Sea Kayaking Northern Patagonia Fjords - Pumalin Park (4 days)

Note: this trip can be easily combined with Trekking in Torres del Paine (starts and ends very close to Puerto Montt airport, and from there you can fly for 2 hours to Punta Arenas ) , we can help with it.

OUR TRIP:

“" South of  Puerto Montt, Chile fragments into uncountable islands, with deep fiord that allow the Sea to touch the Andes... this is where Patagonia starts "

" 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 "

Our trip will cross the spectacular scenario of Hornopiren National Park and the Northern part of Pumalin Park, considered to be the last virgin forests in Southern Chile

The only way to access these places is by water. 

We will paddle through unforgettable places. Hanging forests, enormous waterfalls that fall directly into the sea, gigantic walls of rock disappearing into the water and hot springs, endless cliffs, pioneers and their histories, seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and incredible hiking trails to huge waterfalls...and much more. 

The Northern Patagonia Fjords are located in a remote area, where the weather plays an important role and the tides and winds are elements that are critically considered. While appreciating  the attractions you realize an intense and surprising experience with the beautiful nature of the Chilean Patagonia.

Our experience running seakayak trips in this area since 1999 with an average of 10 trips per year plus a powerful network of fishermen friends give us the support in an area that is always changing.

We are pioneers in offering self-sufficient sea kayak trips in the Patagonia Fjords of Pumalin Park , this means no support boat, so all the gear required will be inside the kayaks (food, camping equipment, ...) offering us freedom of movement and the possibility to vary our program at any given moment. 


What makes this holiday different ?


* Consider also that this is a good opportunity to practice your spanish with our local guides and the local people we will meet during the trip.

* 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.

* Our SMALL group size ensures an intense participation of the people , mor safety , and a low impact trip (average 3-4 participants).

* 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.

We are supporting the community by providing books for children of the local school of the Northern Patagonia Fjords , our main destination


What do we offer ?

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

Our trips not only will take you through an inspiring scenery , but you will go home with fond memories of the time you spend with the local fishing pioneers families (colonos) in their own surroundings and how they live , plus first hand experience of the local fishing industry.

... a real sea kayaking trip through Patagonia... which combines true adventure, security, freedom, challenge and multicultural experiences amongst a spectacular scenery: the Northern Patagonia Fjords. 

* Before beginning the trip we will have a complete safety talk about tides, winds, weather, trip logistics. Also will be offered a general practice of paddling stokes and rescue that will be donelater in the sea. While offering this new tools , transforming you into a more skilled and confident paddler, we hope that you will enjoy more the trip.  Our idea is to travel more than just as a group of paddlers ... it is to develop a Team of Adventurers that will enjoy together the beauties of the Patagonia Fjords.
 
* 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.

Itinerary

Day 1:

At 9 AM we meet with the group in a hotel in Puerto Varas town . Puerto Varas is located 1000 km south of Santiago, and 30 minutes driving north of Puerto Montt airport , in the shore of Llanquihue lake, in front of the massive Osorno Volcano. In this meeting , a detailed explanation of trip logistics will be given to the participants so everyone will understand why we are making some decisions during the trip and what we expect from our participants in terms of team work.

Inmediately afte we will start driving the Carretera Austral , the only road that goes to the Patagonia area. As we travel we will see pcturesque fishermen villages and will have to cross by ferryboat the Reloncavi Fjord, the first Patagonian fiord. In our way, we will enjoy some vistas of the Hornopiren volcano with the snowcapped Yates Mt. on the background.  To the South, in front of the Hornopiren village, you will see the Isla de los Ciervos (Deer Island).


The road will lead us to a 3rd class dirty crossing the turbulent waters of the Rio Blanco, to continue across the foothills of a sheer rock wall.  Finally the Comau fiord will show up,  amidst high mountains and steep shores, introducing us to the spectacular scenario of the Hornopiren and Pumalin Parks.

At midday what we offer will start . A real opportunity to see and feel how people of this remote locations live sharing with them a good conversation while eating their lunch , dinner . This day, after lunch , we will go for and easy hike around the area. Camp at Comau Fiord (L-D)

Day 2:

After breakfast we will have a practical class about paddling techniques and rescues systems to begin inmediately our kayaking trip paddling west to the Llancahue Hot springs ( weather permitting ). Box Lunch at the hotsprings . In the afternoon we will return to our camp. Dinner with a pioneer familiy of the area (colonos) enjoying their stories, along with the planning of the next days. (B-L-D)

Day 3:

VERY early in the morning, after breakfast, we will start our self sufficient trip to the Comau Fiord (everything goes inside the kayaks). Imagine this day paddling in between 3 volanoes (north: Yates and Hornopirén volcanoe and south , Michimahuida volcanoe).

