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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 totally self-sufficient - meaning that we don´t
use a support boat but we have a good network of fishermen friends
in the area of the fjords.
* 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 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.
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-sufficient 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.
 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 (12 till 14 centigrades) 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 ?
Our trips not only will take you through
an inspiring scenery , but you will go home with fond memories of
the time you spend with the local fishing pioneers families getting
to meet them in their own surroundings and how they live , plus
first hand experience of the local fishing industry. .
Our knowledge of the area of aprox. 10 years with more than
10 trips per season plus a local fishermen radio contact net that
can help if we have an emergency give us the safety support to travel
totally by our own.... so 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 Northern 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.
" We invite to live the history of this place more than
just reading it ".
| Itinerary |
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Day 0: 
At 20:00 we will meet in the hotel in Puerto Varas town. 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.
The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the members of the
group and to receive a complete explanation of the trip, it´s
logistic, how to use the radios, satellite phone, check gear, information
about the tides and winds and their influence in our navigation,
potential hazzards, emeregncy plans , rescue procedures, isolation,
group and personal requirements, team work and answer last minute
questions.
 Day
1 (Puerto Varas , Comau Fjord):
Pick up at your hotel in Puerto Varas at 9AM and drive the Northern
Carretera Austral , taking a ferry boat navigating Reloncaví
Fjord with nice views of Yates Volcanoe, the first fjord of Patagonia
and continue driving to Hornopirén town , close to Hornopirén
Volcanoe and Hornopiren National Park.
Lunch at Hosteria in Hornopirén, safety talk and start paddling
the beginning of Comau Fjord always close to the Deer´s Island
(Isla de los Ciervos) .
From this day ahead we will be always paddling in between 3 volcanoes
(north: Yates and Hornopirén Volcanoes and south , Michimahuida
volcanoe).
Late in the afternoon we will arrive in a small fishermen village
where we will camp and share the dinner with a local family of real
pioneers of this area (colonos).
 Day
2 (Kayaking Quintupeu Fjord):
Breakfast with colonos and continue paddling Comau Fjord.
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 coming
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 some Andean glaciers... just in front of
us. (B-L-D)
Day 3 (Sea kayak trip to Cahuelmo Fjord and Hotsprings):
We will start paddling very early if requiered, because this is
the day we will need to paddle for some hours in a section more
exposed to the influence of Ancud Gulf .We will paddle close to
the coast to enjoy the dense vegetation until the entrance of the
next fiord.
 Just
as we enter Cahuelmo fiord, a surprise... a colony of sea lions
in front of us. 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.
(B-L-D)
" Imagine arriving to a beach where you can see vapor rising
directly from the pools ".
This hotsprings are a A group of pools of different sizes and depths, made in petrified shells.
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
4 (Cahuelmó Hotsprings and Trekking):
After enjoying our breakfast we will be ready to start the next
adventure…..hiking towards 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
5 (Sea kayak Trip in Comau Fjord , Porcelana Hotsprings):
After a very early breakfast we will start paddling before the sunrise
ot at night if requiered, navigating towards the main fjord and
then turning south paddling to the hot waters of a river known as
Porcelana Hot springs, a very particular creek of natural hot water
emerging from the temperate rain forest.
This is a long day but we will stop for lunch at Huinay, a small
fisherman village, sharing with a family of real pioneers (colonos)
, visiting it´s church made of alerce (larsh) and then continue
paddling till arriving finally in the afternoon to the hotsprings
where we will setup the campsite and invite for dinner a family
of colonos. (B-L-D)
Day 6 (Northern Patagonia Fjord navigation
, return to Puerto Varas):
Breakfast and fisherman boat navigation to Hornopirén enjoying from a differrent perspective the magnifiscent area of the Patagonia Fjords . Lunch at Hosteria in Hormopirén and return to Puerto
Varas at night.
*Consider an additional day for your bus , airplane reservations for possible
problems with the weather or any situation that could postpone the
arrival to Puerto Varas.
| 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.
- Safety-talk before departure, about paddling and rescue maneuvers.
Transportation in our van from Puerto Varas (close to Puerto Montt
airport) , traveling the northern Carretera Austral until the
point where we will initiate our adventure at Comau Fiord and
return to Puerto Varas.
- Reloncaví Fiord navigation (ferry boat).
- Food during the trip according to program (from lunch Day 1
till lunch Day 6)
Lunch Day 1 and Day 6 at Hostería.
During the trip (B: breakfast ; L: lunch (sandwich, fruits, or
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)
- Hike during Day 4 and Day 5.
- 3 days enjoying 2 different hotsprings during the trip: Cahuelmó
and Porcelana.
- Local fishing boat , just for returning to the put in (day
6)
- Group safety equipment: Satellite telephone, Marine VHF Radio
tide table and satellite photo.
- Guide: Juan Zuazo - Director of YAK EXPEDICIONES , certify
by the British Canoe Union as BCU 4 STAR Sea Award , english speaking,
first aid and rescue knowledge (NOLS trainning and Wilderness
First Responder certification.).
- Limited insurance while seakayaking (chilean company)
| Requirements |
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- Swimming expertise.
- 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.
- LEVEL: adventurous travellers , previous experience in kayaking
(bracing and rescue), camping experience required , we will also
use double seakayaks for safety reasons and if someone is less
experienced. NOTE: probably you will have to demonstrate your
skills (strokes and rescue) before start paddling.
- Previous indication of any illness or health problem (send
complete the Resewrvation and Medical Form by email , send the
Release Form signed by fax). 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.
Understand that we will travel using weather windows meaning that
sometimes we will have to paddle at night for calmer conditions
but also consider that while paddling conditions can change, or
, considering always the safety of the group not paddle and wait
modifying the program.
- Previous indication of any illness or health problem
- 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
Kayak
Trip Calendar
Special Discount !!! if you bring a group of minimum
4 person.
| Observations |
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- This kayak trip has been planned with the consideration
of those with previous experience BUT before we begin our
trip we will have a safety talk 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.
- Please read our Conditions section about Cancellation,Modification
and Evacuation protocols.
- To improve the enjoyment of our customers, we use both
double and single kayaks. Our kayaks are expedition
models from USA , Germany and Canada , very comfortable
and stable.
- As an average we will paddle 5 hours .
- Hospitals and Professional First Aid Care are very far
from the place where we will be navigating. Evacuations
are very slowly and participantes must be healthy and in
good physical conditions
- You have chosen Patagonia , a place where the weather
is unpredicatble, so we can have sun but also rainny days
, very relaxing days but also windy conditions.
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