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Peregrine Travel Centre

Patagonia: Trekking in the Andes

Patagonia: Trekking in the Andes

From $ 4,765 AUD

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Description

Join Intrepid on a new off-the-beaten-track expedition the through the great landscapes of Patagonia. This challenging but rewarding journey explores the real Patagonian wilderness, revealing the beauty behind its well-earned reputation as a premier trekking destination. Kick things off on the shores of stunning Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche, Argentina, and head across the Andes and into Chile. This Patagonia expedition offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the continent, with lush valleys and rainforest, pristine rivers and lakes, and awe-inspiring mountains such as the majestic Tronador volcano.

Trip Name
Patagonia: Trekking in the Andes
Last Updated
2020-08-25
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Trek through a variety of unspoiled Patagonian landscapes, in both Argentina and Chile
  • Camp out beneath the stars in the shadow of Andean peaks, on the homestead of a 200-year-old house of a longtime local, and riverside in the Rio Blanco Valley
  • Bathe in natural thermal pools in the middle of the forest and take a refreshing dip in Esperanza River
  • Take in unforgettable views of the Tronador volcano and the beautiful Todos los Santos Lake

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. ANDEAN CROSSING EXPEDITION – ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY  If the weather forecast and the river levels do not allow us to cross the mountain range due to safety reasons, the following itinerary will come into place. Pampa Linda will remain as the starting point of the hike. We will stay within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and eastern side of the range. The idea is to get out there and enjoy the incredible landscape and views of the park. We would not be crossing the Andes to Chile but we are going for one of the most classic and iconic hikes of the area: Pampa Linda - Paso de las Nubes - Laguna Illón - Mirada del Doctor - Pampa Linda Alternative Itinerary:  Day 1: Pampa Linda to Refugio Roca (6-7 hours - 15km - Hard day) Day 2: Refugio Roca to Laguna La Huaca (5 hrs - 7 km - Moderate Day) Day 3: Laguna La Huaca to Laguna Illon (with the chance to summit Mar de Piedras) (9-12 km - 5-7 hours - Moderate Day) Day 4: Rest day at Illon Lagoon Day 5: Illon - Mirada del Doctor - Illon (4 hrs - 12 km Return - Easy Day) Day 6: Illon - Pampa Linda - Bariloche (4 hrs - 10 km - Moderate Day) Depending on the weather we could stay an extra day at Illon Lagoon and do a day hike. Its a great spot to chill out. Food would need to be carried by the group only for the first 2 days, since horses can portage our food to Illon for the rest of the days.

Day 1 - Bariloche
Hola! Welcome to Bariloche, Argentina. Other than a welcome meeting at 4 pm and equipment check, your day is free, so be sure to explore around town if you arrive with time up your sleeve. Not only is Bariloche nestled in the foothills of the Andes, it sits on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, so there are many beautiful scenes to take in on foot. The town is famous for more than just its location; consider a sample of fine local artisan chocolate or beer. Epicureans might take advantage of the strong restaurant scene and sample some Patagonian lamb or that famous Argentinian steak. Be sure to get a good rest tonight, as the first day of walking is a rigorous one.
Day 2 - Pampa Linda
Embracing an early start, drive (approximately 1.5 hours) to Pampa Linda. This is the starting point for the day's hike, which will be a fairly strenuous one to kick off the adventure (approximately 7 hours; 12 km). You'll go through border control on the Argentinian side before we start. The path starts off low and follows the Cauquenes River upstream through bamboo and Nothofagus forest. After our first river crossing we start our slow climb up the pass. We stay inside the forest most of the time till we reach the border monument. Here you officially cross into Chilean territory. Half an hour later we reach our final destination for the day. It's an adventurous journey across the pass today, and an elevation of 500 metres is gained. At the day's end, set up camp at Chilean border control and enjoy some well-earned rest and tasty food.
Day 3 - Rio Blanco Valley
Today we descend, dropping roughly the same amount of altitude which was gained yesterday. Though it's a descent, it's by no means an easy walk (approximately 7 hours; 12 km), so be prepared to sweat a little and make good use of your walking poles. Today the landscape opens up to some incredible views of the southern face of Tronador with some great view points. We can observe the Blanco Glacier and moraine coming down the Blanco Valley. Tronador is the biggest mountain in the area, 1000 metres taller than all the rest. It has seven overhanging glaciers which provide water to several surrounding valleys. Watch as the vegetation slowly begins to change as we find some new species compared to the Argentinean side. 
Day 4 - La Junta
Time to enter the great Patagonian rainforest. Today's walk is a relatively easy one (approximately 4 hours; 9 km). It's a beautiful thing to watch the shift in landscape and vegetation as the rich green of the forest reveals itself. Arrive in La Junta (The Junction), which is situated between the Esperanza and Blanco rivers. We will stay here two nights, so make yourself comfortable in paradise. From here you can access the famous Leticia thermal waters and enjoy a relaxing soak, which by now your hard-working limbs will surely welcome. Kicking back and relaxing in these natural pools, enveloped by the atmosphere of such a pristine rainforest, is sure to be one of the trip's memorable moments.
Day 5 - Esperanza River
Enjoy a day to relax and chill out. There’s plenty of tasty food to be enjoyed, and when the hot springs get tiresome – if that's possible – change it up by taking a dip in the Esperanza River. The beauty of this spot makes for a perfect rest day. You can go on short walks around the area, read a book, write in your dairy, help harvest some fruit on the other side of the river or introduce yourself to the concept of a siesta under a tree. It’s a tough life.
Day 6 - Rio Blanco Valley
Hike out through the rainforest that becomes thicker and bigger as we head west, following the Blanco River and passing several abandoned farmhouses. Today it's a moderate day of hiking (approximately 6–7 hours; 14 km). In addition to the eyepopping landscapes of the Rio Blanco Valley, a bonus of today's route is the abundance of fruit trees. Feel free to pick some fresh apples or plums to snack on along the way. Reaching La Bandurria farm, set up camp and settle into a relaxing evening in this remote spot. Your host Tito Velazquez is a younger farmer with lots of experience in the area. 
Day 7 - Rio Blanco Valley
From La Bandurria Farm we leave the Blanco Valley to follow the Conchas River south. The path follows animal trails settlers have been using for centuries. Farmers move cows and sheep up the valley for the summer to bring them down over the winter. The Patagonian rain forest is here at its best. The terrain is quite flat compared to other days so we move fast below the big trees. We camp by the river and enjoy the last camp fire. Anyone for a dip in the cristal clear river?
Day 8 - Puerto Varas
After a breakfast at camp we face our last hiking day. We keep following the same river down crossing it twice to arrive to our last big uphill to descend to Cayutué Lake. This is a small lake with incredible views of Puntiagudo Volcano and other surrounding mountains. We are already very close to sea level and the terrain goes through some amazing Arrayan (bambi) forests. From the lake its an hour and a half last push to our transport. A Private Transport is waiting to take us to Puerto Varas (1.5 hours drive). Last dinner at a nice restaurant after a deserved shower of course!
Day 9 - Puerto Varas
The adventure comes to an end after breakfast.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-12-202015-12-2020AUD $ 4,765-

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (6 nights),Hotel (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Boat

Map

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