GRADUAL REOPENING OF PROTECTED AREAS |
|
Stay informed about the latest reopening dates for national parks and their sanitary protocols for visiting via the official Conaf website |
GRADUAL REOPENING OF PROTECTED AREAS |
|
Stay informed about the latest reopening dates for national parks and their sanitary protocols for visiting via the official Conaf website |
We inform you that as April 30, 2019, the administration of the Patagonia Park is under the direction of CONAF.
Any information about schedules, routes, park status and campsites please contact: aysen.oirs@conaf.cl
For reservations and information about Valle Chacabuco lodge, contact: reserve@explora.com
Vast valleys sculpted by the Chacabuco River form a natural corridor that, since ancient times, has been used for travel both by nomadic peoples and a large diversity of fauna. Once the site of big cattle ranches, today the grasslands have begun to recover after a century of overgrazing and are now home to one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Aysén region. This is Patagonian steppe in all its splendor––mountain ranges, Lenga and Ñirre forests that burst with red in fall, active wildlife, and dozens of spectacular lagoons and lakes, such as Cochrane and Jeinimeni, which nourish these landscapes of overwhelming beauty. All this helps to tell the story of one of the most important ecosystem restoration projects in the country.
Dry, spiky Coirón dominates the grasslands, while the Lenga and Ñirre forests showcase their bright red leaves in fall. In springtime, Neneos flower, turning the parklands a pleasant orange. Endemic species include Chauras, Calafates (Magellan Barberry), Notros, Zarzaparrillas, and various endemic Orchids, such as the Porcelain Orchid. Many other species of flora can also be found in the park.
With herds of Guanacos in the grasslands and Condors roaming high above, Patagonia Park’s varied ecosystems make it a wildlife paradise. Ten percent of the remaining population of Huemules (South Andean Deer) in Chile live in the park, alongside Pumas, Southern Viscachas, Ñandús, Armadillos, and Foxes. The park’s birds include Flamingos, Pitíos (Chilean Flickers), Carpinterito Woodpeckers, and Loicas (Long-Tailed Meadowlarks).
The Aonikenks, or Tehuelche people, were nomads who traveled the Patagonia by foot. They were expert hunters and used spears and bow and arrow to hunt Guanacos and Ostriches. There are more than 100 archeological sites in the Chacabuco Valley, including one that shows traces of human activity dating back 7,700 years, near the Baker entrance to the park. In Jeinimeni, there are also caves with paintings and other signs of early human occupation.
Patagonia National Park is located approximately 196 miles south of Coyhaique along the Carretera Austral. Eleven miles before arriving to Cochrane, you’ll come to the crossing that will take you to the Baker entrance. Turn left to follow this road east for 7 miles, until you arrive at the park offices.
If you wish to visit the Tamango sector, drive to Cochrane. From the Plaza de Armas (Cochrane’s town square), travel northwest 2.7 miles.
To reach the Jeinimeni sector, drive toward Chile Chico. From there, take Route X-753 (the same road that leads to the aerodrome) for around 40 miles, until you reach Lake Jeinimeni.
Various public transport options are available, traveling daily from Coyhaique to Cochrane (Don Carlos, Águilas Patagónicas, Sao Pablo). There are also routes from Coyhaique or Cochrane to Chile Chico (Buses Aldea). You can find more information about schedules in Coyhaique.
From Coyhaique, travel to Puerto Ibáñez, where you can take the ferry crossing Lake General Carrera to Chile Chico. Chile Chico is 40 miles from the Jeinimeni sector, 107 miles from the Chacabuco Valley, and 111 miles from Cochrane.
If you’re coming from the south, you can take the ferry from Puerto Natales to Puerto Yungay. From there, drive 82 miles north on the Carretera Austral to reach Cochrane.
From Argentina, we suggest crossing the border at Los Antiguos/Chile Chico to reach the Jeinimeni sector of the park, or at Roballos Pass to visit the Chacabuco Valley or Tamango.