After 2 hours, we will reach the narrow entrance to the Quintupeu fiord, with its sheer rock walls covered by lush vegetation, huge ferns and big cascades that fall into the sea. 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.

“... a unique untouched piece, an unforgettable adventure, and a fascinating experience of the culture, East of the Golfo de Ancud ...


At the end of the fiord, if the tides allow, we will try to paddle up river to enjoy a new landscape..  Camp at the end of the fiord.  (B-L-D)

NOTE: if weather conditions are variable during day 3 probably we will return to our original campsite the same day, share with the pioneers and the next day after lunch return to Puerto Varas.



Day 4:

VERY early in the morning, or at night, we will start our return paddling a totally different landscape. Lunch with our new friends and return to Puerto Varas aprox. 8PM (B-L)

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

Weather
The summer months , January and February (equivalent to July and August in the northern hemisphere), are generally pleasant, although it could rain at any given moment. The temperatures fluctuate, according to the weather, between the 8 and 20 centigrades. The temperature of the sea has an average of  12-13 centigrades during the summer.

The area we will be paddling in can have a tidal variation of up to 6 meters (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.

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 GROUPS (safety , more participation , and less impact while we visit the local families)
  * A very good possibility to live the history more than reading it as we will have the opportunity to talk with real pioneers.

  * Complete safety-talk and practice in the sea before departure about paddling and rescue maneuvers (although it rains).
  * Transportation in private van from Puerto Varas, traveling the impressive Southern Highway (carretera Austral) until the point where we will initiate our adventure at Comau Fjord and from there back to Puerto Varas.
  * Reloncaví Fjord navigation (Ferry boat)
  * All the food during the trip according to program (from lunch Day 1 till lunch Day 4)
  (B: breakfast ; L: fast lunch or trail food ; D: Dinner)
  * Navigation Equipment:
  Single and double sea Kayaks imported from the USA, Canada 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 1 and 3)
  * Visit Llancahué Hot Springs... if weather allows
  * Safety Equipment: Satellite Telephone, Marine Band Radio, rescue equipment, towing equipment, tide tables, charts or satellite photos.
  * Guide: certify by the Brtish Canoe Union as BCU 4 STar Sea Award, bilingual sea kayaking guide (English) with first aid and rescue knowledge (Wilderness First Responder Course) and NOLS trainning.
  * Limited insurance while seakayaking (chilean company)

Requirements

• Swimming expertise.
• Physical state and health compatible with the activity to be performed. 
• Previous indication of any illness or health problem  .
• You'll find your trip even more enjoyable if you remember to bring flexibility and a sense of humor with you.
• Positive mental attitude in front of unexpected situations
• Understand that this trip requieres a lot of team work and the participation of each person in all the stages of the trip .  
• Understand that all activities performed in nature can indicate risk. 
• The program could be modified at any stage due to weather conditions or sudden incidents that could affect the security of the group 
  
  
  
• If you want to participate in this trip:
  
  
• Before the trip you must send by fax and signed the Release of Liability Form that appears in this link.
• To have read and have a clear understanding of the Terms and Conditions section existing in our web site (cancellation,Modification and Evacuation Protocols).
• Every participant must send the Reservation and Medical Form that appears after you press this button.
  
• Pay the trip (please ask)
  

Observations

The trip has been planned with the consideration of those without previous experience. Before we begin our trip, on Day 2 we will have a complete safety-talk about rescue techniques and paddling maneuvers so that our participants feel more comfortable during the trip and can really enjoy the beautiful views of the Northern Patagonia Fjords. To improve the enjoyment of our customers, we use both double and single kayaks. Our kayaks are expedition models from USA , Germany and Canada , very comfortable and stable. Our 2nd day paddling will finish , if weather allows, at the hot springs. Please consider that you have chosen Patagonia , a place where the weather is unpredicatble, so we can have sun but also rainny days , very relaxing days but also windy conditions. Hospitals and Professional First Aid Care are very far from the place where we will be navigating. *Evacuations can be very slowly and participantes must be healthy and in good physical conditions