Exploring Carretera Austral

CARRETERA AUSTRAL DISCOVERY 

7 days/6nights
From and to Balmaceda airport

Description
Off Road Adventure Driving( 1.100 kms ) through the Wilderness on Chile´s Carretera Austral - come to discover some of the most fantastic, stunning and remote places of Northern Patagonia like; Marble Caves, River Baker confluence, Caleta Tortel unique village, Patagonia Park. Exploring Chile Travel offer you service and comfort at every step of your adventure with the country´s finest travel guides. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1:    BALMACEDA IN  - MARBLE CAVES - LAGO GENERAL CARRERA 
You will be greeted at the Balmaceda Airport and we will drive you about 5 hours (150 miles) to the lodge, along the extremely scenic Carretera Austral. Lunch will be provided with a view of magnificent  mountain peaks . In the late afternoon we will take an excursion by boat  to the Marble Caves near Puerto Tranquilo. You will arrive at the Mallín Colorado Ecolodge,  in time to settle into your cabin before dinner is served.

Day 2:    PUERTO GUADAL / LAGO GENERAL CARRERA 
Breakfast will be served in the main lodge. You may choose to walk or ride horseback to the Mallín Colorado Lagoon through native forests of Coigüe and Lenga, with excellent views of the Cordón Contreras Glaciers.   Lunch will be provided  and in the afternoon you will be free to explore the 3 kms. of Mallín Colorado pathways or simply  enjoy the stunning view from either the patio of the main lodge or the deck of your cabin.  Dinner will be served in front of the fireplace.

Day 3:    PUERTO GUADAL -  RIVER BAKER - CALETA TORTEL
Breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM in the main lodge, so that we may  get an early start on our drive to Caleta Tortel. We will visit the small village of Puerto Bertrand on lovely Lake Bertrand and watch as its waters flow into the exceptionally beautiful turquoise water of the Baker River.  We will follow a short trail to witness the mighty power of the rapids at the confluence of the Baker River and the Nef River. We will then visit the town of Cochrane, famous for its delicious empanadas. In late afternoon we will arrive in Caleta Tortel.  Originally acccessible only by boat, the town consists in an ingenious network of footbridges, stairs and bridges that go over rocks, vegetation and marshes, connecting the piers with the houses and shops. Lodging will be in a rustic yet elegant lodge.

Day 4  INSIDE CALETA TORTEL 
A free day in Caleta Tortel to walk around the hundreds of stairs and bridges made of Cypress wood, take photographs and enjoy the amazing views. Lunch and dinner in the lodge. Optional tour could be a boat excursion to the Isla de los Muertos (half day) or Ventiquero Montt (full day).

Day 5  CALETA TORTEL - PATAGONIA PARK -  LAGO GENERAL CARRERA
After breakfast, we will  visit the Chacabuco Valley where you will see guanacos, foxes, condors, flamingos, bandurias and many other birds in a unique ecosystem which is more similar to the Argentinian steppe than Chilean Patagonia. We will arrive back at the Mallín Colorado Lodge for dinner and lodging. (420 kms.)

Day 6  EXCURSION OF YOUR CHOISE 
Breakfast in the main lodge followed an excursion of your choice: a boat excursion on Lake Bertrand, a full day of hiking around Puerto Guadal, or rafting on the Baker River. Picnic lunch will be provided. Dinner will be served at Mallín Colorado.

Day 7 PUERTO GUADAL - BALMACEDA AIRPORT OUT
Breakfast at the lodge and then  transportation will be provided to the Balmaceda Airport. It is a 5 hour drive with a stop for lunch on route. (240 kms)
End of our services
 

Highlights of this wonderfull trip
Marble caves
Mallin Colorado trails
River Baker confluence
Caleta Tortel village
Patagonia Park