Overland & Hiking in Valle Exploradores

DESCRIPTION:

Departures from Lodge in direction to the picturesque village of Puerto Tranquilo, located in front of the General Carrera lake (Chelenko in Tehuelche language). It is the largest lake in Chile with 978.12km² surface, 200km long, 350m of altitude and 590m of maximum depth.

From this point, we will continue for an hour, always in our 4x4 vehicles by 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 4,058 m.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 we pass the Bayo lake, we will begin the 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 make a stop to see the Bayo lake and 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 pictures, we will continue our adventure towards the glacier. We will walk for about one hour over the glacier covered by rocks and sand until we reach clean ice. Here, we will wear our crampons, in order to have a safer excursion, always under the supervision and help of our professional mountain guide.

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.

Return to the Lodge and end of our services.

DURATION : 1 day (6 to 8 hours approximately)

DEPARTURES: From September 2010 to June 2011, depending on weather conditions.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

SCHEDULE : 07:00 am. Departure towards Los Exploradores valley.

MINIMUM : 2 pax.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Specialized professional guide (mountain guide).
• Accident insurance (detail and policy in Reception).
• Box lunch and Snack kept on ice.
• Transport in 4x4 vehicles towards the start point of the activities.
• First aid kit in charge of the on-site guide.
• Personal safety equipment (crampons, gloves, helmets) for difficult ground.

NOT INCLUDED :

• Breakfast the departure day 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 hotel or airport are not included.

SUGGESTIONS : Cold weather hiking clothes according to activity, cold weather jacket or Gore-Tex jacket, trekking boots (better with crampon compatibility), trekking poles, leg warmers, gloves, cold weather hat, over-trousers, binoculars, daypack, camera, sunglasses, insect repellent, and sunscreen.