on the shores of Lago General Carrera. The town is known for its mild microclimate and is an important gateway to Patagonia National Park. The drive takes about 3.5 hours. The hike itself starts along the shores of Lago Jeinimeni, where we follow a trail once used by gauchos driving livestock to market. The lake is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by red and green mountains, showcasing the area's fascinating geology. Toward the end of the day, we arrive at the wonderful Camp Raleigh on the shores of Lago Verde. We set up tents and the kitchen together, share tips, and learn practical tricks. After preparing and enjoying our first dinner as a group, we gather to share personal goals and discuss how we can best support each other on the trip.

The second day on the trip offers both challenges and variety as we cross two mountain passes and move through diverse landscapes. We start the day with an early climb to a pass with great views of Lago Verde and Valle Hermoso – one of the park's most famous areas. This is followed by a gentle but steep descent before we cross Valle Hermoso and encounter the trip's first major rivers, where we learn and practice river-crossing techniques. Further on, we head west through Valle Hermoso, cross several rivers, and approach the impressive glaciers in the valley. Eventually, we make our way up a low pass and into the Aviles Valley, an important north-south valley leading toward the Chacabuco Valley. We set up camp in a forested area, and in the evening we gather to hear the history of the Aviles Valley and how Patagonia National Park came to be.

The hiking route in the Aviles Valley takes you through lush areas with dense vegetation, open grasslands, and crystal-clear rivers winding through the valley. It is wonderful to walk on the trail that runs along the base of mountain ranges with views of the magnificent landscape. We hike all day in the valley to about the halfway point, where we set up camp. The open grasslands around the campsite provide us with a perfect place to relax and enjoy the surroundings. In the evening, we share a communal meal and use the time to get to know each other better.

This morning we head further down the Aviles Valley and hike through landscapes that are constantly changing. The forested upper part of the valley opens up, and rugged gorges appear. One of the day's highlights is crossing a high suspension bridge before we continue into the Chacabuco Valley. We arrive at the historic campsite Casa Piedra, which was formerly a ranch. This marks the end of the first part of the trip, which started on the shores of Lago Jeinimeni and has taken us through both the Jeinimeni Valley and the Aviles Valley. Now we have the opportunity to reflect on the trip as a group. How has the first part of the trip gone?

Today we take a well-deserved break, giving our tired legs time to recover while we enjoy the Patagonian nature. We can have a relaxed morning with a cup of coffee without thinking about packing camp. We can take a dip in the river, lie in the grass, go for a short walk, or simply enjoy the nature around us. We get a resupply of provisions and get ready for the final part of the hike, which spans three days on the Siete Lagunas route. The route takes us through an area with several lakes, hence the name "Siete Lagunas," which means "seven lakes."

It was nice to have a rest day, because today we face the longest and most challenging day of the trip. We start by hiking along the cliffs around Laguna Gutierrez, before continuing upward toward a high pass through the Cordon Chacabuco mountain range. The hard effort is rewarded with fantastic views. There is a steady climb all day, and the limited access to water makes this leg extra demanding. Eventually, we arrive at Laguna la Guagua, where we pitch our tents by the peaceful lake and rest after a tough but rewarding leg.

Today's hike takes us through a landscape characterized by countless lakes, both large and small. The trail winds through varied terrain featuring grasslands, wetlands, and southern beech forests dominated by Patagonian beech. The day ends at a campsite on the shores of Laguna La Pepa, where the tranquil atmosphere may give us the chance to spot the rare and endangered huemul deer. This deer is one of the rarest and most fragile deer species in the world and is known for its distinctive appearance with a powerfully built body, short dark coat, and smaller antlers than other deer species.

On the final day of the Siete Lagunas route, we follow the classic Lagunas Altas day route that leads us to the national park center. There we get the opportunity to visit the park's museum, which gives us a fascinating insight into the national park's history and conservation work. In the afternoon, we get a ride back to Puerto Guadal, where a hotel room with a shower and a bed now awaits us. We gather for a closing dinner in the evening. Together with new friends, we share memories, experiences, and the moments we have experienced on the trip.

After a good night's sleep in a bed, we pack up and head north by bus. The route runs along the Carretera Austral, often described as one of the world's most iconic stretches of road. The road was built in the 1970s and has been important for access to the remote and often inaccessible areas in Chile. The trip takes us along the west side of Lake General Carrera, through lush rainforests and into the valley where the Rio Ibanez flows. Here we get a good view of Cerro Castillo, an impressive mountain in the region. In the afternoon we arrive at Balmaceda Airport for the flights home, thus concluding this incredible adventure in Patagonia. If you are not quite ready to travel home we can help you with extension programs in both Peru (Inka Trail or Lake Titicaca), and Ecuador (Amazon or Galapagos). Feel free to contact us for more information.