Description

Patagonia is the name given to an immense area (about 800,000 square kilometers, or roughly 2.5 times the size of Finland) in South America, straddling the border of Chile and Argentina. It is a place where windswept grasslands alternate with the Andes mountains reaching into the clouds. Overhead circle the condors, while in the shadow of the landscape, pumas hunt guanacos. Although Patagonia attracts hordes of tourists with its iconic sights, such places are just a drop in this vast “ocean” - we head to places less-travelled.

Our aim is to show you the lesser-known trails that cannot be found among big tour operators’ “menus.” On these trails you can experience genuine solitude, boundless nature, and both physical and mental challenge. With this trek, we hope that people will learn to appreciate their bodies and what they are capable of, that they will learn to dwell in silence, with only the crunch of gravel underfoot, and birdsong as companion. At the same time, it is also a journey within yourself. You will also have the chance to face some fears, whether due to river crossings, heights, or encounters with wild animals.

And yet, you won’t be entirely alone – with you will be an internationally certified mountain guide Kristians Lunins, as well as a nature interpreter and solo adventurer Romet Vaino. Kris has spent months hiking in Patagonia and the Andes, speaks Spanish and is an avid long-distance hiker. Romet mainly organizes hikes for companies and individuals in Estonia’s nature, but his true passion is going on long solo expeditions in the Scandinavian mountains and taking beautiful photos. From his experiences he has also written two books.

Who is this trip for

Special and remote places come at a price. During a trek, that price is usually physical effort. To join this journey, you should be in a good shape and have experience with multi-day backpacking trips. Definitely come along if you enjoy challenges, wild nature, and empty landscapes. If wet feet, temporary discomfort, and moving without marked trails sound to you like the essence of a true journey, then you are in the right place.

Logistics

While Chile itself is nearly a 24-hour flight away from the Baltics, getting to Patagonia is an adventure in its own right. On January 4th we will meet at the tiny Balmaceda Airport in southern Chile, which is served by several daily flights from the capital Santiago. About an hour away by bus lies Puerto Ibáñez, where we will board a ferry to cross Chile’s largest lake: Lago General Carrera. On the other side of the lake lies a small town called Chile Chico, where we will spend the night and stock up on food supplies needed for the first part of the trek. For those who wish, it’s possible to arrive in Chile a few days earlier to explore the capital city as well.

Ahead of us are 10 full trekking days, during which we will pass through the wild landscapes of the newly created (2018) Parque Nacional Patagonia (PNP), as well as along the legendary settlers’ route, the Ruta de los Pioneros. The PNP trails are maintained and easy to follow, though the route includes one significant climb and several crossings of shallow rivers. Before continuing to the next stage, we will spend a night in the small town of Cochrane, where we will replenish supplies and recharge our batteries. The settlers’ route is wilder and makes you reflect—how did people once manage to carve a way through this no man’s land? Along the journey, we’ll see guanacos, real gauchos (local cowboys), the Chilean pampa, and towering mountain peaks. Our trek will end in the small village of Villa O’Higgins, which is also the southern endpoint of the famous Carretera Austral road through Patagonia. Here we will witness what life is like at the end of the world, where no roads lead further.

We’ve also built in one free (or buffer) day, allowing us to adjust our pace depending on weather conditions and health.

For those who wish, it’s possible to extend the trip and continue from the trek’s endpoint to Argentina’s trekking capital, El Chaltén, with the nearest airport at El Calafate (2.5 hours by bus), offering flights to Buenos Aires. Since Villa O’Higgins truly lies at the end of the world, returning to the capital requires a long journey. The fastest connection is:

• 6hr bus journey to Cochrane, where you need to spend a night

• The following day a 7.5hr busride to Coyhaique

• On the same day a 45min busride to Balmaceda airport

• Flight from Balmaceda to the capital Santiago

Starting point: 04.01, Balmaceda airport

End point: 15.01, Villa O’Higgins

Equipment

Since this is a long trek where everyone will carry their own food and camping gear, we recommend being as thoughtful and minimalist as possible when assembling your equipment. The lighter your backpack, the lower the risk of injuries and blisters. Of course comfortable, well broken-in footwear with proper soles designed for rough terrain is also essential. You’ll find a detailed packing list below.

Daily distances: 15-20 km

Average daily ascent: 500-1300 m

Terrain: rocky, sometimes steep. Feet will definitely get wet (stream and river crossings + walking along lakes); sometimes there is no obvious trail.

Climate: Patagonia can show us all its faces: wind or heat, often very windy.

Accommodation: in individual tents

Hygiene: washing in rivers and lakes

Food: will have to be purchased individually from Chile Chico and Cochrane

Electronic devices: a minimum of 20000mAh power bank and a fast charger are required; devices can be charged in Cochrane and via a solar panel