In the land of the Huemul

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The Huemul or Andean Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is one of the two heraldic animals from Chile. This beautiful deer shares the throne of our National Shield next to the magnificent and powerful Andean Condor. Now these species are in danger of extinction and there are very few fortunate Chileans and foreigners that had the opportunity of observing them in their natural environment. With the goal of observing this timid and almost disappeared animal, you will travel with ABTAO to the principal National Parks and Ecological Reservations in one of the most beautiful and wild regions of the world. In these lands, you will visit the amazing marble cathedrals on the General Carrera Lake, and the unknown Jeinimeni National Park.

Day 1:

We will start the tour in Coyhaique. We will have a horseback riding tour to the Rio Claro Reserve, a place where lives a family of 8 to 10 huemules, preserved by the CONAF (National Corporation of Forestry). This trip takes a full day. We will lodge in Coyhaique.

Day 2:

We will live early from Coyhaique to the Indian paintings of Cerro Castillo. Here, you'll be able to see the art of the first human beings who lived in these lands. We will continue the way to the South, passing by the second biggest lake of South America, the General Carrera Lake. We will stop in Puerto Tranquilo, a little town on the coast of the lake. After a good meal, we will spend the night there.

Day 3:

In the morning we will go by boat to the majestic Marble Churches, a fantastic marble formation in the coast of the lake. These beautiful natural formations are formed by a peninsula of massive marble, holed by the lake, with caves at level of the water. After that, we will carry on the way to the Black Lake, a beautiful lake where we will rest in the Pasarela Lodge.

Day 4:

We will leave early to Cochrane, to the beautiful Tamango National Reserve. We will make a full-day trekking looking for the Huemules. We will lodge in the Tamango Reserve.

Day 5:

We will go back to Cochrane by boat, crossing the Cochrane Lake and the Chico Lake. Then we will go to the Baker River that has the most important volume of water in Chile, where we will rest in Rio Baker shacks, just next to this beautiful river.

Day 6:

We will visit the amazing town of Chile Chico, called "The Sun City", because of the special weather that makes it unique in the Patagonian Region. Then, we will make a trip to the unknown Jeinimeni National Park, were you will see its beautiful surroundings and landscapes. We will go back to Chile Chico where we will spend the night.

Day 7:

Free Day until the departure of the ship that will bring us to Puerto Ibañez crossing the General Carrera Lake. We will arrive to Coyhaique in the evening and lodge there.

Day 8:

Flight to Santiago and end of our services.

Credits:

Jean Paul de la Harpe

José Zamorano

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