Activities

EXPLORING THE SURROUNDINGS BY FOOT OR HORSE BACK

We offer several trekkings of different durations and activity levels around and nearby the lodge. Some of them can be done by yourself, but for others one needs a guide.

Below you will find the 2 most popular ones:

1. Trekking along the River Maqui

We will leave the lodge by car for a short ten minutes’ drive uphill. From here our trail along the river Maqui will start.  Following the course of the river downstream until reaching the lake General Carrera, we will pass through dense forests, beautiful meadows and exciting cliffs. The river, with its spectacular waterfalls, will always be at our right-hand side. Almost at the end of the trail we will arrive at the most impressive fall with a height of 25 meters. From there it will be just about 30 minutes back to the lodge.

Price:         $20.000 per person

Duration:    3-4 hours      Activity level: Easy – Medium

2. In search of the Petrified Sea Shells

After breakfast, we will go by car to the High Lands at approximately 20 minutes from the lodge. From here starts the trek uphill through ancient Lenga forests, enjoying spectacular views on Lake Carrera and the Contreras Mountain Range along with its Glaciers. After approximately an hour and a half you reach the Veranadas, the plateaus populated by grazing cattle during the summer months. From here one goes further uphill (half an hour) until reaching the rocks with the petrified sea shells, which, amazingly, were part of the Pacific Ocean in ancient times. This is a great place for a break or a picnic while enjoying this unique scenery, before heading back to the car.

Duration:    5 to 6 hours   Activity level: Med – Hard

Price:          $30.000 per person box lunch included

Horseback riding is by tradition the way to move around in Patagonia and indeed there is no more exciting and more beautiful way for sightseeing then on horseback. Therefore we offer horseback riding for those with little or no experience and for experienced riders. Below one of the most exciting rides.

3. Horse Back Riding to the Maqui Waterfalls

We will leave the lodge to the left and ride to the nearby Maqui waterfalls (2,2 km), which are formed by several falls, the first and most impressive one having a height of 25 meters. During this tour, you will have spectacular views on the Lake and the Glaciers of the Northern Ice field.

Duration:    2-3 hours      Activity level: Easy.

Price horse riding:    $20.000 per person                                             $30.000 for one person only

4. Yin Yoga at our beach

At the shore of Lago General Carrera, we offer Yoga sessions twice a day. Just a few steps from your room, you can immerse yourself into a Yin Yoga experience, in front of one of the most spectacular views of Patagonia. We will be surrounded by a panoramic sight of the Northern Ice fields, the ever-changing spectrum of blue waters and the peaceful sounds of nature in all its glory.
A mindful way of starting your tranquil/adventurous day, to ease the body and mind after a long hike, find stillness, or to nourish the joints that have become stiff after many hours driving on the gorgeous Carretera Austral.              
 

Duration:    45 minutes to 1 hour

Price:    $5.000 per person per session        

EXPLORING THE SURROUNDINGS WITH YOUR OWN CAR

1. The Marble Chapels and the Exploradores Glacier

After breakfast, you leave to Puerto Tranquilo. It is a beautiful drive along the northern shores of Lake Carrera, passing Lake Negro and the Leones River. Just before arriving at Puerto Tranquilo, at one hour from El Mirador de Guadal, you can (weather permitting) take a boat tour on Lake Carrera to the Marble Caves, an intriguing geological formation formed by an island of marble polished by the turquoise coloured water of the lake. The tour will last about an hour after which you could have a coffee at Puerto Tranquilo. From there you take the road that leads to the Pacific coast (last 10km not finished yet). After about 52 km you will arrive at the starting point of the short hike to the Exploradores Glacier. At the end of the path you will arrive at a platform from where you will be able to enjoy the great view at the Exploradores Glacier.

The way back to El Mirador de Guadal will take about 2,5 hours.

Duration:    Full day                 Activity level:         Easy

2. Along the River Baker to the Patagonia National Park  

After breakfast, you leave the village in the direction of the Carretera Austral Sur. At Cruze El Maiten you take the left turn in the direction of Cochrane. After about 30 min you arrive at   Puerto Bertrand where the Baker River starts. It is the longest river of Chile and due to its incredible torques colour one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. After a 15-min drive along the river you arrive at the Confluencia, one of the most exiting spots in our region. make a stop to watch the waterfall where the Neff River meets the Baker River. 20 minutes further down the road you will find the entrance to the spectacular Patagonia Park with its guanaco herds, condors, flamingos and black neck swans.  

Duration:    Full day                 Activity level:         Easy

3. The Marble Chapels and The River Baker

If you have limited time or just do not want to drive too much you can combine two of the highlights of the tours described above, the Marble Chapels and the River Baker.

After breakfast, you leave to Puerto Tranquilo. It is a beautiful drive along the northern shores of Lake Carrera, passing Lake Negro and the Leones River. Just before arriving at Puerto Tranquilo, at one hour from El Mirador de Guadal, you can (weather permitting) take a boat tour on Lake Carrera to the Marble Caves, an intriguing geological formation formed by an island of marble polished by the turquoise coloured water of the lake. The tour will last about an hour.

Now you drive back and at Cruze El Maiten you drive straight on in the direction of Cochrane. After about 20 min you arrive at  Puerto Bertrand where the Baker River starts. It is the longest river of Chile and due to its incredible torques colour one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. After a 15-min drive along the river you arrive at the Confluencia, one of the most exiting spots in our region.

Duration:    5-7 hours               Activity level:         Easy

EXPLORING THE SURROUNDINGS BY SOFT ADVENTURE EXCURSIONS 

1. The Leones Glaciers by JET BOAT

By jet boat to the Leones Glaciers is a unique adventurous experience and one of the most exciting and complete excursions of our region.

After crossing Lake General Carrera one follows the River Leones upstream in a jet boat. Then after a trekking of about 30 minutes to maximum an hour one reaches Lake Leones. There one takes another boat to arrive at the Leones Glaciers.

Here one will, sitting on a nearby rock, enjoy the view on the Glacier and the tranquillity of nature.

Duration:    full day         Activity level:         Medium

Estimated Price:    USD 200, - per person box lunch included, price differs in case of less than 4 persons.

2. Walking on the Exploradores Glacier

After early breakfast, you will leave to Puerto Tranquilo. From there you will take the recently opened road that leads to the Pacific coast (last 20km not finished yet). After about 50km you will arrive at the site were the trekking to the Exploradores Glacier starts with specialised guides. After about an hour you will arrive at the basis of the Glacier and clip the ice gears to our boots so you can safely walk on the ice. Under guidance of an experienced guide you will make a spectacular tour on the glacier. The touch of the ice, the view, the glaciers around you, ………. unforgettable impressions!After about a 5 to 7 hour walk on the Glacier (depending on the level of the group), it will take another hour to get back to your car from where you will head back to El Mirador de Guadal.

Duration:    Full day        Activity level:         Difficult

Estimated Price:    CLP 70.000 per person.

3. Laguna San Rafael

This is the preferred option for those wanting to visit the Laguna San Rafael in a spectacular and unforgettable one day experience. During the program one will be about 3 to 4 hours in the Laguna San Rafael.

Return journey from and to Km 75 of the Exploradores valley includes: marine transport, box lunch picnic, guides, specialist equipment and National Park permits.

Duration:    Full day        Activity level:         Medium

Estimated Price:    CLP 145.000, - per person box lunch included, price differs in case of less than 4 persons.

Prices of the 3 above mentioned third party excursions are estimations only.