Sky and LATAM airlines offer daily flights to Balmaceda, 34 miles south of Coyhaique. At Balmaceda, car rentals and buses are available. The Carretera Austral is 7.5 miles west of the airport.
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
3 hours
Distance
1.9 miles Out-and-back
Open
Year-round
A beautiful trail with a steep descent to the confluence of the Baker and Chacabuco Rivers.
Starting Point: Baker entrance
Difficulty
Low
Duration
1.5 hours
Distance
4.3 miles Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
A relatively easy walk that begins beside an organic garden and ends at the Los West Winds campsite, the campsite nearest the park offices.
Starting Point: Chacabuco Valley Park offices
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
6 hours, approximately
Distance
10 miles Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
A hike that begins alongside a lagoon and later crosses the pampa in the direction of the Chacabuco River, offering excellent views of the Southern Icefields.
Starting Point: Chacabuco Valley Park offices
Difficulty
Medium/High
Duration
5 hours, approximately
Distance
10 miles Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
This hike begins in the Avilés Valley, which connects to the Jeinimeni sector of the park, going up the river on the right, then crossing the Avilés footbridge and returning along the opposite shore.
Starting Point: Casa de Piedra Chacabuco Valley Campsite (Route X-83, mile 15/kilometer 25)
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
4 hours, approximately
Distance
7.5 miles Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
From the Alto Valley Campsite, take the road 4.3 miles to reach the beginning of this hike, which offers spectacular views of Lago Cochrane and the San Lorenzo peak.
Starting Point: Alto Valley Campsite sector (Route X-83, mile 28/kilometer 45)
Difficulty
Low
Duration
2 hours
Distance
2.9 miles (one way) Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
The hike begins 1,000 feet from the campsite and follows the Cochrane River until reaching the lake. Part of the circuit joins up with other trails: Los Coigües, Ñirres, Huemules, and Las Águilas.
Starting Point:Tamango
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
2.5 hours
Distance
2.9 miles One-way
Open
Year-round
The eastward continuation of the Los Carpinteros Trail, later connecting to the Los Ñirres Trail.
Starting Point: Tamango
Difficulty
Low
Duration
One hour
Distance
1.7 miles Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
A trail that connects the Los Carpinteros and Huemules Trails as part of a larger circuit.
Starting Point: Tamango
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
2 hours
Distance
1,640 feet One-way
Open
Year-round
This trail is part of a circuit that connects the Carpinteros and Ñirre Trails.
Starting Point: Tamango
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
1.25 hours
Distance
2 miles (one way) Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
This trail begins at the Tamango entrance and ascends between the Tamango and Húngaro peaks before coming to a bifurcation, where you can head left to connect to the Los Carpinteros Trail or right to the Los Huemules Trail.
Starting Point: Tamango
Difficulty
Medium/High
Duration
2 hours
Distance
3 miles (one way)
Open
Year-round
This trail is part of a circuit that reaches Laguna Cangrejo, at the end of the Las Águilas Trail and the beginning of the Huemules Trail. The altitude change is 1,821 feet.
Starting Point: Tamango
Difficulty
Media
Duration
2 hours
Distance
2.9 miles (one way)
Open
Year-round
This hike begins at Laguna Cangrejo, brings you to Laguna Elefantita, and ends in the valley.
Starting Point: Laguna Cangrejo
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
3 hours
Distance
2.6 miles Circuit hike
Open
Year-round
This trail is the continuation of the Los Valles and Huemules Trails and part of the circuit that ascends to a spectacular view of Lake Cochrane.
Starting Point: Los Valles Trail
Difficulty
High
Duration
2 hours
Distance
1.9 miles One-way
Open
October to April
This trail begins at the end of the Las Lengas Trail and leads to the Patagonia Park offices. Take a left at the bifurcation and follow the trail around the lagoon.
Starting Point: Laguna Cangrejo.
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
4 hours
Distance
6.2 miles Year-round
Open
Year-round
A circuit hike that reaches a 130-foot-tall volcanic rock formation, visits a small, rocky cave where you can see vestiges of the Tehuelche people’s life here, and finally ends in the beautiful Moon Valley.
