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What makes this holiday different?
 *
Our SMALL group size - maximum of 6 - ensures this is a low
impact trip . Our main concern is group safety but also a great
respect for the local people we will visit during the trip.
* The trip is self-supported - meaning that we don´t use a
support boat, but we have a good network of fishermen friends in
the area of the fjords.
* We use locally produced and fresh products as much as possible
and always in preference choose local over imported goods.
* We pack out all waste and minimize this by using products with
minimum packaging, leaving no litter and keeping all water sources
clean.
* Our guides hold informal talks with groups to inform about and
discuss with them all aspects of local life. This helps understanding
of the area and appreciation of the people who live there.
Consider also that this is a good opportunity to practice your
spanish with our local guides and the local people we will meet
during our trips.
We are supporting the community by providing books for children
of the local school of the Northern Patagonia Fjords , our main
destination
We are pioneers in offering self-supported sea kayak trips
in this region , this means no support boat so all the gear required
will be inside the kayaks (food, camping equipment, stove, security
equipment, our clothes) offering us freedom of movement and the
possibility to vary our program at any given moment.
This is a true sea kayaking expeditions where our participants
will learn exactly what that means. We are going to be paddling
in an aerea where the weather plays an important role and the tides
and winds are elements that has to considered. This is an active
trip where every participant will have to share duties and have
a positive attitude.
Our trips not only take you through unforgettable scenery
, but you will go home with fond memories of the time you spend
with the local fishing pioneers families.
" We invite to live the history of this place more than
just reading it "
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| Itinerary |
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Day 1: 
At 10:00 AM we will meet in the hotel in Puerto Varas. This
is a small and pleasant city 20 km north of Puerto Montt, located
next to Llanquihue lake and in front of Osorno Volcano (2652m) and
1,000 km south of Santiago .
Here we will meet the members of the group and receive a complete
explanation of the trip, it´s logistic, how to use the radios,
flares, satellite phone, etc , information about the tides and winds
and their influence in our navigation, potential hazzards, rescue
procedures, isolation terms and possibilities of comunication, etc.
Time for lunch (optional) and for last minute buys.
We meet again at 3:00 PM, at the same hotel, to start our trip inmediately.
We will have to drive for about 5 hours starting in the extreme
north of the Carretera Austral, with a view of the beautiful coastal
towns and the small islands. It will be necessary to use ferry boat
to cross the Reloncaví Fiord, the first fiord of Patagonia.
“To the south of Puerto Montt, Chile
breaks up into a number of islands with deep fiords which allow
the sea to touch the Andes ”.
The trip will continue south till the town of Hornopirén, and from
there driving in a very bad road, surrounded by cliffs till our
campsite at Comau Fiord. Dinner with colonos family and their stories
about life in this area 70 years ago. (D)
 Day
2:
After breakfast we will start with an intense general seakayak practice
of paddling strokes and rescue techniques that we will practice
then in the sea. We will continue navigating west to LLancahue Island
(if the weather allows) where we will enjoy hot springs on the shore
of the Pacific.
Return to the continent and enjoy a delicious lunch with our new
local friends. After that we will go for a hike to explore the area
and return for dinner with this a pioneer´s family . We will
talk about the new logistics and prepare for the expedition.
Camp at Comau Fiord (B-L-D)
Day 3:
In order to avoid the possibilities of wind, our days will start
very early in the morning or almost at night. We will fill the kayaks
with all the gear for this self-supported trip. Breakfast and head
for the Comau fiord.
From this day ahead we will be always paddling in between 3 volcanoes
(north: Yates and Hornopirén Volcanoes and south , Michimahuida
volcanoe).
After some hours, the Quintupeu fiord will appear. It is here where
the Dresden, a 3,600-ton light cruiser, one of the fastest ships
in the German Imperial Navy , was hidden during the World War I.
We will be entering to our favorite fiord.....huge waterfalls
oming directly to the sea, dense vegetation everywhere, enormous
walls dissapearing in the water.At the entrande we will stop
for a short hike , walking upstream a river in order to reach the
place where the waterfall borns.
