DAY 01: You'll start your journey at the International Airport of Bariloche, where you'll meet your personal guide. A transfer will take us on a 3-hour trip, 120Km southwards, along a route surrounded by lakes and mountains, situated in the heart of the Patagonian Andes, until we'll arrive in El Bolsón. Enough time depending of your flight arriving to visit the town. We'll lodge in a cosy and traditional hostel from a family of the first pioneers in Patagonia and have home made dinner (D)

Timing: 3hs minibus transfer.

DAY 02: After breakfast, we'll be taken to the dock of Lake Puelo, where we'll start our adventurous trip. A turbo Jet boat will take us across two lakes, thereby passing the custom control. After having complied with the custom procedures, we'll cross the rapids that unite the two countries of Argentina and Chile. A local guide will be waiting for us and will take care of our luggage. After the custom control in the Chilean side we will begin our walk in direction to Bandurrias Island. Three hours enjoying the paths across the forest. In our walk, some incredible views of the Las Rocas Lake will be able to be seen with the peaks in the surroundings. A warm welcome and a nice rest will be waiting for you in your exclusive cabaña on the Island (B; B; D)

Timing: 30’ From El Bolsón to the Lago Puelo Pier; Motor Boat: 2,30hs.Hours Walking: 4hs  

DAY 03: Cottage breakfast. By foot we will make our way following the trails of the local pioneers, into the Puelo Valley. Go towards to meet the Río Puelo. This area is particularly spectacular for its huge waterfalls and rapids. We’ll take a break to enjoy our box lunch. In the afternoon we will arrive to our host house. Today we will stay in a family house that is just” hanging” in the Puelo River. Night and dinner at the cottage (B; LB; D)

Timing:Hours Walking: 3 / 4hs.  

DAY 04: After breakfast we will take a motor boat and after some minutes going up the river we will see a hanging bridge crossing the river. This is "La Pasarela del Río Puelo", an important local hanging bridge, crucial for the communication between the local inhabitants and the outside world. Arriving to the bridge we will have some time to enjoy the place while the Baqueanos will pack the horses. The walk will take us along different terrains. At the last part if the river is high we will cross it with our local guide horse. At the end of the day we will arrive at a local cattle farm. Here will be some possibilities to share with our host the day by day activities she is doing at her place. (B, BL, D)

Timing: Hours Walking 4/ 5hs  

DAY 05: Home made breakfast at the farm house. This morning we will get on our way and start our trek along these fantastic trails where we will be able to encounter some locals enjoying their daily life. Looking after the cattle and making a living through family agriculture. Is amazing to see how fertile these mountains can be!! The vegetation gets dens in some parts of the trail. A pleasant break at midday for enjoying our lunch box at the Puelo River shore. Enjoy this fantastic landscape and cross the river just as the locals do: on a wooden public rowing boat but horses will do it swimming.  Another farm house where to stay this last night. (B, BL, D)

Timing: Hours Walking 4 hs.  

DAY 06: Home made breakfast at the farm house. Last trek, the path will take us through the forest and along the Puelo River  to the hamlet of LLanada Grande.  At the end of our trail the minibus will be waiting for us. A short drive will take us to the farm for lunch time. Close to the farm a short walk to visit the huge waterfall of LLanada Grande. Delicious lunch at Blanca’s farm. After lunch, transfer to take the ferry boat that cross the Tagua Tagua Lake. Then, the transfer will take us up to Puerto Montt. The road goes at the side of the Reloncaví Estuary. You will enjoy the beautiful sight of the river's mouth flowing into the sea .On our way to Puerto Montt, we will be able to contemplate the colours of the sensational virgin nature of the National Park of Vicente Perez Rosales, skirting Lake Llanquihue and the volcanoes of Osorno and Calbuco, all around the beautiful Puerto Varas city. The transfer finishes at Puerto Montt  or Puerto Varas City (B, L)

Timing: Hours Walking: 3/4hs. Transfer LLanada Grande- Puerto Montt 4hs.  

How many days: The expedition lasts 6 days / 5 nights.

Route from/to: From Bariloche Argentina across the Andes, ending in Puerto Montt in Chile on the shore of the Pacific Ocean

Capacity: Min 2 / Max 10 Persons.  

What’s included: In/Out private transfers, full board meals, pack horses,  transportation  by minibus, motor jet boats, ferry crossing,  5 night accommodation, including one night in fabulous retreat at  Bandurrias island, local guides, “Huasos” and tour leader. VHF radio communication   equipment.  

Food and Accommodation:  Our first night will be at El Bolsón. Home made delicious dinner.  The highlight is in the 2nd night, spent on our private island. Island Las Bandurrias has a woodland path following the shore, small private beaches and two rustic cabañas. Guests stay in a cozy and well-equipped 2-story cottage heated by firewood. The same system heats water for showers. The bathroom offers a splendid view of a Coigues forest. The living and dinning areas and great sundeck overlook the small beach next to the quay with stunning views of Lago Las Rocas and the surrounding peaks. The cabin offers accommodation for up to 6 people and the main house features two rooms with original French country decor. It is a very cozy and warm place where we'll share meals and pre-dinner drinks with Francoise Dutheil, our island host. The house is surrounded by a garden covered by a variety of flowers where birds come to nest, one of Francoise’s prides.  Nights 2/5: When DBL and TRP rooms are not available we have dorms and extra tents, as well as shared facilities with   hot showers. We stay in comfortable rustic and clean farm houses typical of the Puelo Valley. Depending of group numbers extra tents may be added.  Food will be organically and locally grown from the garden and the meat will be cooked in its most delicious Chilean Asado.  

