Amazing Adventures in Aysen

Today, you will arrive at Balmaceda airport from Santiago and set out on a 6-hour drive south along the Carretera Austral to your homebase for the next four nights, the Mallin Colorado Ecolodge. Along the way, you will have opportunities to see the signature glaciated lakes, towering rugged mountain peaks, and dramatic sweeping valleys for which this remote region of Chile is becoming known.  Your stay at the Mallin Colorado is in comfortable cabins overlooking the calypso-blue waters of Lake General Carrera, the second largest in South America after Lake Titicaca, and is the perfect launching point from which you will experience the highlights of this little known region.

After breakfast, meet your guide and head north towards Puerto Tranquilo to Mansa Bay. Your kayaking guide will help you prepare your kayak for your paddle and you will begin your tour of General Carrera Lake to see the famed Marble Caves. Throughout the day, you will learn geological theories about the formation of these unique cliffside caves and archways created along the shores of Lake General Carrera. You will see firsthand how the stone has been eroded by water and strong winds throughout the years as you kayak through the crystal clear waters. Once back on shore, enjoy a well-earned lunch.

In the afternoon, head East with your guide on a stunning road entering the Exploradores valley. The road meanders through dramatic scenery filled with towering peaks, temperate rain forests and several viewpoints to the Exploradores Glacier. While exploring the valley, keep your eyes open for frogs, insects, plant species, funghis, and an impressive variety of habitants of the local ecosystem.

After your visit to the valley, transfer back to the Mallin Colorado and spend the evening unwinding at the lodge, exploring the grounds and soaking in the expansive scenery all around you.

Today, enjoy a non-driving day and opt to hike the expansive trails of the property. The trail will start close to the main house of the lodge and will lead you though native forests of Coigue and Lenga trees.  Pass several viewpoints over lake General Carrera first and then lake Bertrand and Cordón Contreras. Throughout the hike, keep your eyes peeled as you will have many opportunities to spot varieties of local flora and stunning glaciers in the distance.  From the trail, at a certain point, you can see Mallin Colorado lagoon, famous for its reddish flowers above its surface, kind of marsh vegetation.
As you ascend, you will get to a fabulous viewpoint of Cordón Contreras Mountain range, lake Bertrand and lake Plomo, before begining your descent back towards the lodge for a picnic lunch along the trail.

After lunch, continue your hiking adventures on a trail above the lodge with spectacular views of lake General Carrera lake and the surrounding mountains from several high viewpoints. Follow the trail to the shores of the lake, and enjoy a bit of beach time while looking out over the crystal clear water.

Or, if preferred, you can try riding a short horseback ride around the park of Mallin Colorado. You can visit also the reforestation project Mallin Colorado is starting in the low parts of the property. 
 

Today, join your guide and drive 22 miles south along Chile's Austral highway. Arrive at Puerto Bertrand, a small town located in a picturesque area near the source of the Baker River, known as having Chile's largest volume-flow of water. Stop to explore the mouth of the Baker River before driving another 8 miles to where the Baker River meets the River Neff. The scenery where the two rivers join is overwhelming. Surrounded by high mountains and abundant vegetation, the area is rich in scenic views. Gear up and tackle the class II- III rapids as you paddle down the river with enough time to float and swim in the icy blue-green waters. Return to the lodge for dinner and a rest.

After breakfast, you will travel back to the Balmaceda airport to connect with your flight. Be sure to consider at least 5 to 6 hours of ground travel to get to the airport. A late afternoon or evening flight back to Santiago is highly recommended.