At the end of the fiord there is a river which we will try to
explore by kayak, depending on the tide. At night, we will camp
with a marvelous view of the Andes... just in front of us. (B-L-D)
Day 4:
Very early, practically at night if requiered, we will start
paddling, because this is the day we will need to paddle in a section
more exposed, although it is still inside the fiord. After 2 hours,
we can see an island in the distance and the Ancud Gulf behind it.
We are continuously paddling close to the coast where we can enjoy
the dense vegetation until the entrance of the next fiord.
Just as we enter the fiord, we are presented with a surprise...
a colony of sea lions. We will pass by without making a noise so
that we can get close and take pictures without bothering them.
 The
best of the day is yet to come...since we do not have much further
to paddle we will be able to paddle slowly and take advantage of
the opportunity to explore the coastline of the fiord.
We will enjoy the view of the mountain's walls falling directly
into the sea and later, rewarded with the Cahuelmó hot springs at
the end of the fiord.
¡ Imagine arriving to a beach where you can see vapor rising
directly from the pools !!
This will be a moment to relax ourselves and forget about everything...while
enjoying the sunset, with a glass of wine and a camera in hand.
Campsite. (B-L-D)
 Day
5:
After enjoying our breakfast we will be ready to start the next
adventure…..hiking to Abascal lake….if we can find the trail existing
in this thick vegetation.
It will be necessary to cross some branches of the river and walk
considering the tides otherwise all that we walk through at the
beginning will be covered by the sea. The rewards …..a new perspective
of an untouched area where few people have been before. We will
return on time for lunch and for a relaxing bath at Cahuelmo Hot
springs . Campsite. (B-L-D)
Day 6:
Very early in the morning, with the tide in mind and before the
wind appears we will continue our paddling at Comau fjords heading
for the settlement of Huinay where we will setup our campsite and
visit the town and some local fishermen friends. (B-L-D)
 Day
7:
This day, after paddling from Huinay to the west shore of the Comau
fjord we will start a new adventure...trekking in a rainforest jungle
. Giant trees, amazing views, cliffs, suspended local bridges and
much more. (Depends on weather conditions, level of the rivers that
we wil have to cross and density of vegetation respect the conditions
of the trail)
Return in the afternoon to our campsite in the western shore.
Dinner with colono´s family.(B-L (trail food)-D)
Day 8:
Navigation to the hot waters of a river known as Porcelana Hot springs.
(special creek of natural hot water emerging from the temperate
rain forest) . Campsite . (B-L-D)
Day 9:
Waiting for the high tide we will start our sea kayak exploration
of Vodudahue river…a totally different landscape will be waiting
for us.
Some portages will be required to continue our trip upstream through
the valley. We have to consider that if it rains a lot, the river
, although flat, will increase it´s volume so probably the
logistics can be modified.
Return to campsite at Porcelana Hotsprings if the tide and weather
allows. .(B-L-D)
Day 10:
Early in the morning a local fisherman boat will appear to bring
us back navigating Comau Fjord….After some hours we will stop for
a great lunch with a fisherman family and start the return from
this adventure in Patagonia driving to our hotel in Puerto Varas.
(B-L)
Day 11:
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel, new friends and
losts of memories from our great trip. End of our services.
*Consider an additional day for your reservations for possible
problems with the weather or any situation that could postpone the
arrival to Puerto Varas.
Weather
Consider that although is spring or summer in Chile...we have to
be prepared for the rain. The summer months, middle December , January
, February middle March are generally very pleasant, although it
could rain at any given moment. The temperatures during January
and February fluctuate, according to the weather, between the 50°s
F and 80°s F, and the 40° F or 50° F. The temperature of the sea
has an average of 50º F during the summer.
The area we will be paddling in can have a tide change of up to
6m (18 feet), which implies that the sea may withdraw several thousand
meters, offering variable landscapes along the day. This also
requires a very complex logistic to be combined with the wind schedule
and steep shores, which involves night or pre-dawn paddling but
mainly an adventuroues spirit, possitive attitude and lots of teamwork.
