Day 1:

Departing from Balmaceda airport, we ride towards Villa Cerro Castillo, on a paved road with several vantage points to gaze at magnificent rock formations and landscapes, deep valleysand rivers;further on the road turns into a grit track. Continuing along the Austral Way, we arrive at Port Tranquil River on the shores of Lago General Carrera – the largest lake in Patagonia -, where we will visit the Marble Cathedrals. These are extraordinary young marble stone formations with unique ogival-shaped cavernous chambers at the water level of the lake. We make our trip in small motor boats, enabling us to enter the cave spaces inside the marble cathedrals, whose forms are reflected on the turquoise coloured water. In the evening we continue the trip to Port Bertrand (Puerto Bertrand) at the source of Baker River, and finally we reach a comfortable Lodge in the area in time for dinner.

 

 

 

Day 2: The adventure continues at 09.30 hrs, since later on we must reach Mitchell Fjord on time to catch the ferry and penetrate further into Deep Patagonia. Before midday on this route we reach Cochrane, the last town where bank ATMs are available on this journey. The route from Cochrane to Puerto Yungay on the north side of Mitchell Fjord is the entry point to Deep Patagonia. The fjord crossing in the missionary Father Antonio Ronchi ferry takes around 45 minutes and we continue overland in this virgin Patagonia territory amidst rock formations and vegetation reminiscent of Jurassic Park, with very clear evidence of the vestiges of the glacier period. On this route there are numerous viewpoints for photography. Finally we arrive at our comfortable Robinson Crusoe Lodge at Villa O’Higgins where you can rest, enjoy the hot tub and relax.

Day 3:

Today we will navigate across the Glacier Lake (Lago O’Higgins). to reach the imposing Great Glacier, which features a two-mile long front wall, 260 feet high. During this crossing we will admire the details of one of the least-explored, most breathtaking landscape in Patagonia, marked by glacial formations and centuries of movements. We will gaze wondrously at the ancient ice-capped mountain ranges circling the lake and feel on our cheeks the wind that blows across this wild landscape. Despite the ice-cold air, passengers venture out onto the upper deck to contemplate the spectacular scenery and take photos. The weather is liable to change dramatically and more than once during the duration of the trip, from burning sun rays to heavy rains customary in Deep Patagonia. Our visitors are pervaded by a soul-branding ecstasy after experiencing Nature’s magnificence at this place, a true deliverance of freedom in all its dimensions. During the crossing we visit Candelario Mancilla, a small harbor settlement where the road takes you towards the Argentine border. From that place there is a riding-track towards the extreme north of Desert Lake (Lago del Desierto).

 

Day 4:

The activities for today are your choice of a variety of half day excursions, accompanied by guides. These trips are designed to enable an encounter with the virgin wilderness of the area, such as trekking to the observation point over Stag Lake (Lago Ciervo), visiting the missionary Father Antonio Ronchi’s church in the forest or exploration of Christie Lake (Lago Christie) near to Mayer Pass (Paso Mayer) on the Argentine border. The remaining time during these days can be enjoyed with free-range activity in the vicinity of Villa O’Higgins: a visit to the village, climb up to Valley Viewpoint (Mirador del Valle), a bicycle ride, visit the power generator station or other adventures such as casual fishing in any of the nearby lakes or a kayak outing on the river.

 

 

 

Day 5:

Today will be a day day of trekking. After having breakfast we will start the day trekking across to the northern side of Lago del Desierto in Argentina. There will be approximately 2.5 hours of a light trekking with time to take pictures and you will travel through beautiful and thick forests of native trees, pristine lagoons and rivers,and cap it off with a view of the spectacular Fitz Roy. Once we reach the north bank of the Lago del Desierto and pass through immigration, we’ll board a ship that will take us to the south bank of the lake. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our transportation which will take us to El Chaltén, a beautiful town which it is known as the trekking capital of Argentina. Our journey will end upon arrival at the hotel and you will be free to continue exploring on your own.

 

 

 

 

 

While this trip is more than enough to keep you busy for one trip, why not see more of Patagonia since you already made the journey? Here our some of our favorite trip combinations:

• See the National Park National Geographic named one of the worlds most beautiful places on a  Trek Through Torres Del Paine
• Explore the many UNESCO World Heritage sites on the Lakes District Cultural Tour

Price Per Person: Starting at US$ 4,330

*based on double occupancy

*Price valid until August 31st, 2014

Departure Dates 2013 -2014 Season:

November 2013: Wednesday 6th, 20th, 27th

Decemeber 2013: Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th / Friday 20th, 27th / Sunday 1st, 8th,15th, 22nd, 29th

January 2014: Monday 13th, 20th, 27th / Wednesday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th / Friday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st / Sunday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

February 2014: Monday 3rd, 10th / Wednesday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th /Friday 7th, 14th, 21st / Sunday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

March 2014: Wednesday 5th / Sunday 2nd, 9th

 

 

• One night stay at Border Camp. Double tents including sheets and duvets.
• Two nights stay in Robinson Crusoe Deep Patagonia Lodge.
• One night stay at El Puesto Lodge (only P5 S-N program).
• All breakfasts.
• Dinners, including a glass of wine (Patagonian barbecue upon availability).
• Lunches, including a glass of wine if applicable (replaced by a lunch box for full-day activities).
• Lunch Boxes: Border trekking day, Navigation day, Visit to Tortel Bay day, and last day (according to each program).
• Access to Hot Tub in Lodge Robinson Crusoe Deep Patagonia, previous booking. (Ask your Travel Specialist for Details).
• Navigation to the Great Glacier (Glacier O’Higgins) (Note: depending on the climate conditions, the navigation schedule may be modified or even cancelled. In that case, the trip will only do the lake crossing to Puerto Bahamondez, close to Villa O’Higgins).
• One guide per group during the extension of the program. (English speaking guaranteed).
• Robinson Crusoe | Deep Patagonia Baseball Cap.
• Transportation: All transportation included from pickup at Balmaceda Airport to dropoff in El Chalten.
• Half-day guided activities in the surroundings of Villa O’Higgins:
  • Trekking to Alta Vista Hill Viewpoint or Stag Lake Viewpoint.
  • Excursion to Lake Christie close to Mayer pass on the Argentina border, and visit to the church of missionary Father Antonio Ronchi.
• Activities of choice in  Villa O’Higgins upon availability and climate conditions: 
  • Villa O’Higgins and surroundings tour, hike to the Village Viewpoint and extension to the Valley’s Viewpoint.
  • Bicycle rides, to Cocoví, Argentina and visit to the old pier (Light, suitable for everyone).Visit to a power generation plant.
  • Light fishing in nearby lakes.
  • Kayak navigation on lakes or rafting in rivers.
  • Visit to a farm.

Accommodations are in comfortable, authentic and welcoming lodges, cabins or tents, all of which have been beautiful views and a wonderful ambiance.