Discovering the Barker River Valley

DESCRIPTION

Departure from GBL in a 4x4 vehicle towards south by the Austral Road (Carretera Austral) along the Baker river, approximately 10 minutes trip. When we arrive to the farm of the local Gaucho guide, we will mount our horses in the purest Patagonian style with handmade saddles. We will begin our horseback riding towards our final destination: Cerro Negro, a natural viewpoint of the Baker river valley, where this river meets the Nef river, that comes from the North Ice Fields and from the Baker waterfalls and also from its valley, and the surrounding mountains and ice.

After approx. 1 ½ hour of horseback riding into the forest and native fauna, we will arrive at the Cerro Negro viewpoint , where we will enjoy a delicious snack and the local guide will show and tell us how life is in the Chilean Patagonia.

After finishing our lunch, we will mount again our horses and we will set out on the return ride for app. 1 ½ hr. towards the farm, where our adventure began. From there, we will return to GBL in 4x4 vehicles.

Baker River Information

The Baker river has its source in the Bertrand lake’s southern end, southwest of General Carrera lake. It has a total length of 370km: from General Carrera lake (second largest of South America) to its mouth, it has 175km long; the rest is considered up to the most distant point where it has its source, this is in the Fénix Chico river, tributary of the lake. It has a pluvio-nival regime, with higher inflow during summer time, due to the ice melt of the North Patagonian Ice Field that feeds the river.

The surface of its hydrographic basin is 26,726km², being the second largest in Chili, after the Loa river basin in the North (the longest river in the country). On this southern basin people grow crops, which are artificially irrigated from the month of October until the month of March. Together with the Bio-Bío river, it has the national highest flow, which makes it the main hydroelectric potential in Chili. Some of its affluents are the rivers Nef, Chacabuco, Cochrane, Del Salto, Colonia, Los Ñadis, Ventisquero, and Vargas. Its mouth has a delta with two main branches and only the northern one can be navigated.

DURATION: 1/2 day (3 hrs. approx.)

DEPARTURES: From September2010 to June 2011.

DIFFICULTY: Easy

SCHEDULES: Defined with the clients.  We recommend in the morning.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Specialized professional guide and local “Gaucho” guide. It also includes mounts and full load and safety equipment in case of accident (for clients and guides).
• Accident insurance (detail and policy in Reception).
• Snack.
• First aid kit in charge of the on-site guide.
• Horseback riding personal safety equipment (helmet, gloves).
• Transport in 4x4 vehicles.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast and dinner after the arrival to GBL are not included. Those services are additional to the horseback riding activity.
• Accommodation in GBL the night before the activity and the night of the arrival of the activity are not included.
• Ticket and transfer to GBL before the beginning of the program are not included.

SUGGESTIONS: Cold weather clothes according to the activity, sunglasses, and sunscreen.