Sea kayaking Northern Patagonia Fiords Pumalin Park (6 days )

Note: In May 2008 was an eruption of Chaitén Volcanoe located in the southern limit of Southern Pumalin Park. The Northern part, where are all the fjords (Comau, Quintupeu and Cahuelmó) and all the places where are the hotsprings was not afected.

OUR TRIP:

Cutting deep into the granite peaks of the coastal Andes, the Quintupeu, Cahuelmó and Comau Fjords that make up the Pumalín National Park provide the most spectacular sea kayaking experience in Northern Patagonia. Contact real pioneers, Hot springs, sea lion and dolphin colonies, lush temperate rainforest and hundreds of cascading waterfalls are all features of our journey.

This area known as Pumalín Park...is one of the largest, untouched private parks in the world and also known as the Northern Patagonia Fjords.

When the Spanish arrived in Chiloé in the 16th century, they found the islands and continental fjords populated by a seagoing people known as Chonos, who paddled canoes known as dalcas. Fabricated from three sewn boards, these dalcas held 10 or 12 people and were, in according to early chroniclers, the most seaworthy craft in the islands.

“...a unique piece of untouched land, an unforgettable adventure and a fascinating cultural experience to the east of the Ancud Gulf." 




Our trip starts from Puerto Varas, 20km north of Puerto Montt. We will travel through the "Carretera Austral,” the only road running north to south through the Chilean Patagonia, completed in 1983, with it's picturesque fisherman villages and we will cross the Reloncaví Estuary by ferry here at the first fiord of Patagonia. 

On our journey we will see antique wooden ports covered by larch and we will enjoy the view of the Hornopirén Volcano (1572m) with the snow covered summits of Yates volcanoe (2111m) in the background. To the south, in front of the town of Hornopirén and in the midst of the fiord you will be able to appreciate the  isla de los Ciervos (Deer Island) .We will continue our trip deep into the fiord, crossing the turbulent waters of the Blanco River, to continue on our journey passing by a cliff with an imposing rock wall and an estuary. 

Finally, the Comau Fiord appears in front of us cleared by tall mountains and rugged riversides, the place where we are going to board our kayaks and start the adventure through the Comau, Quintupeu and Cahuelmó fiords, inserting ourselves in the spectacular scenery of the Hornopirén and Pumalin Parks, one of the largest private park in the world. 

We will paddle through unforgettable places. Hanging forests, enormous waterfalls that fall directly into the sea, gigantic walls of rock disappearing into the water, fumaroles and natural hot springs, endless cliffs, pioneers  and their histories, hidden lagoons, seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and incredible hiking trails crossing rivers to arrive at hidden lagoons...you could be our companion on this exciting trip through the Chilean Patagonia. 

What makes this holiday different ?

* Our trips not only will take you through unforgettable scenery , but you will go home with fond memories of the time you spend with the local fishing pioneers families.

* Our SMALL group size - maximum of 6 - ensures this is a low impact trip (average 3 participants)

* The trip is self-supported - meaning that we don´t use a support boat.
(but we have a powerful 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.

" We invite to live the history of this place more than just reading it "

What do we offer ?

We are pioneers in offering self-supported sea kayak trips in this region , this means that all items 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. 

Our knowledge of the are with more than 10 trips to this area 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.

* 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.

 
While appreciating  the attractions: you realize an intense and surprising experience with the beautiful nature of the Chilean Patagonia.

A self sufficient sea kayaking trip... a real sea kayaking trip through Patagonia... which combines true dventure, security, freedom, challenge and multicultural experiences amongst a spectacular scenery: the Chiloé fiords. 

Before beginning we will have a safety talk about winds, tides, logistics, communications in the area and also everyone will participate in a rescue practice in the sea ...although it rains.


....The only way to access these places is by water..... 

Itinerary

Day 1:

We will meet at 11:00 AM in Puerto Varas city at the hotel.

Puerto Varas is a small and pleasant city 20 km north of Puerto Montt (40 min. by taxi from Puerto Montt airport) located next to Llanquihue lake and in front of Osorno Volcano (2652m) and 1,000 km south of Santiago. On the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue, faced by the perfect cone of Volcán Osorno, Puerto Varas combines the best of the Lake Region's nature and culture. Well preserved German architecture reflects this charming town's history of mid- to late- 19th century immigration. Depending on your time of arrival, you can spend this day any number of ways – hiking on the flanks of Volcan Osorno, horse riding, fly-fishing or simply enjoying the town and the splendid views across the lake.

