Everest 2006
The North Ridge- New!
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Visit the National Parks in both Argentina and Chile's Lake District, and explore the fiords of Chile's Northern Patagonia!
Puerto Montt: We meet in this interesting port town. Excellent seafood, views of the Volcano Osorno and all the ships bound for Antarctica and Cape Horn. Depending on arrival times we may spend the night here or continue to the Alerce Andino Park.
Carreterra Austral (Southern Highway): This is our route south, we follow the start of this 1000 km gravel highway traveling south along Chile's Fiords, then inland. This highway eventually crosses into Argentina and continues south to Rio Gallegoes Ushia and Punta Arenas. This road was just completed in 1988, so has only recently opened a very large remote area for travelers. Chile has done a great job preserving and protecting a lot of the most interesting areas with a series of newer National Parks along this route.
Alerece Andino National Park: It’s about 3 hours up to the Park from Puerto Montt, along the way we'll see the huge Alerce tree forests. Our first hike will be into Laguna Sargazo and Fria. Beautiful Paragua and Araucaria trees dominate this area.
Ferries through the Fiords: Heading south we’ll cross 2 fiords, spending the night in Horopren, then continuing for another ferry ride along the Comau Fiord to Puerto Gonzalo and a nice campground.
Chaiten: The area around Chaiten offers several short and interesting trails. We can stop at the Amarillo Hot Springs south of town; good place to camp, and nice area for some more hiking or fishing.
Cross the Andes at Futalefu: We travel round Lake Yelcho, then across the Andes to the beautiful area of the famous Futalefu River. World class rafting opportunities abound in the region. From here we cross the border and continue down into Argentina reaching the interesting city of Esquel. We’ll stay either in Esquel or Argentino Los Alerces Park. The roads in Argentina are much better as we travel back north to…
El Bolson: This interesting town lies in the center of the region know for it forests and Lago Puelo National Park. We’ll enjoy more hiking here before continuing north to the Bariloche area.
Cerro Tronador: We'll stop at Cerro Tronador to see an active glacier, with huge hunks of ice almost continually calving off the front of the glacier, it is spectacular. We’ll stay at an excellent lodge along the shores of Lago Mascardi, known for incredible lake fishing.
Bariloche: This is the ultimate ski resort community of South America. A wealthy city with a lively culture, great restaurants, excellent trekking behind the ski area, and all right along the huge Lago Nahuel Huapi. Picture the best of Switzerland!
Catedral Mountain Trek: From Bariloche we start the Catedral Mountain circuit: a beautiful hut to hut trek through the high alpine environment of these spectacular mountains. The highlight of the trip with granite spires and great views of Cerro Tronador, Volcano Osorno and the vast plains of Argentina to the East. We can plan 3 or 4 days trekking here.
Puyehue National Park: We cross the mountains again into Chile, stopping to see the Puyehue National Park and the Volcano Antillanca. Traveling around Lago Rupanco to the Volcano Osorno and a beautiful lodge along the shores of Lago Todos Los Santos. A short excursion to see the Petrohue Falls close to the lodge.
Back to Puerto Montt: For flights back to Santiago and connections home. Allow a few days on your way home to see the beach resort area directly west of Santiago. The resort towns of Vina del Mar and Valpararasio are worth visiting!
Included: All permits, ground transportation, airport transfers, hotels and lodges, breakfasts, all meals while trekking and in the huts, hut fees, Park fees, American Guide,
Not Included: Airfare to/from Puerto Montt, dinners in restaurants, alcohol and bottled water, gifts, visas, departure taxes, personal equipment, fishing licenses, rafting.
Length: 14 days/ 5 nights camping, 3 nights in huts, 5 nights in hotels and lodges.
Difficulty: All levels of trekking. The trekking can be difficult, steep, and wet.
Accommodations: Hotels (5 nights) 3 star or better. Upgrade to 4+ star hotels and no camping.
Trip Price: Please see schedule for current prices and departure dates.
Guides: Scott Woolums, Heidi Kloos.