Combo Exploradores Valley / Marble Cathedral

DESCRIPTION

Departure from the Lodge towards north in our 4x4 vehicles. During one hour we will border beautiful places along the route until reach the Nature Sanctuary, where we will prepare our activity, by providing and arranging the safety equipment (life jackets) and we will start to navigate towards the Chapel and the Marble Cathedral, located 15 minutes from our starting point. We will go inside the caves and we will be able to appreciate “in depth” these beautiful natural formations.

These marble formations are in the “Marble Chapel”, surrounded by the waters of General Carrera lake (Chelenko in Tehuelche language). It is the largest lake in Chile with 978.12 km² surface, 200 km long, 350m of altitude, and 590m of maximum depth.

As its name declares, its main characteristics are the marble outcrops along a seaside of 300m long. The water of the General Carrera lake has hit the marble, creating cavities and marble caves, which have generated a unit of great beauty. The rock presents different color shades, depending on its impurities content, although the white banks, of great purity, are predominant. It is also possible to find blue and pink marble banks due to the presence of other minerals.

After coming into “port”, we will have a small snack and we will set out towards the picturesque village of Puerto Tranquilo. From this point, we will continue for an hour, always in our 4x4 vehicles, following the Río Tranquilo valley route that will lead us close to Los Exploradores valley, entrance to the scenic Monte San Valentín, the highest peak of the Patagonia with 4,058m.a.s.l. In a small port, the course of the river splits, giving origin to the Río Norte valley, where we will appreciate waterfalls and glaciers falling from mountains covered by eternal snows and ice. After passing the Bayo lake, we will begin a small trek by a path called “Sendero Interpretativo” in the forests “Silenciosos de la Patagonia Indómita” (Silents of the Untamed Patagonia) or “Siempre Verdes” (Always Green). 

As we move forward and reach altitude, we will stop and see the Bayo lake and, finally, we will experience the biggest spectacle when we reach the moraine, by being able to contemplate the amazing Exploradores Glacier of 9km long by 2.5km wide at the foot of the Monte San Valentín.

From the viewpoint, and after a rest and taking unforgettable picture, what follows is just an overwhelming encounter between men and pure and wild nature in a unique environment in company of the king of the Patagonian sky: the Andean Condor.

The Asado al Disco* (one of the GBL specialties during explorations) will be in the open air and during the afternoon. It will be coordinated between the guide in charge and the clients, since it can be prepared before or after the hike to the glacier.

*Asado al Disco: Delicious meat cooked in a metallic and concave disc placed over hot coal or lumber.

Return to GBL and end of our services.

DURATION: 1 day

DEPARTURES : From September2010 to June 2011.

DIFFICULTY : Easy

SCHEDULES : Departure in the morning and arrival in the evening to GBL.

TOUR INCLUDES :

• Professional Mountain and Trekking Guide, Local Boat Guide, boat trip to Cathedrals.
• Accident insurance (detail and policy in Reception).
• Snack and lunch in the GBL style, all the food and cooking elements are included.
• Transport in 4x4 vehicles.
• First aid kit in charge of the on-site guide.
• Personal safety equipment for water activities (life jackets) and for trekking activities (trekking poles).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast before the activity and dinner after the arrival to GBL are not included. Those services are additional to the activity.
• Accommodation in GBL the night before the activity and the night of the arrival of the activity are not included.
• Transfer from the airport or hotel are no included.

SUGGESTIONS: Cold weather clothes according to the activity, gloves, cold weather hat, daypack, trekking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.