Location
The Ancud Gulf is relatively a small body of water between Chiloé
island and the continent, approximately 42°15"S,
73°W. This area makes up the northern part of the Chilean Patagonia. The
fiords are along the continental side of the gulf, before the Huequi
peninsula, while the islands are found on the east margin of Chiloé.
What do we offer ? 
A self sufficient sea kayaking trip... a real sea kayaking
trip through Patagonia... which combines true adventure, security,
freedom, challenge and multicultural experiences amongst a spectacular
scenery: the Patagonia Fjords.
This trip is run directly by the Director of YAK EXPEDICIONES...meaning
that we will try to offer our best effort in order that you enjoy
your holidays.
| Includes |
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- SMALL EXPEDITION GROUPS, maximum of 6 (safety and respect
for the local people we visit)
- Intense interaction with the habitants of the area.
- Complete safety-talk and seakayak practice in the sea before
departure, about paddling and rescue maneuvers.
- Transportation in private van from Puerto Varas, traveling
the Northern Carretera Austral until the point where we will initiate
our navigation at Comau Fiord and return to Puerto Varas.
- Reloncaví Fiord navigation (ferry boat).
- 1 night in a hotel in Puerto Varas (based in double room ocupancy,
breakfast included)
- Food during the trip according to program (from dinner Day 1
till Breakfast Day 11)
B: breakfast ; L: lunch (sandwich, fruits) or lunch box(trail
food) ; D: Dinner
- Navigation Equipment: Single and double sea Kayaks imported
from the USA and Germany, expedition models, with original rudder,
spray skirt, paddles, life jackets, paddling jackets.
- Camping and cooking equipment (based in 2 person shared tents,
tarp)
- Hiking (Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and 5, Day 7 and 10).
- Visit 3 different hotsprings during the trip: Cahuelmó(2 nights)
, Llancahué and Porcelana.
- Local support boat , just for returning to the put in navigating
Comau Fjord (day 10)
- Group safety equipment: Satellite telephone, Marine Band
Radio tide table and satellite photos..
- Guide: Juan Federico Zuazo - Director of YAK EXPEDICIONES ,
BCU 4 STAR Sea Award , english speaking, first aid and rescue
knowledge (NOLS Course and Wilderness First Responder
Course).
- Limited insurance once the seakayak trip starts with Interamericana
Insurance Company (chilean company)
| Requirements |
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- Swimming expertise.
- Previous experience in kayaking and camping recommended.
- Team members should have the mindset that they are responsible
for themselves and the other members of the team while in the
backcountry and around camp.
- You'll find your trip even more enjoyable if you remember to
bring flexibility and a sense of humor with you.
- Physical state and health compatible with the activity to
be performed.
- Previous indication of any illness or health problem
- Strictly abide by the indications of the guides during the trips
- Positive mental attitude in front of unexpected situations
- Understand that this trip requiered a lot of team work
and the participation of each person at each stage is
fundamental.
- Understand that all activities performed in nature can indicate
some risk.
- The program could be modified at any stage due to weather conditions
, guide decision that could affect the safety of the group
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THIS TRIP ?
- Before the trip you must send by fax and signed the Release
of Liability Form that appears in this link.
- To have read and have a clear understanding of the
Terms and Conditions section existing
in our web site.
- Every participant must send the Reservation and Medical Form
that appears after you press this button.
- Pay the trip
Calendar
Special Discount if you bring a group of minimum
4 person. We can coordinate a "special departure date"
for your group.
** Do you want a Custom
Trip ?
| Observations |
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- The trip has been planned with the consideration of those
without previous experience. Before we begin our great trip,
on Day 2 we will have a complete discussion and practice
session covering rescue techniques and paddling maneuvers
so that our participants feel more comfortable during the
trip and can really enjoy the beautiful views that they
encounter. Our 2nd day will be developed paddling in a protected
area... with a destiny of soothing hot springs.
- Hospitals and Professional First Aid Care are very far
from the place where we will be navigating. Participantes
must be healthy and in good physical conditions
- Please read our Conditions section about Cancellation,Modification
and Evacuation protocols.
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