Hours Walking: The daily walking is not more than three hours during the morning and three more on the afternoon.  

Distance: 230 Km between Puerto Montt to "Los Hitos", the natural frontier of rapids at Lake Puelo Inferior.

130 Km between Bariloche to Lake Puelo and 20Km between Lake Puelo port navigating Lake Puelo to "Los Hitos".

Season: The expedition runs any time between September to late April. Walking difficulty: The trip is an exciting one and not demanding. We will have some days longer than others where we will have to cover a particular distance. Some steep up hills and undulating terrain could turn just a bit more demanding if the weather is not good.  

Guides: Opentravel believes that tour leaders are the key for a successful and memorable trip; we use experienced guides with a great knowledge of the area. They are friendly, all of them are great fun and highly passionate about the Puelo Valley area .She or He would be able to be a step ahead and give all the help and assistance on any  unpredictable situation and make the  trip run smoothly.  Local Huasos guides "Baqueanos" will always be there to help with saddles, horses and look after you, they are a great support for the hole group and they even have the weather under control!!. They also enjoy making wooden handcraft.

Visa: A valid passport document with visa for both Argentina and Chile is required.

Safety:  We use qualified staff provided with safety equipment, portable radio with available connections to radiotelephone networks. Life jackets are provided for river and  Lake Crossings while sailing. We use international adventure tourism insurance but clients are obliged to have their own travel riding insurance.  A 2-way radio connected to a direct telephone line for emergencies is available. Health and Vaccinations: No special vaccinations are required for this area of South America. Clients with special medication should bring enough for the trip. It is advisable to get your own fir staid kit. No chemists after day 1.    

Packing and Clothing: We suggest bringing a day pack, where you will put your own personal belongings plus a lunch box and water bottle. Please bear in mind that we do not accept any type of rigid cases. A good quality duffel bag with strong zips will do. We provide strong quality bags just to protect your own one and make things easier. Comfortable trousers, waterproof pants, fleece, jacket, hat, some warm pairs of socks, sun block, insect repellent, personal medicines, personal knife, flash lamp and good trekking shoes. Using plastic bags as a waterproof for your clothes is the cheapest way of keeping things dry in case of rain! Camera depending on your photographic stamina.   Most of our clients realise after doing the trek, how much extra luggage they brought. It is important not to bring unnecessary stuff. The pack horses will especially appreciate your consideration. Our ethic is to protect our horses and not to cause them unnecessary strain. Two complete changes of clothing is plenty. Try to bring less than 15kg. Per person.

 Flight Connections:  Daily flights depart either from Santiago international airport to Puerto Montt  Chile and from Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery local airport into San Carlos de Bariloche  Argentina.

Important Notes: During January, horse flies proliferate in the whole southern part of Chile and  Argentina! They do not harm but are a nuisance and are attracted to dark clothing. Take this into account when selecting your clothing.  You can review with us any points that will affect your travel plans where the trip starts, or whether it includes a Pre-Trip Option or Post-Trip Extension.  

Delicatessen: The cuisine on the trip would be a mix of special blend of flavours and ingredients. It consists of an ethnic variety of gastronomic Creole-Chilean style. A typical European wood stove gives its special flavour to the dishes.  Depending on the season, it is possible to taste the delicious rainbow trout, fontinalis, or salmon trout.  The Creole barbecue “Asado al palo” or “Asado al Asador” is served during several meals. It consists of a tasty lamb cooked with plenty of embers and fire wood. As the main local dish, people cook it in different ways usually accompanied with salad, potatoes and  Chilean red wine.  The vegetables and fruits are superb and the variety of the region's berries is impressive. Vegetarian dishes are also a great delicious option but we do need to know it if you prefer veggie at the moment of making a booking.  The drinking water is crystal clear, safe to drink and tastes delicious. The island also has a personal collection of good variety of wines, champagnes, whiskies, white drinks and tabs.  Typical Lunch Box: 2 sandwiches, small juice, fruit, chocolate-bar, yoghurt, and cereal bar.     

Rates per person:

TREKKING TOUR ANDEAN PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION  2009-2010

Opentravel motto is to love what we do and improve our trips and products and at the same time face the financial worldwide crisis. For this we have decided not to change any prices as long as the price of the dollar /Chilean peso remains within a 10 % fluctuation of the actual price.

http://www.economiaynegocios.cl/calculadora_vf/index.asp

In case this occurs  we will be forced to update the prices accordingly and you will be notified  as soon as we can.

BOOKING CONDITIONS Send us a money deposit to our  account. Please contact us if you have any questions or doubts, to confirm the payment process.

Banco Corpbanca

Oficina Puerto  Montt,

To Françoise Dutheil B.- Catalina I. Bérard

Calle Urmeneta 541 Puerto Montt

Cuenta Corriente en dólares Nº 36-028551-0

SWIFT: CONBCLRM  

Reservation: Prepayment upon confirmation 20%.  

Terms and conditions: We appreciate that the 80% balance must be sent at least 21 days before trip starts.

OPENTRAVEL it’s no responsible for any extra cost if for weather or safety circumstances the tour eventually will have to be cancelled or extended.

Cancellation Conditions: 60 days: prepayment will be refunded. 59 - 21 days: 80 % of total will be refunded. 20 - 14 days: 50 % of total will be refunded. 13 - 0 days 0% of total will be refunded In case of cancellation "in last minute" due to weather circumstances the payment is not refundable but may apply to another departure during the same or the next season.