The purpose of this meeting is to meet the rest of the members of the group and receive a complete explanation of all the trip, it´s logistic, how the radios, flares, satellite phone, etc works, explain about the tides and winds, rescue procedures, isolation, personal and group gear , etc. Lunch (optional).

We meet then again at 3:00 PM at the same place and inmediately the adventure starts driving the Carretara Austral (Northern Austral Highway ) 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 south in a very bad road, surrounded by cliffs till our campsite at Comau Fiord. Dinner with a family of pioneers and their stories about life in this area 70 years ago (D)


Day 2:

After breakfast we will start with an intense general sea kayak practice of paddling strokes and rescue techniques that we will practice then in the sea. After that 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 colono´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 fjord.

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.


Once there we will try, if the weather allows, to continue to Cahuelmo Fiord for better logistics, otherwise we will keep paddling entering Quintupeu Fiord.

(This fiord is our favorite one and 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, we will start paddling, because this is the day we will need to paddle in the most exposed section of the trip , 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 will be paddling close to the coast enjoying the dense vegetation until the entrance of Cahuelmó fiord where a colony of sea lions will be waiting for our visit.

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 while paddling slowly and taking advantage of the opportunity to explore the walls that fall directly into the sea...
 
Imagine arriving to a beach at the end of a fiord where you can see vapor rising directly from the pools !!

This will be a moment to relax ourselves and forget about everything... soothing hot springs will be our reward.

Local people had carved many rustic tubs in rock at the water edge years ago. Each one is a different size and all have very hot water, easily regulated by simple and natural methods to attain the temperature desired for an extremely pleasant bath  . Dinner and campsite at the Hotsprings. (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. Otherwise we will have other options.

It will be necessary to cross some branches of the river and walk considering the tides otherwise 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 . Dinner and campsite at the Hotsprings.(B-L-D)

Day 6: 


This is a long day so we will start at night before the wind of the morning shows up heading to our colonos friends.
After enjoying a lunch with our local friends we will return to Puerto Varas almost at night. (B-L)
(end of our services)

* Consider an additional day in case the weather or any other unexpected situation delays our return to Puerto Varas.

Weather
November, December, January, February and March, are generally very pleasant, although it could rain at any given moment. The temperatures in this months fluctuate, according to the weather, between the 8 till 20 centigrades . The temperature of the sea has an average of  11 to 13 centigrades during the summer. 

The area where we will be paddling has a tide variation 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 and a lot 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. 

Includes

• SMALL EXPEDITION GROUPS (safety and less impact ) 
• Intense opportunity to interact with the habitants of the area (pioneers)
  
  
• Comnplete safety-talk , paddling and rescue practice before departure (day 2)
• Transportation in private van from  Puerto Varas, travelling the Northern Austral Highway (Carretera Austral) until Comau Fiord, where we will initiate our adventure, and return to Puerto Varas. 
• Reloncaví Fjord navigation (ferry boat)
• Food during the trip according to program (from dinner day 1 till lunch day 6)
  (menu considering B:breakfast ;L: lunch (box lunch (trail food)..depending on the day) ; Dinner )
• Navigation Equipment: Single and double sea Kayaks imported from Canada, USA and Germany, expedition models, with original rudder, spray skirt, paddles, life jackets, paddling jackets. 
• Camping and cooking equipment (2 person shared tents, tarp) 
  
• Hiking (day 2 and day 5)
• 3 days of hotsprings: Llancahué (D2) and Cahuelmó Hotsprings (D4 and D5) 
• Safety Equipment: Satellite Telephone, Marine Band Radio, rescue equipment, tide table and satelite photo of the area. 
• 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

• 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 will requiere active travellers , a lot of teamwork and the participation of each person in all the stages of the trip .  
• Understand that all activities performed in nature can indicate some risk also death. 
• The program could be modified at any stage due to weather conditions or sudden incidents that could affect the security of the group . Please check the section "Conditions" for our Cancellation, Modification and Evacuation Protocols.
  
  If you want to participate in this trip:
  
  
• Please send by fax and signed the  Release of Liability  form that appears in this link...before the trip starts.
• To have read and have a clear understanding of the Terms and Conditions section.
  
• Press this button to send your Reservation and Medical Form.
  
  
  
  

Observations

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 As an average we will paddle 4-5 hours .

Do you wish to accommodate this trip to you needs?  Custom Trip