Starting Point: Route X-753, mile 15/kilometer 25, Jeinimeni.
Difficulty
Low
Duration
1 hour
Distance
1 mile Out-and-back
Open
Year-round
Starting Point: El Silencio Campsite, Jeinimeni.
Difficulty
Low
Duration
1 hour
Distance
0.6 miles One way
Open
Year-round
This trail begins 2 miles from the El Silencio campsite and ascends a hillside, offering panoramic views of Lake Jeinimeni.
Starting Point: El Silencio Campsite, Jeinimeni
Difficulty
Medium
Duration
2 hours
Distance
3.1 miles
Open
Year-round
This trail begins at the Conaf offices, passes through the campsite, crosses a bridge, and runs along the shores Lake Jeinimeni, before finally reaching the lagoon.
Starting Point: Jeinimeni
Difficulty
High
Duration
3 nights
Distance
60 miles
Open
October to April
This circuit hike is a highlight of the park, particularly in fall. Be careful with the river crossings; wading can be necessary at times, and water depths change rapidly due to rain and thawing ice.
Starting Point: Jeinimeni.
Finishing Point: Casa de Piedra Campsite.
Difficulty
Medium/High
Duration
One night or one entire day
Distance
12.4 miles
Open
October to April
Also known as the Huemul’s Route, this circuit connects Tamango and the Chacabuco Valley. The local community hikes this route twice a year.
Starting PointTamango or Los West Winds Campsite.
Finishing Point: Los West Winds Campsite or Tamango.
Cabins: None.
Chileans
18 to 59 years old $ 4000
12 to 17 years old $ 2000
Older 59 years entrance free
Children under 12 years entrance free
Different capacities
Under 17 and older 59 years old entrance free
18 to 59 years old $ 2000
Foreign
Older 18 years old $ 8000
12 to 17 years old $ 4000
Flat rate for different capacities
– Sites on «Los Valles Trail» (45 kilometers). $ 6,000 person / night.
– Camping «El Silencio» Sites nº2 to nº7.
$ 3,000.- person / night. Maximum 8 people per site.
– Camping «El Silencio» Site nº1.
$ 3,000.- person / night maximum of 30 people per site.
Camping values + cost of admission to the park.
There are 3 areas of campsites located in the Chacabuco Valley (The West Winds, Casa Piedra and Alto Valle), enabled from October and April. They have no reservation system.
Camping $ 8,000 person / night + income per person, max 5 px per site.
Children under 12 years exempt.
$ 6,000 person / night + income per person, maximum 5 people per site.
Children under 12 years exempt.
Tamango Río Cochrane Concessionaire Sector: $ 40,000 / 8 px + entrance fee per person.
CONAF: Sailing Pier Pier $ 2000
Cross the largest lake in Chile from Puerto Ibáñez to Chile Chico to tour Jeinimeni and then cross the border to Paso Roballos. From there, returns to Chile to cross the impressive Chacabuco Valley, and then continue to Puerto Yungay to navigate the Kawésqar canals to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine.
Discover one of the most pristine areas of Patagonia, visiting Cerro Castillo National Park, and then head towards Puerto Tranquilo, the gateway to the Laguna San Rafael National Park. Continue south to explore the wonders of Patagonia National Park, Tortel and Villa O'Higgins.
A lake port with a car ferry across Lake General Carrera to Chile Chico.
Located on the southwestern shore of Lake General Carrera, 186 miles from Coyhaique and 71 miles from Chile Chico.
Very close to the border with Argentina, on the shores of Lake General Carrera, this town has a microclimate that allows for the cultivation of fruit normally grown in central Chile, such as cherries.
The Baker River, which has the largest volume of water of any river in Chile, flows from Lake Bertrand alongside Puerto Bertrand, a village offering rafting and fly-fishing options on the river.
Founded in 1954, this town is 205 miles south of Coyhaique, on the shores of the Baker and Cochrane Rivers, near Lake Cochrane and close to San Lorenzo peak and Parque Nacional Patagonia.
Copyright 2018 Ruta de los Parques de la Patagonia
