Explore Patagonia on a 5-day Cerro Castillo trekking tour through Chile’s Aysen region. Arrive in Balmaceda and transfer to Villa Cerro Castillo, a remote village known for hiking and horseback riding. Stay in a local hostel and dine at a nearby restaurant. Begin the trek with an 8-kilometer hike to Neozelandes basecamp, passing through native forests with views of Cerro Palo and the Ibanez Valley. Camp in an alpine cirque with dinner prepared by local porters. On day three, hike 15.6 kilometers along the Las Horquetas Trail to Laguna Verde and Morro Negro, with views of Cerro Castillo and surrounding peaks. Return to base camp for rest. The final hike includes visiting Laguna Duff before descending to Villa Cerro Castillo. The tour ends with a private transfer to Balmaceda Airport.
Highlights
Trek Las Horquetas Trail to Laguna Verde and Morro Negro viewpoints
Camp at Neozelandes basecamp in a scenic alpine cirque near Cerro Palo
Visit hidden glacial lake Laguna Duff with views of hanging glaciers
Explore Chile’s Aysen region, known for trekking and native wildlife
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Arrive at Balmaceda Airport and meet the local guide for a private transfer to Villa Cerro Castillo. Travel along scenic roads through Chile’s Aysen region, known for its rugged mountains and glacial rivers. Reach the remote village of Cerro Castillo, a base for trekking and horseback riding. Settle into a local hostel and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant featuring regional dishes. Rest in preparation for the upcoming trekking adventure.
After breakfast, begin the trek at Senderos Patagonia base camp in Villa Cerro Castillo. Transfer by 4x4 to the trailhead, then start an 8-kilometer hike to Neozelandes basecamp. Walk through native lenga and nirre forests with views of Cerro Palo and the Ibanez Valley. Spot wildlife such as the endangered Chilean huemul deer along the way. Reach an alpine valley between Cerro Palo and Cerro Castillo. Set up camp in a high-mountain cirque. Local porters prepare dinner on site.
Begin the day with breakfast at Neozelandes basecamp before starting a 15.6-kilometer hike toward Laguna Verde and Morro Negro via the Las Horquetas Trail. Climb through native forest and loose rock slopes with views of Cerro Castillo’s glacial face. On clear days, see Cerro San Lorenzo from the summit. The route reaches 1,670 meters in elevation, with a total ascent and descent of 660 meters. Return to basecamp in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at Neozelandes basecamp.
Begin with breakfast at Neozelandes basecamp, followed by a short 2.5-kilometer hike to Laguna Duff. This glacial lake sits beneath hanging glaciers and granite peaks. After returning to camp, break down tents and descend 12.2 kilometers along the trail to the gravel road. Transfer back to Villa Cerro Castillo. Dinner and overnight stay at a local hostel in the village.
Total Ascent: 250 meters (820 feet)
Total Descent: 1,115 meters (3658 feet)
Total Hiking Distance: 12.2 kilometers (7.5 miles)
Day 5: Depart Aysen
1 Breakfast
Depart from Villa Cerro Castillo with a one-hour transfer to Balmaceda Airport. Drive through the Aysen region’s scenic valleys and rolling hills. End the Cerro Castillo trekking tour with views of Patagonian landscapes before catching a domestic flight from Balmaceda.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
